BicyclesOn test: Fondriest TF1 Dura Ace
Fondriest TF1 frame is not an absolute novelty, since already in production since last year and adopted by different Teams, as Air Force Team Amica Chips Knauf, during 2009. The frame and fork are characterized by particular aesthetic, which immediately shows the origin Fondriest model. The frame is made entirely in Italy with tubes 2x2 twill 3K carbon (a specific type and more complex weave of carbon fiber which improves the mechanical properties) which are joined together by bandages. Same type of carbon for the range, designed specifically for this model. The head tube has the classic ball diameter of 1 inch and 1/8, with a length of pipe in the middle of some very thorough racing achievements and new trend of frames with the most elevated position in the saddle. The fork has stems from the profile researched and wide, but despite the large size has a weight content in 340 grams. The tube is well proportioned and increases its section at the bottom bracket, well proportioned, but without visible exaggerations. Even the horizontal pipe section is large and has a slightly curved profile, which designs, ideally, a single line with the tubes of the high rear. This configuration, which also appears on other models Fondriest, improves ride comfort without any deterioration in the rigidity of the frame. The tube houses a seatpost from 31.6 mm in diameter. The rear is compact, with slightly curved blades high, coming together in a single tube on the rear brake and bottom straight, the good section, but even in this case, without the exaggerations that are found on other models. The rear dropouts are made from CNC machines, with Fondriest’s patent. This frame has, in M, a weight of 970 grams, as stated by Fondriest. The sizes available are XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL or tailor. Three colours available, on a gray (the bike on test), red or yellow; available also Team version and Limited Edition Renaix 88. The bike is proposed as well as in frame kit version, with assembled Campagnolo Super Record, SRAM Red, Shimano Dura Ace, available also for the possibility of having the Shimano Dura Ace Di2 with the frame specially modified for the internal passage of cables. The bike being tested is the model assembled Dura Ace. In this case the group is used Shimano whole with controls, front and rear derailleur, compact crank, sprocket, chain and brakes. The seatpost, with millimetric adjustment of tilt of the saddle, and the handlebar, a compact airfoil, are FSA K-Force Light carbon monocoque 3K, while the stem is always the FSA, model OS-99, forged aluminum and coated carbon fiber with titanium screws. The saddle is Selle Italia SLR XP Gell Flow, while the wheels are Shimano Dura Ace high profile with slick tires Vittoria Open Corsa a carcass in cotton. The bottle cage is made in carbon, not present, however, the pedals. In M, so the bike has an assembled weight of 7.2 kg, as observed with our instrumentation.
Road test
The Fondriest TF1 is recognized for its own aesthetic, unique, but mostly useless without extreme ends in themselves. Excellent implementation of the frame, the beautiful rear dropouts, which show a realization refined and craftsmanship. Perfect painting and finishing the surface of the frame, as well as cared for and protected the passage of cables or the ever useful chain beat (but often forgotten by other manufacturers). The assembly is of great quality and goes perfectly with the character of the frame. Dura Ace group record does not establish minimum weights, but a feature, surface quality and reliability at the top, same goes for the Dura Ace wheels, no light, but beautiful and perfect in their realization, coupled also to tire of high quality, also the perfect choice of components and FSA SLR saddle, not the lighter, but the one with an enviable relationship between comfort and weight. So from the point of view of the perceived quality there are no weak points, indeed, this model gets your attention for a cure constructive and overall quality remarkable. In the saddle you find a good seat comfort due to the excellent, with hole decompression of the perineum, good padding and profile content not to hinder the ride. The fold provides an outlet as a significant an airfoil not marked and allows a good comfort to those who have small hands. Good, then the handle on taking low, with the controls close to hand. Ergonomic controls Dura Ace, remains among the best, with an excursion of the levers contained, highly fluid content and effort for their action, excellent accuracy and low noise in the steps of relationship. Good braking also shows that for a great scalability and a good absolute maximum power that can satisfy anyone. Perfect, then, the rigidity and smoothness of the crank. Comfort is only partially reduced by the stiffness of the frame and wheels with high profile, but we are at optimum levels, higher than many bikes at the same level. On the move to appreciate the high smoothness of the wheels and tires as well as excellent rigidity of the frame and rear, which combined with the performance of the Dura Ace group lead to important results. The raises are minimally affected negatively by the weight of the wheels, therefore, early stages, it picks up speed with less acceleration, but then it's easy to get high performance. That is you have the proper aerodynamic shape of the wheels, but also to the excellent stiffness of the frame. In the presence of asphalt in order, therefore, performance is good in absolute terms, with an expenditure of less energy to achieve high speeds and then maintain them for long. Even climbing performance are good, thanks to the weight of the bike and the rigidity of the frame in any situation that allows you to transfer power to the rear wheel well. Downhill speed insertion curve is quite good, even in relation to the type of wheels adopted favouring the stability and directionality of insertion speed during cornering. Safety is always good on fast corners and only on the need to have a rough guide more determined, remained committed to the steering to get the right trajectory. The ability to absorb the blows of the ground by the frame, in these cases are helpful, not only for comfort, but also to improve the feeling with the front wheel and the stability of the bike. Excellent fork, rigid and capable of withstanding even the most powerful braking. Only in the wet you must be careful to grip the slick tires, a fact of life for this Vittoria by single glide. General performance is excellent, the best we have so far detected and depend on a global set of factors. The bike itself does not establish absolute values of stiffness or weight, but the quality of the components with which it is implemented, the excellent balance between rigidity of the chassis, light weight and comfort, have meant that the fluidity of the medium and its ability to showing excellent power transmission. So he always manages to be fast even in the face of lower demand for watts, many competitors have on paper weight and rigidity values better than this case. A bike that you find at ease on every trip, which does not set a benchmark never absolute, but is always at the top, which is why, in the long run, wins. A bike fit agony, for his performance in terms of stiffness and responsiveness of the frame, as amateurs, for comfort over long distances and easy and safe handling in all conditions, and amateurs Made in Italy for its aesthetics and construction quality at the highest levels. In conclusion a great bike, with no obvious flaws, other than those that may arise from preferences (from the character of the frame, the quality components adopted) of the beholder.
Performance measured using Polar CS-600 Power
Explanation of why the test: We decided to use the instrumentation Polar CS 600 Power to analyze the performance of the bike. Other tools we can see the values of stiffness of a frame, important information, of course, but they say little about the overall goodness of the bike that the passionate will to buy and its real value for money. It’s clear, in fact, that is not just a bike frame, but also components that are assembled and which determines the overall performance. With the Polar CS 600 Power we know how many watts the athlete must develop to go to a speed X. The more rigid frame is the best crankset, wheels are excellent, very good the rest of the components, the lower will be the demand for power to reach that speed X, the better the goodness of the bike as a whole. Conversely, a good frame, but with components on top, may have worse results of a mid-range, but the assembled frame with good components. We evaluate then the bike as a whole, as well as the retail purchase and not a single element of it, albeit important. Polar CS 600 Power is also the only instrument that detects the power developed without replacing crank or rear wheel. The completion of the test: installed and calibrated properly, the CS 600 Power, the athlete has come a perfectly flat stretch of road and in excellent condition, wind and other interference. The athlete has run several sections first 30 km/h constant, then at 40 km/h constant, and finally at 50 km/h constant, always with the relationship longer available. These are the powers needed to maintain the speed 30 Km/h 115 Watts 40 Km/h 180 Watts 50 Km/h 315 Watts
The commentary to the instrumental test
The test confirmed the impressions on the road, with very high performance and a reduced absorption of watts at various speeds. Detachment, compared to a bike so far has always proved quite pronounced in all three surveys. Rather than a single factor has affected the high overall quality of the bike, with an excellent frame rigidity, smoothness of the wheels, tires and crank. Good aerodynamics of the wheels, then, helped to further enhance the excellent performance from every point of view.
Price
The frame kit, including frame, fork, head series, seatpost, collar and collar derailleur, has a cost of about 2390 Euro, a very competitive price, less than competitors and proportionate to the benefits of the chassis. Be emphasized that this is a product entirely made in Italy. These are the prices of bicycles assembled: Shimano Dura Ace 5990 Euro, Campagnolo Super Record 6850 Euro, SRAM Red 6300 Euro. In all cases they seem appropriate to the quality of the bike and the strong performances.
Positive aspects
Build quality Finishes Quality components adopted Frame rigidity Overall performance Ride quality Balance between comfort and stiffness of the frame
Negative aspects
None
To learn more:
Fondriest Website: www.fondriestbici.com
Tests conducted in collaboration with: Polar
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