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Condor make bold claims for their Fratello (it’s Italian for ‘brother’): “Our original all-round super bike. Commuter, fast tourer or winter trainer, its inherent versatility makes it ideal if you don’t have space for a stable of bikes.”
Our test team certainly rated its Latin looks and great quality paintwork, and after hundreds of miles of testing we reckon Condor’s other claims aren’t far off the mark. The Fratello is essentially a racing bike that’s very similar to the recently tested Acciaio, but with a bit more comfort plumbed into its DNA.
Its 101cm wheelbase is marginally longer than a racing bike’s, and its seatstays are both considerably slimmer than those on the Acciaio and elegantly curved for a bit more cushioning in the saddle. This, Fizik’s Aliante, is broad and padded enough to satisfy a majority of testers.
Components are those regularly seen on £1,500 bikes: Shimano 105 combining well with Mavic’s Ksyrium Equipe wheels. The 23mm Continental Gatorskins tyres have PolyBreaker puncture protection, and are excellent quality all-round tyres. The Fratello’s less racy credentials are shown by the clearance for 28mm rubber, which would add more comfort, though at the expense of a little speed.
While the Fratello might be less of a speed demon than its brother, it’s a long way from being a slouch, particularly when it comes to climbing. The triple-butted Dedacciai SAT 14.5 frame, carbon fork and Mavic wheels make for an all-in weight of just 9.06kg. This is smooth, light and easily fast enough for sportives.
The oversize Deda bar and stem combo makes for reassuring steering, the curved fork keeping the handling pleasingly neutral. Condor factor a fair amount of versatility into the Fratello, with clearance for mudguards and eyelets for a rear rack too. This really could be the one bike you need if you haven’t got room for a fleet.
It’ll easily tackle commuting, sportives, fast endurance riding and light touring during the summer without mudguards, commuting and training during winter with. While ours was built to a £1,500 budget, the frameset is available at £599.99, and it’s easily good enough to deck out with some seriously spangly wallet-emptying kit.
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Product Specifications
Product
Name | Fratello (11) |
Brand | Condor Bikes |
Description | 46, 49, 52, 55, 58, 61, 64cm, Continental gatorskin 700x23 tyres, Full alloy mudguards |
Rear Derailleur | Shimano 105 long cage |
Top Tube (cm) | 54 |
Standover Height (cm) | 81 |
Seat Tube (cm) | 51 |
Chainstays (cm) | 42 |
Bottom Bracket Height (cm) | 27 |
Weight (kg) | 9.06 |
Stem | Deda Zero 1 forged alloy, 1 1/8in steerer, oversized bar clamp |
Shifters | Shimano 105 STI |
Seatpost | Condor by Uno, carbon, single bolt clamp |
Seat Angle | 73 |
Saddle | Fizik Aliante |
Rims | Mavic Ksyrium Equipe, alloy aero rims, stainless bladed spokes, 20 2-cross/ radial rear, 20 radial front |
Rear Wheel Weight | 1516 |
Headset Type | Integrated sealed cartridge 11/8in aheadset |
Available Colours | Slate Grey, Orange, Midnight Blue, Custom colour (additional £100) |
Head Angle | 72.5 |
Handlebar | Deda rHM01 shallow anatomic, 38cm c-c |
Front Wheel Weight | 1126 |
Front Derailleur | Shimano 105 28.6mm clamp-on front |
Frame Weight | 1950 |
Frame Material | TIg-welded Dedacciai SAT 14.5 triple-butted steel. |
Fork Weight | 600 |
Fork | Condor Pioggia, carbon, 11/8in steerer, alu crown, forged dropouts |
Cranks | Shimano 105 compact 2-piece, 172.5mm arms, 50/34 alloy rings |
Chain | Shimano 105 10spd |
Cassette | Shimano 105 10spd 12-25 |
Brakes | Condor forged alloy dual pivot |
Bottom Bracket | Shimano 105 external cups, sealed cartridges |
Available Sizes | 49cm 52cm 55cm 56cm 58cm 61cm 64cm 58cm 55cm 55cm 58cm 55cm 46cm 46cm 49cm 52cm 56cm 58cm 61cm 46cm 49cm 52cm 55cm 56cm 58cm 61cm 64cm 46cm 52cm 58cm 46cm 52cm 58cm 46cm 52cm 58cm 64cm 64cm 58cm 56cm 52cm 52cm 56cm 55cm 55cm 52cm 56cm 52cm 56cm 58cm 52cm 55cm 58cm 52cm 56cm 58cm 61cm 52cm 55cm 56cm 58cm 61cm 64cm 56cm 52cm 56cm 52cm 56cm 58cm 52cm 56cm 58cm 52cm 56cm 58cm 61cm 55cm 56cm 58cm 61cm 58cm 58cm 56cm 58cm 56cm 58cm 55cm 58cm 56cm |
Wheelbase (cm) | 100.5 |