bagel

So I've been riding mountainbikes for a while. I'm planning on getting into road bikes, but only consider myself to be a recreational rider (I have the need for speed, but don't intend to be an all-out racer). My budget varies from $800 to $1500. I think i really like steel bikes as well (though I'm not limiting my search to just steel bikes-- looking at aluminum ones too, especially ones with carbon stays like the Trek 2100).

I took the Eros out for a spin the other day and I must say that I like it a lot. Undoubtedly bikes in the Veloce/Vigorelli range are better than the bikes in the Eros/Imola range. I haven't taken a Veloce out for a spin, and I will... but before I even go for a spin on it, I'd like to know if the $400 difference is really worth it for a rider who will most likely be tooling around the hills of Santa Cruz, California recreationally. It's definitely within budget, but I can also use the $400 on other things like shoes, food, etc. I'm just wary that if I sit down in a Vigorelli or Veloce, I'd fall in love despite the option to use the money elsewhere.

The other bikes I am considering are: Specialized Allez Elite (or comp?) and the Trek 2000 series. Giants are out. I didn't like the way they felt. I'm also kind of fancying the idea of owning some graceful classic Italian steel... am I fetishizing Bianchi too much?

bianchi_rider

If you are wanting a great Bianchi Road bike, tho its not steele, you may want to test ride the Bianchi Giro, awsome bike, great ride around $1500... If you want a good Bianchi for less and only roads the Eros is a nice bike, But the Veloce is my pick out of all three, its a sweet bike...
Good Lucck and keep us posted on what you get, also post pics once you get a bike.

bhitour

Veloce is nice. Look at Fuji. The Roubaix Pro is a around $1500.

Dahon.Steve

I recently ordered an Eros but then again, I'm buying two bikes at the same time. The Eros and Veloce have the same frame so you might be able to upgrade as you go along. I rode the Veloce and it climbs very well for me but decided to go one step down since I was getting a Volpe. I'll post pics next week on both bikes or as soon as the Eros arrives.

If I had to buy one bike,(and not two) it would have been the Veloce.

slotibartfast

Last summer, I was also trying to decide between the Veloce and the Vigorelli. I decided on the Veloce because I liked the ride a little better and I really preferred the Campy over the Shimano - no flame wars, please - I just liked the feel better. I love the bike and I feel it was well worth the coin. I'm a casual rec rider. Most of the time, I'm going as fast as I can, but I like to just meander around sometimes, too. The bike's never let me down and feels solid. If you go Bianchi, and you should, remember - get the Celeste.

Waldo

Actually, the Eros frame differs from the Veloce in that it has a longer wheelbase and is geared a bit more towards recreational use. Built one up for a customer today and it's a pretty sweet ride for the money. The ti paintjob was pretty sweet too. I'm getting sick of building bikes with Campy while I'm waiting to switch, though.
On the plus side of things, I ordered my EV3/carbon frame in celeste this morning. Can't believe I actually considered other colors.

Charles

This is my son's Veloce he has had it a couple of mo's. now and really likes it. Before he had a Cannondale R600 he says that he prefers the ride of the Veloce . I have ridden it as we both ride the same size frames and I really think it is one sweet ride although it is a little bit heavy compared to my Seven.

Raiyn

My next bike will be a Vigorelli there isn't a doubt in my mind. It had the fewest things I'd want to change out of the bikes I'd looked at

Corsaire

I have the Vigorelli 2003, triple, (Titanium/Celeste), not because I have it but is a fast and efficient bike, high quality/light steel with the Ultegra gruppo.
I'm very pleased with it. Got it at a bargain on Ebay: $ 1,100.00, the price of the Eros, couldn't beat that.
Corsaire

bagel

Thanks for your helpful advice! Only one bike shop in town sells Bianchi and they also sell Trek so I can cross shop their offerings at that price range.

Unfortunately, for a town with many local bike shops, I seem to see the same brands everywhere I go (Giant, Trek, Specialized). The shop that sells LeMond doesn't even have any on hand to show me. I think most of these places seem to cater to more high end users, hand-built frames and stuff. Lots of weird Spanish and French names that I can't afford. So the shopping continues. I have my heart set on the Veloce, but we'll see once I take one for a test ride.

Hopefully I'll have a bike in a few weeks.

p38karl

I have a Vigorilli and love it. It seemed a great price for a all Ultegra equiped bike. Also I wanted a steel. Still remember bikes with alum or steel and carbon fiber comming apart at the joints. Karl

bagel

One more question.

I found a source for 2003 Bianchi Veloce Triples for an extremely low price. Beats the pants off the current model. Unfortunately they don't have any in Celeste. Only in black and white.

I understand that 2003 is the last year they made Bianchi Veloces in Italy (and the purists out there probably will say that this is the last real Bianchi Veloce then) but is there also a significant difference in the frame construction? Is it true that the 2003s have Columbus tubing and the 2004 have Reynolds tubing? If so, what's the difference and what makes either better than the other if at all? I can't test-ride the 2003 since it's in Texas and I'm in California so I'm hoping that someone can shine some light on this issue for me.

Thanks! You've all been helpful!

bagel

Nevermind my last question.... LBS answered it.

and...

I did it.

I own a Bianchi. Pictures and details to follow. I thought I was going to have to go online to get a deal on an never-been used last year's model Veloce.

My LBS ended up actually having a 2002 Veloce. I took it for a spin and fell in love. Love the Campy stuff, love the steel ride. Got a great deal.

So here I am. Unfortunately, I can't go on a proper road ride until the weekend so I will just look longingly at it until then.

Here's the bike (not mine, same but similar).

Unfortunately, not celeste, but I gotta work with what I got. I don't have a yellow saddle or the yellow cork tape.

Raiyn

Be grateful for that really.

phoolish

Dude, stand down!

Be proud of a bright bike. You'll look all hollywood, and all kinds of lovely young lads/lasses will come begging for your autograph.

slotibartfast

Congrats on the new Veloce! You'll love it. I think they did a great job on the 02 color scheme - I see one of those occasionally on my neighborhood rides. Nice looking steed. If you REALLY want some yellow, you could always get some yellow tires . I was actually thinking about getting those for my Veloce, but I thought I'd have to ride a LOT faster than I do now in order to look cool and I'm going as fast as I can now . Welcome to the Celeste Army - I'm sure there's a band of celeste somewhere on there. You'll enjoy the comfort of the ride. Bianchi really did a good job on these.

bagel

Thanks! And much thanks as well to the people who shared their knowledge.

I think for my budget, I got an excellent bike. I was already starting to make my budget larger because I wasn't feeling the bikes that I tested out in the $800-1200 range (my initial budget). Cross-shopped the Trek 2300, the Specialized Allez Comp and the Bianchi Veloce and Vigorelli. I was also looking at the Bianchi Giro (thanks for the suggestion Bianchi Rider) to see how the Italians could make an aluminum bike with carbon stays. I really liked the Trek and the Veloce. I probably could've gone with either.

In the end, the decision was made because the bike shop owner pulled out a 2002 that they still had in stock and she sold it to me for a really really good price.

I don't really care to be flashy so I could do without yellow saddle, cork tape and wheels. I actually wanted a low profile color, my only exception being that Bianchis should all come in celeste. Unfortunately, old stock limits choices. But I am happy happy happy! As for a band of celeste, there is a teeny-tiny patch of it on the fork where it says "Bianchi Engineered Carbon L"

I'll get a pic of it soon, a new family picture with its stablemates.

So excited to go for a ride!!!

edit: here's the bike:


and a little artsy shot.

jthj

Dose anybody know how much of a difference there is between the frame on the '03 Veloce and the '04. I'm was originaly thinking about buying an Eros as that fell closer to what I wanted to spend. However my lbs is willing to give me a discount their older models. I think if they have one in my size that's a year or two older I can get the Veloce at the Eros price. Anyway the guy at the shop said he wasn't sure but he thought the '03 frame which is the RC Bianchi as apposed to Reynolds 631 was a little lighter but he couldn't be sure w/o throwing them on the scale. Does anybody know the specifics on the differences other than the RC being hand made?

halfspeed

According to Bianchi's website, the new 631 Eros frame is lighter than the RC SL '03 Eros. I would assume the same to be true with the Veloce. I would guess the '04 Veloce is noticably lighter due to the new frame and wheelset. OTOH, I'd prefer the '03 wheelset for durability and maintainability.

jthj

It looks like they found a 51, which might be my size, '03 Eros. I'm going to go look at it tomorrow. I'll compare weight with the '04. I did notice that the '03 is the RC frame which I believe is hand made. Would this be better than the reynolds even though slightly heavier. Also is there a signifigant advantage in having the Veloce components vs the Mirage? That appears to be the key difference between the two bikes.

~LongRider~

Im glad to see so many Bianchi riders around. We are down to only one Bianchi dealer around here. I have the '02 Vigorelli as well. I love the Cosmic wheels on it. They have held up really well. Congrats on the new bike.

Orroadie

Hi, I am interested in a graceful steel bike, mainly for the ride characteristics, and by my judgement, Bianchi's Veloce has wonderful ride qualities. I have tried the Veloce but not the Eros yet. There is a difference between the newer steel frames and bianchis. Bianchis seem to have a stable, resilient and vibration absorbing quality like no other Ive tried. For that reason, I am sold on Bianchi steel frames. The veloce had great components of course, but like you, I think wonder if that extra money could be better spent elsewhere. I have heard good things about Mirage components which are on the Eros, they are durable and break in over time, improving performance with time. And all Campagnolog components can easily be rebuilt. Once I have tried the Eros Ill know whether it s worth the extram money for the veloce. But in either event, that frame is the one for me. Let me know what you decide.

Tree Trunk

I borrowed a friend's spare bike last August. It's a Bianchi Campione D'Italia, similar to the Veloce. The bike is steel and is my first experience with steel and Campy. Shifting components are 1998 vintage Campy Mirage, 8 spd. It's Celeste. I started getting compliments on the bike the first time I rode the bike. The bike performs far better than I expected.

You will be happy with the Bianchi. My friend is never going to get his spare bike back!!!

Orikal

I have an 03 Eros and absolutely love it. I've been so impressed by it that I'll be a loyal customer to Bianchi for a very long time.

Grasschopper

Well if $1500 is your max may suggest the Salsa La Raza.

I built mine up for less than $1400 with Ultegra 9. That said I think if I did it over I would go Campy.