Morning all, new Bianchi owner here.

chris_king

Morning folks,

just bought my first road bike on the C2W scheme. I chose this.

http://biketraks.com/products.php?plid=m15b22s172p2948

I've probably made the fatal error of not trying before I buy, but i'm a sucker for style as well as practicality etc. I havent been riding for years. I used to ride 15 miles a day for 5 years when I was a yoof, so hoping I can get back to my past fitness levels. Unfortunately cars, beer and women got in the way for a while, but now i'm a sensible-ish 25 year old with a nipper on the way, i'm looking for an excuse to get 30 minutes a day to myself!

I really wanted a Celeste Green number, but couldnt justify the extra money. Didnt get it as cheap as I could of i'd imagine, but not many Bianchi dealers are taking part in C2W, so couldnt shop around too much. It was the last 55cm frame too, so had to be quick. One day i'm hoping to build a nice single speed too, unless my numbers come in and i'll buy this. I know it gets a bit of stick as its pre-built, but I love the look of it.

http://biketraks.com/products.php?plid=m15b22s172p3132


Apologies for the long post, but really looking foward to getting out again on a bike, shifting a few pounds, and chasing down my friends on their fixed gear Bob Jacksons.

Chris.

steve36

morning,
similar story to mine,have a bianchi myself and i love it
enjoy your new bike

unclemalc

Hey.
I had always wanted a Bianchi ever since I was a kid and I went into an Italian bike shop in Rome with a bunch of mates who were bike freaks.
A few years ago Bianchi made their machines avalable to the poor folks with the introduction of the cheaper Via Nirone range and I bought one..
Yes there was no carbon on it; yes it had 'only' Sora mechanics (but I was used to downtube shifters...)
BUT it was MY Bianchi.

I still have it. I've changed the 53/39 crankst to the compact you have, and I have different wheels now as I wore out the originals.
I love it.
Have fun and be safe.
By the way I love that single speed. I have a Spesh Tricross for commuting and single speed is the way...

chris_king

Cheers guys. I had to have just a dash of carbon on it, which is catered for in the forks. Cant wait to get out there, and get riding again.

Unclemalc, what was your reason for changing the crankset? I've read that once my fitness levels are up, I may find the gearing a bit too low?

unclemalc

I had the original 53/39 for about a year with a 25/11 cassette and going down some local roads on the 53/11 was the most fun in cycling kit you could wish for!
But at the time I was top-heavy and using knees/legs that had had years of surgery and abuse. In addition, most of the riding I did meant I was constantly changing between the 50 and the 39 which was a pain.
So I took advice from the forum and went for a compact 50/34, which made most of the riding fun and sorted the gearing choice out.
However now I am 2 stone lighter and the downside of the compact is that a 50 is not a 53 and so really going for it can't be done now when the occasion arises, and the 34 is a bit too low. I'm toying with the idea of a 50/36 combo (if that's do-able...).

I'd spend a few weeks just riding your machine and see how it works for you, with your fitness and physique, and on your roads.
If after the summer you think a change is needed, you could swap cassettes for a lower climbing gear, or go 50/34, 52/39, 53/36 or whatever you think you need. Try the sheldonbrown.com site for working out gearing...
Just don't damage yourself trying to use gears that are too much of a strain.

chris_king

Thanks for the advice UncleMalc. Will see how I get on and go from there. Cranksets dont seem too expensive unless I want to go for the really expensive stuff, so i'll see whats out there. Bike arrives tomorrow, very excited!

saunaboy

Hi everyone, newbie here. I just picked up a via nirone with tiagra tonight & done a quick 20 miles on it. My first road bike after 20 years of hybrid riding. Lovely bike to ride, first couple of miles a bit hairy but after that it was great. Planning 60 mile at weekend (usual distance on old bike).

Shopped around a load but couldn't get past the look of the bianchis. New bike is white frame with red bars & already got a comment at a red light that it's a beauty. It's true that other bikes are better equipped for the price but IMO the bianchis have something else. Local shop gives 10% of cost in free stuff so went for a cateye wireless, two nice bottle holders plus a few inner tubes. Great stuff.

Enjoy your riding & stay safe everyone.

chris_king

Bike arrived yesterday. Spot on service from BikeTraks. Small scuff on the bottom of the o/s crankarm, but I plan to change these at some point for some Campagnolo gear, so no biggy.

Bike is so good to ride, and just looks spot on. I'll be changing the seatpost, handlebar stem and crankarms for other stuff, get a bit more carbon on there. Want some Nitto Noodle bars and some Toshi leather handlebar tape. Would also like some nice alloy Campagnolo wheels......

I can see this becoming VERY addictive.

StanwaySteve62

chris_king wrote:

Bike arrived yesterday. Spot on service from BikeTraks. Small scuff on the bottom of the o/s crankarm, but I plan to change these at some point for some Campagnolo gear, so no biggy.

Bike is so good to ride, and just looks spot on. I'll be changing the seatpost, handlebar stem and crankarms for other stuff, get a bit more carbon on there. Want some Nitto Noodle bars and some Toshi leather handlebar tape. Would also like some nice alloy Campagnolo wheels......

I can see this becoming VERY addictive.

Campag wheels on a shimano bike?

chris_king

I'm still learning, so unsure of the compatability of parts. If I have to change to Campagnolo levers etc, then i'll do some research and see if its worth it.

keef66

I'd ride it into the ground as it is, and only then think about replacing anything.

StanwaySteve62

why did you not buy the campag build to start with?
A bit cheaper in the long run methinks

http://biketraks.com/products.php?plid=m15b0s172p3112

thel33ter

I saw that Pista at a Tredz in Wales, it was simply stunning in the metal. I couldn't have brought myself to ride it though, it was too shiny

chris_king

StanwaySteve62 wrote:

why did you not buy the campag build to start with?
A bit cheaper in the long run methinks

http://biketraks.com/products.php?plid=m15b0s172p3112

I was tempted, but the money I saved covered shoes and pedals which cost another £85. I have my first child due anytime now, so havent the cashflow I had as a young batchelor! I'll be upgrading when things start breaking, and go from there.

louthepoo

unclemalc wrote:

Hey.
I had always wanted a Bianchi ever since I was a kid and I went into an Italian bike shop in Rome with a bunch of mates who were bike freaks.
A few years ago Bianchi made their machines avalable to the poor folks with the introduction of the cheaper Via Nirone range and I bought one..
Yes there was no carbon on it; yes it had 'only' Sora mechanics (but I was used to downtube shifters...)
BUT it was MY Bianchi.

I still have it. I've changed the 53/39 crankst to the compact you have, and I have different wheels now as I wore out the originals.
I love it.
Have fun and be safe.
By the way I love that single speed. I have a Spesh Tricross for commuting and single speed is the way...

i keep seeing a bianchi riding around wolves, the bloke has a stars and stripes jersey, is it you unclemalc?

Tommy2x

Dear Via Nironees,

I'm seriously thinking about buying one of these, but cannot try before I buy (no LBS near me stock it). I'm a 5'9" with 31 inseam.

When sized up for an Orbea Aqua, this put me square on a 54 frame. For the Giant Defy 2, I'm a size 50.

Can you guesstimate what size frame would suit me on the Via Nirone 7?

cheers all

Tommy2x

vernthemerciless

I'm 5'9 and have a 55 but would be a 54 by most other brands. It's because I have long legs (about 32 I think) that I went up a size but they had to change the stem to account fo my slightly shorter torso.

Don't forget if you get it at a place where thy do a bike fit the shop should change stems crank arms and the bars so they all fit ou well. I probably saved the price of the fit (which was included with the bike in the end) on bars and stem alone.

Tommy2x

Thanks Vern,

I actually decided to go down to my LBS as I'd already paid for a full fitting. I somewhat cheekily asked if they could 'run the numbers' on a Via Nirone 7, despite the fact that they are not an authorised reseller, so cannot sell me one.

The guy was most accommodating, so even if I don't buy my C2W bike from them, I'll most certainly be buying parts and getting it serviced from them!

For the record, I came out as measuring ideal for a 55cm frame, with a 110cm stem.

Now I just need to find a Cyclescheme bike shop that'll sell one in Celeste...

Foster197

Nice choice, I was going to go for that very bike, unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) the supplier was out of stock, so i went for the Xenon in Celeste. absolutely love it.

I’m about 6'-6'1 and got the 59 frame, fits perfect.

Of course the only reason I went for a Bianchi was the fact its Italian and looks... "bella"!

Martincan

I have just picked up my Campag Xenon celeste a few days ago. Now sitting there in the hall way begging for it's maidon voyage.

unclemalc

:[/quote]i keep seeing a bianchi riding around wolves, the bloke has a stars and stripes jersey, is it you unclemalc?[/quote]

LOL! No!! :shock:

I'm usually in a blue and white jersey or a red n'black one...

If you see me, yell something abusive and I'll stop....

Bar Shaker

Bianchi 928 Carbons are just stunning but are unfortunately priced accordingly.

VN is an excellent first road bike but rather than buying bits for it I would be saving the money for a Mono Q Ultegra or even just a 105.

fungus_the_muffin_man

I have an 09 mono q with ultegra. Absolutely awesome bike. love it to bits. Looks much better than the 10 model though. The graphics on that are horrid!

Martincan

Maiden voyage complete! 8)

fungus_the_muffin_man

And.....?

Martincan

Yeh awsome! Could of got completely carried away had I had sone lights, but rode for as long as visually possible! I'll be out again as soon as possible. Need to regain some fitness!