Bianchi, Pinarello or Fuji?

tricket

Hello,

I'm looking to upgrade my bike in the next few months and I wondered if anybody could offer some advice (based on previous experience of build quality and groupset choice etc).

I'm looking at the £1500 price point but I'm loath to go down the Specialized route as seems like everyone's got one and I just fancy something a bit different. The bikes I have been looking at are:

Bianchi Vertigo Veloce
Pinarello FP UNO Tiagra
Fuji Gran Fondo 2.3 105

The Bianchi is standing out at the moment as the best value as it has a full carbon frame and internal cable routing, but I don't know much about them or the Veloce groupset.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Spudboy

Most important thing is fit so test ride etc, etc but assuming you can get your correct fit on all of them go for the one that makes you drool most. For me it would be Bianchi or Pinarello (classic names) and of the two i would go with the Bianchi. I have a Bianchi with a Record groupset few years old now (2007) but quality is superb and I happen prefer Campag but that's a personal choice and don't want to open up the Shim/Campag debate here.

The Veloce groupset will be excellent, I also have 9spd 105 on my winter bike and it's fine and I imagine the latest 105 will be excellent too. I'd give Tiagra a swerve in the company of the others. Do a search you will find plenty of supporters/feedback on Veloce but I suspect you know it your heart which one you really like best. Go with that.

tricket

Thanks Spudboy, valuable and much appreciated advice.

You're right, I think the decision really comes down to the Bianchi or Pinarello, the Fuji is in there mainly because that's the brand I'm upgrading from, you don't see them about a lot, but I've also very much enjoyed my current bike and I've been very pleased with the quality.

It's a shame the FP UNO doesn't come with a Campagnolo option, although that would probably make the decision much harder.

Better go and try the Bianchi on for size then....

LittlePlums

I can't give you an unbiased view, because I couldn't be happier with my Vertigo. Tell a lie, I will be changing the bar tape and saddle to black in due course. Veloce gives a nice crisp change and I prefer having the separate control with the thumb shift. Lovely responsive ride and the carbon makes it forgiving of poor roads..

As I say can't give an honest appraisal, particularly as I didn't compare against the other two. Try them all but you won't be disappointed with the Vertigo. For the record my main contenders were a Cube, Cannondale Synapse 105 and Felt Z6. I did try a couple of others as well.

tricket

Thanks LittlePlums, that's certainly given me more confidence in the Bianchi.

I must admit, the thumb shifters are about the only thing that I can see as a negative spec-wise. I say that because I have Shimano 2300 shifters on my current bike and with the thumb shifters it means you have to shift your right hand position when in the drops if you want to change up (wouldn't be an issue if my thumb was about an inch longer though).

It's a minor personal niggle but a niggle none the less (especially when you're spending so much time on the bike, not to mention money) and why 105 is tempting in that respect. Although I'm sure I saw that there is a 105 version of the Vertigo on the Bianchi website?

LittlePlums

Firstly, I can operate the shifters from all three positions on the bars without adjusting grip. I don't think I have extraordinarily long thumbs. A test ride will quickly sort that question mark for you.

Secondly, there is a 105 version, although I haven't seen one in the flesh. It also has red where the Celeste should be. There are purists who would never entertain a Bianchi with no celeste at all and think anything other than Campagnolo would be sacrilege. A quick search reveals that Epic have them, although call for stock.

Good luck with your search!

GGBiker

Wilier Izoard XP VELOCE, awesome carbon framed Bike for 1500

g00se

Tricket wrote:

I must admit, the thumb shifters are about the only thing that I can see as a negative spec-wise. I say that because I have Shimano 2300 shifters on my current bike and with the thumb shifters it means you have to shift your right hand position when in the drops if you want to change up (wouldn't be an issue if my thumb was about an inch longer though)

Campag thumb levers are larger and about an inch further back than the 2300 and pre 2013 Sora levers - most can reach them from the drops.

It's a picture of the old shape levers - but the thumb positions are still similar:

viewtopic.php?p=14751171

tricket

LittlePlums wrote:

Firstly, I can operate the shifters from all three positions on the bars without adjusting grip. I don't think I have extraordinarily long thumbs. A test ride will quickly sort that question mark for you.

Secondly, there is a 105 version, although I haven't seen one in the flesh. It also has red where the Celeste should be. There are purists who would never entertain a Bianchi with no celeste at all and think anything other than Campagnolo would be sacrilege. A quick search reveals that Epic have them, although call for stock.

Good luck with your search!

Thanks, that's very interesting about the thumb levers so for that piece of information alone, I'm very glad I started this thread.

I actually prefer the standard Black/Celeste colours of the Vertigo to the 105 version, but now I know about the thumb levers, I can take the 105 version off the list.

tricket

GGBiker wrote:

Wilier Izoard XP VELOCE, awesome carbon framed Bike for 1500

Thanks GCBiker, very nice, that's going on the list!

tricket

g00se wrote:

Tricket wrote:

I must admit, the thumb shifters are about the only thing that I can see as a negative spec-wise. I say that because I have Shimano 2300 shifters on my current bike and with the thumb shifters it means you have to shift your right hand position when in the drops if you want to change up (wouldn't be an issue if my thumb was about an inch longer though)

Campag thumb levers are larger and about an inch further back than the 2300 and pre 2013 Sora levers - most can reach them from the drops.

It's a picture of the old shape levers - but the thumb positions are still similar:

viewtopic.php?p=14751171

Perfect, thanks for that g00se, that's exactly what I was worried about.

il_principe

Whichever frame you prefer, can you test ride them? I'd pick Pinarello over Bianchi (I own 2 Pina's so I'm biased), but would choose Veloce over Tiagra everytime.

bigmat

Veloce is a nice gruppo. Never used Sora / 2200 but the thumb levers generally get slated, whereas Campag levers have the same ergonomics throughouttheir gruppos so you'll get something that functions the same as the bikes the pros ride. Pinarello is arguably a more prestigious marque but its splitting hairs really - I'd go for whichever frame fits best and has the best spec rather than get hung up on the name. Sounds like the Bianchi, unless the geometry doesn't suit.

supermurph09

Cube Agree GTC Race is in your price bracket. Comes with Ultegra/105. I've just bought one, if I grow to like it more than i do already which is ALOT, then the mrs will be in the shed and the bike under the duvet.

lostboysaint

GGBiker wrote:

Wilier Izoard XP VELOCE, awesome carbon framed Bike for 1500

That.

meesterbond

To be honest, the best one is probably the one that fits. Is your current bike as comfortable as you'd like? If so, download the geometry and compare it to the those on the shortlist and see what the difference is. Stack and Reach are the most important measurements, although not every manufacturer quotes those. Check that you can recreate your current position without too extreme a change in component (stem, seatpost, spacers etc).

I know it's almost a default answer, but £1569 will get you a carbon Canyon CF 7.0 with 105, Kysrium Equipe wheels and decent finishing kit.
With the Pinarello you're undoubtably paying a premium for the name, the Bianchi will look very pretty, don't know much about Fuji - very big in the US and Far East apparently...

The choice is almost endless, but I'd start with the numbers and start crossing off those which don't work before basing your decision on groupset (Campagnolo is the right choice though).

tricket

Thanks for all the opinions, much appreciated and I've been to the LBS to look at the Bianchi and Wilier (Pinarello is now off the list).

So what I have found is (and please excuse this school-boy observation) that there seems to be a distinct difference between the style of frame, i.e. I'm led to believe that the Wilier is very race orientated, whilst the Bianchi is much more comfort/endurance orientated.

Can anybody confirm this as i'm not sure I quite trusted the vague sales pitch from the 15 year old, grunting, LBS salesman with a Beiber hair-cut?

Now that I have more information on different frame types, comfort is a key factor now and so this may rule out a lot of options right off the bat. Therefore any suggestions for more comfortable sportive/distance style bikes at the £1500-mark would be appreciated.

g00se

The Bianchi is one of their C2C models - so it's aimed more at the Sportive thing than racing, but I always though the Iozard XP was much the same too? Time to google some reviews.

tricket

g00se wrote:

The Bianchi is one of their C2C models - so it's aimed more at the Sportive thing than racing, but I always though the Iozard XP was much the same too? Time to google some reviews.

I've Google'd my rear end off looking for reveiws of the Bianchi Vertigo, but haven't found anything yet. It's like it doesn't fit in with any sort of group test, even if it's a price focused test.

As for the Wilier, the reviews never seem to focus on whether it's a comfortable machine, just that it's a great bike with crap tyres.

:?

g00se

The Wilier ones I've read seem to say it's a racing frame with a fast/direct front end - but the rear is designed to be smooth and comfortable so it's good for long distances.

The Bianchi C2C (Coast to Coast) frames are designed for long distance rides - so are more relaxed.

So I guess both are going to be fine on your backside - but the Wilier will need a bit more attention in steering and may stretch your shoulders a bit more. The Bianchi, going to be a bit more relaxed to ride but might not be as so much fun thrown into corners etc.

wallace_and_gromit

g00se wrote:

The Wilier ones I've read seem to say it's a racing frame with a fast/direct front end - but the rear is designed to be smooth and comfortable so it's good for long distances.

The Bianchi C2C (Coast to Coast) frames are designed for long distance rides - so are more relaxed.

So I guess both are going to be fine on your backside - but the Wilier will need a bit more attention in steering and may stretch your shoulders a bit more. The Bianchi, going to be a bit more relaxed to ride but might not be as so much fun thrown into corners etc.

I've got a 2011 Izoard and it's a mighty comfortable ride as well as being a stunning steed to look at! I've had a history of back problems, and don't suffer any more on the Wilier than I do on real sit and and beg machines.

Ditch the stock tyres and replace with GP4000s rubber and you'll have a superb all day cruiser. It's also stunningly stable round corners.

tricket

Wallace and Gromit, that is perfect feedback and reassuring to know re the Wilier as my back is my main concern also.

Now the weather has picked up I think it's time to get some test rides in and see what's what.

Thanks all for you input so far.

chrispower80

Tricket,

You may have a real problem getting Vertigo in stock if you are in the UK. I have been waiting for mine on order for 4 months nad even went to loads of other retailers and it doesn't look like any will be on these shores any time soon. I keep getting told they will be available middle of next month blah blah blah.

I have not decided to upgrade further to the Bianchi Infinito Veloce as a result!

domc21

I was told last week that there will be no more vertigo's in the uk this year.

Nick_M

Tricket wrote:

Now that I have more information on different frame types, comfort is a key factor now and so this may rule out a lot of options right off the bat. Therefore any suggestions for more comfortable sportive/distance style bikes at the £1500-mark would be appreciated.

I've just bought a Lapierre Sensium 300 which comes in at about £1650 with SRAM Apex group set. Very impressed with it so far (www.lapierre-bikes.co.uk/road/performance/sensium-300). There's also a Sensium 200 which uses the same frame but has Shimano 105 for about £1350. Both are beautiful to look at, particularly the 200 with its satin finish in black and white. You can find reviews of them via google.

I haven't ridden a huge number of modern bikes, but my 50-year old body has no problems in doing comfortable 50+ mile rides on the 300. I'd think it is at the sporty end of sportive in terms of its geometry.