Chinese Frame Chinarello (Fake Pinarello) Build and Review Part 4 - Hilly Ride

INTRODUCTION

This is a series:

- Part 1 - Unboxing - http://mycyclingjournal.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/chinarello-build-part-1-unboxing.html
- Part 2 - Build Experience - http://mycyclingjournal.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/chinarello-build-part-2-build.html
- Part 3 - First Ride 60km Commute - http://mycyclingjournal.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/chinarello-fake-pinarello-build-and.html

OK so finally on day 2 I decided not to do the 100km ride because it would have taken me ~5 hours which I couldn't afford due to Xmas BBQ that I have planned with friends.

So instead, I took it to a hilly ride rather. It's about 40km in total with total elevation of 539m. Most of the hills were 7-11%. I know for some of you it's nothing but for me, it almost killed me. Anyway, check out my Strava if you're using it, too:
http://app.strava.com/activities/33401119

HILLY RIDE REVIEW

One thing that I found was, for hills that were not that steep ~4-5% max, the frame was great, however as it went steeper, I could feel the "heaviness" of the frame compared to my Roubaix S-Works SL3.

As mentioned in my Part 3 article, standing up felt a bit dull therefore it made it even more challenging. The bike barely moved on a 10-11% gradient. I don't know what it would be like to take it to an even steeper gradient.

Nonetheless, I still love it. It just means that I have to train my legs more. For flat rides my Chinese frame is definitely a winner compared to my Roubaix S-Works SL3. It's more alive and fast.