How far can you go on a Bianchi Via Nirone?
fred22
Posts: 509
Nope, not distance wise but upgrade wise? Realistically?
I was thinking about a new set of wheels for mine. I have the sora model from 2008/9 and is standard apart from a new specialized saddle. So I thought ~£200 for some fulcrums. New tyres would be another 40 or so.
Then I thought that those sora thumbshifters are depressing once you get used to drop handlebars so they need to go. Replacement Tiagra or 105 sti levers and possibly new 10 speed rear mech and cassette would be around, what?, £300 or more?
New handlebars because the bends in the standard one dont suit my hands, another £60 for some anatomic with a flat wing
And thats 600 or more pounds.
Theres loads of Via Nirone owners on here so I am interested who's done what to theirs, and who has gone the furthest.
At what (price) point does it become more sensible to consider a new bike on the cyclescheme -where does the frame become the limiter?
I was thinking about a new set of wheels for mine. I have the sora model from 2008/9 and is standard apart from a new specialized saddle. So I thought ~£200 for some fulcrums. New tyres would be another 40 or so.
Then I thought that those sora thumbshifters are depressing once you get used to drop handlebars so they need to go. Replacement Tiagra or 105 sti levers and possibly new 10 speed rear mech and cassette would be around, what?, £300 or more?
New handlebars because the bends in the standard one dont suit my hands, another £60 for some anatomic with a flat wing
And thats 600 or more pounds.
Theres loads of Via Nirone owners on here so I am interested who's done what to theirs, and who has gone the furthest.
At what (price) point does it become more sensible to consider a new bike on the cyclescheme -where does the frame become the limiter?
0
Posts
had a quick look on ebay, nirones seem to be going for around 400 quid
add 600, you've got 1000
might be worth considering selling old one, buy secondhand bike with higher spec, or get a frame and build up with exactly the bits you want
although if you can sell your old bits on ebay then keeping the nirone frame would let you splurge more on upgrade bits
Not sure of the weight of frame & fork of the Nirone (no time to google it at the moment) but I wouldn't be convinced that he could build it up to a UCI illegal bike for £600 given that he would have to buy a decent groupset and wheels to achieve it.
To the OP - the Nirone is quite a nice bike for the money but I'm not sure that it warrants a £600 upgrade. A quality frame is arguably the most important aspect of a bike.
I have a Via Nirone (but 105 / Ultegra - so no issues with the groupset) and have only upgraded the Conti Ultra Sport to Conti GP4000S when the Ultra's wore through. I will upgrade the wheels (on mine they are Shimano R-500s) to something like Pro-Lite Braccianos or some handbuilts, but only once they were very well worn or get damaged.
Realistically you also need to consider how much you will get if you sell the bits on your current bike - I can't imagine they would make a significant monetary contribution towards your proposed upgrades.
Upgrading your groupset seems one expensive stage too far relative to the price you paid for the original bike.
Sold recently on eBay:
Very clean Boardman Team, Ultegra all round, brand new chain and cassette, £441
Litespeed Avior, full Dura-Ace, handbuilt Hope wheelset, £673
Near-mint Specialized Allez Comp, barely ridden, full 10sp 105, £500
If you have a good frame that you are happy with it, then bolt on whatever you want to. A new bike, or a second hand one, may be better value wise but might not be as nice to ride.
Just my opinion.
Bob
The only upgrade that I've ever done is a new set of tyres and a set of carbon forks.
As someone said - keep the Bianchi as a winter bike and if you have the £600 - save a bit longer for a flashier model for the summer.
When you say the bars dont suit you - do you ride the drops that often ? Most people spend +90% of their ride time on the hoods so the shapes not that important.
If your gears work - then I'd stay with them to be honest. A gruppo upgrade is very expensive compared to what a bike manufacturere pays for the set - so thats the better value.
Wheels ? Look at the Planet X Type B - cheaper option but well thought of if you fancy it. I'd maybe do wheels and tyres cos you could take those with you to your next bike.
As for shifters loads of auctions come up on Ebay if you are patient.
I'm very much an upgrader and tweaker, but you can always move stuff around bikes and a good spares box is essential IMO.
Carbon 456
456 lefty
Pompino
White Inbred
Tis what I have done... I have a compatible hub on summer bike and spare set of best best wheels for summer bike that allow me to fit the others to the via narone when weather turns warmer and road salt/ corrosion dies down. The bog standard ambrosia wheels take the worst uk winter can chuck at them
As they are heavy.... Best of both worlds i find....
The saddle three times, still can't find one comfortable enough for 60 plus rides, and the tyres which went straight away.
New wheels would be the only thing I'd buy with a view to putting them on a new bike.
So I've decided it's going on e-bay to fund the purchase of a Sempre...
No point beating around the bush!
If I ever reach the point where am considering expensive upgrades then it's time for a new bike and the Bianchi will become a winter steed.
in my twisted opinion i would not go much further if cash is involved, but if bits are available for good money then go for it.
enjoy
willie