Bicycles

First impressions: FRW Sonoma 2011

Details

Parent Category: Bicycles

Category: FRW

Published on Monday, 30 August 2010 08:22

Written by Luca Salvatelli

This confirms an excellent high-end bikes

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The frame FRW Sonoma for 2011 was partially modified. Remains a frame is wrapped entirely built in Italy, with the pipes based Toray T600S high modulus uni-directional and bi for the structural parts, also depending on the load subjected, are blended with Kevlar fiber, finish 3K is rather cross at 45 degrees. The head tube is a 1 inch and 1/8 above and 1 inch and half below, down tube and oversized seat tube with aerodynamic profile. New horizontal tubes of the rear, now higher profile to integrate better with the bottom bracket (also integrated such as "Press Fit), and new pipes rear higher, tapered and light to give comfort to rider. New seat post, now more integrated and traditional. The stem, handlebar and seatpost are Ritchey carbon fiber. The saddle is Selle Italia Slr Carbon, pedals Keo Max 2. The Super Record group (but is also available Chorus, Shimano Ultegra, Dura Ace, Di2) is adopted in full, as 2011 and with the crank pin titanium. The wheels may be, as Super Record, Fulcrum Racing Zero or Fulcrum Racing Speed. In the latter configuration, the bike has a weight of 6.5 kg without pedals, as observed with our instrumentation.

The road test

The Sonoma 2011 is almost identical to the previous model and is an excellent example of Italian craftsmanship. Excellent its implementation and also excellent painting. Perfect assembly with cables rightly guided and protections to safeguard the well-made frame and without any oversight (also beat the chain). Ritchey components that are of high quality and overall the bike is perfect. Better than the Super Record group, which combined with Fulcrum Racing Speed can offer the best performance in flat paths. Excellent rigidity of the frame, perhaps a little less than some competing models, but here takes advantage of a great comfort, above average category. In this sense it has also benefited from good ergonomics of the handlebar, with excellent ability to filter out the bumps in the asphalt seatpost and saddle. The latter, with holes decompression of the perineum, which is good for comfort and weight. Rigidity and smoothness of the crank advantage in performance and also raises are always all the stiffness you need, with a very responsive car. Performance, then take advantage of a weight content and really competitive in absolute terms. Excellent handling, steering with one in the very first entry of the corners and changes of direction. There is no possibility to check the stability at high speeds on bumpy, while at least up to speed medium/high, to control the bike is always better. Better than the Super Record group, and could not be otherwise, and taken the wheels, which are the perfect complement for a high-level bike. In conclusion, it seems that the 2011 Sonoma is a great bike. Well finished and assembled, yields a few grams to several strong competitors in the industry, but is not penalized. Road showed excellent leadership skills, particularly handling and comfort. The latter can be considered among the best of high-end bikes, which demonstrates the validity of the frames wrapped. Loses some rigidity and responsiveness of the rear than some models, more high-end, more rigid and reactive, but much less comfortable. A good compromise, therefore, for a cyclist who wants high performance range, but not sacrificing comfort. The price of 7480 Euro is unfortunately high, justified by the quality of components used and the overall performance of the bike, but is a product for a few.