Bianchi Chromo lite CX frames-any users out there?
 

I know of someone through my LBS who has built one of these up. Anybody with experience with these frames? They run around $400 and seem like a pretty good deal for a steel frame. I'm considering this as an option and building it up with my parts spec rather than going with the aluminum bianchi axis.

I guess these frames are new but not included in the bianchi catalog for some reason.

Thanks for any wisdom...

Are those the Reynolds 520 Chromo Lite? My Strada is Chromo Lite and has canti studs. I wonder if it's the same or similar frame.

I sounds like it. I think this link shows the frame I'm talking about. Scroll down a bit for the info:

http://www.bikyle.com/Cyclocross.asp

Any thoughts out there?

lovely frame, if a bit heavy. a guy here in montreal -- a former columbian pro -- built one up a couple of years back and has been using it as his main bike. he kicks everyone's ass. of course, it's not the bike, it's the ex-pro, but he doesn't complain...

Hey, I just ordered an '04 Bianchi Strada. It's 520 with a carbon fork. Chose steel for fast day tours on crappy roads. Aluminum was too stiff... Can't wait to get it...

Oooo! That's nice! Wonder why the cable routing is along the downtube though.
If I didn't already have an '04 Axis...

Blastradius, how are you liking that 04 Axis? It is probably my number one pick for a production cx bike. Any feedback would be nice. Thanks...cyclox66!

It's been pretty good. I haven't taken it on the road much because I have a road bike, but it handles great off-road. It climbs like the best of the hardtails, probably better unless you're in really soft terrain. I don't usually need the granny ring even. Downhilling without suspension or disc brakes and a fairly forward riding position is really "exciting". The brakes squealed like crazy but I got them adjusted with extreme toe-in to get rid of it. I guess new pads may help there. I also added top-mount levers, which I think are a must if you do any kind of downhill trail.
The Aluminum is noticeably harsh compared to my steel Strada Cross/Commuter (but that could be road v. off-road too).
Another thing I've noticed is the bottom bracket and/or cranks flex. I'm thinking of switching to a double (38/48) splined crankset.

I had the 2000 Axis- I chose it in part since had a really good parts setup for 'cross and good components compared to most of the other prodcuction CX bikes out there. I bought it as a commuter bike, with the hope I'd race 'cross one day. I put a lot of miles on that bike and finally took up 'cross racing, but the Axis itself failed after 3 years and about 12,000 miles. Massive cracking at the welds near the bottom bracket- luckilly no crash. Bianchi was very good about warranteeing the bike and said I could get credit towards a new Axis, credit towards a scandium cross-concept frame, or get one the discontinued steel frames.

I opted for the steel- in part it was scary seeing a frame fail under me, and I weigh 190-200lbs so super-light scandium seemed like a bad idea (adn a lot more expensive). I dig the celeste color, and it came with the cross-concepts carbon fork (except with threaded steerer). I love it- I don't knwo the exact weight, but it doesn't feel especially heavy and it seems less bone-jarring than the axis.
since I do a lot more CX racing now, I have a seperate commuter/backup CX bike (surly cross-checkl) and save the bianchi for training and racing.

I'm dissapointed to see the new acix go to a triple ring- I liked that the Axis had a real racing set-up. and, I prefer the threaded steerer to the integrated headset of the CC, which I fear could get damaged and ruin the frame.

did you end up getting the bike? I think it's a great choice for a race-frame- classic design and classic celeste-

marc