John Cullen's 2016 BEAT CANCER TOUR: The New Bike...

After my accident my Merida was written off and thankfully the driver's insurance company gave me a decent payout based on its replacement value, not its current value.

So then the search was on of what to get next. My older bike was a Cannondale and, although 12 years old now, it still serves me well and is an enjoyable and comfortable bike to ride, so they were definitely on the list.

My bike shop, Megabike, stock Fondriest and also Bianchi. Bianchi have been around for a long time, are ridden by the Lotto Jumbo pro team, and have some cool frame designs. However, they are associated with this light coloured green, a colour that I am definitely not a fan of!

Fondriest TFZero SS No. 5

So then it was onto Fondriest. Fondriest bicycles are made in Italy and named after Maurizio Fondriest. Maurizio won the 1998 World Championships, along with 4 stage races, and 4 one day races during his career.

After reading reviews and speaking to other Fondriest owners, including my son Oliver who has a TF3 (and has no other experience with road bikes to compare it to apart from his Fondriest R20), it was then that I chose the Fondriest brand. The next choice was which model.

Megabike not long after released an article about a Limited Edition TFZero Super Sport. Only 9 were to be made in the world, and the frame was to be made by the famous custom frame builder Sarto, and were to be built to each owners individual specifications.

Pick Up Day!!

The order was put in and deposit was paid, now it was just a waiting game.

After approximately four months I had the call to say that it had arrived!

The bike build was No.5 out of nine (which is great as 5 is one of my lucky numbers!), and has full Campagnolo Super Record groupset with a 53/39 front chainring, 11-25 rear cassette, Selle Italia SLR saddle, Bora Ultra 35 wheelset, Keywin Titanium peddles, and 2 Arundel carbon bottle holders. All up it weighs 7.1kg which is extremely light for an XL sized bike, As a comparison, my Cannondale is 2.1kg heavier!

Finally At Home!!

The day I picked it up, Ollie and I went for a quick ride up Norton Summit, and compared to my 12yr old Cannondale it felt like a glider!!

No. 5 out of 9.

I then did the Megabike Saturday morning ride, then on Sunday did the Triple Challenge being three ascents up to Mt Lofty via Norton Summit Rd, The Old Freeway, and Greenhill Rd - 110kms.
The next day I went out to Birdwood and back via Checkers Hill, Corkscrew Rd, and the Old Freeway to the bollards - 152kms. Each ride was thoroughly enjoyable, very smooth, and the bike felt very accurate and precise when cornering and steady at speed too.

It is such a lovely bike to ride and I am very happy with my decision and I am really looking forward to being on this machine for the Beat Cancer Tour!!