BMC, Cinelli or Bianchi?

greeny1

Hi Folks,

I have been saving for a new bike and I have narrowed it down to one of these three;
1) Bianchi Infinto with Fulcrum 5's
2) Cinelli Pro Estrada Athena with Campag Zonda
3) BMC Pro Machine SLC01 Spram Red with Easton EA90 SL

I wanted to know if any one has any thoughts has to which would be the best bike; there is only a 400 price swing between all three so money is not an object as have enough for either one although the Cinelli is a little bit more than i wanted to originally pay. I want something comfortable yet race worthy . I think all three look fantastic and I wondered If anyone has any of the bikes, has ridden them and has any general thoughts or help for me. Any opinions and information would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

rc856

Hello and welcome to the forum
Are you able to get a wee ride on any, or all of them?
See what one feels best for you.
I haven't looked at the bikes to see what groupsets they have. After the frame, I think I'd get the one with the best groupset. If you were saving any money compared to the others, then you could use that to upgrade the wheels?
I've had the same Zonda's on my bike for about 5yrs now. Still run true...if not the lightest.

majormantra

BMC. They are one of the few brands making makes that actually stand out from the crowd.

Rodrego Hernandez

Have ridden both the BMC and the Cinelli. BMC was far too flexy to give a decent ride. Much preferred the cineli, great ride, good for training and racing and campag athena is a great groupset.

Coach H

Rodrego Hernandez wrote:

Have ridden both the BMC and the Cinelli. BMC was far too flexy to give a decent ride. Much preferred the cineli, great ride, good for training and racing and campag athena is a great groupset.

Well I have ridden a BMC 'PRO' Machine and it was the stiffest stiff thing in the kingdom of stiff. If you don't believe me I still have my fillings in a little jar on my desk!

Now the 'TEAM' Machine, according to some reviews this can be a bit soft.

IMHO Either you've misread the names of the bikes or you've not ridden a BMC Pro Machine and have not remembered the reviews you have read

jonmack

I'd say go BMC. I'd also say ignore Rodrego Hernandez. He posted a lot of sh*t about powertap wheels the other day which made me lose any respect I might have previously had for him.

Rodrego Hernandez

Yep, it was the pro machine but was a 59cm which is a very large 59cm, I think that they did have a problem with large sizes. Hense why one of the Astana team rode a 16cm step to ride the smallest frame he could.

Not sure what my bad experience with a powertap has to do with this though! You are more than entitled to your opinion, as I am to mine. I am also entitled to detail problems I have had with equipment and give a suggestion to someone as to what I would do to minimise the risk of that problem occurring.

Therefore, in this post I have said that I have ridden a BMC and didn't like it but did like the Cinelli. That isn't to say that others will have had different experiences. I have not said that every BMC is too flexible, if this is what you have read, then please re-read. Maybe have a re-read of the powertap thread and perhaps get a grown-up to help you with any tricky bits that you struggle to follow as you are obviously one of a few that finds that thread difficult.

I just could have posted that I would have bought a BMC as they stand out from the crowd - that's a good reason to buy a bike isn't it?

I have looked for any rules regarding not being allowed to post if one has had a problem with a powertap and can't find any - perhaps you could show them to me please?

Rodrego Hernandez

jonmack wrote:

I'd say go BMC. I'd also say ignore Rodrego Hernandez. He posted a lot of sh*t about powertap wheels the other day which made me lose any respect I might have previously had for him.

Thanks for the insightful and informative reply, I hope that it didn't take up to much of your day. You might as well have just advised the OP to go for a red bike rather than a blue one!!!

Any danger of a reason why he should go spend a load of money on a BMC?

greeny1

A friend tells me the BMC's are very stiff, Im never going to be Mark Cavendish so this may possibly be of no use to me. Has anyone any experience with the Infinito? Infinito and the BMC both at a local Evans's so no problem getting a test ride there the cinelli at a localish bike store although they want me to pay for a fitting etc before getting one in to test ride although that is not a problem! Is the groupset thing overrated? If all it does is change gears surely the level between say athena and record cant be all that different? I have tiagra on my Giant Defy 2 which wa pretty much my first road bike. I have rode it into the ground in the past year 30 miles about 3 times a week then about 45ish on longer sunday ride ANd barring the odd skip and noisy changes from time to time the tiagra is fine really.. Now looking to make the upgrade as i ffeel my enthusiasm/fitness warrents it. The press release for the Cinelli says it is a gran fondo bike does this make it similar in gemoatry to the Infinito. I am 6'3 and about and about 185lb if that helps! The guy at the local Evans seemed to suggest the Trek Madone due to my size although it just dossnt do it for me, dont ask me why! And i know if i want bang for my book something like a planet X or a Ribble is the way to go although i just think something a little more exotic (the italian bikes) in particular warrant my cash. I guess im a poseur

Rodrego Hernandez

There is a difference between athena and record, generally the materials used, quality of finish and obviously price. There are plenty of places where reviews of groupsets are available, so take your time and check these out.

I would go for the best groupset I could afford, perhaps upto the chorus / dura-ace level. Record is very good but possibly not that good that I would buy it over chorus if I were new to cycling. I have always found the lower campag groupsets perform better than the equivalent shimano but again this is just my experience so please don't misunderstand me.

BMC may well have improved their frames now but definitely take one for test ride to make sure - or buy from wiggle, ride it and then return under their 28day returns deal if you don't like it?

careful

Hi Greeny1

Everyone on here always seems to love their own bikes and as I havent ridden the BMC or Cinelli so I guess Im biased but I bought a Bianchi Infinito about 6 months ago and have been well pleased. I have done about 3000 comfortable but mostly hilly miles on it.
I cant get on with Campag (just always been used to Shimano) so I had an Ultegra groupset and Fulcrum 3 wheels. The frame is not whippy at all but is a very comfy ride while still feeling resposive; and it looks great. I would say it is a top all rounder for fast day rides and sportives. Sizes are measured from bb to nominal centre of the top tube ( if it were horizontal). I am 5' 11 and find the 55cm is just about right with quite a lot of seat post exposed as the frame has a fairly long top tube (54cm). If I were any taller though, I would definately go for the 57cm frame. I hope this helps a bit.

greeny1

i understand what you are saying! . I am sure there is a difference but surely for performance purposes i will not be good enough a rider to warrent the extra 1k for a full carbon group set such as super record! Coming from tiagra to sram red or athena will surely be a big step up and the difference will be noticed more than say from athena to record

greeny1

cheers careful! I think i need to test rtide one! My only hesitation with the infinito is it may be slightly too relaxed i nterms of postion, although it does look and sound fantastic! Although i think i prefer 2010 colour scheme to the wihite and a little celeste this year although the black ultegra is always an option! I know i keep repeating myself just 2.5k is a lot of money to me and want to get as much info as i can before taking the plunge! thanks

proto

MY daughter has a BMC SLC01 Pro Machine and I've borrowed it every now and again. It rides beautifully. Comfortable and with impeccable handing, a real joy. I probably prefer it to my Look 585. Can't really comment on it's stiffness, I'm no sprinter and my rides were more gentle pottering than racing but it's a fantastic bike.

My daughter also has a Cinelli, but an aluminium Experience! Rides really well, but a bit chunky weightwise, and feels a little bit 'dead'

I've looked at Bianchis in the past and came to the conclusion that whilst very stylish indeed, they are overpriced and very much overweight, but I haven't seen a Infinto.

Stop fucking about and get the BMC

Squillinossett

If it were me, would have to be the BMC.

I had a quick blast on a pro machine about a year back, and thinking about it still brings a smile to my face. As soon as I put any pressure on the pedal, it seemed to launch forward! Also It comes with the wheels I would choose over the three listed (and which I currently have!!)

FransJacques

You must test ride them all. Go for fit first, then stiffness or ride comfort next, then handling third. The thinking with the last 2 is that you hit a lot more pot-holes and bad pavement then you turn the bike. Weight is maybe a fourth but the fifth is the je-ne-sais-quoi that makes you put the bike against a wall in your flat, sit back on your couch and just watch the thing from across the room in your flat, tantasizing about a deserted alpine road in summer when you're raging up a climb.

If you can't test ride it don't buy it, unless you rode 2 or 3 and hated them. Note the BMC is a full on race bike but the Bianchi is their more relaxed range which could be just the ticket for you. Have you had a fit done?

Lastly, the BMC seems to have the best wheels, but the EA90 SLX are a bit delicate, are you over 85 kgs?

Squillinossett

FransJacques wrote:

You must test ride them all. Go for fit first, then stiffness or ride comfort next, then handling third. The thinking with the last 2 is that you hit a lot more pot-holes and bad pavement then you turn the bike. Weight is maybe a fourth but the fifth is the je-ne-sais-quoi that makes you put the bike against a wall in your flat, sit back on your couch and just watch the thing from across the room in your flat, tantasizing about a deserted alpine road in summer when you're raging up a climb.

If you can't test ride it don't buy it, unless you rode 2 or 3 and hated them. Note the BMC is a full on race bike but the Bianchi is their more relaxed range which could be just the ticket for you. Have you had a fit done?

Lastly, the BMC seems to have the best wheels, but the EA90 SLX are a bit delicate, are you over 85 kgs?

He has listed them with SL's no SLX, so will be ok, as I had these when I was 100KG and never gone out of true!

greeny1

cheers guys, yer im just over 13 stone so hardly a lightweight! With being tall i didnt want something which owuld be too racey as i dont want to cripple myself, but not too relaxed that i cannot race on it. That is my aim byu the end of summer. I suppose im just going to have to sort it out and test ride them all. My local lbs had an infinto but he wouldnt let me ride one without putting a non-refundable depeosit down so i told him where to go. I think Evans cycles should be more occomadating about letting me take the bikes out for a tne mile spin No ido need abike fitting im currently riding a large giant defy although with spending the money i want the bike to fit perfectly

FransJacques

without putting a non-refundable depeosit down - as bugs bunny would say - that's discpicable! WTF kind of customer service is that.

let me guess, you live in a small town or the bike shop owner at least is very small town. give him your driver's license and a credit card, that's all he should need to let you ride a bike.

tell him you can drive a £50k mercedes for free...sheesh, now I'm all worked up!

greeny1

got it in one! To be honest i dont want to but from there which is a shame as i feel it would be more beneficial to help a local bike store than a massive chain like Evans but hey ho, i go where i feel welcome! all terrain cycles in bradford seem to do the Cinelli i want so ill be going there and to Evans as soon as the weather gets half decent to test ride the bikes see if i can make a decision. the more i think and talk to people the more bike choice there seems to be drives me crackers! Wish i had 5k id just get a colnago eps and be done with it

sfichele

I've ridden the 09 BMC and 2010 BMC. The 09 I have has stiffer handle bars compared to the 2010 model I tried. Going up a steep hill (Winnats pass), the handle bars on the 2010 model felt like I was holding on to a rubber chicken.



That said, the rest of the kit on the 2010 Sram Red version is awesome, I'd simple change the handle bars.

The Bianchi looks sweet - check out Epic Cycles, they are supplying it with Fulcrums 3s rather than 5s!

on-yer-bike

Buy the one you like the look of the most, that suits you the most and fits the best. Imagine it to be like buying an article of clothing.

sfichele

+1 If you are spending that money make sure it fits like a glove

flanners1

Rodrego Hernandez wrote:

Have ridden both the BMC and the Cinelli. BMC was far too flexy to give a decent ride. Much preferred the cineli, great ride, good for training and racing and campag athena is a great groupset.

Flexy? What? It makes me laugh when I read this tripe. It is a tour winning frameset and was used last year off the peg by the team and the last World Champion. Flexy, hmmm did you test the deflection then? How did the flexiness spoil your ride or times then? Makes me laugh that us weekend warriors can make such scientific announcements.

I own quite a few bikes and have ridden and owned a fair few, all of them have different ride qualities ALL of them could win races and none are what I would say are flexy.

FYI the BMC SLCO1 has the hardest ride of any pushbike I have ever ridden.

I concur with other poster's buy what you like, aesthetic and cosmetic, as most bikes are capable of better than we can ever deliver. When you get into bicycle performance most is a personal perception anyways,

Rodrego Hernandez

Flexy enough for Andre Kasheshkin to ride a 16cm stem so that he could ride as small a bike as possible,

No BMC has even won the tour.

Didn't like the one I rode, it was too flexy but others may have had different experiences so feel free to try one yourself and find out.

By the way, the last world champion only rode one because he was paid to. Don't get sucked in by adverts and sponsorship. It's not about the bike.

flanners1

define flexy it is totally meaningless as it stands? How did it flex and where? forks, bars, frame, BB?

Landis won the Tour on a BMC, juiced up or not (and most of the peleton was) a BMC has won the tour period.

I realise the pros ride what they are given but the fact the SLC01 has been ridden for so long by Pro teams is IMO testament to it's pedigree and excellence.

I have ridden one in fact would you believe I own one!

Here are a selection of reviews for you to compare with quotes 'your test'.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... ano-slc01-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCRO75bj ... re=related

http://road.cc/content/review/3023-bmc- ... ro-machine

http://glorycycles.blogspot.com/search/label/BMC

I have problems with people slating bikes with absolutely meaningless verbiage and technically deficient comments.

IF the SLCO1 (ProMachine) DID flex during your shakedown, how does it make it a bad bike? Is flexy a bad thing, have you ridden steel? Have you seen the deflection figures posted on this board recently? Could a rider tell this from riding? or was it the really technical foot against the BB?

or the bandwagon effect of other reviews and posters? Everyone's entitled to their opinion obviously but a bit of evidence and substance would be great

Rodrego Hernandez

The fact that Landis won and was disqualified means that a BMC has not won a Tour but that is irrelevant - start another thread somewhere else if you like.

You have bought a BMC and like it, fair play and good for you. I nearly bought one but rode one and found that it was too flexible and as a consequence didn't like it and didn't buy it,

I am reliably informed that the BMC sent to Cycling Weekly to be tested was so bad that they pulled the review.

As for the OPs question, just ride each bike you fancy buying for as much as you can and see which one you like.

That is all.

flanners1

Just to make it perfectly clear: Where did it flex?

Rodrego Hernandez

The front end was flexy - felt when out of the saddle and when riding sat in the saddle gripping the bars. The rear end was also flexy demonstrated by the front mech and chain rubbing when climbing out of the saddle. This was a 59cm which seemed awfully large for a 59. Dura Ace groupset, professionally set-up and Dura Ace tubular wheelset. Easton carbon bars and stem.

adukeofkent

I havent read all the replies to this thread but basically my BMC SLX01 Rocks socks. SLX01 is for sprinters and the higher models weigh less.

nochekmate

Rodrego Hernandez wrote:

The front end was flexy - felt when out of the saddle and when riding sat in the saddle gripping the bars. The rear end was also flexy demonstrated by the front mech and chain rubbing when climbing out of the saddle. This was a 59cm which seemed awfully large for a 59. Dura Ace groupset, professionally set-up and Dura Ace tubular wheelset. Easton carbon bars and stem.

As somebody else who also has a BMC Pro Machine (and is delighted with it), you simply have tooooooo much powerrrrrrr & obviously more than the pros, who have ridden this model - didn't see much mention of flex in any reviews prior to my purchase. As Flanners says good enough for Floyd to destroy the field even with his 'juice'!!

Time to move on