Help needed: possible new commuter bike....
 

My wife and I saw this bike today at my LBS for about $565, down from $765. Although I've been biking for years (and commuting for months), I've never really paid attention to components and such. Thus, I'd like to know from more experienced folks what you think of this bicycle as a commuter, and for that price:

http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_castro_valley.html

It's the Bianchi "Castro Valley".

My commute is 5 miles each way, no serious hills. Currently I ride a 2001 Specialized HR Comp MTB with slicks and never come out of the largest front chain ring, so for now having only one front chain ring on the Castro valley wouldn't be a major issue. However, I hope to do longer rides on this bike, so I'm wondering if this bike could be fitted with a double chain ring?

Thanks in advance for any and all input....

Beej

That gearing will get plenty low for just about any situation, and 42x11 will get you moving pretty fast on the flats. Seems like a very sensible package to me

Now why didn't they fix that rear fender for the picture? :rolleyes:

Looks like a great bike for your commute and beyond. The switch from MTB to road/commuter bike will be significant. Good deal. Don't know if it can be converted to a double, but someone around here should.

That's the way the fender is. It's the same one that came on my Milano,only the Castro's 700cc wheels make it look worse.

I've thought the Castro Valley looked like a good value for a commuter at the MSRP. At $600 its even better. The frame (same as Volope according to Bianchi) seems to be a good cyclocross/light touring frame.
It could be converted to a double but it would require a new chainring, two if you want them ramped, a front derailer and a front shifter. That will be a noticable expense but the single chainring should be suitable for 90%+ of your needs.
Craig

You may have trouble fitting the front derailler cable to the downtube. If you want a wider gear range it would be easier to change the cassette. You can have plenty of fun on that bike.

Looks like a great bike at a great price to me. I've been riding a 9 speed (single chainring) commuter for about 4 years now and have no desire to convert it to a double or triple. I think you'll appreciate the simplicity and never feel the need to change it. Looking at the blow up version of the photo it looks like this bike, like mine, probably has the double cable guide under the bottom bracket and probably the downtube braze-on (not visible in the photo) needed to accomodate a front derailleur. As said by a previous poster the conversion is possible but would require the purchase of the necessary components- though I doubt you'll feel the need.

I saw very little about this bike not to like as an everyday commuter bike.

Thank you everyone for the advice! You've been very helpful (in other words, thanks for giving me an excuse to buy a new bike).

Now to convince my wife....

I agree.. lol

"with 43 inches on the low end to 103 inches on the high end" ...

I don't see why you would need anything else ! LOL

Sounds like a fantastic deal. I looked at it on the site previously and have been seriously considering picking one up once I find out where I'm moving to (depending on where a job comes through) rather than using the R5000 to commute. Looks like a pretty nice commuter, though I'm puzzled that it doesn't have a rear light. Easy enough to add though.

Can you convert it to a double? Sure. How much trouble will it be? probably a lot.

Good bike, I say don't mess with the drivetrain until it's worn out.

That's a nice bike. My commute is 14 miles each with with a couple of hills. I only use my 42 chainring. You should be fine with the single chainring for your 5 mile commute, even though you are used to grinding a big gear.

Just bought a Castro Valley on closeout for $499 from my LBS - I'll be picking it up Tuesday. I'm a bit worried about the gearing, but decided to ride it a while first - I've got quite a few hills, and I'm used to having more range in the lower gears, but it's quite a bit lighter than my current commuter. It was this one or the Volpe, which was $899 - I figured I can add some gearing (front derailleur? 3 speed hub?) later and still be ahead.

I bought the Castro Valley last week at MSRP. I like it in many ways, but there are some drawbacks. The Wellgo pedals aren't as easy to clip into as Shimano DSP. The wiring hookup at the hub is a bit flimsy and exposed to water. The stem is 8 cm, which was too short for me, so I had to buy a new stem.

I like the fenders, and you can adjust them so they don't look as bad as the photo.

The frame has odd-size tubing, so that might cause problems for adding a front derailleur. You don't need it though. The gear range is great.

I like the tires with the reflective stripe and they're 700x28, good for commuting. The derailleur works like a charm. Brakes are excellent. Seats and seatpost are good. Two water bottle braze-ons. Found out a Blackburn frame pump (M and L) won't fit a 52 cm frame at the seat tube, but works on the top tube.

You can take off the fenders and throw on a different front wheel and you've got a good road bike for the summer. Ray

I have never ridden this bike, but it looks good to me!

I would submit for your consideration that people rode bikes for millions of miles with only ten gears up until the 80's, and many people still ride vintage steel 10 speeds... or 5 speeds, or 3 speeds, and some still ride long distances with single speeds. Nine grears is more than enough, and the gear range on this bike looks fine for a casual rider. If you find yourself needing lower gearing, you can change the cluster to one with larger cogs, and have a wider gear range, you are unlikely to need a higher gear unless you find yourself needing to rocket down a hill...

Not that I object to multiple chainrings, I just wouldn't worry about them in this case.