Dedacciai have a reputation for creating carbon road bikes that are just that little bit different from the mainstream. That’s certainly true of the out-there Nerrisimo…
Frame & equipment: Radical design with all-Italian kit
The sculpted and tapered head tube widens to a substantial 1.5in lower bearing, which flows into a straight-bladed fork that’s broad shouldered and solidly built. The down tube is one of the biggest around; at more than 4in deep it’s there to keep a solid, rigid connection between the front and rear ends.
The top tube slims from its large diameter at the head tube and flows into the box-section seatstays. The chainstays are deep and boxy, tapering to minimal dropouts that are full carbon, as are the dropouts on the fork.
The frame package is light for a bike at this price, tipping the scales at 1,150g, with the fork weighing 410g. What’s more impressive is the price – at under £1,800 the spec is what we’d expect but the frame is a class above. In fact, on its own it retails for £1,029.99, which makes the full package look all the more impressive.
We like to see an Italian bike kitted out with Italian kit, and Dedacciai have gone the whole hog: a complete Campagnolo Veloce groupset is complemented by Campag’s latest version of the quality budget Khamsin wheelset.
Wheels are shod with big volume Vittoria tyres. Deda provide the bar, stem and post (as you’d expect) and Selle Italia’s SL Team saddle adds a bit of class.
Ride & handling: Charming and likes to be ridden hard
At first glance the Nerissimo looks as though it’s going to be somewhat of a brute. Big oversized tubes and aggressive geometry all signify that this is a machine that needs to be ridden hard and won’t take any prisoners getting there. That’s only partially true – yes, to get the best from the Dedacciai you’ll want to ride it at full gas, but this Italian thoroughbred will surprise you with just how smooth and, dare we say it, comfortable it is.
Stamping down on the pedals while snapping through the quick, smooth Veloce gears, the Nerrisimo accelerates faster than its middling weight would suggest. The wheels aren’t the lightest around but they are among the best built and have the smoothest hubs of any sub-£350 set; the bearing quality is class, pure and simple.
On the flat, pushing hard over broken-surfaced roads, the Nerrisimo is as good as any comfort-oriented bike. Get it into the climbs and you’re only hampered by the heavier wheels as the 50/34, 12-25T gearing is low enough for pretty much any ascent.
Once you’ve crested a hill the Nerrisimo comes into its own; the solid and secure front end and broad, stiff fork make the bike a wonderful descender. Pinpoint accuracy through bends makes you confident to go on the attack.
The Nerrisimo doesn’t have a spec that will wow bean counters or weight weenies but we’ve been seduced by its myriad charms. Remember – bits wear out but great design and spectacular handling will last and last.
This bike was tested as part of Cycling Plus magazine’s 2013 Bike Of The Year feature – read the full results in issue 273, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.
