n00b questions about the Bianchi Avenue
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n00b questions about the Bianchi Avenue
https://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.
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.
#2
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Originally Posted by chadlewis76
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.
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.
Originally Posted by chadlewis76
Secondary question - the handlebars
Originally Posted by chadlewis76
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?
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.
#3
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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.
#4
Senior Member
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
RE: fenders and chainrings -- talk to your local bike shop. If they can't help you, find a new local bike shop.
Paul
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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.
Thanks bluejack, cerewa and PaulH for your help. Everyone else, please keep the opinions coming.
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Originally Posted by chadlewis76
https://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?
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?
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?
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?
Why, BTW, are you looking for removable fenders?
#7
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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?
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?
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If you're mostly commuting, you probably won't spend much time on the drops.
Originally Posted by chadlewis76
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.