Reviews

" I would like to introduce you to Tony Branco with Custom Pro BIke. He made my Guerciotti that I showed you the other night. I wanted to make an introduction because I am now a big fan and loyal customer of Tony’s. I also wanted to clarify that although my Guerciotti looks like a million bucks, it cost nowhere near that. Tony was a joy to work with and his top end product is quite affordable. And he will work with you as needed across componentry, wheels, frame, complete bike – part or all – to meet whatever you need to address. Tony is particularly deep into performance wheels. I told him you are a crit racer, etc. He already has a pair of deep profile wheels for you.
I can say from experience that Tony can work with you on an as-needed basis with full consideration of monetary limitations, etc.
No hard sell; I get nothing out of this. I just had a fantastic experience so didn’t want to be bashful about letting people know about Tony & Solara). Tony is extremely easy/comfortable to talk with and work with."
- Tony Manning, MD 1/25/2017
I can say from experience that Tony can work with you on an as-needed basis with full consideration of monetary limitations, etc.
No hard sell; I get nothing out of this. I just had a fantastic experience so didn’t want to be bashful about letting people know about Tony & Solara). Tony is extremely easy/comfortable to talk with and work with."
- Tony Manning, MD 1/25/2017

Hawk-Racing BB30 Bearings -
" they feel sooo smooth !"
"Hi Tony how you doing?
I got the BB30 a few days ago and I have to say it: they are awesome!!
they feel sooo smooth I love them! better than my last BB30 and don't get me wrong,
I was using Enduro XD-15 with a SRAM RED Crank-set but it's not the same
I own a road bike too with GPX SRAM RED and Enduro bearings and they work very well
not sure why the BB30 doesn't feel like XD-15 outboard BB, so GOOD JOB!!
Now I'm thinking about change my SRAM RED pulleys for the Hawk , do you have a link to your website?
Thanks! "
- Jessica, riding a Cannondale 4/17/2013
" they feel sooo smooth !"
"Hi Tony how you doing?
I got the BB30 a few days ago and I have to say it: they are awesome!!
they feel sooo smooth I love them! better than my last BB30 and don't get me wrong,
I was using Enduro XD-15 with a SRAM RED Crank-set but it's not the same
I own a road bike too with GPX SRAM RED and Enduro bearings and they work very well
not sure why the BB30 doesn't feel like XD-15 outboard BB, so GOOD JOB!!
Now I'm thinking about change my SRAM RED pulleys for the Hawk , do you have a link to your website?
Thanks! "
- Jessica, riding a Cannondale 4/17/2013

SCORPION SLR28 Wheelset
Cannondale EVO Di2
Sram Power Meter
"Now that i have a chance to put some miles on my new Scorpio wheels I must say it's hard to believe that they can feel so fast with a nice snap at a super price. I like that they are quiet and roll ultra smooth and very fast down hills, They are at the same or slightly lighter (1430g) than my Reynolds DV3K . My Scorpio wheels feel as good as my Reynolds but are better in cross winds , brake much better and cost 1/3 of what I paid for the reynolds.. I like them so much I'm having Tony build me another rear with a G3 power meter for my winter bike…. I would recommend them to anybody with confidence .."
-Gary Parece Summerset, Ma
Cannondale EVO Di2
Sram Power Meter
"Now that i have a chance to put some miles on my new Scorpio wheels I must say it's hard to believe that they can feel so fast with a nice snap at a super price. I like that they are quiet and roll ultra smooth and very fast down hills, They are at the same or slightly lighter (1430g) than my Reynolds DV3K . My Scorpio wheels feel as good as my Reynolds but are better in cross winds , brake much better and cost 1/3 of what I paid for the reynolds.. I like them so much I'm having Tony build me another rear with a G3 power meter for my winter bike…. I would recommend them to anybody with confidence .."
-Gary Parece Summerset, Ma

New England Masters Champion
Initial impressions only at this point. These wheels replaced a decent set of Bontregar x lite. that came with my Madone 6.2, and saved around 425-475 grams The difference in handling and initial acceleration is noticeable. The bike simply feels livelier and able to carve a much tighter arc around turns. The bike's response to input is both quicker and subtler. The ride is also improved and the cornering more assured. Braking is also much better. I expect these wheels to last me through many long hauls against the rolling terrain in New England, and many summers of mountain passes in France. Wheels are def. the way to go to improve your bike. Since they are technically "unsprung weight" any weight savings improves performance more than a similar savings in any other part of the bike. Many Thanks for a great product
- Dave Potter Jr. MA
Initial impressions only at this point. These wheels replaced a decent set of Bontregar x lite. that came with my Madone 6.2, and saved around 425-475 grams The difference in handling and initial acceleration is noticeable. The bike simply feels livelier and able to carve a much tighter arc around turns. The bike's response to input is both quicker and subtler. The ride is also improved and the cornering more assured. Braking is also much better. I expect these wheels to last me through many long hauls against the rolling terrain in New England, and many summers of mountain passes in France. Wheels are def. the way to go to improve your bike. Since they are technically "unsprung weight" any weight savings improves performance more than a similar savings in any other part of the bike. Many Thanks for a great product
- Dave Potter Jr. MA

SCORPION SLR24 Wheelset
"Hi Tony,
Hope you're doing well. Just to let you know that I love the those wheels. Event though I'm not a top level cyclist, I can tell you that those wheels really roll ! As I told you before I think I gained 2km/h on flat.
What has impressed me even more is going uphill. I did a ride which is a 1.7 km appox with avg 7% (including 12%) and I managed to shave out almost 2 minutes i,e from 9:40 min to 7:40 min. I am impressed.
So bottom line, thanks for having taken the time to answer my numerous questions
and also explaining me in detail how the wheels are built.
Cheers !! Oh yes…they also look great on my bice (pic attached) ;-)
- Francois Borrelli - 9/2013
"Hi Tony,
Hope you're doing well. Just to let you know that I love the those wheels. Event though I'm not a top level cyclist, I can tell you that those wheels really roll ! As I told you before I think I gained 2km/h on flat.
What has impressed me even more is going uphill. I did a ride which is a 1.7 km appox with avg 7% (including 12%) and I managed to shave out almost 2 minutes i,e from 9:40 min to 7:40 min. I am impressed.
So bottom line, thanks for having taken the time to answer my numerous questions
and also explaining me in detail how the wheels are built.
Cheers !! Oh yes…they also look great on my bice (pic attached) ;-)
- Francois Borrelli - 9/2013

SCORPIO UD50C
50 mm deep-Sapin CXRAY-1400 g.
"These wheels spin up quick for a deep section.
The 2X lacing on the rear wheel plus welded at the cross point made these wheels incredibly responsive but comfortable."
My Avg. speed when up 2 mph from my Skyrium SL"
Thanks for a great wheel set that really turns heads.
50 mm deep-Sapin CXRAY-1400 g.
"These wheels spin up quick for a deep section.
The 2X lacing on the rear wheel plus welded at the cross point made these wheels incredibly responsive but comfortable."
My Avg. speed when up 2 mph from my Skyrium SL"
Thanks for a great wheel set that really turns heads.

Alpe d'huez France 2013
SCORPION SWC52 whellset
Training and racing is in my blood.
After many years on the bike with 10,000 + miles a year and numerous victory's, new products and high tech gear is always candy for my eyes.
Tony's passion to a fanatic level is constantly on the lookout for what's new with commonsense technology that could give me an edge over the competition.
His hand built SCORPIO wheel set, got me up Alpduez, and on a storm speed over 50 mph trough the switch-backs chasing a BMW!
I put the products to the test on the road pushing the limits of body, mind and gear.
Thanks Tony for all your support and great products.
- Dave Potter Jr. Tiverton, RI
SCORPION SWC52 whellset
Training and racing is in my blood.
After many years on the bike with 10,000 + miles a year and numerous victory's, new products and high tech gear is always candy for my eyes.
Tony's passion to a fanatic level is constantly on the lookout for what's new with commonsense technology that could give me an edge over the competition.
His hand built SCORPIO wheel set, got me up Alpduez, and on a storm speed over 50 mph trough the switch-backs chasing a BMW!
I put the products to the test on the road pushing the limits of body, mind and gear.
Thanks Tony for all your support and great products.
- Dave Potter Jr. Tiverton, RI

DeBERNARDI Torino
Well, Tony, thanks to better training this summer and the bicycle you built for me,
I had my best time for the Coalition’s 75 mile ride, even with an extra-long lunch break to wait for the rain to stop (which it didn’t…) and doing 25% of it in the rain.
Even more important psychologically, instead of being a drag on the two individuals with whom I have done this ride for the past four years, they admitted that I was the strongest rider and they had to work to keep up with me. Thank you!
- Geoff Swep , Ma 10/2013
P.S. I’m sitting at my desk about 8 hours after crossing the finish line and nothing hurts! I had some numbness in my right hand for the first 30 miles but that went away for the remainder of the ride.
I expected the different seat to bother me but even that produced just some normal discomfort about mile 60 and beyond…
Well, Tony, thanks to better training this summer and the bicycle you built for me,
I had my best time for the Coalition’s 75 mile ride, even with an extra-long lunch break to wait for the rain to stop (which it didn’t…) and doing 25% of it in the rain.
Even more important psychologically, instead of being a drag on the two individuals with whom I have done this ride for the past four years, they admitted that I was the strongest rider and they had to work to keep up with me. Thank you!
- Geoff Swep , Ma 10/2013
P.S. I’m sitting at my desk about 8 hours after crossing the finish line and nothing hurts! I had some numbness in my right hand for the first 30 miles but that went away for the remainder of the ride.
I expected the different seat to bother me but even that produced just some normal discomfort about mile 60 and beyond…

SCORPION SLR-SL28 1370 g.
Good morning Tony,
My friend Dennis rode on his new wheels Saturday on a 90 mile race
with lots and lots of rolling hills. He told me he is totally satisfied
with his new wheelset. He claims that he was able to stay with the main
group through the hills at 20 -22 mph. He has never been able to do
that and always struggled on the hills.
Thanks , Rian Myou, Trinidad Tobago
Good morning Tony,
My friend Dennis rode on his new wheels Saturday on a 90 mile race
with lots and lots of rolling hills. He told me he is totally satisfied
with his new wheelset. He claims that he was able to stay with the main
group through the hills at 20 -22 mph. He has never been able to do
that and always struggled on the hills.
Thanks , Rian Myou, Trinidad Tobago

Cross bike with Scorpion SLX-23 Wheelset
"Tony!...remember me?!...the bike is done done and it looks great! Love the wheels.
I believe I will have you build me another set when I am ready!.
- Thanks, Brad
"Tony!...remember me?!...the bike is done done and it looks great! Love the wheels.
I believe I will have you build me another set when I am ready!.
- Thanks, Brad

Ciocc Rydon
Ciocc Rydon
Sram Force group
Rotor Crank
Hawk-Racing BB30
Scorpion SL-C38 wheelset
Ratio Carbon bar
- Tony Jamestown, RI
Ciocc Rydon
Sram Force group
Rotor Crank
Hawk-Racing BB30
Scorpion SL-C38 wheelset
Ratio Carbon bar
- Tony Jamestown, RI

Ride equal or better then Specialized Tarmac
My ciocc extro got me into cycling on a new level
Comfort, quick acceleration and with the help of the stuff at Solara Bicycles
with coach tips and detailed bike fit I enjoy every mile on the saddle.
Thanks Tony
Mauro Bien - 2014 Dartmouth, MA
My ciocc extro got me into cycling on a new level
Comfort, quick acceleration and with the help of the stuff at Solara Bicycles
with coach tips and detailed bike fit I enjoy every mile on the saddle.
Thanks Tony
Mauro Bien - 2014 Dartmouth, MA

Cannondale was the bike to ride until I got saddled on the Ciocc Rydon
Incredibel ride comfort and snapy accelaration, Wow!
My Rydon with Shimano Ultegra 11 speed and Pacenti custom built wheels by Tony got me into join in group rides, without getting droped all the time.
My ego is back and I'm proud of my ride, specially when people have a hard time
pronouncing the name Ciocc. Always a conversation topic.
Milton - 2013 Wareham, MA
Incredibel ride comfort and snapy accelaration, Wow!
My Rydon with Shimano Ultegra 11 speed and Pacenti custom built wheels by Tony got me into join in group rides, without getting droped all the time.
My ego is back and I'm proud of my ride, specially when people have a hard time
pronouncing the name Ciocc. Always a conversation topic.
Milton - 2013 Wareham, MA