One reason I would only even consider a carbon fiber roadie over classic steel is the organic shapes the material can achieve. Take the forks on this Max Lelli Team, for example. They look like the outstretched talons of an eagle about to pounce on it’s prey. Reassuringly, while they continually push the technological envelope, modern road bikes cannot escape the classic design of a bicycle: two triangles and two circles.
Massimiliano Lelli is a pro racer who participated in 14 Tour de France expeditions and three World Championships. At Eurobike 2007 Max followed in the footsteps of other legendary racers like Eddy Merckx, Francesco Moser and Giuseppe Olmo and unveiled his own marque.
The proud owner of this Max Lelli Team is Angelo Garcia, editor of the Italian Cycling Journal blog. As you’d expect, he has an eye for quality Italian craftsmanship, and of course there’s a story and ethos behind the frame. The drive side is opalescent white, the left is clear coated 3k carbon weave and the two are bisected by a thin red line. The insides of the forks and the chain stays are the same red. Good looking frame, the philosophy behind it reads thus: ‘Anyone who spends a lot of time on a bicycle knows that there are different moods for different rides. Sometimes you want to take an easy spin and enjoy a bit of conversation with friends; sometimes you want to hammer and drop them like a ripe pomodoro. Each time you kit up to ride, you have an angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other: the Team gives you the opportunity to express both sides of your cycling personality’.
Built up with a healthy mix of Campagnolo 11 Speed Chorus, Easton SLX3 bars and 28 spoke Record hubs laced to Mavic rims, the bike will certainly perform like it should. But the real decision will not be which particular team kit you’ll dress up in when you take it out for a spin but which aspect of your psyche.
