Road Cycling - bianchi vs. trek

I'm on the verge of buying my first road bike and I am PSYCHED! I've got it narrowed down to one of three (or four) bikes. I'm looking for advice for or against any of the following:

Trek 2300, Bianchi Vigorelli, '03 Bianchi Alloro, or shell out about $400 more for Bianchi Virata.

All are all Ultegra and are comparably priced with the Virata being a bit more. I am looking for a fast ride that's relatively comfortable in the $1700 price range. Words of advice on steel vs. aluminum/carbon stays would be welcome as well. One of my LBS owners is totally dissing Trek. Other LBS will sell me anything to get his commission, not much help there. I look forward to all comments.

Thanks.

At essentially the same pricepoint is the Lemond Buenos Aires - which is what I chose a month ago, against almost the same models you're now deciding among.

Have you test-rode them all? Which feels the most comfortable? Fit and comfort should be your best guide, since most major components are essentially equal on those models. Trek/Lemond have better warranty & manufacturer support than Bianchi, based on other posts I've seen on several forums, so that could be a factor, too.

I'm a Bianchi/Lemond dealer that doesn't carry Trek, FWIW. Having ridden the 2300, I'd take the Vigorelli over it any day. I've yet to ride the other Bianchis you mention.
As Allen mentioned, ride them all if that's possible and figure out what you are most comfortable on. If you're looking at different shops, check out their service and what they include with the sale of the bike (free tune-ups, etc.).
As for the comment about Bianchi service vs. Trek, I'd have to disagree. Though Trek has been great with any problems I've had with our Fishers or Lemonds, the same can be said of Bianchi. I've never had a problem with them.

Thanks for the posts so far. I will definitely get on all of them before buying. Waldo, can you give me some specifics of why you'd easily choose the Bianchi over the Trek? Thanks.

I infer from Waldo's post that Trek and LeMond are owned by the same company, with probably Trek owning LeMond. What other relationships such as this exist? Which common brands are owned by other brands?

Hi,
the most important thing is fit. Any minor advantage one bike has over another would be obliterated if it doesn't fit. There are also a lot of other brands worth considering. Take all the time you need; you'll be riding this bike for years.
You might also consider wandering further afield. and looking at other bike shops.

It all comes down to what you'll do with it:
-If you plan to race: get the Virata (lightest steel & carbon, not as durable as a tad thicker steel like Reynolds 631).
-If you don't plant to race: get the Vigorelli (a mix of good quality, comfortable ride plus durability, you could train, weekend ride, long distance, very light touring maybe.)
I'd myself get the Vigorelli, all the way.....then again I love Bianchi bikes, love steel ride feel (expect durability on a bike) and don't race at all.
Corsaire ;)

I infer from Waldo's post that Trek and LeMond are owned by the same company, with probably Trek owning LeMond. What other relationships such as this exist? Which common brands are owned by other brands?

Trek owns LeMond, Fisher and Klein. Don't know about other arrangements.

D-Man, basically what Corsaire said. It all comes down to what you will be using the bike for and which bike fits you the best. My personal feelings about the way Trek does business somewhat influence my opinion of them as well.
Trek also owns Bontrager and is sinking their teeth into some Yeti production as well, though no info yet on the nature of that relationship.

Ive owned a Trek, and currently own a Vigorelli. They were both great. Get what fits you. I will say that the ride of the steel Vigorelli is my preference, but you may not agree. Take good test rides on all before you buy. Try to get at least 30 minutes on each if you can.

Trek is a privately held company with $400M in annual gross sales and 7 overseas subsidiaries. Trek owns 3 other major US bicycle brands: Gary Fisher, LeMond, and Klein along with a small Swiss brand called Villiger. It also owns Bontrager design. 70% of the company is still owned by the Burke family. Dick Burke founded the company and his son John is the current president.
A little more history of Trek is here: http://www.vintage-trek.com/TREK_History1.pdf

Here are a few more....

- Huffy owns Huffy
- Pacific Bicycles owns: Schwinn, GT and Mongoose
- Pegasus Partners now owns Cannondale
- K2 acquired and renamed ProFlex
- Raleigh owns Diamondback and Univega
- American Bicycle Group owns: Litespeed, Merlin, Quintana Roo and Tomac
- Tom Ritchey still owns Ritchey

Now, what you'd also want to know is who actually makes whose frames and components?

Don't know what size you are looking for, the my LBS was selling a new 2002 55cm (I think - would have to confirm) vigorelli - red paint - for just under $1100. I could check and see if it is still available.

I think we're looking into this way to deeply.

The Bianchi is the way to go, just 'cause I said so.

So there.

Dave

I think we're looking into this way to deeply.

The Bianchi is the way to go, just 'cause I said so.

So there.

Dave

Who are we to argue with a Marine CWO? Even a retired Senior Chief knows that much! Get the Bianchi, NOW!

Trek is a privately held company with $400M in annual gross sales and 7 overseas subsidiaries. Trek owns 3 other major US bicycle brands: Gary Fisher, LeMond, and Klein along with a small Swiss brand called Villiger. It also owns Bontrager design. 70% of the company is still owned by the Burke family. Dick Burke founded the company and his son John is the current president.
A little more history of Trek is here: http://www.vintage-trek.com/TREK_History1.pdf

Here are a few more....

- Huffy owns Huffy
- Pacific Bicycles owns: Schwinn, GT and Mongoose
- Pegasus Partners now owns Cannondale
- K2 acquired and renamed ProFlex
- Raleigh owns Diamondback and Univega
- American Bicycle Group owns: Litespeed, Merlin, Quintana Roo and Tomac
- Tom Ritchey still owns Ritchey


So what you are really saying is that Huffy is the only pure bicycle company out there.

There's your answer, get a Huffy

Lmao, :D

Thanks for all of the words of advice. So, it seems not only here, but in other similar posts, that the Trek line of bikes (Trek, LeMond, others) are not looked at as favorably as Bianchis, Cannondales, Fuji and others. Why is that? I'm still collecting info before buying. So, any info will be hepful, knowing full well that I'm gonna get whatever fits best. But, if it comes down to two models that will work equally well for me, some advice from more experienced folks might help. Thanks.

I'm gonna have to come in on the Trek side to try and put a stop to this Trek bashing. I can't say I've ridden any of the others but have had a Trek 2300 for the past 10 years and have nothing but praise for it. It is light, solid, and offers a solid component group. Besides Trek stands behind their bikes unequivocally. So for what it's worth, Trek 2300 is a great machine that has never let me down. Good luck!

I would never sway a person from buying a Trek. They are great bikes. They do tend to be a bit more expensive than other brands though. I loved mine. I never had a single problem with it.

Thanks for all of the words of advice. So, it seems not only here, but in other similar posts, that the Trek line of bikes (Trek, LeMond, others) are not looked at as favorably as Bianchis, Cannondales, Fuji and others. Why is that? I'm still collecting info before buying. So, any info will be hepful, knowing full well that I'm gonna get whatever fits best. But, if it comes down to two models that will work equally well for me, some advice from more experienced folks might help. Thanks.

D-Man:

I'm not sure how you've drawn that conclusion. Do a search on warranties - I KNOW there's been some discussion here that the Cannondale warranty has been weakened, for example. So I can't see how it would be ranked ahead of LeMond or Trek in your mind.

The Treks and LeMonds are U.S.-made, and I've heard only good things about their manufacturer support.

Fit and feel ought to be your foremost criteria. Manufacturer support and reliability are important too, but won't compensate for bad fit or feel.

Hi Allen et al.
My conclusion comes not only from some of the replies that I've gotten here, but also from replies to other similar posts to my own original one that I've seen on this forum and over at the Road Bike Review forum as well. Everyone says that fit is the most important and then go on to give their opinion about whatever bikes are being discussed. No one really disses Trek or LeMond, but they are not often picked as the superior choice either. So, I realize that I'm just getting folks' opinions here and from other posts, and that ultimately I will pick the bike that works for me. However, it's good to gather as much info from some of you more experienced riders about your experiences on the different rides that are out there. So, thanks and keep 'em comin'!

Think about contry of origan. Often the best combination of performance, price and quality can only be found in an imported product. This isn't the case with bicyle frames.
When I'm faced with a buying decision where ALL other aspects of comparision are equal I defer to the product made in the U.S.

Hi,
the big thing is fit. So few bikes fit me that I have never seen a case where 'other aspects' were equal. Not that it's important, but the best fit I have found so far was on a Gunnar Sport.

Hi Allen et al.
My conclusion comes not only from some of the replies that I've gotten here, but also from replies to other similar posts to my own original one that I've seen on this forum and over at the Road Bike Review forum as well. Everyone says that fit is the most important and then go on to give their opinion about whatever bikes are being discussed. No one really disses Trek or LeMond, but they are not often picked as the superior choice either. So, I realize that I'm just getting folks' opinions here and from other posts, and that ultimately I will pick the bike that works for me. However, it's good to gather as much info from some of you more experienced riders about your experiences on the different rides that are out there. So, thanks and keep 'em comin'!
Also take into consideration that the biggest fish (Trek) is going to take some bashing, as people want to be seen as following their own drummer by reccommending or riding another brand. I own several Treks and love them outright. Only once did I have an issue and Trek came through for me in flying colors. :D