New ride: Corsa Strada
08-17-07, 03:16 PM
#1
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New ride: Corsa Strada
So here's the tale of my new ride.
About a year and a half ago, I was hanging out with my girlfriend at the home of a family she was house-sitting for. Like the lousy house guest that I am, I drained the last two beers that these nice folks had left in their fridge. In response to my query as to the location of more beer, my sweetie suggested I check the fridge in the garage. As I schlepped into garage and toward more possible beer, I noticed a slick looking road bike standing against the wall. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that it was a Torelli Gran Sasso, apparently the husband's ride. Again, like the house guest from hell that I am, I immediately went looking for guy's shoes. Luckily, there were sitting nearby.
While the bike was at least a size too small (as were the shoes) I knew I wanted one after about 30 seconds of tooling around on this thing. So over the course of the following year, I socked away $2200 for a road bike. Sadly, the nearest Torelli dealer was 3.5 hours away from me, in Norwalk, CT. Still, on my next trip down 95, I stopped by the shop (Smart Cycles, great place) and got fitted for a bike. They don't import the Gran Sasso anymore, so the next most comparable frame in my budget range was the Corsa Strada. I then spent some time looking for a used 58cm Corsa frame online and priced Veloce parts and other components a la carte. The parts were easy enough to find, but finding a used 58 Corsa frame for sale was another story. The shop owner then explained that he could actually put a package together for me, and build it, for less. Quite a bit less, actually.
So I got my new Corsa Strada one week ago. I've done 20-30 mile rides every night after work since then and I have to say that this thing is just a dream to ride. If you're looking for a classic, steel Italian road bike for around 2k, you could a lot worse.
Here's a few pics.
About a year and a half ago, I was hanging out with my girlfriend at the home of a family she was house-sitting for. Like the lousy house guest that I am, I drained the last two beers that these nice folks had left in their fridge. In response to my query as to the location of more beer, my sweetie suggested I check the fridge in the garage. As I schlepped into garage and toward more possible beer, I noticed a slick looking road bike standing against the wall. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that it was a Torelli Gran Sasso, apparently the husband's ride. Again, like the house guest from hell that I am, I immediately went looking for guy's shoes. Luckily, there were sitting nearby.
While the bike was at least a size too small (as were the shoes) I knew I wanted one after about 30 seconds of tooling around on this thing. So over the course of the following year, I socked away $2200 for a road bike. Sadly, the nearest Torelli dealer was 3.5 hours away from me, in Norwalk, CT. Still, on my next trip down 95, I stopped by the shop (Smart Cycles, great place) and got fitted for a bike. They don't import the Gran Sasso anymore, so the next most comparable frame in my budget range was the Corsa Strada. I then spent some time looking for a used 58cm Corsa frame online and priced Veloce parts and other components a la carte. The parts were easy enough to find, but finding a used 58 Corsa frame for sale was another story. The shop owner then explained that he could actually put a package together for me, and build it, for less. Quite a bit less, actually.
So I got my new Corsa Strada one week ago. I've done 20-30 mile rides every night after work since then and I have to say that this thing is just a dream to ride. If you're looking for a classic, steel Italian road bike for around 2k, you could a lot worse.
Here's a few pics.
08-17-07, 03:33 PM
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Great ride, brother!!! Also, congrats on the mental fortitude seek out and save for what you wanted.
I have a circa 1999 Torelli Nitro Express EL/OS with a similiar build as you mentioned; its by far my favorite bike that I have owned (and I have owned too many to humbly report, ranging from a whippy full carbon to a retro Colnago).
I have a circa 1999 Torelli Nitro Express EL/OS with a similiar build as you mentioned; its by far my favorite bike that I have owned (and I have owned too many to humbly report, ranging from a whippy full carbon to a retro Colnago).
08-17-07, 03:36 PM
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If you don't mind me asking, how much were you charged for this bike. I am looking for a similar bike myself, and I don't live far from Smart Cycles. Thanks!
08-17-07, 03:47 PM
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I paid just a hair over 2k for the bike, minus the Ultegra pedals, which you can usually get for about $140.00 but I got mine from a friend at a discount. I'm not sure but I think the Campy equiv for Ultegra might be the Chorus Pro Fit Plus, for around $160 or so. Also, due to a minor mix up in the ordering, I got the Imron paint job for nothing.
08-17-07, 08:09 PM
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also in New Hamster, and have also gone to Smart Cycles for a bike, in my case, one of the last frames built by Antonio Mondonico, a Futura Leggaro. Alex really seems to care about getting his customers onto the bike they want, and always is a pleasure to deal with. And Torelli, while not the builder themselves, seem to have it all right in the design and execution of the frames they import. It's just too bad that the dwindling market for steel bikes has caused them to cut down the number of different models they offer, the loss of the Gran Sasso being one of them.
I also have an EL-OS Mondonico, virtually identical to Tio's Torelli Nitro Express, as is my opinion of its ride. the Corsa Strada is a fine bike, ride it proudly for many years.
I also have an EL-OS Mondonico, virtually identical to Tio's Torelli Nitro Express, as is my opinion of its ride. the Corsa Strada is a fine bike, ride it proudly for many years.
08-17-07, 08:35 PM
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purity of essence
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also in New Hamster, and have also gone to Smart Cycles for a bike, in my case, one of the last frames built by Antonio Mondonico, a Futura Leggaro. Alex really seems to care about getting his customers onto the bike they want, and always is a pleasure to deal with. And Torelli, while not the builder themselves, seem to have it all right in the design and execution of the frames they import. It's just too bad that the dwindling market for steel bikes has caused them to cut down the number of different models they offer, the loss of the Gran Sasso being one of them.
I also have an EL-OS Mondonico, virtually identical to Tio's Torelli Nitro Express, as is my opinion of its ride. the Corsa Strada is a fine bike, ride it proudly for many years.
I also have an EL-OS Mondonico, virtually identical to Tio's Torelli Nitro Express, as is my opinion of its ride. the Corsa Strada is a fine bike, ride it proudly for many years.
09-18-07, 02:26 PM
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I'm considering swapping out the parts from my caad9 to a more supple steel frame. I like the aggressiveness and handling qualities of my bike but it's a little too stiff for my liking when doing longer rides. Does this bike feel race-able, flexy? I'd be riding a 56-57, I'm 200 lbs.
09-18-07, 02:59 PM
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I'm considering swapping out the parts from my caad9 to a more supple steel frame. I like the aggressiveness and handling qualities of my bike but it's a little too stiff for my liking when doing longer rides. Does this bike feel race-able, flexy? I'd be riding a 56-57, I'm 200 lbs.
