Surferbruce

figured out the pics. here it is.

BlastRadius

I saw one at LBS where I bought my '04 Axis.
The diffs between the '05 and '04 are as far as I could see:

1) Easton Ultralite "RACE" instead of "plain" Easton Ultralight.
2) Bianchi stem +/- 8 degree instead of 90 degree Deda.
3) Nicer Bianchi seatpost.
4) Nice "Cross Concept-like" paint scheme.
5) Ultegra STI shifters instead of 105 STI shifters (may be only on the first ones)
6) All-black IRC Mythos CX tires instead of Kenda Kwicks.
7) VP pedals instead of WTB pedals.

The LBS wanted $1399 for it so list price may have gone up too.
Any other details I've missed?

SAB

The '04 paint is about a billion times better! That's too bad... I guess I'll have to wait to see it in person...

Surferbruce

i didn't have a choice on getting an 04, they were out. i like the 04 color scheme too but the 05 is a pretty cool matte finish. i was pleasantly surprised by the ultegra shifters instead of the 105 as well. took it out for an hour and everything was really nice, smooth shifting, no brake squeal. i probably will ditch the pedals and get some candy sl's or atac's but otherwise i'm psyched.

Phiber

Very nice.

schiavonec

I apoligize if this hijacks the thread, but I am new and it is axis related.

I own an earlier aluminum axis bike 99 or 00' (can't remember). It is when they used the race face mtn crank sans granny sprocket, and it was a solid metallic blue. I also noticed that it was made in Italy, or so the badge (sticker) says (produccione or fabricc... en Italia: something like that.). Many of the new Bianchis including the Axis are made it Taiwan (but designed in Italy).

does anyone know of threads addressing the quality betweent he two, e.g. made in Italy vs Taiwan in regard to weld quality, (I think the tubes are still Easton ultralight) paint quality (personally i like the solid blue, but it is my all around bike and I don't race cross), why the switch to a triple, why switch to a wheetset vs component wheels, etc.

I realize much of this has to do with economics and marketing, but wanted to find out a bit more if possible.

Thanks

BlastRadius

I think the tubes on then newer ones are shaped more, i.e. the square-end on the top tube and curved seat stays. The build quality is very good and I think comparable to the ones made in Italy. The welds are nicely filed. Personally, I like the wheelsets better and they are generally lighter than what can be built at a shop (unless you special order very expensive parts). I do like the RaceFace cranks that came with the older Axis. I bought a used set of them and they're great. It was tough finding a 103mm BB for it though. All I could find was a $60 Dura-Ace 7410.

SAB

Well, still waiting for my '05 49cm Axis. LBS said the next shipment is due in a couple of weeks. Should get it in time for the lousy weather I intend to ride it in. Anyone know where I can get info on 'cross racing in the New York area?

SAB

Surferbruce

i've been on half a dozen rides so far and love this bike. i switched out the stock vp pedals with some candy sl's(got a pair for 80$ on ebay) and it's a nice upgrade. eventually i'll lose the triple but right now it's fine. i also plan to add some in line levers and maybe swap the irc tires with tufo tubular clinchers.
all in all its a great ride. smooth shifting and no squeal or anything braking wise.

Homer

Very cool bike. I ordered one from my LBS over a month ago. The first one that came in- wrong size, a 52. Evidently they also aren't making the frame geometry quite the same. The 58 is no longer available and the distributor indicated it's now available in a 57 or 59. The top tube is supposedly shorter on the new frames. The 59cm size frame has a 58cm virtual top tube according to the distributor.

I noticed the chain stay on the drive side has a CNC insert. I don't know if they did that on the old frame- but it means that they can use a smaller BB for the triple.

Mine should be in any day. I'm psyched.

SAB

Who's *still* waiting for their '05 Axis? As always, the LBS is pretty sketchy as to when they think it'll be in. I guess it depends on when Bianchi gets the frames from Taiwan and ships them over here!

Homer

I got my '05 Axis last week. It's a totally different bike than the '04. The frame geometry is much taller for the same length top tube. Bianchi also doesn't build the 58 anymore, it's a 57 or a 59. The 59 has a 58cm top tube. The top tube is also really squared out at the seat tube for easier shouldering.

AND.....

All the '05's I've seen so far have Ultegra and XT parts. The BianchiUSA website shows 105, so I don't know if this is a mistake on the web or just early production.

SAB

Hmmm.... I think my LBS is, as usual, giving me the run-around. Time to call Bianchi myself and get a new LBS! Too bad they're all so mediocre!

SAB

Gave up on the '05 Axis; got my money back. Bianchi/LBS says there won't be another round coming in until at least end of Oct to mid-November. Think I'll just concentrate on building-up my new-and-improved Surly CrossCheck with S&S Couplers for now...

BlastRadius

That sucks, are there no other Bianchi dealers in the NY area?

SAB

There are a few in the city, but the major delay was from Bianchi, not the LBS. On the bright side, now I've got a bunch of money I thought I had already spent! When I get the CrossCheck back from the builder I can put that money into it instead of the new Bianchi. Maybe substitute a carbon cross fork for the steel anchor that came with the frame, nice 9spd Ultegra triple kit with new derailleurs and shifters instead of recycling my very old 8speed kit... I can make it a very nice 19-20lb travel bike that's tough as nails! Should be even stiffer with the BTC's on it!