Road Cycling - Bianchi Model and where to buy? (SF Bay or SD)

Hey guys,
my gf's been eyeing some bikes lately and is interested in buying one soon. She rode on a neighbor's who moved recently and only remembers that it was a Bianchi (i have a feeling one person in particular will respond lol) and is asking me which model to look at and where to look at them at, but I am totally lost. Her price range is around $1500-$1750 and is looking for something comparable to a Trek 2200 i guess(CF seat post, seat stay, fork, aluminum frame, ultegra components, bontrager race wheels, etc). atleast, she said the ride between a 2200 and the unknown was similar...but she doesn't want trek or any other brand for that matter :P i guess an Alu-Carbon frame on Bianchi's site would be appropriate.

I've noticed(?) that Bianchi.com and bianchiusa.com list different names and such but...i'm really confused as to which to go by...and am assuming bianchiusa.com would probably be more proper per se. Campanoglo or Shimano doesn't really matter.

Also some shops to recommend either in the San Diego or San Jose area would be great.

Thanks for your time :)

In your price range, I'd say take a look at the Virata, Vigorelli, or the Veloce. You can't go wrong with any of them.

Bianchiusa.com is where you want to go to check out Bianchi's you can get. I just got a Virata and love it and it's just above the price you're looking at. Dedacciai frame, carbon stays and Ultegra. Rides very nice and is light weight.

The Vigorelli, Veloce, Eros (comes in Celeste too), and Imola are the same (very nice) steel frame with different components. My wife road an Eros and in 2 blocks decided she needed one but is getting the Imola instead. She doesn't like Campy. These will ride nicer than most AL frames but might weight a touch more.

If your gf wants something like the 2200 with Carbon stays and an AL frame then the Giro is your number. Nice bike with 105 parts for $1300 this time of year. And if she wants to race there's the San Lorenzo (which is definitely above the stated price range).

I've noiticed that Bianchi doesn't mix and match parts too much. A 105 or Ultegra bike is just that. No Tiagra front derailers or cheapo cranks or no name brakes to make the price point. This is very good since the bikes are competitive priced already. Plus I find their wheels to be solid and better speced than a lot the others I've seen.

I don't live in Cali but I bet the dealer finder will locate a shop for you.

What can I say...I love my Bianchi Volpe!!! You could most likely pick one up for a sweet deal too. Can't comment on California dealers. In my humble opinion...can't go wrong with a Bianchi!

I would go to the following shops in/around SJ if you have your sights on Bianchi;

http://www.paloaltobicycles.com/bike.html

http://www.cupertinobike.com/shop.htm

or Bici Bike on Cottle Road off Hwy 85 in San Jose across from IBM plant near Orchard Supply - a guy named Gary is the owner/sole employee who deals in Bianchi, Kestrel, Colnago, DeRosa, Litespeed and Serotta

There are other shops that sell Bianchi, like Pacific Bike, but they are a small chain and service is extremely variable, so you need to know what you're doing when you walk in or have a name to work with. The other shops have excellent reputations for fitting, sales, and service. Price-wise, I don't know how these shops might compare regarding Bianchis, but all have a reputation for being willing to work with customers. Bici Bike can swap out components or accessories, as the owner builds them all up and owns the inventory.

Good luck!

Hey guys,
my gf's been eyeing some bikes lately and is interested in buying one soon. She rode on a neighbor's who moved recently and only remembers that it was a Bianchi

(i have a feeling one person in particular will respond lol)

Her price range is around $1500-$1750 and is looking for something comparable to a Trek 2200 i guess(CF seat post, seat stay, fork, aluminum frame, ultegra components, bontrager race wheels, etc)
Did someone say Bianchi??? :beer:
The Bianchi Vigorelli has Ultegra Components, and is only $1599.00
Hmmmm could be the bike she is seeking :)
Sweet bike and has most of what she is looking for... Love it when people have such good taste in a bike...
Keep us posted on what she gets and be sure to post pics :)

Oh Yea I almost forgot:

Shop Name: AMERICAN CYCLERY Show Map
Address: 858 STANYAN STREET
City: SAN FRANCISCO
State: CA
Zip: 94117
Phone: 415-664-4545
Fax: n/a
E-mail: n/a
URL: n/a

Shop Name: THE BIKE HUT Show Map
Address: PIER 40 (TOWNSEND / EMBARCADERO)
City: SAN FRANCISCO
State: CA
Zip: 94107
Phone: 415-543-4335
Fax:
E-mail: victorveysey@hotmail.com
URL: www.thebikehut.com

thanks guys :)
i don't think it was the vigorelli (unless it comes in celeste).

We'll check out the recommended bike shops in SJ in a few weeks as well as a few in SD depending on our schedule.

Oh...one note, i recall her saying the campagnolo brake levers felt more comfortable in the hoods than ultegra sti shifters....do ultegra components work with campy shifters? or is that just blasphemy?

melloboy

thanks guys :)
i don't think it was the vigorelli (unless it comes in celeste).

We'll check out the recommended bike shops in SJ in a few weeks as well as a few in SD depending on our schedule.

Oh...one note, i recall her saying the campagnolo brake levers felt more comfortable in the hoods than ultegra sti shifters....do ultegra components work with campy shifters? or is that just blasphemy?

melloboy
Unfortunately this years model doesnt come in "Celeste" :(
But I am sure some of the previous years did, she may have ridden last years model.. :)

Other shops in the San Jose area carrying Bianchi are The Bicycle Outfitter in Los Altos (recently purchased by Palo Alto Bicycles when Dick Powell decided to retire) and Shaw's Lightweight Cycles in Santa Clara.

I <3 my Bianchi Giro...