Masi Gran Criterium

Advantages: Smooth ride and handling.
Disadvantages: Not a ideal criterium bike

...I bought the 2003 model so after 4 years of riding it I thought why not write a review! The bike is very easy to live with, I have had no mechanical problems to speak of. In fact i did not have any punctures for the first 2 years, and was beginning to think the bike was "blessed" in some way. Ride quality is silky smooth. Obviously it is a stiff bike but the carbon frame and design geometry take the harshness out of the bumps. In fact in some bizzar way, I actually enjoy going over bumps and feeling how the frame soaks them up (!?). It's true - honest! The bike handles like a dream. It does not have the kind of sharp handling you might desire of a criterium bike, but this has been designed for race tours. Consequently it goes into corners smoothly and then corners like it's on rails. Power transfer is excellent also - better than my... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Comfortable, warm, large pockets
Disadvantages: Bulky

...the shirt to reduce the amount of layers climbers and mountaineers had to wear to keep warm in the winter. The traditional layering system, which had been around for many years and is still taught today, relies on an individual having a wicking layer close to the skin, then an insulating layer (it used to be the woolly pully that your gran knitted for you), and then a waterproof layer on the outside. Whilst this kept you warm and (in theory) dry, it reduced your freedom of movement, especially when you lifted your arms above your head (which can be a distinct disadvantage near the top of a 1000' rock climb). When Buffalo introduced the mountain shirt, it quickly gained a reputation for being warm and windproof - however, it appeared to have one major disadvantage - it is not water-restistant but not waterproof!!! 'Burn it' the purists shouted... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great to have a bike.
Disadvantages: Can be price if you want quality

..., which became a forest path, which became a horse track, which became muddy, which I was on for 1 and 1/2 hours!! I was finally rescued by the loan cycler who sent me on my merry way. My gran, on the phone, said something that really made me laugh. I am reading this book at the moment, The Stand, by Steven King, and it is about a human engineered plague that wipes out 99% of america ( how bad? ) and the symptoms are that of a normal cold. I was coughing as I chatted to her from a bit if hay stuck in my throat. So she asked me if I was coming down with a cold!! So much for visiting Germany!!!! While I was in Augsbourg I saw something so german it was hilarious. I wanted to cross a road and there were no cars in sight for miles. THere were about 20 germans on each side of the road. Would they move? The little green man was now red... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful