Commuting - n00b questions about the Bianchi Avenue

http://www.bianchiusa.com/avenue.html

In anticipation of my new 6 mile round trip commute which will start at the end of next month, I purchased a Bianchi Avenue. The decision was made after lurking here for a while and then consulting the owner of my LBS. My commute will be mostly city riding with lots of curbs and some slightly bumpy roads. Prior to buying this bike I hadn't been on a bike in over 10 years, although I'm in pretty good shape.

I love the bike, however after a few weeks of riding (not the commute, just buming around town), I'm wondering if there's anything I can do about the gearing. I wouldn't need it all the time, but I'd like the ability to go faster if at all possible. I spend alot of time in the largest gear. Is anyone here familiar with the gearing on this bike? Is it even possible to change the gearing on this bike? I've read that on some bikes that it's just not possible. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips they can offer before I consult my LBS?

Secondary question - the handlebars

I've got the stock handlebars with some extentions, and I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to maybe switch to road bike style handle bars. Would road bike handlebars even work on this frame? What are the pros and cons?

Thirdary question - removable fenders

What's required on a bike frame in order to be able to add fenders? Are there any good, light fenders that can be easily put on and taken off?

I'm not planing on doing all of this all at once. The bike is fine the way it is, but I'm just wonding how upgradable this bike is now that I've got it. Sorry for all the n00b questions, but the searches I've done haven't turned up much specific information about the Avenue.

I love the bike, however after a few weeks of riding (not the commute, just buming around town), I'm wondering if there's anything I can do about the gearing. I wouldn't need it all the time, but I'd like the ability to go faster if at all possible. I spend alot of time in the largest gear.

Your chainrings -- the "front" gears -- are 22/32/42T. 42 teeth is
not very big for a chainring. I would expect that your LBS could
swap this set out for something larger set, or possibly just replace
the largest one. I have the Bianchi Strada which comes with
28/38/48. I think you would be a lot happier than that. Your
back gears are 11-28, while the Strada has 11-32: by this
I conclude that you shouldn't have any problem at all putting
chainrings on that match the Strada. I suppose a larger chainring
might require a larger chain as well -- I'm not an expert on mixing
and matching gears -- but it is absolutely possible to get the gears
you want.



Secondary question - the handlebars

Someone else will have to take this. I don't know.



What's required on a bike frame in order to be able to add fenders? Are there any good, light fenders that can be easily put on and taken off?

For commuting, I find that only a rear fender is really required, and there
are inexpensive plastic rear fenders that clamp around the seatpost and
are (fairly) easy to remove. No special frame features required! I don't know
much about front fenders, and don't ride with one.

road bike handlebars ("drop bars") will make you a good bit faster if you use them right. Part of it is that it shifts your weight so that you can pedal hard while neither standing yourself up nor pushing yourself off the back of the seat. You'll be more aerodynamic and it takes some of the weight off your butt, which can be nice, comfort-wise.

I've found that drop bars are really nice if you have some long non-stop streches. You may not want them if you come to a stop every few blocks. Maybe you could work out a trial -- see if they work for you and return them if they don't?

RE: fenders and chainrings -- talk to your local bike shop. If they can't help you, find a new local bike shop.

Paul

I know my local bike shop can help me, and I trust their judgement. It's always good to get other opinions though.

Thanks bluejack, cerewa and PaulH for your help. Everyone else, please keep the opinions coming.

http://www.bianchiusa.com/avenue.html
I love the bike, however after a few weeks of riding (not the commute, just buming around town), I'm wondering if there's anything I can do about the gearing. I wouldn't need it all the time, but I'd like the ability to go faster if at all possible. I spend alot of time in the largest gear. Is anyone here familiar with the gearing on this bike? Is it even possible to change the gearing on this bike? I've read that on some bikes that it's just not possible. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips they can offer before I consult my LBS? Yeah, a 22/32/42 chainring set makes for pretty low gear ratios, even with 11/28 cogs. You could probably install a 26/36/46 chainring set, or even 28/38/48, but you'd have to raise the front der (and adjust the cable) for the larger rings, and add some chain links. A 30/40/52 would probably give you gearing bigger than you want.



I've got the stock handlebars with some extentions, and I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to maybe switch to road bike style handle bars. Would road bike handlebars even work on this frame? What are the pros and cons? Drop bars would require different brake levers and shifters. If you're mostly commuting, you probably won't spend much time on the drops. For the money, if you really want the feel/speed of a road bike, I'd consider saving up and buying a used roadie. Imagine refitting this bike with drop bars, only to find out you wish you had the more upright position for the commute. Sounds like you've got an interest in two types of bicycling. Well then, treat yourself (if you can) to two bicycles. Other advantages: spare bike for contingencies (flat and no time to fix, etc.), spare bike for visitors. Disadvantage: friends might find out you have a spare bike ("Hey, Chad, buddy; I heard...") :) .



What's required on a bike frame in order to be able to add fenders? Are there any good, light fenders that can be easily put on and taken off? My commuter bike has a Zefal (?) "snap-on" rear fender (snaps on the seat tube and brake bridge btw. the seat stays) and a front mudguard that straps to the downtube. My hybrid tandem has a rack with a flat platform top (acts as a "de facto" fender) and the same kind of strap-on front mudguard. Advantage to the strap-on is that conventional fenders interfere with a lot of parking racks. Y'know the old-style racks with the "big pipe" outer framework and the "skinny rod" verticals that you're supposed to put your wheel into? It's no use locking a bike to those skinny rods. Someone can just bend the rod to the point where it pulls out of the top or bottom pipe and waltz off with your bike. The only secure way to use this type of rack is to put the front wheel over the big top pipe, and put your U-lock between the front wheel and the downtube. But a standard front fender makes this impossible.

Why, BTW, are you looking for removable fenders?

I picked up the Zefal universal, removable plastic fender. No tools required and it comes off and on pretty easily. $12 at LBS, it's perfect.

Given the pros and cons of the drop bars, and the fact that it looks like it would be a huge pain in the ass to swap out the existing hardware, I think I'll stick with the bars that I have. Besides, I really like the extentions I had put on when I first ordered the bike.

I asked the LBS owner about changing out the existing front chainring for a 28/38/48 and he told me pretty much the same thing you did madpogue, that I'd need a new front der, because the existing one was fixed and couldn't be moved up.

So my question now is, what kinds of things should I look for in a chainring set and front der? Any suggestions on a make/model?

If you're mostly commuting, you probably won't spend much time on the drops.

I commute, traffic or no, short or long distance, with my hands almost exclusively in the drops.


I picked up the Zefal universal, removable plastic fender. No tools required and it comes off and on pretty easily. $12 at LBS, it's perfect.

sounds similar to what I have. but for myself, I almost never bother to take my fenders off.


Given the pros and cons of the drop bars, and the fact that it looks like it would be a huge pain in the ass to swap out the existing hardware, I think I'll stick with the bars that I have.

I second the used-road-bike suggestion. A side note: you also need brake cables designed for road-bike brakes if you use drop bars.