I was at the launch event. Will post some pic soon.
Ride impression: if you like climby bike. This is not for you. It climbs well, but not light-foot like the R5/ Ultimate / Tarmac / Speciallisima. Which means it's ability to handle descent and sprinting ability are terrific. Very confident inspiring. The position is long and low. Very easy to get flatback. Colour is good, but can be better. The blue doesnt look that good in real life.
The design principle is get the look first, and try to bed performance in there second. This does not mean it doesn't perform well. It's just a different kind of bike than your ultra engineered american/ german racin bikes. It was windtunnel tested but the brand manager said that they have to make compromise about look, weight, stiffness. I.e. It if is aero but doesn't look good, they will reconsider it. Same thing for weight. They prefer to use the weight to solve ride quality puzzle (which works, which is why previous gen Italian bikes handle so well.) Reason? If you have to race at 6.8kg anyway why does it matter? Use other lighter parts but not the frame is what i was told.
The brand cares deeply about the look of the bike (like it or not), and said so when the brand manager describe their philosophy. If you cant justify spending 6 grands for a frame that weight more than a kg, look elsewhere.
Who is this for? If you have to ask it's not for you. It's the real depiction of Mario. He sprinted and win 5 giro stages, and said f*ck it when the road tilt upwards. Went back home mid race and didn't care about not finishing. Very masculine / alphamale-ish sort of bike and ride accordingly. You will find better climbing bike elsewhere. For handling and descent, this is one of the best for sure.
Overall, i like how it rides but prefer a more agile, spritely bike. I don't like the look nor the color.. heck even the brand itself, but i can appreciate their effort to be different here. There's a market for this, but it's not for everyone.
