Bianchi San Jose

[IchbinJay]

What do you guys think of this? http://www.bianchiusa.com

Also, on a side note, Bianchi was the last name of LA's famous Hillside Slasher; why haven't they made a mountain bike called "The Hillside Slasher" yet?

[marqueemoon]

I test rode one and thought it was great. It would be an excellent commuter/city bike. The dealbreaker for me was no fixed option on the hub.

[IchbinJay]

Yeah, that's what I've heard. I'm thinking of getting out of fixed though...my knees are starting to hurt.

[jhota]

my lbs tried to order some (i want to try one), but Bianchi was out of stock. the owner said he would try againin a couple weeks.

[asterisk]

urban hipster pothole dodging!

[cyclintom]

I talked to a guy who belonged to a single speed club 20 years ago. He said that less than half of that group could ride anymore because of damaged knees.

At least it helps to keep the riff-raff off of the streets.

[rjcory]

If you are even considering it, buy this bike. I have been riding for years and this is my favorite bicycle to date. What this bike can do with one gear most can't do with 30. You will be happy with the free wheel when taking the San Jose off road. For $550 this bike has no equals. If you can find one buy it.

[kdboxerdog]

Not that I am a weight weenie, but what does this bike weigh? I have been considering this bike or a Van Dessel Country Road Bob... Unfortunately I cannot find either locally to test ride.

[kdboxerdog]

And any toe overlap problems with the front tire?

[same time]

If you're planning on racing it, consider that those rear-facing dropouts make wheel changes kind of clumsy.

For commuting, I was more impressed with the "Castro Valley" from Bianchi, the one with a single ring up front and derailler in the back. Comes with fenders and generator lights on it.

Both bikes are cool, though - I like what Bianchi has been offering lately, and the prices are great, too.

[IchbinJay]

Hmmm...well, I think I might go for it. I've got a Bianchi Pista right now and it's light and fast but that's about it. In terms of stability, options and diversity in riding it sort of stinks. I like the whole fixed thing but it really started to take a toll on my knees after riding everyday over 1,000 miles. I think a low geared SS CX is the way to go. I have a pretty good mix of harsh roads and trails that I don't think I'd be losing that much speed at all.

[rjcory]

The bike weighs about 21-23lbs. Very stable over all types of terain so far. No overlap with toe and front tire. Top tube seems long on my 55cm but I normally ride a 56cm so it fits me perfect

[IchbinJay]

Nice. Any pics yet?

[daveF]

I just bought a San Jose last Saturday. I love it. Haven't had it off road yet, maybe on Christmas day? The WTB tires ride well on the pavement & seem to have a pretty low rolling resistance. The bike handles well, nice ride on the pavement at least, & the components seem very good. I like the Sugino crank & Cane Creek brakes. This will be my daily ride/commute & some occasional weekend trip bike.

[IchbinJay]

I'm glad to hear it. My only reservation at this point is that I've been looking at a more hybrid Bianchi Boardwalk and I might be leaning towards that. I'm not sure yet though. I know the Boardwalk isn't as performance driven, but it's still a really nice do everything bike.

[mbweedman]

Hey, I have a somewhat related question. I'm currently building an el-cheapo version of the san jose on a used volpe frame. I went for some cheap wheels (Sum M13's on Weinmann rims, so that I could have the flip-flop in the back, unlike the san jose), but am having a hard time finding suitable tires in the 23-25 size range. Any suggestions?

[rjcory]

Avocet makes a 28mm cross tire. You may have to look for touring tires. Lots of options if you look at 27x1 1/8 touring tires equivlent roughly to a 700x25mm

[Pigtire]

I just bought a San Jose last Saturday. I love it. Haven't had it off road yet, maybe on Christmas day? The WTB tires ride well on the pavement & seem to have a pretty low rolling resistance. The bike handles well, nice ride on the pavement at least, & the components seem very good. I like the Sugino crank & Cane Creek brakes. This will be my daily ride/commute & some occasional weekend trip bike.

Is there clearance in the rear for a 38+ tires?

Thanks

[daveF]

It may be rather tight for 38 tires, especially for a muddy course. 35 will probably fit.

[phillybill]

I just picked one up today, it's a great ride so far.

[rcaddy27]

I have been riding one for about a month. It is a value at $550, but the wheels are super heavy and I am going to swap them out. Even with that, this is a real fun bike and has helped me stay motivated and train through the winter.

[phillybill]

I finally got to put about 60 miles on mine this week, and I can say that I do not have any issues with it so far. I just changed out the seatpost, seat and put some TIME pedals on it. It's a great bike to ride around the 6 mile premiter at the bas at lunch time. Will probably do something with the wheels eventually, but I will ride these into the ground first.

[marqueemoon]

I finally got to put about 60 miles on mine this week, and I can say that I do not have any issues with it so far. I just changed out the seatpost, seat and put some TIME pedals on it. It's a great bike to ride around the 6 mile premiter at the bas at lunch time. Will probably do something with the wheels eventually, but I will ride these into the ground first.

I've kind of changed my tune on this bike and will probably be getting one after I get rid of some debt. The plan is to use the stock wheels for commuting (probably with a 16 tooth freewheel and some 700x28 tires I have lying around) and buy or build a second wheelset a little later for taking off road. I'm hoping I can convince the shop to let me swap some parts pre-build, because that saddle and post will be of zero use to me.

[Tmax1]

Also, on a side note, Bianchi was the last name of LA's famous Hillside Slasher; why haven't they made a mountain bike called "The Hillside Slasher" yet?

Think Rollo the Clown. ...

I just got the 06 Pista and it rocks with the flip flop hub. BMX gog screws right on. Specialized Tri-cross comp knobby 28's fit just fine.


rjcory- So 27 1 1/8 are really equiv. to 700 x 25. Can you run them on the same rims (700's)? Hmmm. it does open up options.

JG

[phillybill]

Yeah the wheels are the weak point of this bike....but I figure that they make nice winter wheels. I uses to riding Michlen Sprint 700/30's...the are a bit more lively than the WBT's thatcome with it. After the winter I'm going to ut on a campy datona crank and replace the bar and stem combo......but onl after I put 1000 miles on it.

[G-Unit]

I'm interested in getting this too -- I have a feeling it'll be a popular seller this year.

[outofthesaddle]

Looks like fun. Can't beat the price. More functional (for me) than a Pista. I have one on order. Mostly a commuter/ride with the kids bike. I think I'll have to wait a couple of weeks for the shop to get it.

[joshr]

I'm in the process of getting one too, I think (still have to 'make room', i.e. sell a bike). Can't wait. My LBS has one in my size (or did as of a day or two ago).

I, too, am planning on it being a tool around/have fun in the dirt bike. My son who is 5 recently discovered that his bike can go in mud ... what kind of father would I be if I wasn't right there with him?

[daveF]

I've had mine for almost 6 weeks now & have not been on any of my other bikes since. I've had great fun on this bike. I've been riding it off road, easy rides, hard rides with the pack doing high 20's to low 30mph+, & off road intervals beside the pack. I haven't changed anything on the bike with the exception of adding some tire liners. I don't care how heavy the wheels are, I don't want flats on my training rides.

[marqueemoon]

I've had mine for almost 6 weeks now & have not been on any of my other bikes since. I've had great fun on this bike. I've been riding it off road, easy rides, hard rides with the pack doing high 20's to low 30mph+, & off road intervals beside the pack. I haven't changed anything on the bike with the exception of adding some tire liners. I don't care how heavy the wheels are, I don't want flats on my training rides.

Low 30's with 42x17 gearing and 700x32 tires? :eek: You must be able to spin like a madman. My hat is off to you sir.

Glad to hear you're digging the bike. I'm looking forward to picking one up now.

[daveF]

Thank you, I can't pull at low 30's for very long. That's over 150 cadence. I can draft in a good pack in the high 20's for a while. My son rode it on Saturday & won one of the sprints. He thought it was faster than our IRO with 700x28 road tires!

[phillybill]

I'm not sure I could hit the 30's with the gearing the way it is set up (Except down hill). maybe low 20's......but the cadance is not over 100 either

[outofthesaddle]

Still waiting on my San Jose. ETA is mid Feb. It's killing me. :cry:

[IchbinJay]

nice, I'm glad to hear that it's getting such good reviews.

What's the longest distance any of you have gone on it?

[daveF]

So far my longest ride on it is 63 miles. It was very nice for that particular ride. This Sunday I'll be covering over twice that distance, close to 140. At least that is the plan. Too many activites planned this weekend to guarantee that I can get out the door at 5am to accomplish that! I'll let you know how it goes. It is nice having 3 water bottle cages. There is one mounted on the forward side of the downtube as in many touring bikes.

[phillybill]

nice, I'm glad to hear that it's getting such good reviews.

What's the longest distance any of you have gone on it?

I did 35 on mine yesterday riding to and from work.....it was a nice workout. :D

[grolby]

rjcory- So 27 1 1/8 are really equiv. to 700 x 25. Can you run them on the same rims (700's)? Hmmm. it does open up options.
JG

No.

Anyone seen what Harris Cyclerly has done with the San Jose? www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/bianchi-sanjos8

I'm having problems with the website, so I'll just tell you: Harris has switched the stock wheelset for one built up around the Shimano Nexus 8-speed internal-gear hub. Cool stuff!

[outofthesaddle]

I saw and it seems pretty cool it and pretty functional but it really increased the price. I can't the site to come up either but I recall it was around $800. Kind of takes away from some of the appeal of the San Jose for me - namely that is is so inexpensive and so simple. I'd probably go with a cross check or the Castro Valley is I was going to spend the extra $$.

[phillybill]

I thought about that......but would have just gotten a frame and built it up or maybe a Volpe. If I just had the San Jose to ride.... and did cycle in the city anymore.....maybe.

[jonnyeye]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum, new to the US (San Francisco) and new to cycling - apart from an old Grifter in London way back in my teens...

Anyway, I've decided to buy a bike and spent today test riding - it's so much fun being back on two wheels....but now I'm confused...and I'd like to see what you guys think..

The first bikes I tested were bouncy, upright 'comfort bikes'. Horrible. Then I rode the Bianchi Boardwalk (quite good fun) and Specialized Sirrus (a bit quicker) and was about to buy the Sirrus when the shopowner suggested I take the San Jose for a spin...'to try something different' which was also really good fun...

But I just don't GET this bike - it's got one gear, drop handle bars, off road tires and a racing seat?! I just didn't know anyone made bikes like this...

Anyway, for reasons I don't understand, my head is saying 'get the hybrid' and my heart is saying get the 'San Jose'...

Some questions:

1. The Sirrus felt quicker...maybe because of the slick tires. If I put slicks on the San Jose, would it still be a good commuting bike?
2. If I DO go for the San Jose, is there anything I should ask the shop to change out for me? They're really great at the American Cyclery in San Francisco and said I could change 'a few bits around'. Different saddle?!
3. I live in San Francisco....HILLS!.....a single speed is gonna kill me right?!
4. I know nothing about mending bikes and just want something reliable...do the gears on something like the Sirrus need a lot of care and attention?

I guess I'm just curious to know which way you guys would jump and why. I love the simplicity of the San Jose but i wonder if it's impractical? I want something I can commute on, but also take for a decent ride when the sun starts shining.

Any thoughts?!

[phillybill]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum, new to the US (San Francisco) and new to cycling - apart from an old Grifter in London way back in my teens...

Anyway, I've decided to buy a bike and spent today test riding - it's so much fun being back on two wheels....but now I'm confused...and I'd like to see what you guys think..

The first bikes I tested were bouncy, upright 'comfort bikes'. Horrible. Then I rode the Bianchi Boardwalk (quite good fun) and Specialized Sirrus (a bit quicker) and was about to buy the Sirrus when the shopowner suggested I take the San Jose for a spin...'to try something different' which was also really good fun...

But I just don't GET this bike - it's got one gear, drop handle bars, off road tires and a racing seat?! I just didn't know anyone made bikes like this...

Anyway, for reasons I don't understand, my head is saying 'get the hybrid' and my heart is saying get the 'San Jose'...

Some questions:

1. The Sirrus felt quicker...maybe because of the slick tires. If I put slicks on the San Jose, would it still be a good commuting bike?
2. If I DO go for the San Jose, is there anything I should ask the shop to change out for me? They're really great at the American Cyclery in San Francisco and said I could change 'a few bits around'. Different saddle?!
3. I live in San Francisco....HILLS!.....a single speed is gonna kill me right?!
4. I know nothing about mending bikes and just want something reliable...do the gears on something like the Sirrus need a lot of care and attention?

I guess I'm just curious to know which way you guys would jump and why. I love the simplicity of the San Jose but i wonder if it's impractical? I want something I can commute on, but also take for a decent ride when the sun starts shining.

Any thoughts?!

This bike is not for you. Of you have lots of hills....get gears. Most of Phla where I ride my San Jose is pretty flat so the single speed does not kill me. But when I cycle out side of the city I atleast ride with 9 gears on my othe cross bike. The San Jose is meant for people that like croiss bikes and might even want to race a single speed cross bike or just have something else that is a nice workout bike (Like me ) or to ride it on cinder paths.......ect.

The Sirrus (Flat Bar Road Bike) is a real nice bike for what you are looking for in SF and the maint will probably not be an issue. Also you have room to put on larger tires if you so wish. IT makes a ggreat commuting bike and fitness bike and they are priced well with solid components. Anothe bike to look at in that category is a Trek 7500FX.

Go over to the commuting forum.........those guys have this down to a science about what you looking for.

[Ken Wind]

This bike is not for you. Of you have lots of hills....get gears.

I don't know if this is necessarily true. There are a lot of people in the Singlespeed/ Fixed Gear Forum that live in San Francisco, but most of them ride fixed. 42x17 is not in any way crazy for big hills especially when you can coast down the other side. You will have to put in a lot more work a good portion of the time though.

Jonnyeye, can you tell us what your intended purpose is for the bike? Will it be ridden on the streets with a little off-road, or just the streets?

I think the San Jose is a great bike and I doubt American Cyclery would try to steer you wrong, they're just giving you more options.

1. Since the Sirrus frame is made out of aluminum it might be lighter, and it has slicks so this is probably making it seem quicker. The wheels on the San Jose are also the weakest part of the bike, and wheels make a big difference.

2. If you do go for the San Jose ask about exchanging for a different wheelset depending on your application. The beauty of this bike is that it is so cheap though, so I wouldn't pay much extra for anything. If you're riding primarily on the road, then you'll want slicks on the bike (or at least something with less rolling resistance). Anything that doesn't feel "right" to you is worth changing out, especially at the contact points (handlebar, seat, pedals).

3. I think it all depends on the person. It might be a little hard at first, but that is a relatively low gear so I think only the steepest hills would give you trouble. This is a question that only you can really answer.

4. One of the main attractions of a singlespeed/fixed gear bike for me is the lack of things to maintain and/or replace. A yearly tune-up at your local bike shop should be more than sufficient for either bike though.

Specialized and Bianchi make some great bikes. If you get one of these I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Phillybill is right if you are primarily commuting on this, then you should ask in the commuting forum.

[jonnyeye]

thanks guys...

I'll head over to the commuting forum!

[phillybill]

IT's not that you cannot commute on a 42/17 on hills..........I do 30 mile round trip to work on mine sometimes. But there are days when the wind really kicks up and at the end of the day, I'm glat to have the gears.

[daveF]

Although the wheels are probably the weakest link on the San Jose, I have not had any problems with mine. I've put about 1100 miles on mine. Some of that at high speed off road. I didn't ride as far as I wanted to yesterday, only about 73 miles (I wanted to do about twice that). But it was a very nice ride, lots of wind & rolling hills.

Jonnyeye, If you like the San Jose, but want multiple gears, get the Volpe or have a rear wheel built with an internal hub. I find the stock tires to be very fast on the road. I wouldn't switch them out.

[joshr]

I just took a test ride. My LBS has one in my size but someone had called in and put it on hold. They called the holder back yesterday but hadn't heard back, so they told me to call this evening and see what the deal is.

I liked it a lot. I probably only rode about .5 miles but it felt great. I've been riding fixed exclusively for the past few months so it took a block or two to get used to not having to pedal all the time, as well as remembering to brake instead of just backpedaling. Otherwise, though, the ride felt great. I'm hoping this guy doesn't call in because waiting any longer isn't fun.

[IchbinJay]

That would be a sweet deal joshr. What kind of bike did you have while riding fixed? Also, do you do a lot of off road riding?

[joshr]

That would be a sweet deal joshr. What kind of bike did you have while riding fixed? Also, do you do a lot of off road riding?
I actually just talked to them a little while ago, and the other guy never called back so my name is on it now! How will I possibly finish the rest of the day at work?

I have a Pista, actually. I like it a lot but I think I want something with a little more versatility. At the moment I do no off road riding, but I want that to change, hence ....

I'll probably just deal with a freewheel for a while and maybe look into a fixed/free setup after a few months.

My older son has discovered riding in the dirt and through puddles, so I'm hoping to keep up with him.

[outofthesaddle]

I've been waiting soooooo looooong - and still waiting. Glad to hear that you found one joshr. If mine ever arrives, I'm planning on switching out the SS for a flip/flop wheel that I've got hanging in the garage from my last fixed gear. You'll have to post longer term impressions after you've had it for awhile.

[joshr]

Blargh, wasn't able to get over to the shop before they closed (6pm). Gonna have to a) figure out a way to get over there tomorrow, or b) take my chances and let my 24hour hold expire and pop in Saturday.