Cinelli Race Cut frame - advice please

jimwin
jimwin Posts: 208
edited September 2013 in Road buying advice
I have a Raleigh 853 frame that has served me well for over 20 years. In that time it's been upgraded as needed, currently kitted out with Campag Athena 11 and Fulcrum 3 wheels. I think it's time to look anew and like the look of the Cinelli Saetta Race Cut Frameset.

I have no experience of carbon fibre performance, only that it's the current frame material of choice.

My question is - what can I expect to be improved with the Cinelli frameset? Will it be as comfortable, faster, more accurate steering-wise? Anything else?

Comments

  • Cheshire Cat
    Cheshire Cat Posts: 309
    jimwin- as a Cinelli owner, one thing I can say for sure is that you will experience a frame that is twitchy on the descents, sharp on the corners and constantly urging you to push that little bit harder. Give it time to get set-up and you will love it...when I say time, it took me the best part of six months and 6k miles before I finally felt comfortable, and confident on the bike. Absolutely love it, sublime ride, stiff as, you have to want to ride it otherwise you will be disappointed. A Cinelli is not a Giant Defy, just get on and immediately feel comfortable...you have to adapt to the steeper frame angles and sharp, want to throw you off handling, but when you do...;0)
    “Faster, Faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.” Hunter S Thompson
  • jimwin
    jimwin Posts: 208
    Cheshire Cat - hmmm, sounds a bit scary. What's its climbing ability?

    BTW - yes, I would expect to have to take some time to get used to any new frame and to make the fine tweaks needed.
  • Cheshire Cat
    Cheshire Cat Posts: 309
    Not scarey, just a little nervous in the way they handle, you have to take control of the bike and not tense up on them...the best way I can describe it is initially you are not just physically tired from a ride, but tired from concentrating too. That soon goes away as you get to grips with the way they handle, they are not a frame that I would recommend for a beginner lets say.

    Tight, twisty corners are a blast as the tight frame and steep angles make for a sharp turn in and quick change of direction. As for climbing, I live in the Lake District, Hardknott is but a short 15 mile ride away, so far this year I have been up it 11 times...the bike climbs well, I don't unfortunately.
    “Faster, Faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.” Hunter S Thompson

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