I used to road bike and loved it. The thing is, the road bike was a little too delicate. I love the feel of a road bike but would like something a little stronger for riding in town. I'm going on the Aids Ride from SF to LA and thought a CycloCross would be a good fit for me. I'm thinking about the Bianchi Axis. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Do a search for Axis to find many discussions about the Axis.

I have a 2004 model and it's great.

Also check on Surly's Cross Check, I've just about finished building mine up for the exact reasons you listed. It's a beautiful bike and I hope to be able to ride it tonight for the first time.

I started doing that, sounds like everybody loves the Bianchi. Thanks.



Do a search for Axis to find many discussions about the Axis.

I have a 2004 model and it's great.

I'll have to put in a vote for the Lemond Poprad, I always do. My girl friend got one and imo it wins the bang for the buck award and is a very well made bike with CX racing and general riding/commuting/fun bike in mind. She got her's for under $1000 with some spare parts and a triple conversion. It's 853 steel and all 105 components.

I'll put in another vote for the Poprad. I liked the ride of the Poprad much better than the Axis. If you like a stiff ride then go for the Axis. However, for a smoother ride go with the Poprad. I use mine for commuting, riding in the rain, and unpaved road riding.

I decided on a Surly Cross-Check - I liked the ruggedness and flexibility, and couldn't seem to find a Propad in my size for a decent price.

If you're interested in aluminum, I noticed on the back of the latest Colorado Cyclist catalog that they are now offering a cross bike. I can't seem to find it on their website yet, but from memory it was $1299 with Ultegra. Didn't seem to have full rack mounts, if that matters to you.

Mine is a Cross Check. Its been a great all around bike so far and I highly recommend it for similar useage. If you are looking to race, there are probably better bikes available.

I just received my Bianchi Axis and have been pleasantly surprised at how nice it rides. I didn't think it would be bad mind you, but I prefer steel and my other two bikes are a Rivendell and a Della Santa so I'm used to riding some pretty high end rides. The Axis feels comfortable to me. I'm sure if I put some skinny tires to make it into more of a road bike I'd feel the aluminum difference, but as is it feels pretty plush and rides great. One thing that I did find weird was that the 49cm that I got came with a ridiculously narrow Deda hbar. I use a 42 Cinelli on my road bike and I'd always heard that most cyclocrossers tend to go for slightly wider bars for offroad use to get more leverage, etc. Just seemed like an odd parts spec, even for a smallish frame. I'll be switching that out shortly.

Good luck!

I just received my Bianchi Axis and have been pleasantly surprised at how nice it rides. I didn't think it would be bad mind you, but I prefer steel and my other two bikes are a Rivendell and a Della Santa so I'm used to riding some pretty high end rides. The Axis feels comfortable to me. I'm sure if I put some skinny tires to make it into more of a road bike I'd feel the aluminum difference, but as is it feels pretty plush and rides great. One thing that I did find weird was that the 49cm that I got came with a ridiculously narrow Deda hbar. I use a 42 Cinelli on my road bike and I'd always heard that most cyclocrossers tend to go for slightly wider bars for offroad use to get more leverage, etc. Just seemed like an odd parts spec, even for a smallish frame. I'll be switching that out shortly.

Good luck!

How wide is it? My girl friends Poprad came w/ a 44cm bar and I thought that was a bit wide for her. But mabey that is cause like you said that the cx bikes have wider bars. Anyway she is happy with it.

I road a poprad that came with a 44cm bar. Seemed more appropriate for my size but the fit of the bike wasn't quite right for me. The Axis came with a 40cm bar but Deda measures from outside to outside and I'm used to my Cinelli's which measure center to center. So a 40cm Deda really feels tight to me. The shop is going to switch it out for me so that's cool.

I just received my Bianchi Axis and have been pleasantly surprised at how nice it rides. I didn't think it would be bad mind you, but I prefer steel and my other two bikes are a Rivendell and a Della Santa so I'm used to riding some pretty high end rides. The Axis feels comfortable to me. I'm sure if I put some skinny tires to make it into more of a road bike I'd feel the aluminum difference, but as is it feels pretty plush and rides great. One thing that I did find weird was that the 49cm that I got came with a ridiculously narrow Deda hbar. I use a 42 Cinelli on my road bike and I'd always heard that most cyclocrossers tend to go for slightly wider bars for offroad use to get more leverage, etc. Just seemed like an odd parts spec, even for a smallish frame. I'll be switching that out shortly.

Good luck!


I had the shop switch the bars out before I took delivery on my 49cm Axis.
I got the same bar only wider but in hindsight, I should have upgraded to
a Salsa Bell Lap or such.

cyclo-cross bikes typically have wider bars, yes. having said that, you should ride what's comfortable. i have exactly the same bars on my race rig as on my road ride -- bontrager race 42 cm. i spend most of the time in the drops when i ride, so i find wider bars a bit of a reach.

I haven't ridden a bianchi 'cross bike, i.e. Axis, but a friend of mine has had one and he sold it shortly after he got it. Originally he had a steel-frame Bianchi,but the frame cracked and instead of repairing it he bougt an Axis. He toldm e that the Axis was no good for long rides. Too ridid and there was no right feel in it.

yyyyyyyundefinedundefinedI haven't ridden a bianchi 'cross bike, i.e. Axis, but a friend of mine has had one and he sold it shortly after he got it. Originally he had a steel-frame Bianchi,but the frame cracked and instead of repairing it he bougt an Axis. He toldm e that the Axis was no good for long rides. Too ridid and there was no right feel in it.

I ride a 2004 Kona JTS. Ritchey Speedmax tires. Salsa Delgado rims. Fun bike. Steel Project two fork soaks up the trails tracks well on pavement. Fast strong great allrounder. Check one of these out. Felt right from the first ride. Better once I replaced the Nokian Cross tires(tread design for mud, none of that here).

I'm also in the market for a new bike. I've been trying to find Kona's Jake or Jake the Snake but none of my LBS's have them and say Kona is sold out. Do I have any other options outside of waiting a couple months for the next model?

lemond poprad.. Reynolds 853, 105 all round... hand made in USA
Its nice, im happy w/mine!

~Steve

CaliRookie,

I know of someone who is selling a Lemond Poprad 55cm. in the SF Bay area. PM me if you're interested and I can give you the seller's e-mail address.

Steve