Originally Posted by mtnroads
If you want fast, stable descents, make sure you test ride the Bianchi first. I love the brand but both that I have owned in the past couple of years were quite twitchy on fast descents over 35-40 mph. Steep geometry, very quick steering and too touchy for me, you may not have a problem. My 02 Alloro was AL, the 04 Virata was steel/carbon mix. Same geometry, same issue, just doesn't work for me - too bad since it is all hills around here.
There are many factors that contribute to how well a bicycle will descend with stability. I own an '04 Bianchi Veloce and have never ridden a bike that descends with greater stability. Singling out a particular brand of bike for this attribute is a bit unfair as even within a model or family of bicycles there can be great variability. Wheel stiffness and true, wheelbase, steerer tube angle/fork rake/combined trail, chainstay length, rider weight distribution on the bike, even head set adjustment can affect how well a bike descends. Bianchis have wonderfully forgiving geometry...not too aggressive and not overly relaxed angles...just right for the amateur cyclist who likes to train hard. I have descended mine to 45 mph and it is literally rock solid.
HTH,
George