Fondriest bikes

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by zewol
hi guys,

As I read the Fondriest catalog recently I started to get pretty exited with their products. But when common sense came in my mind I asked myself if they were really that great or much of their attention is far too concentrated on doing state of the art paintings.

Their frames seem to be pretty light and well assembled but are they really worth that much???

-www.fondriest-usa.com

thanks

One of the guys I regularly ride with has a Fondriest Don Racer made of Dedacciai U107 aluminum. It's a beautifully made frameset, gorgeous SAT finished and very lightweight too. But like most ultralight frames, lighter propably also means less long term durability (not always, but general rule). Apparently the Fondriest did cost a bit more than a comparable Cannondale CAAD7 frameset (or other comparable mass produced framesets) but you pay for the Italian allure. Either way, the guy says it rides great.

I ride a Fondriest Status. It is simply marvelous. Light, fast, yet I am also comfortable going over the century mark. They flat out build one of the best bikes around. And to top it off, they are scary beautiful.

If I win the lottery (I'm always saying this), I think there will be room for a Fondriest in my bike stable. Which isn't to say that they're too expensive... though they do cost as much as a monkey butler... it's just to say that if I had the cash for a dozen nice road bikes, I find them cool enough to include one.

Which is very cool indeed.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by lokstah
If I win the lottery (I'm always saying this), I think there will be room for a Fondriest in my bike stable. Which isn't to say that they're too expensive... though they do cost as much as a monkey butler... it's just to say that if I had the cash for a dozen nice road bikes, I find them cool enough to include one.

Which is very cool indeed.

What in gods name is a monkey butler?🙂

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by larry barr
What in gods name is a monkey butler?🙂

I just figure that a monkey trained to perform housekeeping duties, as well as the cost of the permits, veterinary care, monkey food, and so on, costs at least as much as a Fondriest per week.

lol, thanks for the replies...

Speaking with my LBS guy who happens to be a Fondriest seller told me that in Canada, because of the shipping and the fact that these bikes are hand-made in italy I would be payin about 1500-2000 bucks (CAN) more for a mostly equal bike made in north america.... sad but despite the prize , it think my next bike will be italian!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by zewol
lol, thanks for the replies...

Speaking with my LBS guy who happens to be a Fondriest seller told me that in Canada, because of the shipping and the fact that these bikes are hand-made in italy I would be payin about 1500-2000 bucks (CAN) more for a mostly equal bike made in north america.... sad but despite the prize , it think my next bike will be italian!

So what are you going with? Inquiring minds want to know.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by zewol
lol, thanks for the replies...

Speaking with my LBS guy who happens to be a Fondriest seller told me that in Canada, because of the shipping and the fact that these bikes are hand-made in italy I would be payin about 1500-2000 bucks (CAN) more for a mostly equal bike made in north america.... sad but despite the prize , it think my next bike will be italian!

If you're thinking of going for the aluminum Fondriest frames, may I suggest going with a Cannondale CAAD 7 frame or a Giant OCR frame. Both frameset come with carbon/carbon forks. They're cheaper and probably better performing. Sure they don't have the fancy paint job or SAT finish of the Fondriest but if function is what you want, they're they way to go.

Just my two cents,
Tech72

Anyone else just swamped with Fondriest email? It's a nice ad, and it's my fault for landing on their mailing list, but I've literally gotten the same mailer in the same account a dozen times over the last two weeks.

Starting to leave a bitter taste in my mouth. Much like a substandard cup of coffee sitting on my desk this morning.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by lokstah
Anyone else just swamped with Fondriest email? It's a nice ad, and it's my fault for landing on their mailing list, but I've literally gotten the same mailer in the same account a dozen times over the last two weeks.

Starting to leave a bitter taste in my mouth. Much like a substandard cup of coffee sitting on my desk this morning.

One way to sell more bikes, beat the buying public into submission. Server problems perhaps, any computer whizzes out there that can help.

I have the same problem, I received it for the first time twice, and then two days ago another time.....

Wonder if that's just a problem or if they are really gonna spammy e-mail that way...I guess (hope) not from a company of that kind but be advised anyone who wants to join it

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by zewol
I have the same problem, I received it for the first time twice, and then two days ago another time.....

Wonder if that's just a problem or if they are really gonna spammy e-mail that way...I guess (hope) not from a company of that kind but be advised anyone who wants to join it

It seems to have stopped for now anyway.

Let's hope .... Until the next one comes out!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by zewol
hi guys,

As I read the Fondriest catalog recently I started to get pretty exited with their products. But when common sense came in my mind I asked myself if they were really that great or much of their attention is far too concentrated on doing state of the art paintings.

Their frames seem to be pretty light and well assembled but are they really worth that much???

-www.fondriest-usa.com

thanks

😠 Back in 1998 I got my Fondriest Status and it's was a great bike. Approx 2 year ago the chain stay broke and the frature surface showed a clear sign of a small materiale error. I contacted the main factory in Italy and the local importer but the reply was completely un-usefull, no help at all. If your local dealer has the same policy about warrenty I suggest that you look for something else. The look of the bike is great but the durability is not.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by daddy
😠 Back in 1998 I got my Fondriest Status and it's was a great bike. Approx 2 year ago the chain stay broke and the frature surface showed a clear sign of a small materiale error. I contacted the main factory in Italy and the local importer but the reply was completely un-usefull, no help at all. If your local dealer has the same policy about warrenty I suggest that you look for something else. The look of the bike is great but the durability is not.

Certainly sorry to hear about your situation. I assume the bike had not been crashed or otherwise damaged. If my math is right, you used the bike for 3 - 4 years. Not sure of your usage, but regardless, I don't know of anyone that warranties a ride for that period of time.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by larry barr
Certainly sorry to hear about your situation. I assume the bike had not been crashed or otherwise damaged. If my math is right, you used the bike for 3 - 4 years. Not sure of your usage, but regardless, I don't know of anyone that warranties a ride for that period of time.

Hello Larry

Here in Europe we normally see a warranty periode of 10 year or more for a steel frame. If we talk alu. the normal periode is 3 years. For this high-end steel frame I must say that I expected a minimum warranty of 10 years having in mind that the fracture was caused by an error in the materiale and not some kind of overload. It was clearly fatigue and the path of the propagating crack was easy to spot. If you think that 3-4 years of life is okay for this expensive steel frame I must say that I do not agree.

🙂 I have a basic Top Level U107 with dura-ace. It is a good blend of feeling, comfort and effeciency. I had a chance to try other more expensive bikes wich where nice too. But this frame is incredible if you can find one around $1000.00

Enjoy the ride!

Hi

You are forgetting one answer in your poll. The absolute most important one regarding Fondriest frames. TOO EXPENSIVE. I believe their top of the line frame is 4000 Euro. Is it made of gold 😕

4000 Euro because your frame tubes are glued together not at Bianchi, Gios, Gazelle or Gitane but at Fondriest??! :p

Regards, Frank.

BIANCHI_EURO said:

Hi

You are forgetting one answer in your poll. The absolute most important one regarding Fondriest frames. TOO EXPENSIVE. I believe their top of the line frame is 4000 Euro. Is it made of gold 😕

4000 Euro because your frame tubes are glued together not at Bianchi, Gios, Gazelle or Gitane but at Fondriest??! :p

Regards, Frank.

That is the ooh-ahh factor. You are correct, the frames are too expensive, but that is part of what makes them exclusive... :p

Would not buy one given their pricing (until I win the lottery, that is). They are nice bikes though.