Any Bianchi riders out there?

davelakers

I've finally made my mind up about my upcoming purchase of a new bike and after careful and frantic thought, I have decided on a Bianchi Alu/Carbon Via Nirone 105/Ultegra Compact.

How do you Bianchi riders rate your bikes? Id like to hear your thoughts.

My only problem now is deciding on Red, Silver or Celeste!!! Its a difficult decision........

sprintkid

I love Bianchis. They've got a certain class about them. Must be the italian in them. I've had two. I had an ML3 which I only got rid of because I got offered a very light Giant for a silly price. And I have a Chrono tt bike which is GORGEOUS.
And you can ONLY have Bianchis in Celeste. Any other colour is a CRIME :x

davelakers

sprintkid wrote:

I love Bianchis. They've got a certain class about them. Must be the italian in them. I've had two. I had an ML3 which I only got rid of because I got offered a very light Giant for a silly price. And I have a Chrono tt bike which is GORGEOUS.
And you can ONLY have Bianchis in Celeste. Any other colour is a CRIME :x

I know what you mean about the class thing, there is definitely something about them, they ride nice as well. Gotta admit Celeste is currently my first choice.

saif

I have a Red/Pearl White combination which I bought in 2006 , Anniversary model..It's a class and catches everyone eyes whenever I go on out on it . Have been complimented on several occasions . The ride great and I just love it. You can go wrong with a Bianchi ...any colour ..

Slow Downcp

I've got a blue/silver Via Nirone - swapped saddle and bars and it's a fantasic bike. Quite fancy a S9 Matta if I add another bike

Gary D

As of last Saturday I am the proud owner of a Bianchi 928 C2C . Colour is celeste, although most of the frame is carbon colour.

I have only managed about 15 miles on it so far - and the legs were already knackered before I got on it - but initial impressions are very good. It certainly rode the best of the 3 bikes I tested.

I am looking forward to putting many more miles on it soon when the sun shines :P

Hope you enjoy yours too!

Gary.

guv001

My friend rides a 928 and he never stops going on about how good it rides. Personally I can stand the "Bianchi Celeste Colour".

pedylan

Another Via Nirone. 2006 purchase, all Alu frame and carbon fork. Really good durable bike that's done around 5000 road miles.

I bought it in 9 sp Veloce format and apart from new cassette, chain and tyres it all components original and trouble free.

You can kinda get to love them...........

tomhammersley

I've recently bought myself a Bianchi 1885 Centaur in celeste.

It's superb! It's a great piece of kit. They definitely have something about them... once I saw one in the shop, I knew I wanted that one, despite what else I may have bought at that price.

It's very quick as well - I notice a big difference in rolling resistance particularly. I seem to consistently out-free-wheel a lot of other cyclists downhill, for example.

As others have said, you get complimented on it too - I got complimented twice on the way home on the train alone.


Get one - you'll love it!

redddraggon

TomHammersley wrote:

I've recently bought myself a Bianchi 1885 Centaur in celeste.

That was the bike I nearly bought. But I felt for £1350, that Khamsims and less than full Centaur on an Alu frame wasn't good enough. I built my own in the end - Neutron Ultras, Full Centaur and carbon frame for about the same price.

It is a nice looking bike though.

gematkinson

i bought a c2c in black and i LOVE IT. my first foray into road biking. love the frame design and i just love how it rides, was an easy transition from a hybrid.
my next bike will definately be a bianchi. maybe a 928 c2c if im lucky

Steve928

Had a 928L (carbon lugged) in a nicely understated nude carbon with celeste trim.

When that broke I got a very celeste 928 T-Cube as replacement. Took a while to get used to the colour, but I like it now and it stands out in the crowd of anonymous black carbon things. I've even gone for the celeste bar tape..

Both rode/ride great and I think I'll stick with the brand.

SunWuKong

I have an 1885 in celeste and thinks it a real nice bike. If I had the money I would get a 928 T-Cube Then again I love riding my steel Olmo but do notice how much easier the Bianchi is to get uphill.

magliaceleste

I'm currently on a Bianchi 928, previously on an 1885. I'd like an 928 T-cube or an 928 SL frame one day (I can dream), but I think that might be a while.

There are a number of reasons I love the Bianchi's. The sizing is spot on for me. They look good (apart from the C2C models) have a heritage, handle well and can be reasonable value for money.

I don't think I'd ever get another stock build, but I'm lucky enough to have great finishing kit now.

Jamie07

I have a 2005 Freccia Celeste Alu/Magnesium frame (the one made in Italy not elsewhere) with carbon front and back end, 2007 Chorus groupset, Fulcrum 3's and FSA carbon bars and stem. At 59cm its probably a little big for me at 5'10" but its still light, strong and rolls soooo smoothly.

Some not so clear pics here http://www.flickr.com/photos/8407103@N07/

I love it and will keep this for a while. I like the Bianchi brand & colours, its makes them stand out.

I also have a 2005 Via Narone with the Alu back end thats got a mix of different Campag stuff, with Vento wheels and I use it in winter. About 5000 miles and still going strong. Great value bike.

PostieJohn

Gary D wrote:

As of last Saturday I am the proud owner of a Bianchi 928 C2C . Colour is celeste, although most of the frame is carbon colour.

I have only managed about 15 miles on it so far - and the legs were already knackered before I got on it - but initial impressions are very good. It certainly rode the best of the 3 bikes I tested.

I am looking forward to putting many more miles on it soon when the sun shines :P

Hope you enjoy yours too!

Gary.

Glad you finally joined us, Gary.
I hope your as pleased as the rest of us are.

frenchfighter

I have the basic Via Nirone Sora - C2C and can definitely recommend it for longer rides as it is very comfortable. I agreen that Celeste is the only colour you should get, although a white-liquigas branded one is acceptable. IMO they are offer the best value for money, especially for entry-level, and at the £400-800 mark, there are no real competitors in terms of style.

wildmoustache

have a look at the other thread on brand ranking ...

I really like the look of the 928L but wouldn't spend that much on a bianchi as their image is not great IMO.

magliaceleste

wildmoustache wrote:

have a look at the other thread on brand ranking ...

I really like the look of the 928L but wouldn't spend that much on a bianchi as their image is not great IMO.

That other thread is just a bit daft. Surely it's about many things not just perceived image. Even more nonsense is the fact that Bianchi have bikes in the Pro Peloton almost every year, unlike many of the other brands listed.

redddraggon

magliaceleste wrote:

Even more nonsense is the fact that Bianchi have bikes in the Pro Peloton almost every year, unlike many of the other brands listed.

That doesn't mean much. Bianchi can offer a good deal to the Pro teams (Possibly over 100 frames + other incentives) better than what the smaller better manufacturers can.

magliaceleste

Yes but how can someone racing and maybe winning the TDF or Giro (or both) on your brand not help your image?

Oh Lance and Trek. Fair enough.

wildmoustache

magliaceleste wrote:

wildmoustache wrote:

have a look at the other thread on brand ranking ...

I really like the look of the 928L but wouldn't spend that much on a bianchi as their image is not great IMO.

That other thread is just a bit daft. Surely it's about many things not just perceived image. Even more nonsense is the fact that Bianchi have bikes in the Pro Peloton almost every year, unlike many of the other brands listed.

I've only ridden one bianchi and it was alu ... compared to my specialized alu it was very harsh but that might not have been the frame's fault.

i don't have an issue with their frames, but think they are a bit overpriced given the image isn't great IMO ... they are a mainstay of Evans road bike range!

andyp

Bianchi have very little brand value in Italy as they churn out all kinds of cheap bikes too, i.e. for kids, shoppers, old ladies etc.

It's only really those frames built in the Reparto Corse part of the company that were traditionally well thought of. Most of that value was lost with the quality problems they had when demand took off after Pantani's Giro-Tour double in 1998.

campagsarge

Cannot fault my Via Nirone 05 Liquigas team issue rig I ride in the winter. I get quite a few positive comments on it although it is a bit heavy. I like it as a workhorse bike.

I ride a ML3 in the summer. It is great, loves going up hills and very stiff. If an alu bike rides this good I would love to try out a 928 or the FG Lite.

Chris McG

I have a Freccia Celeste '06 - the one used in the Tour but celeste not Liquigas colours

It has SRAM Red and Ksyrium SL's

davelakers

Wow, this a blast from the past.

I never get round to getting the Via Nirone, I got a great deal on a Specialised Roubaix.

As it happens Ive finally bought a Bianchi at long last. A 928 carbon T-cube. I've only ridden it for 75 miles so far and that was before a bike fit from Paul Hewitt. In my opinion the bike looks stunning and it rides just as good.

Im really looking forward to next spring when I can get some serious miles in.

Niffleman

I bought a Cameleonte, their flat barred road bike, about four years ago and have ridden it a lot, both commuting and for longer distance rides. Other than fitting some drop bar bar ends and the usual replacements for worn out bits I have had no trouble and would recommend them. I would certainly buy another one without hesitation. I have ridden other bikes as well, but they don't feel quite "right" in the same way......Maybe it's snobbery.....

Runoutofgears

I have two Bianchi, a carbon C2C 928 and an aluminium 1885, I found a great bike shop and they sell Bianchi bikes. I don’t think that they are particularly special although the celeste signature colour of the 1885 attracts attention more so than the curved tubes of the C2C.

I’m looking for a proper Italian steel road bike right now, perhaps it will be a Bianchi, but it could easily be a Colnago, Pinnarello or Gios.

I am a sucker for a badge.

bianchi777

I have an 09 Nirone, Veloce. I really enjoy riding it after graduating from a couple steel frames and a cheap aluminium Apollo racer. For the kind of riding I do it's perfect.