Road Cycling - I don't love my bike.

At the beginning of January I bought a Bianchi Strada.

For years I have ridden hybrid bikes of one stripe or another,
but when my previous one (a cannondale) was stolen, I
couldn't find any replacement that was quite right. (I don't
like shock absorbers of any sort, and it's getting harder to
find bikes without them.) After a lot of research, I decided
to try out the Strada: although technically a road bike, it
does have straight handlebars. I particularly liked the gear
ratios. It handled the way I like a bike to handle, and for
about a week, I was in love with it.

Like so many new love affairs, however, the bloom wore off.
The chain broke within the first week. I have *never* had a
chain break on any bicycle I have ever owned, so I thought
this was strange. So did the shop, and they replaced it. But
since that time it has required almost constant attention of
one sort or another:


I've gone through two sets of brake pads -- on previous
bikes, brake pads would last six months or more;
The gears need rejiggering every couple of days, or else
they grind and rattle -- particularly in the middle range of
the hub of gears;
The tires are already badly scarred and worn. I have only
had one flat, but I have a feeling it's going to happen more
frequently unless I replace the tires;
The paint is chipped all over the bike: scratches here and
there, and lots of pockmarks, especially on the underside of
things;
The wheels go out of true on every bump I hit. Not badly
at first, but they need attention about once a month.


My every-day riding is in the city (Seattle -- lots of hills which
are tough on brakes; crappy roads which are tough on wheels),
but on weekends I do like to get out on the bike paths and into
the country. I have not significantly altered my cycling behavior
with this bicycle. If anything I am tamer now that I am getting
older. But I don't recall ever having a bike so quick to show its
wear.

So: did I buy a lemon, or is this just the wrong kind of bicycle
for me? Maybe I should go back to el-cheapo hybrids -- if I can
find any that aren't ruined by stupid extras like front-fork shocks.

At the beginning of January I bought a Bianchi Strada.
[snip]

So: did I buy a lemon, or is this just the wrong kind of bicycle
for me?

It seems to me that your complaints are for general wear and tear on any bicycle. It also sounds to me like your issues are solvable. Tyres can get cut up. The Strada's tyres are not impervious to damage. You can always switch to more damage resistant tyres. Gears can go out of alignment with any bike. Have you had your cables checked? Have you checked your chain for signs of stretch? Brake pads do wear. The compound used on the Strada might be softer and thus wear quicker. Maybe you're riding and stopping more nowadays? You can always switch to using a different brand/model brake pad. Scratches and superficial damage really can't be avoided if you ride some of the winter and post-winter roads here. You will see this with other bikes too. I don't think the Strada's paint finish is particularly at fault. If the wheels are constantly going out of true, you might want to have them checked and retensioned. I don't think you bought a lemon and I'm slightly familiar with the Bianchi Strada. Bikes like any other piece of machinery do need to be cared for. As far as for it being the right bike for you, I'm not sure. I don't think we have enough information to say one way or the other. Are you hopping curbs and doing drops on it? If so, then yeah it's probably the wrong bike for you.

I to would be upset. But you also have to realize that the Bianchi Strada is a LOW end bike, its not even considered entry level racing.
I owned a Bianchi Strada back in the early 80's, infact it was my first roadie, I did race on it, mixed groupo, speed double at that, I put a lot of road miles on that bike and the bike served me well for what i bought it as A "starter Bike".
I think if you was to have started with a Brava you probably would have less problems, and if its a Hybrid you wanted maybe you should have got the Bianchi Volpe ..
But then again I have no idea of what kind of riding you do and how much etc.
I agree with you that you should be disappointed, I know I would be, But then again there is always a Lemon in every batch.
Good luck and ride safe.

I would not pay too much attention to bianchi rider.

His Giro is also an entry level 105 bike. And any self respecting 'bianchi rider' would not buy a Bianchi with an Easton Ultralite tubeset, kind of sacriligious, IMHO. Realize that bianchi is a shadow of its former self.

Hmmm.

Well, let me ask this: do you think that road bikes in general are more fragile than
hybrids? I had basically assumed that both would be reasonable all-weather
bicycles for use on paved surfaces; but maybe I fundamentally misunderstand
the purpose of a road bike.

As for my use, well, I don't know what a "drop" is, so I don't know if I do them,
but a number of the roads I have to travel are the equivalent of hopping curbs.
And, ok, I hop a curb now and then when circumstances warrant. However, I also
like to go fast, fast, fast around Lake Washington now and then, or elsewise hither
and yon -- but I'm certainly not a racer type. I don't compete. I don't own the
skin-tight glow-in-the-dark psychedelic clothing.

I agree that most of the signs of normal wear are normal -- but it seems incredibly
accelerated. Okay, Strada is an "entry level" or below; but then so have been the
hybrids I have owned -- and the parts on the Strada seem to be awfully fragile.

Maybe you could recommend some sturdier tires & break pads?

Maybe you could recommend some sturdier tires & break pads?

Specialized Armadillo tyres seem to be the favourite amongst the commuting crowd for puncture reistance. Kool Stop pads seem to be high quality brake pads.

Specialized Armadillo tyres seem to be the favourite amongst the commuting crowd for puncture reistance. Kool Stop pads seem to be high quality brake pads.

Thanks; that's a place to start some research. Here's another question,
do you know what kind of paint works on a bicycle? In addition to the
various chips and whatnot, there are also a ton of Bianchi logos around
the bike. I don't really like being a riding advertisement.

Thanks; that's a place to start some research. Here's another question,
do you know what kind of paint works on a bicycle? In addition to the
various chips and whatnot, there are also a ton of Bianchi logos around
the bike. I don't really like being a riding advertisement.

To do a really good job, you'd have to strip and sand the frame down and then repaint. Some people go with powder coating. There are some shops around here that may be able to help you out. One good place to ask is R+E Cycles. They sell Bianchis as well as homebrewed Rodriguez bikes so they would have some knowledge about frame refurbishment and repair. Prepare yourself for a sticker shock though. I'm not sure a pro paintjob is worth it given the initial cost of the bike.

Oh, I would do the painting myself -- I tend to custom paint most
things I own. I've done a little web research on painting bicycles,
but am not sure of the materials. I'll check out R&E -- haven't been
there yet, but they've been recommended in the past. I expect they'll
have some advice.

As you might have gathered, I am not looking for a "pro" job or a
"pro" bike; I just like equipment I can use -- and use fairly hard.
This conversation has made me wonder, though, whether what I
really want are two different bikes: something "hardened" for city
use, and my pleasantly-light, gear-ratios-for-speed road bike for
those rides out to the country and back on sunny days.

The messengers mostly seem to ride fixies or mountain bikes, but
I'm not ready to build my own fixie, and there's a lot I don't like
about mountain bikes (except on mountains, I suppose, but I
prefer to walk on mountains, myself).

... because ultimately, this is about loving the bike, right?

So, it's either convert this thing into something I can love
(by replacing the fragile bits & addressing its minor aesthetic
flaws); or relegate it to the use for which it is lovable (quiet
rides in the country); or sell it and continue the search for
the One True Bike.

Currently accepting additional ideas in all categories. Thanks
for all help so far.

I'd definitely suggest the Kool Stop brake pads.

As for a bike for the type of riding you describe, a touring bike seems in order. Built much better for abuse...

mr bluejack (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=7684), can't help but ask. What [model] cannondale did you loose?

mr bluejack (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=7684), can't help but ask. What [model] cannondale did you loose?

Oh, it was an H300 -- basic hybrid, nothing remotely fancy. It was
aluminum, and while, in theory, I prefer steel to aluminum, I was pretty
happy with that Cannondale. With regular cleaning and lubing I never
once had a problem with it. Even crashed it once (fairly minor) and it
held strong. It was blue. If you took it, feel free to give it back. :)

Oh, and speaking of the Bianchi Volpe -- I know these are eminently changeable,
but I don't like drop handlebars and I don't like shock absorbers (even on the
seatpost) so I didn't spend too much time looking at that one. Maybe I should
have.

The other bikes I did look at were the Cannondale RoadWarrior 600, 800 and
Bad Boy Rigid. With regard to the lattermost, I must say that the marketing
sort of annoyed me. I finally chose the Strada over the RoadWarrior series
because I preferred the higher gear ratios available on the Strada and I didn't
care for the aesthetics of the fat aluminum tube from crank to head.

bluejack... this is going to sound really insensitive, but...

how much do you weigh?

most of the problems you mention sound like symptoms of a really, really, heavy guy putting a lot of wear on a bike:

1. road brake pads should last at least a year, sometimes two, unless they're being grownd down by trying to stop something with a whole lot of momentum.

2. i have only hada chain break on me once... after 5,000 km. the only common cause for chain breakage on the road is when a really heavy rider stomps on the pedals and really overloads the chain, while making bad shifts.

3. worn tires are the most obvious symptom. the conti sports should last about 3,000 km of regular riding, but heavier riders will wear away at any tire fairly quickly.

if it's not your weight, then the only logical explanation is that your shop installed the chain improperly [though this would have been done by the distributor],adjusted you brakes wrong a`nd gave you second-hand tires.

I would not pay too much attention to bianchi rider.

His Giro is also an entry level 105 bike. And any self respecting 'bianchi rider' would not buy a Bianchi with an Easton Ultralite tubeset, kind of sacriligious, IMHO. Realize that bianchi is a shadow of its former self.
The reality is: I wouldnt pay attention to anything ewitz says to anyone, he seems to have a problem with everyone here, I have yet to see him post anything positive to anyone, he is just a loud mouth that wishes he knew half as much as he think he does. I could care less if he has a problem with me or my bianchi. Just shows how much he respects himself, he doesnt even know me yet he always has something derogitory to say to me.
Tell ya what ewitz, if you are ever in Fl please look me up !!! Its a heck of a lot easier for you to open your mouth and disrespect someone behind a keyboard. So if you are ever here I beg of you please look me up, I would love for you to open your mouth while standing in front of me face to face.

boys! please behave!

bluejack... this is going to sound really insensitive, but...

how much do you weigh?

No, it's a good question. It's not the answer -- but it's a perfectly valid question.
I'm only 180, and although I'm sometimes carrying 10 or 15 pounds, I don't think that's
sufficient to escalate wear in the manner you describe.

The tires definitely weren't second hand: they were fresh and clean when I got them,
but it seems like every fleck of glass, bridge plate, and steel grate puts another
wound in them. -- I'll admit this was my biggest concern going from a hybrid (though
I had smooth road tires, rather than knobbly trail tires) to a thin-tired road bike.
But I'll follow advice above looking for tougher tires.

I have assumed you are right about the mis-installed chain; obviously, once a correct
chain is installed that shouldn't be a problem again -- although with the gears going
out of whack so regularly, I expect I am still aging the chain more rapidly than usual.

As for the brakes -- well, I'm not an expert, but they didn't look or feel adjusted wrong.
Not sure if there's some subtlety of adjustments that I wouldn't feel -- but
I'm not like the messengers who fly down these vertical hills in Seattle, I do use the
brakes. It's just the front pads that have gone. I think the back will last a while. But
I'm going to try those Kool Stop pads.

And as for ewitz and bianchi_rider: get a room.

blujeack... when a bike shop gets a bicycle from a distributor, it comes out of the box partly assembled. the distributor will install the bottom bracket, crackset, wheels, tires, cassette, headset, fork, and bolt on everything that should be bolted on. it's usually the bike shop's job to connect the cables, straighten the stem, make sure the brakes work, etc. the chain is usually installed by the distributor, unless you change/upgrade the crankset or cassette, in which case, the shop will shorten the existing chain or install a new longer chain.

before any shopper takes a bike home, it is the shop's responsibility to "prep" the bike, and make sure that the deerailleurs are perfectly tuned, and the brakes are perfectly adjusted, and every bolt is properly tightened. if you shop did not do this, and you noticed problems right away, your are best to find a new bike shop.

however, even the best "prep" work cannot prevent shakedown problems. cables have a tendency to stretch in the first few weeks -- even pre-stretched cables -- and this typically puts the bike out of tune. consequently any reputable shop should give you a free shakedown tuneup after a week. once the cables are stretched and the bike is tuned, you should have no tuning or alignment problems for several months.

if the bike continues to go out of adjustment regularly, you should have your shop [or a better one] check that the bolts restraining the cables [on the derailleurs and brakes] are properly tightened. only two things can make a derailleur go out of tune regularly: (1) a stretching or slipping cable, (2) a defective or damaged mechanism.

asd for your tires... tire wear out. if you're carrying 180-195 lbs, and you usually have your tires at high pressure [above 110 lbs], they will wear faster. most road tires are designed to be ridden at their max pressure by an archetypical 155 lb ride, or at a slightly lower pressure by a larger rider. you might just need new tires.

the brakes i can't fathom, unless they were improperly installed by your shop, or the problem is due to cable stretch/slipping rather than pad wear.

I'd be pissed off at those problems ocurring so quickly.

I'm 235lbs, and never had anything like that on my Sirrus Hybrid, nor my new entry level Bianchi.

I've killed two spokes on the Sirrus, probably a combination of weight and enthusiastic kerb mounting... :)

But your problems.... nah.

Ah well, the upside is I am learning a lot about bicycle repair! Today I am
going to follow up on velocipedio's suggestions about checking the
restraining bolts on the cables, and also clean chain and cogs. (I did
take the bike in for follow-up tuning 3 times during the warrantee period,
but I'm out of that now. I'll have a go at it myself before resorting to
taking it in to the shop, and I think I may try a different shop.)

Belfast: do you notice the paint pocking off your entry level Bianchi?

No, it's a good question. It's not the answer -- but it's a perfectly valid question.
I'm only 180, and although I'm sometimes carrying 10 or 15 pounds, I don't think that's
sufficient to escalate wear in the manner you describe.

The tires definitely weren't second hand: they were fresh and clean when I got them,
but it seems like every fleck of glass, bridge plate, and steel grate puts another
wound in them. -- I'll admit this was my biggest concern going from a hybrid (though
I had smooth road tires, rather than knobbly trail tires) to a thin-tired road bike.
But I'll follow advice above looking for tougher tires.

I have assumed you are right about the mis-installed chain; obviously, once a correct
chain is installed that shouldn't be a problem again -- although with the gears going
out of whack so regularly, I expect I am still aging the chain more rapidly than usual.

As for the brakes -- well, I'm not an expert, but they didn't look or feel adjusted wrong.
Not sure if there's some subtlety of adjustments that I wouldn't feel -- but
I'm not like the messengers who fly down these vertical hills in Seattle, I do use the
brakes. It's just the front pads that have gone. I think the back will last a while. But
I'm going to try those Kool Stop pads.

And as for ewitz and bianchi_rider: get a room.
Blue, when I had my strada years ago I was apx the same weight as you are now.. Currently I am apx 225lbs, and I am 5'11' tall, I am not shaped like a cyclist as my prior boxing has left my upper body that of a boxer. Tho my legs are definately that of the cyclist i produce a lot of power from my upper body while riding, in otherwords I balance my strength between my legs and my upper body when needed. I REALLY think the bike may have been defective when you got it if you are having so many problems with it. as i stated earlier I would ride my strada as a race bike, i did numerous centuries and crits on that bike, the only problems I ever had were normal ware and tare, probably the most serious problem I had was I would tend to break my rear spokes in a sprint, I dont know if this was from my riding style or if it was poor quality when I had the wheels trued and new spokes put on, but it was not an every day or once a month thing either, it was generally after hundreds of miles.
About the brake pads the kool stop are good as I have ceramics on my giro and I was informed in the forum that the kool stop green was what I needed for that type wheel. Tho some people may suggest my bike is not a good one I can assure you it is not entry level, it is a mid range racing bike and it suits me just fine. I do love my bike.
Have you tried to contact Bianchi directly? maybe you should inform them of the situation, I am sure the dealer or mechanic at your LBS would be willing to back you on the situation and perhaps Bianchi would be willing to help you out...
and about ewitz and me gettting a room, nah i would love to just get him into the ring for just a few rounds :)
Best of luck to you and I hope things work out for you on your delimah.
Ride safe

Belfast: do you notice the paint pocking off your entry level Bianchi?


Tis only a fortnight young, and she's still beautiful... :)

Hi,
my wife got a Strada last year. I upgraded the wheels, tires and seat before delivery. I suggest you look at rims that are a little more rugged. I use a Mavic CXP33; if it can survive me, it can survive almost anything. Tires are a tough choice. Depends a lot on what your environment is like, and what your expectations are. I run Conti Top Touring on my commuter. It's a tough tire.I know what you mean about paint chipping.I have been been meaning to get some of that 'once a year' automotive car wax to see if it would help. Repainting would be great, there are some very cool paints out there you don't usually see on bikes.

At the beginning of January I bought a Bianchi Strada.

.....since that time it has required almost constant attention of
one sort or another:


I've gone through two sets of brake pads...e;
The gears need rejiggering every couple of days...;
The tires are already badly scarred and worn. I have only
had one flat, but I have a feeling it's going to happen more
frequently unless I replace the tires;
The paint is chipped all over the bike: scratches here and
there, and lots of pockmarks, especially on the underside of
things;
The wheels go out of true on every bump I hit. Not badly
at first, but they need attention about once a month.


....So: did I buy a lemon...


Apart from the paint, I think all these issues are minor ones: i.e. quirks that may all be solved by yourself. Indeed, you might do a much better job than the LBS. I should say, however, that I don't know the particular bike, though I red the specs of the 2004 model on the web.

Brakes
Shimano brakes are very good, but Shimano brake pads are amongst the worst. Not only they don't last, but they tend to eat the rims. Get Kool Stop pads: either the blacks, or for all weather, the Salmon ones (not red). FYI, the pads that came with my tourer lasted1-2 months and Shimano pads lasted only a few weeks, but Kool Stop pads last 1-2 years.

Gears
Check all adjustments. I once had a problem like that which made me hate indexing. Then I discovered that the barrel adjuster where the cable enters in the derailleur was completely unscrewed and that, therefore, tension was erratic. Just place your derailleur in top gear and shift down all to the end while you are NOT pedalling (to get the cable totally loose) and check all those barrel adjusters to see how they are.
On another bike, the cable was making -- sometimes -- a detour around the kickstand. Let's say that I upshifted suddently when the cable decided not to detour around the kickstand. Re-routing the cable solved the problem.

Also check that you don't have kinked housing or cable. Try to slide the cable a bit in its housing to see that things move correctly..

Tires
YOur bike unfortunately has caliper brakes rather than cantilever brakes. Check to see if 28 would fit. Small tires tend to be lightweight and therefore less durable. Still it's hard to know if the tires are really worn out.

Wheels out of true
Are you truing them yourself or having it done by the bike shop? I suspect the tension is a bit too low. Once the wheels are true, tighten all spokes by 1/2 to 1 turn. Actually, overtighten by 1/4 turn, then de-tighten, so that way the spokes won't be twisted.

Do you have fenders? Did you have fenders on your previous bike? Fenders do a lot to protect the bike mechanics and paint.

Regards,

The reality is: I wouldnt pay attention to anything ewitz says to anyone, he seems to have a problem with everyone here, I have yet to see him post anything positive to anyone, he is just a loud mouth that wishes he knew half as much as he think he does. I could care less if he has a problem with me or my bianchi. Just shows how much he respects himself, he doesnt even know me yet he always has something derogitory to say to me.
Tell ya what ewitz, if you are ever in Fl please look me up !!! Its a heck of a lot easier for you to open your mouth and disrespect someone behind a keyboard. So if you are ever here I beg of you please look me up, I would love for you to open your mouth while standing in front of me face to face.


I am in Key Biscayne three weeks every December and I don't even bother bringing a good bike. What a bunch of poseurs. Dress like the pro peleton and ride like my grandmother. I get no end of pleasure blowing by them on my beater. Do the group rides out of the LBS, Meeks, and still laugh. Guess that having no hills makes every one a super rider, until someone who can actually ride comes along. PM your address and phone number and I will be happy to also leave you and your POS bianchi choking on my dust.

just wanna echo velo and mgag's. it really sounds like your bike shop sucks and your bike needs to be tuned correctly. (another reason why LBS "loyalty" should never be a concern) your wheels definitely need tensioning and fixing up. your cables, both brake and gearing, need to be stretched (you can stretch them yourself, just pullllll and then fiddle with the barrel, as mentioned), but this is something common with all new cables.

i weight 220 and can cary up to 20lbs more, and my wheels stay true. they're open pros 32 spoke. i also have 23mm tires and they do just fine at 120psi. and why're u wasting time worrying about getting a flat if you haven't had one? either switch to a new set of tires, or carry a tire with u, or stop worrying and ride until you actually get one. it's possible that your seattle roads are really bad, or that you "ride heavy" by not doing little jumps over potholes and sewer-tops and whatnot; if so, then correct ur riding style to "ride light".

finally, paint chips; i get them all the time, that's what touch-up paint is for. you didn't buy a lemon. i can't think of a single new bike that really is a "lemon". properly tuned, bikes are tough things, and cheaper bikes can sometimes be even tougher.

sd

Apart from the paint, I think all these issues are minor ones.

Thanks for the thorough reply. I don't actually think the paint
is important either -- although since it's steel I do worry a little
bit about rust: it's wet a lot here. But I clean everything regularly.
So far the only rust I've seen is in the main hex nut thing on the
crank [you can tell I'm a pro, right? lol], and of course that wasn't
painted in the first place. But I figure once I find a source for
paint I can either do touch up, or just put clear coat on the scars.

As for your other points, there seems to be a lot of agreement on
the brake pads, and I'll definitely take your advice on the gears.
I went over everything today -- and did find that the rear
derailleur cable had skipped out of its groove a bit where it bends
around behind the derailleur mechanism. I had a nice smooth ride
this afternoon, so we'll see how long the gears stay true. If not, I'll
go over the cables with a fine toothed comb.

I have a couple new questions -- very minor -- and this thread is
getting pretty mechanical, so I'll take it to that forum.

Hi Blue,

I was wondering how it was going with your bike?

You bought a 2004 model, right?

I have been considering the Bianchi Strada along with the LeMond Wayzata and the Motobecane Cafe Noir (which is only available online). I was also looking at the bikes you were checking out, but like you, I was attracted to the wide gear range and low price....

Now I'm a little concerned (I haven't bought mine yet), based on your comments.

How is the bike doing now? Have you ironed out the problems yet?

I am a little heavier than you (about 215), and worry about the performance of the frame and the carbon fork. I have tried to stay away from aluminum frames because I am worried about them being too stiff. I live in Long Island, NY on the north shore and in addition to the hills, there a lot of pot holes and so I need a frame that won't jar the fillings out of my teeth. I currently have a steel frame (an old Giant Iguanna) and I think that sticking with a steel frame is smart. I also don't want suspension even though I have been looking at the Cannondale Road Warrior 100 Headshok with the front suspension that you can lock out when you don't need it. It's pretty expensive, though.

Anyway, I was curious about your experience since I haven't seen too many folks on the Forum that have this bike.

Anything you can tell me would be really helpful.

Thanks,

Warren

No, mine was a 2003 model. No carbon fork, among other differences.

At least some of my problems seem to be due to sloppy assembly.
The broken chain was almost certainly assembly error, and it looks
like the persistent gear problems were due to the fact that the
cable to the rear deraileur was out of a groove -- and the LBS
failed to notice this on repeated tune-ups. Since I discovered and
corrected that, I haven't had any problems, although it's only been
a week. (About 100 miles.)

The frame is not too stiff, and of course you can ease up on the
tire pressure a little to help take the edge off. However, both 2003
and 2004 have the same wheels, I believe. I am probably going to
look for stronger wheels as these seem to lose true pretty rapidly.
You have a few pounds on me, so this problem might be worse for
you.

I also don't like the tires, but 2003 comes with Vittoria Zaffiro while
2004 comes with Continental Sport 1000 -- I figure I'll upgrade wheels
and tires all at once when these tires are fully worn down. Probably
won't be long.

Many people complain about the saddle on the 2003, but that's another
component that has changed in 2004.

There are upsides -- I certainly don't hate the bike. It's lighter than any
hybrid I have owned. I like the high gear ratios. I like the geometry of it.
For city riding, I like to be a little more upright than most cyclists, so the
flat handlebars work well with the seat positioned pretty far back. It was
also my first bike using clipless pedals, which I have found that I love.

In conclusion, it looks like the 2004 Strada may be quite a different
beast than the 2003 -- so my experience may not be entirely relevant.
If you do go for it, the main thing I would watch out for, or think
about upgrading, given your terrain, would be new wheels.

I don't know anything about the LeMond Wayzata or the Motobecane
Cafe Noir: when I was shopping I was comparing to Cannondale
RoadWarrior 800 and a couple other of that ilk. I preferred the
Bianchi's steel frame, higher gear ratio, and general feel to the
Cannondale.

Here's just a side note to add to this conversation....

I hate to break it to you, but 180 is actually on the heavy side, compared to what I read in these forums. Sure, there's lots of guys who are 200+, but it seems the typical biker is right around 150-160. The reason I pay attention to that is that when I first started cruising these boards, it made me realize that the 185+ pounds I was hanging on my 5'9 frame were just to much, so I went the Atkins route and got down to 167 (and still trying). It was amazing how so many creaks and moans from my bike (particularly the cranks) went away (and how the hills were much more tolerable). Anyway, as Oprah once said "I can either be thin, or be happy".

Alright.... I'll add a little bit more.

I purchased the 2004 Bianchi Volpe and pics to come when her brother "Eros" joins the family. I like the Volpe but the brakes pads have got to go. The pads felt soft the minute I left the LBS and can tell right away they will fade fast. I'm going to change them to the ones the forum members recommended. I suspect the Strada has the same pads. Change them ASAP!

I happen to think the Strada is a nice bike. The only other Hybrid that I would have chosen instead would be a mid-level Jamis Coda. I was thinking of getting the Strada instead of the Volpe but I wanted the low level chromoly of the Volpe and the thicker tires. Actually. You should have purchased the Volpe too! Since I was getting a road bike, there was no need to buy a street bike.

I happen to believe you purchased the wrong bike overall. The Strada is a road bike with entry level components that are going to wear out quickly if you use the bike for commuting and weekend rides. You needed a more durable commuter but stayed away from a cyclocross or touring bike because of the drops. That was a huge mistake and now you're paying for it by having to buy expensive upgrades. The bikes with better components are not hybrids and losing your fear of drops would have opened doors to better bicycles that can handle the punishment you're inflicting on the Strada.

Next time. Get the Volpe or build up a Crosscheck with flat bars.

I hate to break it to you, but 180 is actually on the heavy side, compared to what I read in these forums. Sure, there's lots of guys who are 200+, but it seems the typical biker is right around 150-160.

Of course it depends on your height, build, and general atheleticism.
I am not an athelete and don't expect to be. I'm also 6'2". I could
probably lose 5 or 10 pounds and be more fit, but I don't think I could
lose much more weight than that without losing muscle mass.

Nonetheless, if bikes are built for people who weigh 150, then
even a normal, but heavier, person will wear it out faster. No question.

I'm going to change them to the ones the forum members recommended. I suspect the Strada has the same pads. Change them ASAP!

Yes, I already have. The new pads -- I don't know the brand, the LBS just
put them on for me -- are better, but I do use them on these hills
and they're still going pretty quickly. When I buy new ones I will get the
Kool Stop.


I was thinking of getting the Strada instead of the Volpe but I wanted the low level chromoly of the Volpe and the thicker tires. Actually. You should have purchased the Volpe too! Since I was getting a road bike, there was no need to buy a street bike.

Maybe. I didn't like the handlebars on the Volpe, more on that below. But what
do you mean by "low level chromoly" ? I think Volpe and Strada frames are
made from the same Reynolds 520. My Strada is 2003, so the forks are
steel also.


I happen to believe you purchased the wrong bike overall. The Strada is a road bike with entry level components that are going to wear out quickly if you use the bike for commuting and weekend rides. You needed a more durable commuter but stayed away from a cyclocross or touring bike because of the drops. That was a huge mistake and now you're paying for it by having to buy expensive upgrades. The bikes with better components are not hybrids and losing your fear of drops would have opened doors to better bicycles that can handle the punishment you're inflicting on the Strada.

Next time. Get the Volpe or build up a Crosscheck with flat bars.

I've spent 20 years riding in traffic, and my body is accustomed to a
certain posture for the car radar to work. This posture seems to require
flat handlebars. That said, I am coming to believe the Strada was the
right bike for me to purchase now. Here's why.

In the future, I think I will have more than one bike. I think I would like
to get a touring bike for longer weekend rides away from the battle
of downtown riding. Out on country rides, off on dedicated (paved) bike
trails, I think I could get used to the drop handlebars.

For commuting and other inner-city riding, I will go with something tougher,
with the flat handlebars, probably thicker tires.

I also really want to try a fixie. That might or might not work for this latter
purposes -- the Seattle hills are daunting and I live on one of them.
But even if I decide I do need the gears to handle the hills, I'll still want
a fixie to play with.

Conclusion: I bought the Strada as an all-purpose bike. However, I am
at a stage where my purposes are too broad and my sense of how a
bike should behave sufficiently mature that no single all-purpose bike
is going to be "the bike I love." The Strada makes an excellent transition
bike, however: it gives me a taste for what a real road bike might be
like; it demonstrates the importance of sturdy components for in-city
riding; it has been excellent motivation to improve my repair skills; and
when all the parts finally do fall off it, the frame should make a nice
base for fixie!

Here's just a side note to add to this conversation....

I hate to break it to you, but 180 is actually on the heavy side, compared to what I read in these forums. Sure, there's lots of guys who are 200+, but it seems the typical biker is right around 150-160. The reason I pay attention to that is that when I first started cruising these boards, it made me realize that the 185+ pounds I was hanging on my 5'9 frame were just to much, so I went the Atkins route and got down to 167 (and still trying). It was amazing how so many creaks and moans from my bike (particularly the cranks) went away (and how the hills were much more tolerable). Anyway, as Oprah once said "I can either be thin, or be happy".

Atkins is incredibly unhealthy, especially for those of us who are active. I went from 195 last spring to 160 now, simply through cycling, and Eating MORE!

I happen to believe you purchased the wrong bike overall. The Strada is a road bike with entry level components that are going to wear out quickly if you use the bike for commuting and weekend rides. You needed a more durable commuter


The Strada is a road bike. A bike, for roads.
You commute on roads.
You have weekend rides on roads.

Isn't a road bike perfectly capable and adept at weekend rides and commuting? I upgraded my Sirrus to an entry level road bike, and haven't regretted it yet. Twitchy steering at first, to be sure, compared to the flat bars of the sirrus, but I'm well used to that now after a coupla weeks. What was once twitchy, is now "precise steering"! :)

I take hills with a bit more ease now. Downhills too. I sail past my brother who's now on my old bike...

If my entry level Campag parts wear out (I'm 230lbs), I'lll replace them. Big deal. I'd have to do the same on the Sirrus.

The gears need rejiggering every couple of days, or else
they grind and rattle -- particularly in the middle range of
the hub of gears.

Something to check is the alignment of the derailleur hanger. The derailleur hanger is the little tab on the frame that the derailleur threads into. For optimum shifting the plane that the rear derailleur mounts to should be parallel to the central plane of the bike. If the bike was received with the hanger in a tweaked condition or bent during use (possibly by the chain problem you described), you will never get the shifting right until you get this aligned. This is a very simple procedure for a bike shop with the right tool. You may want to have this checked out.

bluejack:

What's the latest on the Strada?

I am considering this bike and have some concerns based on your experience.

The other bikes I am looking at are the Lemond Wayzata, the Motobecane Cafe Noir and the Trek 520.

I am considering this bike and have some concerns based on your experience.


Nothing new since post #30, above.

Nothing new since post #30, above.

Thanks Blue, I was just checking before I make my final decision.

Warren

Atkins is incredibly unhealthy, especially for those of us who are active. I went from 195 last spring to 160 now, simply through cycling, and Eating MORE!

:eek: Where did you get this information? In independent laboratory testing, cyclists on the Atkins diet were able to cycle longer with less fatigue than those who "carbed up" on pasta, etc.

Coming from a medical family (father=doc, mother=nurse, sister=p.a., wife=m.a., etc.), I know how the medical community at large has been quick to dismiss as too radical the low-carb style diets. Then people repeat that, without doing any research on their own. As a general rule, you should never state as fact something you really don't know anything about, or you may end of being partially responsible for circulating a harmful untruth. Forthunately, a number of people in the medical community are warming to the idea of the low-carb lifestyle. My wife and I tried the Atkins approach after she noticed poeple coming into her office and getting blood test results which showed improvements across the board (good cholesterol=up, bad cholesterol=down), even after eating loads of butter and steak.

From my personal experience, I would say that you shouldn't do a long training ride during the first week of a low-carb diet, before your body is in full-on ketosis, as you will bonk really hard (that happened to my wife and me) - but after that, you will find you can ride further and harder, without having to gulp down gels or goos, because your body can call on your fat stores to keep you going longer. At least that's what I have experienced. Your results may vary.

See, Chiliconcarnag, that's where the Atkins followers disagree. I've had many tell me that they can't maintain an intensity over 30 minutes, whereas you say you can go longer and harder without carbs? How long and how hard? Compared to who?

bluejack

You’ve had your bike about 6 months and you’re thinking about new tires, paint, wheels? Ouch. I don’t mean to taunt you but I bought a Bianchi Project 5 about 10 years ago for about CAN$600. It was spec’d with a 700 rock shox so I just downgraded to a steel fork when ordering it. The metallic purple paint shows no fading and no undeserved chips. Last summer I wore out (& replaced) the rear rim, hub, cogs, BB and headset after ~12,000km touring (+40 lbs) on 32’s. 10,000 km ago I broke & replaced all the right drive spokes. Otherwise it has been a camel for off-road touring & a mountain goat on single track on the original 45’s, It will ride with the fast boys in the pack on a set of 22’s. The original Panaracer Smoke 45’s look like new, although admittedly with only about 5000 km on them. After 40,000km I’m happy to tell anyone that asks it’s the world’s greatest all-round bike. I also had one of their 1980’s nauseating turquoise Italian-built rockets that still gets me all excited just thinking about it. The only chain I ever broke was made up of all those 3’s & 4’s I cut off other chains (while drafting a city bus at 60 km/h!) I was amused how neatly it lay out on the road…
Your bike sounds low-quality, either the model or just yours. I really think you should have a word with your dealer and maybe Bianchi can make amends. Your disappointment will sway more potential buyers than my 10 years of !Wee-haw! ever can. Good Luck. I hope you can find someone to love once again…

skeeterbait, yellowknife