Training.Wheels

Just wondering because a lot of people love the brand and is competitively priced as well. My only guess is that perhaps Bianchi is about image first and functionality second but I'd like to hear others' opinions.

eja_ bottecchia

You own two Bianchis. Do you think that your Bianchis are all flash and no go?

Training.Wheels

Nope I think they are awesome, but then again, I have never owned anything past entry level with road bikes. I should have mentioned it wasn't an opinion of mine; I've just seen it mentioned in a couple of reviews before. Looking for answers from the technical and industry perspectives.

benajah

I'm not sure, but I think the bike industry is just like any other, different companies go through growth and reduce periods. In the bike industry a lot of this is fueled by who you sponsor, and who wins....thus you see companies like Trek go from being "just another bike maker" to being an industry giant.
Then other companies have to respond to that. Seems to me that Bianchi focused a bit more on making "Everyman" bikes. I live in the SF Bay area where riding is huge and I see a ton of Bianchis out there among commuters, fixie enthuiasists, casual road bike riders, but not all that much among racers...albeit some though.

eja_ bottecchia

I own a Colnago C59 which, by most accounts, is a top-dog bike and the same bike that polka dot jersey winner Thomas Voeckler rode in the 2011 TdF (when he was in yellow for 10 stages) and the 2012 TdF (when he won the polka dot jersey for best climber).

I also currently own a 1989 Bottecchia SLX bike which, in its heyday, was also a top-dog bike.

I have also owned a Litespeed Classic which, again its day was a top of the line Ti bike.

I currently own a Bianchi Infinito which I bought new in 2011. The Infinito is a fine bike that takes second to none for its intended use--relaxed and comfortable long distance riding/

I don't put a lot of stock on reviews by magazines which, for the most part, cater to their biggest advertisers and thus lack credibility.

I ride what I like and hte only opinion that matters is what my butt and legs are telling me about the bikes I ride.

Less reading of opinions and more riding is a formula that works for me.

surgeonstone

Good question, I have always liked their looks though have never owned one. Good friend of mine works in an LBS that sells Bianchi's and Cervelo's and says that they seem comparatively dead. Also said he was not impressed with the paint and cosmetics.

big chainring 

Because Bianchi was ridden by "Il Campionissimo". Nuff said.

eja_ bottecchia

+1

Training.Wheels

Ahhh I get it - so no one really knows. All jokes aside though, I love these bikes and ultimately don't care about ranking. I just wanted to know what everyone thought. Thanks guys.

StanSeven

OK, most cyclists don't pay attention to Bianchi's. They used to be a leader and ranked with there with Colnago, Serotta, and other top steel bikes. But they didn't do anything while competitors went with Ti, CF, and Al. Finally they made some CF, which weren't good at all but also were late in the market. They might be doing something good now but most cyclists aren't noticing.

LesterOfPuppets

Yep. Time travel back to the 70s and I'm sure you'd notice a lot more Bianchi love. If you took a favorite bike poll back then it'd be highly unlikely to get any votes for Specialized, Giant or Cervelo . Maybe a couple of Cannondale votes, though.

pgjackson

I can't get past the hideous turquoise color scheme that all Bianchis seem to have.

Lexi01

Good explanation.

I personally don't like them cos they make tiny little bikes for tiny little Europeans...and they're ugly.

eja_ bottecchia

That's funny. Turquoise? I have never seen a turquoise Bianchi.

rebel1916

I hate em cause they refer to turquoise by some made up name.

pgjackson

What do they call that ugly greenish blue color?

Found it, it's Celeste #227.

https://blog.gentry.io/bianchi-blue-the-ugly-truth

Lexi01

? Every Bianchi I see seems to have that horrific torquioise colour scheme smattered all over it. Wish I was blind to it like you...

Drag

I'm sure they may make decent bikes (used to really want one back in the day), but I just can't get by the MINT MERINGUE color.

MattFoley

I think Bianchi makes a fantastic looking and fantastic riding steel bikes, but their carbon bikes are fugly as hell IMO. Probably not the reason for their limited popularity, but it probably doesn't help either, especially since they don't seem to do much to distinguish themselves as a brand... They're fairly generic except the loud paint schemes.

LesterOfPuppets

You guys do know they're available in de rigeur red/black/white livery, right? Just goofing on celeste?

eja_ bottecchia

I am sure that you have impeccable taste in bikes and in all fashionable things.

BillyD

Don't assume too much there Les.

Drag

Funny thing is, the Tiffany (guys know it as the ridiculously overpriced silver jewelry place) color is referred to as BLUE as well.

Maybe I'm color blind, but I thought this was more a GREEN than a BLUE:

Training.Wheels

The color is Celeste. It just makes me realize how much more fixed gear riders pay attention to Bianchi compared to roadies.

rebel1916

celeste = turquoise