Ken O’Neill is in need of a new bike, his old one is 20 years old and needs replacing. He wants a carbon frame with Shimano Dura-Ace components, we agree with his choice and look at the Bottechia bike that he fancies buying, and his main question is how the bike can be so reasonably priced?

Question:
I am interested in upgrading from my over 20yr old SR Prism, all aluminum bike to a more modern bike. I’m looking at the Bottecchia-USA Team Road racing model with Dura Ace Components. What is your opinion of this bike considering that nearly all carbon frames under 3500US appear to be made in Taiwan? This bike comes in at $1750US which seems to be (emphasis on “seems”) quite a bargain…..thank you.

Hi Ken,

After 20 years it’s well past time for a new bike. But the carbon and Shimano Dura-Ace combination is the way to go, or carbon and Campagnolo Record combination. The Bottechia range of bike is very reasonably priced and it is hard to believe that they can do it, but they do. The frame (although we don’t know for sure) is probably made in China, this brings the price down as does the fact that you are buying directly from the distributor.

Looking at the frame angles and tube lengths it’s a well proportioned set up, the smaller frames do have quite a steep seat angle which will make the frame quite lively, but possibly a little harsh. The equipment is Shimano Dura-Ace and we all know what that is; the top group from the House of Shimano. The brakes are Cane Creek and the cranks are Hollow carbon FSA with compact chain rings, FSA headset and a Bottechia branded saddle. The wheels are from Vuelta and are made with sealed bearing hubs and radial spoked front wheel and crossed once spoked rear, I have never ridden these wheels so don’t know enough about their strength. Vuelta also supply the handle bars, stem and seat post, these are all alloy and are of good quality, but not the most expensive on the market.

This is a good bike and very well priced, some parts may not be the best, but over all it is a good buy, you are getting a carbon frame with the top of the range Shimano Dura-Ace components. If you are happy with the look and the set up then buy it.