Bianchi 928

bassbone

Hi All,

First post on here..

New to proper road cycling really, and am looking at getting a new bike in the very near future. I have my heart set on a carbon Bianchi, just personal preference.

All i'm asking really is your opinions, and which you would chose... Both available at a similar price point etc.

Bianchi 928 C2C 105

or

Bianchi 928 Mono-q B4P 105

Both similar spec, allround 105 gear, Mavic Ksyrium Equippe on the B4P, Askium Race on the C2C.

Opinions, and which you'd go for... Very, very much appreciated!!

With best wishes, and thanks

Matt

Jan_Ullrich

Hey,

the main difference between C2C and B4P is the length of the upper tube: B4P's is longer.
C2C "CoastToCoast" was made for riders who prefer more comfortable positions on the bike. B4P "Born for Performance" is meant for the more ambitious rider: it has a longer upper tube, so your body will be stretched a little bit more.

Maybe the B4P-frame is also a little lighter than the C2C, and usually has the more elaborated equipment. C2C would be the base offer by Bianchi.

Above the B4P Bianchi constructed the HoC "Hors Categorie" bikes, which were used e. g. by Team Barloworld. Juan Mauricio Soler won the polka dot jersey of the Tour de France on it, in 2007 I think.

B4P is a good compromise between "sportiness" and comfort. It was more expensive than the C2C models, so if both are equally priced, B4P will be the better offer. I remember Marcel Wüst, former German sprinter, once tested the B4P for some magazine, and was very pleased by stiffness and precise movements.
Maybe the more ambitious position on the bike can be equalized by a shorter stem.

Nowadays, a B4P would equal the new "Sempre", and the "HoC" finds its newer version in the "Oltre". The Base version "C2C" is now the new "infinito".

In my personal opinion, a SRAM Force, a Campagnolo Athena/Chorus or a Shimano Ultegra would fit more to the B4P than a 105. Also, the Aksium Race wheelset should not be used: they are too heavy and not stiff enough. If you want to stay with Mavic, use at least Ksyrium Elite, or better Campagnolo Zonda or the Fulcrum 3 or something in that area: soft and heavy wheels ruin the stiffness and the lightness of the frame.

Greetings

Jan

bassbone

Hi Jan,

Thank you so very much for the detailed reply!!

I've not had personal experience, though know both will suffice my needs. With both being at a similar price point, your opinions will sway me to one of the other.

I must say, the curvature and aesthetics of the C2C frame are better in my eyes. But it's how they perform that matter for sure.

In particular, at the moment, i'm looking at these two-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BIANCHI-928-F ... 716wt_1271

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150872631599? ... 500wt_1288

The C2C is standard and low mileage, the B4P has 1000+ miles and recently had a sora triple chainset. I'd rather the chainset was 105 or better, but I guess the fact it is a triple rather than compact outweighs the fact that its Sora vs. 105.

I'd probably upgrade components as time passes, but for now i'd rather get whichever is best. So, your opinions will make me choose one or the other. So, views and opinions are VERY much appreciated And soon, going to have to decide soon.

Many , Many thanks!! And best wishes- Matt

dubcat

Hi - I am looking at a C2C framed bike and a B4P framed bike myself. In my case the C2C is the Infinito and the B4P is the Sempre. I am really struggling to decide. C2C is designed for sportives apparently while B4P is a more racing geometry however there really is very little geometry difference between them. The head tube length is different slightly so apparently the C2C bike is more stable with a slightly more 'sit up' posture and the B4P bike is more agile/twitchy and can achieve more of an aero posture but requiring a little more flexibility. In the case of the bikes I am looking at another difference is that the C2C framed bike has kevlar inserts to take out some of the road vibrations which give a more comfortable ride over long distances but which obviously impact power transfer a little bit I guess.

I think the answer will come down to what kind of riding you want to do and what bike fits you better. I will need to decide after test riding the infinito. I will probably go for the Sempre (b4P) but only because it has better groupo for the same price and has externally routed cables which should result in easier maintenance.

cookeeemonster

bassbone wrote:

but I guess the fact it is a triple rather than compact outweighs the fact that its Sora vs. 105.

From what I've read on here that's not necessarily gonna be true unless you actually need a triple - most UK bikes from what I understand are compacts.

When I was looking recently I found bikes with the exact same spec but with triple OR compact were exactly the same price - one is not better than the other, rather you'll go for one over the other based on need. Also I think the triple may be a bit heavier? though it may be better if you do a lot of hills - hopefully someone who knows more (not hard) will give you a better answer!!

thiscocks

I can highly reccomend the 928 B4P carbon bike. I had one for about a year and sold after I stopped racing for a while. It was a lovely bike to ride. I tested it alongside the equivelant Scott carbon bike (cant remember the model) and just thought the ride was so much smoother and more comfortable. It was probably more comfortable than my current steel bike while being ofcourse much lighter.

For an all-round bike It was brilliant. Much easier to race on than my steel one! Ideally I'd have another B4P frame and build it up with parts on my current one, but funds are needed elsewhere at the moment!

bassbone

Hi guys! Many, many thanks for the replies so far!

I'm tempted to lean towards the B4P really. It has slightly better wheels, and the owner does still have the original 105 compact chainset, so could work a deal hopefully and re-fit the 105.

I'm not going to be using for racing, just some distance riding, and i'm not far from the Lakes (Blackpool.. :roll: ), and Pennines, so some hill riding. Nothing really intense. So I guess either would suffice my needs, like I say. But, as both are available, i'd rather get the better one/one which would be more worthwhile upgrading components on in future.

Keep the comments coming mind, really very much appreciated! Best wishes- Matt

bassbone

thiscocks wrote:

I can highly reccomend the 928 B4P carbon bike. I had one for about a year and sold after I stopped racing for a while. It was a lovely bike to ride. I tested it alongside the equivelant Scott carbon bike (cant remember the model) and just thought the ride was so much smoother and more comfortable. It was probably more comfortable than my current steel bike while being ofcourse much lighter.

For an all-round bike It was brilliant. Much easier to race on than my steel one! Ideally I'd have another B4P frame and build it up with parts on my current one, but funds are needed elsewhere at the moment!

The B4P looks phenomenal in red! Very nice!!

Lush Monster too!! Been brought up with motorcycles..my uncle is the MD of Raceways Motorcycles over this way, and ran the Yamaha UK race team for a few years or so. Always had a soft spot for Ducati's

dubcat

Love that Ducati! I want to do my DAS and buy a ducati. Yes, all a part of the mid life crisis.

thiscocks

Thanks, I do miss the instantaneous speed and smooth controled ride of that bike! Certainly would make an equally good long distance ride which you want. I much prefer the paint job on the older one compared to the current b4p too. I also loved the skinny seat stays!

cookeeemonster

yep another ex ducati monster owner (and current bianchi/vespa owner) here.

Italian bikes are ok I suppose...;)

fungus_the_muffin_man

I had the same red bianchi as pictured above untill it got snapped by a car. Fantastic ride, lovely and smooth ride quality with just enough buzz to not deaden the ride. Power transmission was superb when out of the saddle, you really felt the difference compared to the other bikes I test rode. Whether it was a 100 mile ride or a short 30 mile it was just so comfortable and such a pleasure to ride. Not to mention a thing of beauty.

The ultegra it came with was just so smooth and made the bike such a good all round package in my eyes. That has 105 apart from the chainset. You could pick up an fsa or similar nicer one easily on ebay or even in a online sale item.