Perfect Introductory Road Bike

The Tommaso Imola is the perfect bike for a beginning road rider. The price point is great, the build quality is great, and it has enough style to stand out in the pack. I have since removed and upgraded almost all of my components, so that the frame and fork are pretty much all that remains. I love the ride and geo of this bike. It is fast, responsive, and stiff. The carbon fork does a great job of dampening the ride. With a new groupset, my bike moved from a beginner road bike to a good intermediate road bike. I race at the collegiate level, and my Tommaso fits in just fine. I love riding a Tommaso. It is a quality company, with great looking bikes, and as a person who prizes individuality, I love being the only one on my team with one. CONS: This bike is not light, but that is not entirely unexpected. My frame, with a full Ultegra 6700 groupset, carbon bar and stem, Thompson Elite seatpost, Ritchey WCS Streem saddle, and Vuelta Aerolite wheels (another source of weight) weighs in at about 21 pounds. I figure with lighter components and wheels I could probably bring that down to about 18 pounds, which is still not very light, but completely manageable. Also, the compact geo is so tight (I have a 54cm) I can barely fit two bottle cages, and the cage on the seatpost can only hold an average size bottle comfortably. Bottom line: If you are looking for a great introductory, upgradeable road bike and have a lower budget, the Tommaso Imola is the perfect choice.

Posted 04.03.12

Perfect Introductory Road Bike

The Tommaso Imola is the perfect bike for a beginning road rider. The price point is great, the build quality is great, and it has enough style to stand out in the pack. I have since removed and upgraded almost all of my components, so that the frame and fork are pretty much all that remains. I love the ride and geo of this bike. It is fast, responsive, and stiff. The carbon fork does a great job of dampening the ride. With a new groupset, my bike moved from a beginner road bike to a good intermediate road bike. I race at the collegiate level, and my Tommaso fits in just fine. I love riding a Tommaso. It is a quality company, with great looking bikes, and as a person who prizes individuality, I love being the only one on my team with one. CONS: This bike is not light, but that is not entirely unexpected. My frame, with a full Ultegra 6700 groupset, carbon bar and stem, Thompson Elite seatpost, Ritchey WCS Streem saddle, and Vuelta Aerolite wheels (another source of weight) weighs in at about 21 pounds. I figure with lighter components and wheels I could probably bring that down to about 18 pounds, which is still not very light, but completely manageable. Also, the compact geo is so tight (I have a 54cm) I can barely fit two bottle cages, and the cage on the seatpost can only hold an average size bottle comfortably. Bottom line: If you are looking for a great introductory, upgradeable road bike and have a lower budget, the Tommaso Imola is the perfect choice.

Posted 04.03.12