My Bianchi Cavaria crosser

AndyF16

After a wait of over 5 months for the frame to be specially made (despite half a dozen retailers advertising that they can supply, none actually can) I collected her yesterday.

Also the complete bike per Bianchi's 2011 catalogue isn't being built (apologies I can't get photobucket to resize to a better size) so I had a fairly free hand in the kit used



Not a "wow" build specification, I think the frame manages that on it's own but:

FSA Gossamer Mega Exo 50/34 Chainset, Shimano 6701 Chain and M520 SPD pedals
Shimano 6700 Front & Rear Derailleurs
Shimano 6700 Shifters
Shimano 6700 12/25 Cassette
Easton EA50 wheels shod with Spesh Borough CX Armadillo tyres (700x32s)
Avid Shorty 4 brakes (well, they sort of stop you, eventually....)
Deda Zero 100 Seatpost, Bars and Stem/Spacers plus Deda SR1 Bottlecage
Fizik Pave CX perch and Microtex bar tape both from Bianchi online
and lastly, in direct contravention of 'the rules' a Bianchi micropump o-ringed to the seattube :oops:

As you can see, I liked it so much, I painted our house the same colour in tribute

Berk Bonebonce

A Bianchi with mostly Far East stuff doesn't do it for me, especially seen as Camapg now do cyclocross stuff.

ynyswen24

I disagree. It's good. I like it.

gwillis

Looks lovely and I'd love to know what the frame cost etc

AndyF16

gwillis wrote:

Looks lovely and I'd love to know what the frame cost etc

thanks, glad you like it - full retail for the frame is £1640, not cheap compared to the advertised full bike at £2300 (with Ultegra/105 mix and Fulcrum Racing 7s) but as I said above, you can't actually order one :?

components were sourced from various places at 0-35% discount off 'list' taking the total build to around £2750

gwillis

id love one as I'm a bianchi fan and love my infinito, sadly its out of my budget but I can see the attraction . lovely looking bike and when it comes to the gruppo use what suits you.

again lovely bike

Garry H

Lovely bike, probably the best looking cross bike I've seen. Out of interest, why did you fit a 50/34 chainset? Are you planning to race it? I think most crossers would find the 50 a bit on the high side.

AndyF16

Garry H wrote:

Lovely bike, probably the best looking cross bike I've seen. Out of interest, why did you fit a 50/34 chainset? Are you planning to race it? I think most crossers would find the 50 a bit on the high side.

I understand that 46/36 would be more useful for racing, but although I'll be entering some local events next season (now I qualify in the veterans!) she will be in use for general road/trail riding most of the year so went with 50/34?

Went out today for a 40 miler of mixed road and trail to/around/from Grafham Water and was really pleased with how she rides on all surfaces; very happy bunny indeed

Coyote

That is a real piece of eye candy! Frame colour scheme looks great, deeper section rims set it off a treat too!

Garry H

AndyF16 wrote:

Garry H wrote:

Lovely bike, probably the best looking cross bike I've seen. Out of interest, why did you fit a 50/34 chainset? Are you planning to race it? I think most crossers would find the 50 a bit on the high side.

I understand that 46/36 would be more useful for racing, but although I'll be entering some local events next season (now I qualify in the veterans!) she will be in use for general road/trail riding most of the year so went with 50/34?

You had the same idea as I had about this time last year then. After a few races, I'm swapping the 50 for a 46. Bet you'll be doing the same thing

wiffachip

yours is nicer than mine, even this off the shelf number took months to arrive

AndyF16

Bit more subtle colours Wiffachip, like it. Could you tell me what guards they are please Wiffachip? Are they any good or any other recommendations?

wiffachip

they're just the standard 32 mm sks guards. the frame is ready for them and a bottle cage, despite what Bianchi say. the rear guard is a particularly neat fit, up through the guard instead of a with hanger

c0ugars

This is the first cross bike that i have really liked the look of.

9jan11

After a wait of over 5 months for the frame to be specially made

Should have had it made the right size; that's a huge amount of spacers :shock:

AndyF16

Don't talk out yer ar5e man :P all bikes except fully custom have a preset geometry, what would you do, go for a 52cm instead of 58cm to lose the spacers? :roll:

Anonymous

I like the frame, some natural sidewall tyres would set it off nicely though...

EdZed

Nice bike but what were the owners of the house in the background thinking when they painted it? I've never seen a house in celeste before :shock: Is it yours?

AndyF16

EdZed wrote:

Nice bike but what were the owners of the house in the background thinking when they painted it? I've never seen a house in celeste before :shock: Is it yours?

No not my house mate, just one I pass regularly. I believe it's some kind of membrane used by builders, have seen it elsewhere too recently.

Nap D; not sure what kind of tyres you mean? Luckily the very narrow rims help to largely 'hide' the red band around the sidewall, I'm also thinking of de-stickering the EA50s