Picked her up for a song last Friday. I was all set on an Orbea - Opal or Orca. Saw her sitting in the window, figured she was way out of my budget - probably something starting with 5 instead of 3. But she was a demo, had just 150 miles on her and on sale! Next to the Orca (with Ultegra) it was no contest.

She is a 53cm F4:13 in red / carbon with Dura Ace, compact FSA cranks, Mavic ES wheels. Weighs in at 17.2 lbs with my clunky frog pedals.

She floats over the road unlike any roadbike I have ever ridden and climbs well too. Every effort translates into forward movement. I put 85 miles on her across Saturday and Sunday and I could not be happier.

Here are a couple pictures.....

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/ecorbishley/IMG_0629.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/ecorbishley/IMG_0631.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/ecorbishley/L_side.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/ecorbishley/2Ps.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/ecorbishley/R_side.jpg

I only ask,because it looks as though you have a healthy dose of spacers in the first shot. These particular bikes handle alot better using the long and low method,otherwise it will handle like a schoolbus.

I'm coming from a recumbent and a FS MTB, so I'm keeping the bars relatively high to start. Its not quite maxed out - there was one other spacer in there - I removed it. After riding it almost 100 miles, I think I will take out one more spacer.

It actually handles fine this way, it will just get sharper with lower bar height.

That is one gorgeous bike! I have to agree with Spindawg, though, an Italian bike isn't Italian without the bars down low and stem protruding way out near the front hub. Set her up this way and she will ride like she is on rails. Comfort be damned, you'll be glad you did. How stiff is the frame?

Its an Italian frame - everything else is not. Unfortunately at the price I got I did not get the chance to spec it exactly the way I would have liked. I did really want the wheels and found I had a hard time with the Campy shifters when in the drops - so maybe its just as well it had DA on it. Force would have worked as well, but I had to take it the way it was for the price.

It doesn't get any stiffer down in the bottom bracket area. I compared it to the two Orbeas and a Tarmac, but it rides so much better (smoother) than the others. Maybe its the fork and stays - I don't know.

Its not light the way its set up - about 17.1 lbs - but all of your power goes toward forward motion. In regard to the setup, I have dropped two spacers out so far. I could probably go lower, but I'll wait til I hit 500 miles. She has 250 on her now after just a couple weeks.

The Aero is feeling neglected....and no its not clamped in the stand, just resting.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/ecorbishley/IMG_0424.jpg

This bike is on my list.