Cinelli Experience Veloce £999 Review
Reviewer: Cycling Weekly
23-Feb-2011 | 13 Reviews
Rating:
Pros
- Good update over old model
- Great groupset
Cons
- Shorter top tube may not suit all
We ride and rate four bikes that come in at the government's Cycle to Work maximum price point of £1,000
The redesigned frame weighs 100g less but there's more to it than that - it has a grace and poise that its predecessor lacked. The old one had the words 'No Flex Tube' and 'Supersection' on its monster down tube.
Cinelli appears to have got over its identity crisis and has remembered that it is Italian and not Scottish, and that cyclists want a bike with the flavour of espresso not Irn-Bru.
The frame, made of Columbus Airplane 7005 aluminium, comes in either black with yellow, orange and red flashes or a subtler white. Some key features are the neat internal cable routing on both top and down tubes, conical seat tube which is wider at the bottom bracket and narrows to a 27.2mm seatpost, and oversized manipulated chainstays.
It's Campagnolo Veloce throughout - the latest version of the groupset with the one-piece axle crankset and non-skeleton brakes. The wheels are the new Campagnolo Khamsins - entry level in Campag's ‘medium profile' range (‘high profile' means deep rim and 'low profile' means a very shallow rim for climbing) and weighing 1,873g. Bar and stem are naturally by Cinelli.
Silent Experience
The Experience is nimble with a smooth ride that feels smoother the faster it goes. The frame is very compact and helps keep the handling feeling neat - it changes direction with the slightest encouragement. The internal cable routing is smartly done and avoids rattles - in fact, one of the enjoyable characteristics of the Experience is that it runs completely silently, even over rough sections.
There's nothing like a cable constantly slapping against a tube or a shifter buzzing to spoil a ride.
The top tube at 54.5cm was a little short (the next size up wasn't available), but the new-shape Campag levers extend considerably further than the old stubbier models and a shorter top tube means you can make better use of the 'third' hand position of the latest hood shape.
Besides, the smaller size handled so well, and comfort was great with more seatpost out, that if we were buying one, we would probably go for this size and use a slightly longer stem. The head tube at 15cm allows for a higher front end but any higher would be too high.
Verdict
The latest generation Campagnolo groupsets have excellent braking power, and it was good to see that the new Veloce calipers don't let the side down. There's really nothing to fault here.
Full specification
Frame
Columbus Airplane 7005 aluminium tubing
Group Set
Campagnolo Veloce
Size Tested
Medium
Weight
19.6lb/8.9kg
Wheels
Campagnolo Khamsin wheels
Supplier
www.chickencycles.co.uk
Deals of the week
Moto-Direct Ltd
Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 11spd Groupset SRP £1,899.99
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User reviews
Add your review
Lee
February 25 13:01
Strange but if I spec up a 105 model with ITM wheels it comes to £1123.45 That's off the website as of the 25th Feb 2011 Not really fair on the other guys I think?
kev
February 25 18:37
To Lee above-You need to use the "special edition bikes" section to get the best price,I made it £1078.
David Morris
March 04 16:57
I have owned a Ribble Sportive (The old red and black colour scheme) framed bike for 4months now. Funds where tight so I purchased the frame and fork only and swapped all of the other components from my old bike. The new machine is OUTSTANDING! it's lightweight, comfortable, fast, stiff, sure footed and beautiful to look at. I can't recommend the frame enough.....go on treat yourself!
Mike Finch
March 23 12:18
I bought a Ribble Sportive (the red one) last October, with a 105 compact Groupset and RS20 wheels. It rides beautifully soaking up the rough Cumbrian roads far more effectively than my previous Aluminium framed bikes. Mine weighs in under 18lb, I recommend it greatly. Only slight disappointment was that the expected 10 day delivery spun out to four weeks.
Paul Solerti
March 23 21:01
Like the reviews on this bike and i have been saving up for this one. Finally bought it last night with blue tape and tyres. Can't wait to see it turn up...
Dave Hewes
April 13 17:05
I bought this frame recently and have been hugely impressed. Fast, efficient and secure delivery of a high-quality, well-made product which is finished superbly. Extremely comfortable ride with enough stiffness to really enjoy putting in a quick burst of power when the mood takes you (which on this thing is seriously often.) The only draw-backs include the impracticality of the gleaming white paint and the american spelling of carbon fibre(er) on the seat-stays. Like David Morris above, I transferred the components from my old bike onto this frame and am already considering upgrading, if only to do the frame justice. The Sportive Bianco performs at the level of a bike at twice the price and the Ribble name emblazoned on the tubing helps destroy the unfounded pre-conceptions of the bike snobs out there. Highly recommended.
Andy Griffiths
April 17 18:47
Bought my Sportive Racing 10 months ago using the cyclescheme voucher. Its my 1st Carbon bike, but my 5th Ribble in 15 years or so. Since it turned up my Ribble Winter Audax bike hasn't been out of the garage!! Incredible bike, frame fits 25mm tyres, its a real eye catcher which goes as well as it looks.
BeSpoke
June 01 13:05
Tempted o buy one of these. Great reviews... However, reported humming sound isn't necessarily a good thing. In fact engineers would normally strive to prevent resonance because the enhanced vibration is generally detrimental to the fatigue life of a structure.
Si
July 24 18:55
Fear not, I have the red version of this frame, and it doesnt hum. However, I do have an aluminium Colnago which whirs in pleasing kind of way! Back to the Ribble, which rides superbly in all respects, and the finish is top notch. For the money, and compared to many other mid range carbon frames that I have looked at costing more, in my opinion the sportive is tough to beat. Get one and enjoy.
Ivo Costa
August 18 18:16
I bought my Ribble Grandfondo last April with Ultegra groupset but 28mm tyres for the pot holes in Fife Scotland. What can I say... it's an amazing bike, light, strong and amazing value for money. My £1200 vs my mates £2100 Trek and the service at the Ribble shop to get properly measured to get the right size frame has been brilliant. Go on get one and clock up the miles.
Rik Slingsby
October 28 09:23
Just ordered my Sportive Bianco with 105 group,and can't wait! Used to be a keen cyclist as a teen, and not really done any miles since then, 20 years plus!, and back then it was a Ribble, Reynolds tubing, with I think the first 105 groupset! Always been great bikes!! Gonna feel a big change!! ....Mainly because I'm just turning 40!!
Neil Jones
December 03 21:40
Just taken delivery of a Sportive Bianco kitted out with Sram Apex and a Fulcrum 5 wheels. An awsome and great looking machine on which climbing is almost a pleasure!
Steve Peters
January 31 21:29
Cinelli the best option here for 1k. It looks a lot classier than the Ribble IMO and looking at the range of bikes out on a typical sportive, far more exclusive! It may give away half a pound in weight but comparing like for like perhaps the £75 you'd save could be spent on lighter wheels as you spec up a bike with fantastic heritage. Carbon ain't the be all and end all and that's before you look at reports of customer service and satisfaction on the'net..