Newbie: Which Bianchi to get?
07-21-05, 11:44 AM
#1
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Newbie: Which Bianchi to get?
Hello,
Looking to get a new road bike, my first was a used mixte raleigh. The frame is a bit big (20") but b/c it is a mixte the standover is no issue. I have tried both a 44cm and 49cm eros donna, the 49cm standover was a tad too much. So it seems that I am dinky and need 44cm bianchi. I have also tried a 44cm brava and 45cm lemond reno. I can not really feel a difference between any of these bikes, some are more of a stretch (top tube -wise) than others.
I will be spending a good amount of my meager grad student stipend on this bike, so I want a good one.
With bianchi bicycles, which frames come from Italy? I have noticed that a lot of the '05's are from Taiwan. Is there a difference?
Any advice would be great.
Local Bike shop suggestions? I am in Irvine (between LA and san diego) and I also travel to San Jose alot.
THANKS!!!
Looking to get a new road bike, my first was a used mixte raleigh. The frame is a bit big (20") but b/c it is a mixte the standover is no issue. I have tried both a 44cm and 49cm eros donna, the 49cm standover was a tad too much. So it seems that I am dinky and need 44cm bianchi. I have also tried a 44cm brava and 45cm lemond reno. I can not really feel a difference between any of these bikes, some are more of a stretch (top tube -wise) than others.
I will be spending a good amount of my meager grad student stipend on this bike, so I want a good one.
With bianchi bicycles, which frames come from Italy? I have noticed that a lot of the '05's are from Taiwan. Is there a difference?
Any advice would be great.
Local Bike shop suggestions? I am in Irvine (between LA and san diego) and I also travel to San Jose alot.
THANKS!!!
07-21-05, 11:53 AM
#2
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I have a 2004 Bianchi EV4 and haven't looked back since... truly a nice bike on the climbs and handles very well in crits.
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07-21-05, 11:56 AM
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most steel Bianchis are Taiwanese, i think. i've got a '05 Eros, and i think it's great. probably the best bang/buck in the low-end, and it's from Taiwan. the big difference is price.
07-21-05, 12:03 PM
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I have a new '04 Eros i got two weeks ago for only $700 mine is also made in Taiwan. I have no problem that it is made in Taiwan. It works great no problems thus far. If bianchi is fine with the manufacturer process and quality of Taiwanese products then it works for me because bianchi is the one who has to warrent their product. So if it works for them it works for me, also makes the bike cheaper for us.
07-21-05, 12:05 PM
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'05 Eros here, too. Same sentiments as above. I think you're going to have to drop serious $$$ to get a steel Bianchi that isn't made in Taiwan.
07-21-05, 12:08 PM
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Sorry for the double post,
I also was looking for an entry level bike. I tried the Felt F70 and F80, Lemond Reno, Trek 1200, and my bianchi. I test rode all of them and i loved teh feel of the steel frame, it feel really smooth and more responsive than the rest. Also for the components, I really liked the campy equip compared to what the others were offering. The mirage campy groupo seems to shift faster and smoother than the tiagia.
I also was looking for an entry level bike. I tried the Felt F70 and F80, Lemond Reno, Trek 1200, and my bianchi. I test rode all of them and i loved teh feel of the steel frame, it feel really smooth and more responsive than the rest. Also for the components, I really liked the campy equip compared to what the others were offering. The mirage campy groupo seems to shift faster and smoother than the tiagia.
07-21-05, 04:43 PM
#7
UareFASTjustNOTfastENOUGH
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Do you have a car? If so I would say take a trip to Newhall Bicycle Company. Give them a call and speak with Roger. Tell him what you are looking for and see if they have something in stock you can check out.
If youu do not want to make the drive go to Bianchi's web site and look for a dealer there.
All the Reparto Corse models are made in Italy. The higher end(more expensive) bikes usually are.
If youu do not want to make the drive go to Bianchi's web site and look for a dealer there.
All the Reparto Corse models are made in Italy. The higher end(more expensive) bikes usually are.
07-25-05, 02:27 PM
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I will have to give newhall a call. 
I was also looking at the brava. As this will be my first bike, is it worth it to spend alot and get a smancy bike? I will be using it to commute about LA (betas sitting in traffic).
Also, I noticed the new brava is chromoly instead of reynolds steel, what does that mean?
Thanks
I was also looking at the brava. As this will be my first bike, is it worth it to spend alot and get a smancy bike? I will be using it to commute about LA (betas sitting in traffic).
Also, I noticed the new brava is chromoly instead of reynolds steel, what does that mean?
Thanks
