Bianchi Via Nirone 7 (2010)

rob\'s_lexx
Posts: 95
Hi all,
After some advice/thoughts on the 2010 Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Xenon.
I have the opportunity to purchase this bike (2nd hand) from someone local to me. It would be my first road bike and I've been looking around for a good while to try and figure out what to get,
I never really gave Bianchi much thought as i have no knowledge etc of the campag componentry, but as this is local to me, and it a lovely looking bike IMO, I thought maybe the knowledgeable folk on Bike Radar could provide some input/thoughts/guidance.
This is the bike spec as listed on Evans:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bia ... e-ec021257
Many Thanks
Rob
After some advice/thoughts on the 2010 Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Xenon.
I have the opportunity to purchase this bike (2nd hand) from someone local to me. It would be my first road bike and I've been looking around for a good while to try and figure out what to get,
I never really gave Bianchi much thought as i have no knowledge etc of the campag componentry, but as this is local to me, and it a lovely looking bike IMO, I thought maybe the knowledgeable folk on Bike Radar could provide some input/thoughts/guidance.
This is the bike spec as listed on Evans:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bia ... e-ec021257
Many Thanks
Rob
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Comments
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Really are brilliant entry level bikes. You wouldn't be dissapointed0
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Good starter bike and eminently upgradeable. Quite a relaxed geometry and ideal for sportives.0
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Thanks for the replies guys :-)
In what way do they lend themselves to being upgraded?
Any ideas how much would be a reasonable price tonpay for a 2010 model with only about 200 miles on it? As new condition??
Cheers again guys
Rob0 -
rob\'s_lexx wrote:In what way do they lend themselves to being upgraded?
The frames are good/great and putting more money into the bike on wheels, tyres, other gear upgrades, improves the bike: you're starting off from a sound base.
Or at least that's my newbie understanding
Pricewise? No clue. Search ebay, here and other places for a clue. The taxman says that after a bike has been ridden for a year, it's fair market value is 25% of its new price - you could start with that, but I'd expect to be talked up considerably!Synapse Alloy 105 / Rock Lobster Tig Team Sl0 -
I love mine.
Upgraded the wheels and it made loads of difference.Pitch Pro - http://heathy.pinkbike.com/album/My-Bike
Bianchi (Gone but not forgotten) - viewtopic.php?t=12704175
Pinarello - viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=128440100 -
Xenon is a lowest Campag groupsetSay... That's a nice bike..
Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)0 -
Eminently upgradeable as Philby says because its a very good frame to start with. The frame dictates whether a bikes worth spending money on rading in the future.
TBF, the xenon groupset while relatively base level is very reliable and good. Ive had no problems with 2 Xenon equipped bikes over the last 5 years. Nothings failed, everything just works.
That said, if you want to upgrade the shifters etc in the future, no problem.
Same with the wheelset. Bombproof for me, never had a spoke break, never been out of true.
The only thing thats failed on mine was the FSA Megaexo BB. I see they now have FSA Vero fitted, but if the BB bearings are the same quality, they're not the longest lasting. It wouldnt stop me buying another one though.
Excellent bike.
Can't say how much a second hand one's worth ...no idea.0 -
The Nirone 7 is a decent entry level bike, and despite Xenon being the lowest Campag groupset its also a decent groupset, i've got the 2010 Via Nirone 7 with Xenon and am very happy with it. The gears i have found to be very accurate and click in nicely, some people have had problems with the rear derailleur but if it set up correctly it works very well.
You'll find it a nice comfortable bike if you decide to go for it.Road - http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12777154&p=16943702#p16943702
Commuter - http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12877017&p=17855019#p17855019
MTB - http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12930006&p=18407199#p184071990 -
No problems with Zenon from me either.
The Via Nirone is my first road bike and I couldn't be happier with it. Go for it!Pitch Pro - http://heathy.pinkbike.com/album/My-Bike
Bianchi (Gone but not forgotten) - viewtopic.php?t=12704175
Pinarello - viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=128440100 -
Well this year Evans want £870 for a new one. If this bike fits you* and has genuinely done only a few hundred miles and is in as new condition, I'd say offer £500 but be prepared to pay a bit more.
* this is important. If it's not the right size for you, don't buy it, even if it seems like a bargain and you think it's gorgeous.0 -
keef66 wrote:* this is important. If it's not the right size for you, don't buy it, even if it seems like a bargain and you think it's gorgeous.
I can't emphasise this enough! After riding the wrong size bike for 3 years (mountain bike, not road) because of an ebay bargain, no bargain is worth it if it doesn't fit.
No, not even if it's that cheap
(Unless of course you can source a right sized frame cheap and have the ability/desire to swap everything over... I ended up doing this)Synapse Alloy 105 / Rock Lobster Tig Team Sl0 -
all sound advice and very welcomed, thanks guys.
out of interest, how does the campag xenon group compare with say shimano sora/tiagra/105 etc? what makes them different and where would it slot in in comparison to the shimano range in terms of quality etc?
as for sizing, yes i couldnt agree more, but as a complete beginner to all this im not really sure how to tell if its the right size for me? the bike is a 57cm frame and i'm 6ft 1. i tried a specialized secteur elite on a 58cm frame and the chap in the store said it was bang on for me so i'm assuming a 57cm bianchi should be similar with maybe a bit of seat alteration etc etc? is this a little ignorant of me to think?
i have that age old dilemma of either spending close to a grand on a bike with 105 etc etc and getting into road biking or maybe buying a 2nd hand bike for say 500 with lesser components but then there's less initial outlay and if i'm not riding as much as id like its not exactly money wasted...
does anyone know of any good 2nd hand bikes for sale on here etc that would be worth a look? long shot i know.
i'm off to look at the bianchi tomorrow anyhow :-)0 -
I'm in the same boat as you... the majority of advice given to me has said ignore the size, as you want something that best suits your reach which is controlled by length of top tube (and probably head tube, and all sorts of other things). The size is a guide, and I think 57 is what most would recommend for a 6'1 guy, but it really depends on the setup of the bike...
Or at least that's what I've been told by a couple of places I've visited now...
I've resigned myself to spending a grand, buying new, and getting a proper fitting session, which is about the only advantage of buying new over second hand. Well, and knowing exactly what has happened to the bike - hopefully!Synapse Alloy 105 / Rock Lobster Tig Team Sl0 -
rob\'s_lexx wrote:all sound advice and very welcomed, thanks guys.
out of interest, how does the campag xenon group compare with say shimano sora/tiagra/105 etc? what makes them different and where would it slot in in comparison to the shimano range in terms of quality etc?
as for sizing, yes i couldnt agree more, but as a complete beginner to all this im not really sure how to tell if its the right size for me? the bike is a 57cm frame and i'm 6ft 1. i tried a specialized secteur elite on a 58cm frame and the chap in the store said it was bang on for me so i'm assuming a 57cm bianchi should be similar with maybe a bit of seat alteration etc etc? is this a little ignorant of me to think?
i have that age old dilemma of either spending close to a grand on a bike with 105 etc etc and getting into road biking or maybe buying a 2nd hand bike for say 500 with lesser components but then there's less initial outlay and if i'm not riding as much as id like its not exactly money wasted...
does anyone know of any good 2nd hand bikes for sale on here etc that would be worth a look? long shot i know.
i'm off to look at the bianchi tomorrow anyhow :-)
Xenon is equivelent to Sora, both being the entry level within each groupset, although Sora's 9 speed, Xenon is of course 10 speed..
The most noticeable difference is that Sora (and i assume Shimano as a whole) tends to slot into gear very quietly and smoothly. Xenon tends to 'clunk' into gear. Not in a bad way, just noticeably different.
I have both on different bikes, i switch between the two very easily, ones no better than the other really.
If you're looking at second hand, i'd say one area to be careful of is transmission wear. A worn out chain, cassette and chainrings comes expensive...£30 ish for a cassette, £40 for both chainrings and say £20 for a chain (all just ball park figures).0 -
the bike is a 57cm frame and i'm 6ft 1
I'm 6 ft exactly and I have a 57cm which fits perfectly - although when I was trying other makes such as Trek, Cannondale and Orbeas 58cm models were a little stretched for me. So both a 57 and 59cm might fit you. Its also better to have a bike that is slightly small rather than one that's too large. As above try before you buy!!!!!!0 -
well i went to have a look at it yesterday....
first thoughts are that its a stunning looking bike! the frame has some nice character to it and the colour scheme is lovely. Its in mint condition so thats a good start. I had a ride on it and the height of the bike seemed fine (had a slight bend in my knee's on extension). I did feel like i was leaning forward a bit when on the hoods and the drops themselves, but i dont know if this s just because i've never really ridden a road bike before. as for gauging the 'fit' of the bike, when on the hoods i can JUST see the front hub and when holding the drop bars i can see all of the front hub - i have heard this suggests its a reasonable fit?
my only concern is how good the wheelset is and whether i'll want to upgrade them from the off? (no idea how much a reasonable set of wheels cost) also, and this may just be my lack of experience, but the hoods feel very shallow - sort of as if they could be a little deeper?? I think the down-click button to release the gear will take a little getting used to also but all in all i really liked it :-)0 -
I thought the same as you about the wheels on my via Nirone.
In the end I didn't bother upgrading them. They aren't too bad, I found them pretty strong, although a bit heavy. I would change the tyres though.
I upgraded the bike instead after a couple of years...0 -
rob\'s_lexx wrote:well i went to have a look at it yesterday....
first thoughts are that its a stunning looking bike! the frame has some nice character to it and the colour scheme is lovely. Its in mint condition so thats a good start. I had a ride on it and the height of the bike seemed fine (had a slight bend in my knee's on extension). I did feel like i was leaning forward a bit when on the hoods and the drops themselves, but i dont know if this s just because i've never really ridden a road bike before. as for gauging the 'fit' of the bike, when on the hoods i can JUST see the front hub and when holding the drop bars i can see all of the front hub - i have heard this suggests its a reasonable fit?
my only concern is how good the wheelset is and whether i'll want to upgrade them from the off? (no idea how much a reasonable set of wheels cost) also, and this may just be my lack of experience, but the hoods feel very shallow - sort of as if they could be a little deeper?? I think the down-click button to release the gear will take a little getting used to also but all in all i really liked it :-)
If its got the WS32 wheelset they're fine. Ive commuted on mine and normal longer rides for two years, no problems. Nothing.at all, not even had to overhaul the hubs.
I eventually upgraded to Fulcrum 5s but initially couldnt really feel any speed difference (in fact the new fulcrums felt slower than the old WS32s) I guess new wheels are a little stiff with being packed out with grease.. I immediately replaced the cartridge bearings with superior quality ones and immediately felt the difference.
But the original wheelset is fine and strong.0 -
ahh good to hear the wheels are deent enough :-) mind you, for 150 i could pick up some decent enough upgrade wheels i'm sure? i think i want something a little more bling! haha! i saw some gorgeous american classic aero 3 wheels in white that would look stunning (not cheap mind!!)
can anyone advise whether the bike sounds as if its a suitable size for me etc? i'm sure with seat and handlebar adjustments etc all should be fine??
cheers
rob0 -
I thought a 57 would suit your height as long as you don't have unusual proportions. Your description suggests it's OK. You can fine tune the fit by moving the saddle fore / aft, swapping to a longer / shorter stem etc. Bar height is a bit trickier these days but you can always flip the stem to bring them up a bit.
I'd ride the current wheels to destruction before upgrading. You may be disappointed by how long they last!
Buy it!0 -
keef66 wrote:I thought a 57 would suit your height as long as you don't have unusual proportions. Your description suggests it's OK. You can fine tune the fit by moving the saddle fore / aft, swapping to a longer / shorter stem etc. Bar height is a bit trickier these days but you can always flip the stem to bring them up a bit.
I'd ride the current wheels to destruction before upgrading. You may be disappointed by how long they last!
Buy it!
Nicely putThey may not be light, but they are strong.
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I'm 6ft and the 57 is good. I find the Bianchi is a fairly low-riding, stretched position in a good way. Some other bikes (like Specialized) are a little too upright and don't have as sporty a feel, but the Bianchi allows you to get a bit lower on the drops for speed work (or battling into a headwind!) and really doesn't look out of place next to a mate's much more expensive Pinarello.
+1 about the wheels. I have used the bike for leisure rides and commuting in all seasons (Crud Roadracers fit a treat) and they will not die!
Now got well over 2500 miles on it and love it every time. Saving for a new bike but can't imagine ever being without this one.Ecrasez l’infame0