http://i41.tinypic.com/2pyc32h.jpg

Mine's one of those handmade in Italy Reparto Corse guys with all DA. I don't have too much experience with other bikes, but I have no desire to buy another one ever. It was a pretty good deal for $500 in my opinion.

I heart Bianchis. No real reason. Just irrational emotional connection.

The first bike shop I ever walked into was a Bianchi dealer, when I was 14. The first road bike I ever saw was a Bianchi. I remember just being in awe at the different bikes on display, with exotic-sounding Italian names and such a vaunted history (OK, so I know now they're all Taiwanese and such, but I was 14). And so the first road bike I owned was a Bianchi - a 2005 Brava w/ Sora. It sucked, but it remains still my favorite bike I've owned just in terms of sheer sentimental value. I will never forget the sheer speed it conveyed compared to the mountain bikes I was used to. I can practically still feel the cool, glossy clearcoat with just a hint of sparkle to the cream white paint. Oh, love.

Since then I have owned three other Bianchis - a Veloce, a Volpe, and my current racing rig, a 17-lb San Lorenzo (below). Love them all, and I'm eyeing a Pista Concept for my next ride.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...s/Bianchi2.jpg

Cinelli.
Colnago.

good point, but those are ultra-high-end models usually.

There's also LeMond, but that's gone, sadly.

No. I hate to be rude, but this question comes up every couple of weeks. Try searching the site. There are many steel bike makers - Masi, Jamis, Surly, Tommasini, any number of custom makers, Salsa, Co-Motion, Casati; even Trek still makes a steel bike (the 520).

There are probably 20 guys making steel bikes in Oregon and Washington alone...though I am not sure any of them are "major."

Quick question for you fellow Bianchi owners. My 2007 Bianchi Via Nirone 7 says in two different places on the frame that it's "Made in Italy" and "Handmade in Italy Reparto Corsa" yet so many people on this site say that these bikes are made in Taiwan or some other Asian country. My question is how could this frame claim to be made in Italy and it not be made there? It's not going to change my opinion of my bike, I love it, but I just want to know the truth.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...a/IMG_3371.jpg

To be "Made in Italy", I think just a certain percentage of the stuff has to be assembled in the country or something. Most of the grunt work takes place overseas in Taiwan for most of the Bianchi line.

And then there are also the straight-out "Made in Taiwan" Bianchis (like my San Lorenzo above) which are just, well, Made in Taiwan. All the non-"RC" models are Made in Taiwan, I believe.

Not that it matters.

The frame sticker should read:
"We paid a Tiawanese factory to build frames for us and ship them to Italy.
We painted them, and bolted on the rest of the bike components.
The resulting value of the bike, we calculate, is more than double what we paid for those frames.
The bike, therefore, is Italian. Capisce?"
But it's hard to fit all that on a tiny sticker.

What I dig about Bianchis is that they are again offering old school steel bikes. Some of their frames have lax head tube angles, too, which isn't that common in this age of the racing bike as road bike.

I too looked at Cannondale, Trek, Specialized,Giant, Felt, Jamus, and Raleigh. When I saw the Celeste Bianchi, Via Narone it was love at first sight. So late last summer I purchased my first road bike in over 30 years and started riding. I have since upgraded quite a bit. I am very happy with the ride and response. I do not mind the "Nice Bike" as I am riding either.

Quick comment on Bianchi customer service. I cross threaded a water bottle braze-on and broke it off. I took it to my LBS who contacted for Bianchi for authorization. Bianchi repaired the bike under warranty.

From what I understand, the RC are finished in Italy (painted, etc.) but the frame is essentially Taiwan made. I ride an 928 SL and it's also made in Taiwan, even though it says "Made in Italy". I'd rather just have the thing work; don't really care where it's made.

http://i33.tinypic.com/207n8nt.jpg
^ My Bianchi :D

This is BF; most people on here would take a Cannondale CAAD 9 over "_________" :roflmao2:.

^ Seat post upgrade coming soon? Great looking bike otherwise!

Thanks! I put that post (Dura Ace 7410) on my Merckx and put a Thomson Elite (it was $38, what can I say) on the Bianchi. Everyone says get a CF seatpost but I like al. because it's easier to work on my bikes; plus al. seatposts are a lot cheaper :D

Choosing and riding a road bike is such a personal thing it's real hard to justify judging someone for purchasing something that works for them. There are so many different variables involved. I like/love riding steel bikes - a lot of the younger riders I meet don't get it. That's ok. I ride with people who have Trek's, Specialized, Lemond, Waterford, Lotus, Faggin, etc. and nobody really cares what the other is riding. We just love being out on the road.


For me, my mid-80's Peugeot was beginning to be in need of serious work in the mid-90's and I decided to replace it. I loved that bike - 20 lbs or so of quality Super Vitus steel that was very fast and very responsive. For some reason I really wanted an Italian bike, and with my budget limitations, I really wanted a celeste Bianchi. It's a color you either really love or really hate - there doesn't seem to be any middle ground. I ended up with a Trofeo that, while not top of the line, and a little heavier than my Peugeot, has served me very, very well. Most days I look at my two Gitane's and then over at my Bianchi and almost always end up on the Bianchi for my ride.

I would easily buy another Bianchi. And, yes, I probably would even buy a carbon version. But, the new steel frame being offered is absolutely stunning and given the choice I would go that route in all celeste.

I am in the market for a steel road ride also. I found Jamis, Masi and Motobecane have complete bikes. Surly and Soma inside my budget for frames only.

I am on my second Bianchi (alu/carbon frame) made in Asia. The frame is is identical to my originial Giro with the exception of the name and the color. It's funny to me that people complain about a frame being made in Asia....but then, I think to myself...I'm glad my Toyota was made in Japan and not the U.S.. I guess it depends on the product you're thinkng about.

http://www.pacfit.com/alf.jpg

Hello,

I've owned Bianchis for years. Here's my current Bianchi stable (no normal road bikes):

http://www.pbase.com/cleavel/image/6...0/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/cleavel/image/1...0/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/cleavel/image/1...3/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/cleavel/image/9...6/original.jpg

hype

Explain

Has never ridden one; thinks Caad 9 is supreme; averages 400 watts on 100 mile rides.:innocent:

:eek:

???

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j4...isforwussy.jpg

???

:D

I have two Bianchis and I love them. One is a L'Una (awesome, perhaps the most beautiful bicycle I've ever seen), and the other is an older Campione I built up after buying the steel frame. I ride the Campione more (it is a great ride). I've love to have one in Celeste.

http://motofoto.cc/Bianchi2.jpg

http://motofoto.cc/Bianchi3.jpg

LoL, this would make an awesome graphic for a custom jersey (saves for later).

I'm seriously contemplating selling my CAAD9 and getting one of these new 2009 1885 ALU framesets (to be built up with all 2008 Rival except 2009 Shifters - I like silver). I probably shouldn't though. If I can sell all the Tiagra stuff and stock wheels off my CAAD9 for a decent pice I'l probably just keep that frame. I do love Celeste though!

http://www.bianchiusa.com/typo3temp/e1206ef848.jpg
http://www.bianchiusa.com/typo3temp/f5d855a991.jpg

Couple Bianchi's I owned:

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...0c6d07ab_b.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/P1000276.jpg

Debby Downer strikes again.:cry:

Wah-Waaaaaaaaahhhh