Originally Posted by
roadwing
Bianchi built a bike called the Via Nirone 7, sort of endurance geometry, available with different grades of components. I see them on CL frequently, often with low mileage. They're very good frames, sometimes a little limited by Sora or Tiagra grade componentry. I just bought one for my wife so we can begin the process of selecting her next road bike- I'm hoping that the increased comfort and stability of a endurance-type bike will appeal to her. Alu frame with a carbon fork and seatstays with 10sp Ultegra/Tiagra mix for just over 300 seems like a very cost-effective place to start.
I concur, I have seen them around where I live, and it is a good looking bike for the money.
As for the Amazon bikes: I am not sure about this specific brand, but I know that in the past the reason to stay away from "department store bikes" aka Walmart or the likes, is that they use non-standard components. (bottom backets, cranksets, etc.) so they are harder to service, and your local bike shop might even have trouble repairing or finding replacement parts for them, versus the 'industry standard' parts that are all interchangeable.