Rondelli R.S.one: First Ride review

Rondelli R.S.one
Cycling Weekly Verdict

All in, the Rondelli is a supremely stiff frame, in every respect, which makes it an uncompromising race bike. Frameset: £1,250 Bike as tested: £1,999

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Good looks

  • +

    Stiff

  • +

    Custom spec

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Harsh ride

  • -

    Bit sluggish on the climbs

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Its swooping rear seatstays and aggressive angular main tubes make the Rondelli R.S.one a fierce-looking piece of kit, with its looks suggesting that its priority is all about stiffness.

What this translates into is an incredibly stiff ride and you certainly don't feel as if any energy is being lost, particularly when sprinting hard, which is ideal in a frame designed for racing. With it being so stiff this naturally translates into a superbly responsive frame, allowing you to turn in with the confidence that the bike is going to end up where you put it through a turn. This is partly thanks to the large, square-edged top tube.

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