Another of those impossible to answer questions but I welcome all opinions.

It's time to move on from my 4 year old Cannondale. My original thought was to go for a Giant TCR Advanced, no exotic beauty, but by most accounts a competent performer. But my desire for something a little more interesting has got the better of me. Unfortunately I'm still on a Giant budget.

So its come down to two main options. A used but near new Time Edge, full Chorus, lovely condition, ready to ride away. Or a De Rosa King X light, demo frame/fork only, obviously near new, I'd have to source a groupset and wheels, budget suggests Ultegra SL and a mid priced wheels. Will be buying from a distance so will only have seen these in photos. Both have very similar toptube dimensions which suit my size.

Or I could go a new Colnago CLX, for a similar price.

To be used by a forty something guy who's been moderately quick in previous years for everything from centuries to lots of hill climbs to the occasional early morning hot ride trying to stay with fast guys.

Any comments, thoughts, ride impressions would be appreciated. Decision needs to made promptly.

It's fun commenting on these questions but not as fun as being the one getting the new bike. I have several road bikes one of which is a Time vxrs. It's an excellent bike in my opinion and Timesport is easy to work with if you ever have the need. If it's ready to go and fits you and you like the color scheme, I'd go with that one.

Yep the Time would certainly do the job. And its ready to go. Its the easy option. But there's something about the De Rosa that I find very hard to pass on - its that emotional pull that Italian bikes seem to have.

Any De Rosa officianados care to comment?

plus if you get the time you will get to call it your "time machine"

I'm a sucker for the De Rosa heart on the headtube. : )

Time all the way. There's something about those bikes that get me every time, the only other bike that I feel that way about is Look.

Tim

I have a thing for Colnagos, but not so much the CLX, that leaves me with the other Italian beauty - which I also love - the De Rosa. The Time would be a nice ride as well and not real common out on the rides. Can't go wrong with any of the choices you've got listed, but the De Rosa King gets my vote, followed by the Time (machine).

what size frame?
In small-medium size Time has a slacker STA which, IMHO, suits more riders. It also has slightly shoter top tube than most other frames.
Assuming geometry suits, TIME is the answer. I am biased, I ride 2007 Time Edge First. Besides, I dont like the looks of the current generation De Rosa. So, TIME and TIME and TIME again. 8^)

Got to be the King imho. Plus its an (ex) pro bike used in the 2004 season by Alessio and in 2005 by team Barloworld (it won the Tour of Langwari or something).The Time, although nice, is near the bottom of Time's range......

Got to be the King imho. Plus its an (ex) pro bike used in the 2004 season by Alessio and in 2005 by team Barloworld (it won the Tour of Langwari or something).The Time, although nice, is near the bottom of Time's range......


Of course it was used, by Barloworld because they were sponsored by DeRosa and because that is the bike that DeRosa provided.

Tour de Langkawi. Won by Ryan Cox, Barloworld, in 2005. As far as I know, he won by pedaling a lot. The bike was not actually credited with the victory, as it was Cox who actually made the bike go forward.

DeRosa has apparently had an issue, in the last year or so, with its CF frames and some of them failing. How widespread this is, I don't know. I would tend to pick a Time over a DeRosa as their CF frames have a good service history, and Time has been in the CF game a long time. Of course, fit and taste--or lack thereof--often trump those details.

Of course it was used, by Barloworld because they were sponsored by DeRosa and because that is the bike that DeRosa provided.

Tour de Langkawi. Won by Ryan Cox, Barloworld, in 2005. As far as I know, he won by pedaling a lot. The bike was not actually credited with the victory, as it was Cox who actually made the bike go forward.

DeRosa has apparently had an issue, in the last year or so, with its CF frames and some of them failing. How widespread this is, I don't know. I would tend to pick a Time over a DeRosa as their CF frames have a good service history, and Time has been in the CF game a long time. Of course, fit and taste--or lack thereof--often trump those details.

Fair point. But if the King wasn't any good then it wouldn't have won the race whoever was riding it.