06 Tricross Comp or 06 Bianchi Axis???
 

I'm looking to buy one of these two bikes. What's your opinion (everybody has one)???

Thanks

I've ridden the Tricross and was suitably impressed. Read a lot of good things about the Axis but, have not ridden one. But I liked the Tricross. It's stout but quiet and, shall I say refined feeling.

I too am considering getting a cyclocross bike. My LBS sells the Tricross, Cannondale Cyclocross and the Axis. They rank the Specialized and the Cannondale clearly above the Axis with the Tricross Comp coming up the overall winner due to better components (105 vs Tiagra) than the Cannondale.

I picked up an Axis in October. I looked at the Specialized cross as well as several road bikes. I primarily commute and road ride for fitness. To date I really like this bike, fairly competent on the road, sturdy for commuting. Another poster mentioned the components on the Axis, I upgraded to ultegra at a sweet deal so this was not an issue for me. A lot of good bikes out there, really a personal choice.

Pike

The deciding factor is in what you will be using it for. Both of these bikes are "versitile" bikes designed with commuters, 'crossers, and training in mind. If you solely want to commute, go touring, or play in the dirt, go for the Axis. If you want only want to play in the dirt and try some higher-performance 'cross riding, go for the specialized. If all you want to do is race, go for the Cannondale.

I bought the '06 tricross comp last month and really like the bike. So far I've been using it to commute on raid and dirt paths. I've also ridden it on trails where I normally ride my mtb. It has all the eyelets to attach racks to use it for touring. I've haven't carried a load yet but I suspect that it will handle just fine. In fact I'm trying to sell my Trek 520 touring bike now that I have the tricross.

I haven't ridden or seen the Bianchi so I can't comment on that.

I have had a Bianchi Axis for the last 2 years, and I think it is a great bike, I was a little biased cause I own a Bianchi Alloro. So I bought the bike for bike fit, and I think it is a great bike. I ride the bike mostly for commuting/training miles on road, and I have a seperate wheelset that I ride the bike on some ruff dirt roads . The bike handles so well that I put 2400miles on this bike compared to the road bike where I put only about 800miles. A great all rounder, I think 37mm tires are the biggest it can take. I have found that the 36-48 gearing is great and I made a 28-11 cassette and this a great setup for the Arlington VA hills and having gear in the rack trunk or in panniers.