We in the editorial team usually agree on technical matters, but less so when it comes to design. However, when we unpacked the "Temerario" frame set from Dedacciai Strada, a commotion broke out. Or almost, anyway. The daring appearance of this carbon frame breaks with a number of visual habits and sends out a clear signal at first glance: I ... am ... different. And thoroughly so. The name of the bike could hardly be more apt - "Draufgänger" is the German translation for "Temerario".
There is no question that such an eye-catcher requires a proper body. Dedacciai does not offer complete bikes, so there is actually plenty of room for manoeuvre. Actually. But doesn't a racy Italian bike also need the best Italian components? A white-painted handlebar with matching stem from the in-house component line Deda Elementi is part of the frame set, and Deda can also supply tyres and bottle cages. Campagnolo's "Super Record" groupset, "Bora" carbon wheels and a perfectly colour-matched saddle from Prologo complete the frame to create a bike that could hardly be more Italian and also looks like a sculpture.
When looking at the black and white-red racer, the eye is drawn to several striking details. The voluminous down tube, for example, if you can still call it a tube given the angular cross-sections. Or the huge, asymmetrically shaped chainstays, which had to be narrower at the front to make room for the cranks. The waisted top tube with a square cross-section and the integrated seat dome with a teardrop-shaped cross-section are no less striking features of the consistently spectacular shape. One of the most unusual details of the frame, however, are the seat stays set low on the seat tube. In contrast to the main frame, they are made of titanium and are probably the main reason why the frame achieved an astonishingly good comfort value on the test bench. In our experience, the integrated seat dome did not initially lead us to expect this.
The "Temerario" is also impressive in action. The neutral riding behaviour holds no unpleasant surprises, the riding position is sporty and you immediately feel comfortable on the Dedacciai. The head tube diameter increases from 1-1/8 inches at the top to 1-1/2 inches at the bottom, and the generous use of materials should make the frame really stiff. And it succeeds: Riding stability (89 Newton metres per degree) and power transmission (58 Newtons per millimetre) are at a high level. The laterally stiff fork (45 Newtons per millimetre) also helps to ensure that the bike stays safely on course even at high speeds. You might assume that the imposing appearance suffers somewhat from excess weight, but 1,320 grams for the naked frame in test size XL and a size-adjusted 1,789 grams for the set with fork and headset are decent, even good considering the expansive shapes. At 160 grams, the clamp attachment for the integrated seatpost is relatively heavy, and there are technically better solutions than the saddle clamp with just one bolt. High-frequency vibrations are absorbed by the material mix of the rear triangle; they only manifest themselves in a steady, sonorous hum that - amplified by the hollow spaces of the monocoque frame - accompanies the rider on their ride.
The finish of the frameset is good, only the paint transitions on the rear triangle could be a little cleaner. With only four sizes to choose from, the selection is somewhat limited, which tall riders in particular will regret. Overall, the "Temerario" makes an impressive appearance, which is not only due to its looks. Although there are lighter framesets for €2,450, there are hardly any more individualised ones. Even if the values of the frame are not record-breaking, they are certainly competitive - and thanks to the unmistakable design, the "daredevil" will find its fans.
Those who shy away from such pronounced extravagance will still find what they are looking for in the product range: Dedacciai Strada 2010 offers three more carbon frames and a titanium frame. The framesets are distributed in Germany by Il Diavolo in Bad Honnef.
Price frame set: 2,450 euros
Reference/Info: www.dedacciaistrada.com; www.ildiavolo.de
Phone: 02224/900 190
Frame sizes*: S, M, L, XL Seat/steering angle: 72.5/72.5°
Seat/top/head tube: 530/580/180 mm plus 20 mm headset cap Wheelbase/caster: 1,015/59 mm Frame height/STR**: 600 mm/1.54
EQUIPMENT:
Fork: Dedacciai Strada "EDG"
Steering bearings: Cane Creek, top 1-1/8, bottom 1.5 inch
Handlebar/stem: Deda Elementi "Presa"/"Zero 100 Team";
Seatpost: integrated with Deda clamp attachment
MEASURED VALUES & INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Frame/fork/headset bearing weight: 1,320/407/81 g
Standardised weight frame set***: 1,789 g ... 3.0 Steering head stiffness: 89 Nm/° ... 2,0
Lateral stiffness fork: 45 N/mm ... 2,3
Bottom bracket stiffness: 58 N/mm .. 1.3
Comfort frame: 250 N/mm ... 2,0
Comfort fork: 94 N/mm .. 4.3
*Manufacturer's specification; tested frame size greased; **projected dimension from centre of bottom bracket to top of head tube/STR (stack to reach); values between 1.45 and 1.55 indicate a 57 and steerer length 225 mm.
