wayneIII

Anybody have one of these (doesnt matter the year really). https://www.bianchiusa.com/10-bicycle...a-compact.html

Im curious what your thoughts on it are if you have one, and specifically the weight of the bike. I can't seem to find any reviews about it anywhere.

Im getting a new road bike this year, Bianchi is one of the brands my LBS carries, but the HOC category bikes are way out of control price wise. Too bad bianchi doesnt have anything between the two bikes because the Born for Performance (terrible name) leaves a bit to be desired (crap wheelset for instance) but their top of the line bikes are stupid spendy.

Thoughts?

Psimet2001 

k....first one that came to mind was, "welcome to cycling?"

Unlike the majority of people in cycling I see little to no difference between the majority of mass produced bicycles on the market. Most to all of them in the middle price point range are made in a hand full of factories by the same operators. The branding is meaningless.

If it makes you happy to ride it and it represents the value you want then get it.

kimconyc

As a proud owner of a 928SL HoC albeit not the new one with the stupid integrated seatpost, I will say don't get a Bianchi.

My thoughts, since you asked:
https://www3.cannondale.com/bikes/10/...4D_0RA94C.html
Ride, ride, ride, ride, ride.
After you've been riding a while, spend the $1,200 extra you would have spent on the Bianchi and get some better wheels and/or other nice pieces of kit.

wayneIII

Psimet2001- I would mostly agree that a bike is basically a bike, and you can get most bikes that are similar sizes to fit the same by adjusting saddle, stem, etc so whatever latest and greatest frame gizmo or must have frame advances they are pimping is meaningless. That said, some bikes have notorious problems or reasons they should be avoided which is why I asked (and Im curious about the weight).

Let me re-word your answer then, does this bike represent a good value? I have yet to see it which is why Im asking, and I only have two bike companies to choose from for road bikes (LBS) so im trying to get some imput from others and either rule out bianchi completely or take a closer look.

The other bike im looking at is the fisher cronus, but it also has some things im not entirely sold on.

thanks anyways.

kimconyc

You have eclectic tastes, at least you have that going for you.

IMO Bianchi is the Maserati of Italian bikes; not as expensive as Lamborghini, not as pretty as Ferrari (i.e. not as expensive as Colnago or De Rosa, not as pretty as Pinarello).

Do any of these bikes/cars represent good value? For the average person you ask, the answer would be, "no". For an enthusiast, it might be, "yes".

The reason why I mentioned the CAAD9-4 is that it comes stock with '09 Rival and a BB30 bottom bracket and a 2010 Force carbon crankset.

Secondly, if you decide that you don't like riding, the CAAD9 frameset alone will be much easier to sell and recoup a substantial part of the cost of the bike compared to a mid-level Bianchi.

Trust me on this.

Furthermore, if you decide that you are a bike-nut and want a "better" frameset in the future, you can sell the CAAD9 (especially in the BBQ black color) for a relatively substantial amount and put that toward the cost of a new frameset.

This becomes even more apparent if you ride an odd size. I mean, who the heck is going to buy a used, mid-level Bianchi size 61?

Moreover, you probably will crash. If you can "afford" to crash on a $3,000 bike, cool. But don't say I didn't warn you.

I'm giving out pearls here but I will totally understand if you just put me on ignore. No hard feelings.

Good luck and be safe out there...

runway1

Totally agree. I've rode Spec, C'dale and my buddy's Colnago. Great, great bikes. I ride a Scattante Race (all carbon with Ultegra and Mavic Elite wheels) for $1400, out the door. I am completely unable to notice any performance difference at all. I notice differences based on preference; E.g. subtle geometric feel.

So, if you need that extra 2 seconds on a eighty mile race - buy the Bianchi, Pin, Spec, etc. If you just want a solid bike to ride, buy something else. That's just my opinion.

crhilton

I think the paint looks nice.

Campag4life

Psimet knows bikes and as usual his advice is sound. Top bike makers all make great bikes at a medium price point and offer both comfort and traditional road bike sizing. The best value bike is a bike you purchase from a name brand manufacturer on close out at the end of the year well below retail "that fits". If you want to split hairs, Giants CF bikes are probably best bang for buck. A high end bike on ebay from a reputable seller is a good way to go but you have to know what you are doing to buy the right bike from the right seller.
Bianchis aren't exotic by any means and most are a decent but not great value. They are a common bike in Europe. I would be and am happy on pretty much any mid to upper mid price point road or mountain bike. Your tastes refine over time in terms of gearing, wheels and fit parameters so don't try to be too percise initially and why a good idea to purchase no higher than a mid level bike. High end bikes are more cache than performance advantage. Top bicycle companies which include Trek, Specialized and others become so for good reason...they all make a great product. My personal favorite for frameset is Look and gruppo Campy but only my taste.

Slee_Stack

Rank what is important to you.

Don't pretend that brand name and/or color scheme, shape, or finish doesn't matter to you if it really does.

Some people don't care if their clothes match (or even fit!) or if their cars have gone 5 years since their last wash. These people might gravitate to a more generic (functional) bike.

Others go into anal-phylactic shock if someone dare leaves a fingerprint on their frame. I won't even offer a 'brand' that might apply here!

You will likely pay a premium for an identically equipped Bianchi versus a 'lesser' brand.

How much is the paint job and brand cache worth to YOU?

Keep in mind that if you keep this bike for awhile and ride it ALOT, the end cost difference will be minor in the long run.

As psimet said, get what makes you [ride more] happy.

I ride a Bianchi that I bought used.

wayneIII

for the record, this is not my first road bike, or bike for that matter (6 or 7 at last count...bit of a problem actually) so I do have a fairly good idea of whats going on. I have no real intention of racing the road bike (MTB racer) but may get talked into one or two races a year which is why I care even the slightest about weight, quality, etc.

Plus, unlike my MTB's which i tend to buy and sell regularily, I plan on having this bike for a few years which is another reason I am asking.

And as far as resale- I think that a midlevel bike is far and away the easiest bike to re-sell because it has a very attractive parts list for the price to the beginning cyclist (everybody knows somebody wanting to get into road cycling, easy sell). This is the kind of bike that would sell on craigslist no problem, whereas you will have a hard time selling a $3000 or $4000 used bike on craigslist or road bike review, MTBR, etc because people in the market for that kind of bike tend to ride for a team or shop and get around 50% off retail to being with. They are the ones selling the exspensive bikes!

kimconnyc...that cannondale looks like a sweat ride. If my shop carried them, id be all over that. I have no problem with aluminum either. Doesnt make sense financially for me though. I like that non-descript black color too, wish bianchi would just stick with their trademark green on every bike..

so...anybody know the weight of these things?

idcruiserman

Anal-phylactic

Zeriman

Bianchi's are overpriced for what you get as just a functional bike. But some people want an "Italian" bike with a storied name and are willing to pay more, thus the price. I have a 928 Veloce, and I love it. I also think it was an excellent value. But then again I am an Italiophile, and I also got it for 50% off of retail.

So when you are considering whether a bike is worth the price it is mostly a matter of what interests you and what deal you can negotiate.

Good Luck!

wayneIII

see to me Bianchi is like the trek of italy, they make a lot of bikes, a lot of which at the lower end price spectrum and hits the mass market- very generic. The difference between the two companies is that Trek (in my mind) still makes high quality bikes on the entire spectrum from mid to high end. Bianchi has a high end bike, and a mid level...not much between.