Speciallized, Cannondale or Bianchi?

Sourav

Hello,
I am from India, want to buy new road bike. The main choices of brands available here are:
1. Cannondale: CAAD8 sora 2013 Rs. ~65,000
http://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes/road/elite-road/caad8/caad8-7-sora-compact-crankset
2. Bianchi: VIA Nirone7 sora 2013/2014 Rs. ~62,000
http://www.trackandtrail.in/product-details.asp?pid=154&bystyle=yes
http://bianchi.gr/en/bike.php?id=455&cat=14&m=true
3. Speciallized: Allez 2013/2014 Rs. 62,680
http://bumsonthesaddle.com/displayBike/specialized-allez
I had test ride of Allez tiagra (on road), CAAD8 sora & tiara (at shop on trainer), VIA Nirone7 105 (on road, old & used).
Felt that the Bianchi as most comfortable & sturdy. Allez was also good.
Proper size for the Nirone7 is not available.
Didn't get chance of bestriding on road with the CAAD. It is the lightest one among these three. Considering price, component & fit CAAD is the suitable choice.Would it be as sturdy & comfortable like the Bianchi on slightly rough road? I think ALLEZ is overpriced in India. Should i wait for the new 2014 range to come? Anyone who rode this bikes or know about them please respond.

Anonymous

Out of those I would pick the Cannondale in whichever model year was the best spec, colour and VFM.

They are very different brands IMO and its an odd question, but I did my best

Bianchi deserves more than a basic Shimano groupset and I think Specialized are having a corporate giggle/sweepstake bet to see how many sado's are willing to buy a bike with an aluminium fork just to have the privilege (or embarrassment, depending on your point of view) of the word Specialized written on it.

kangarouge

Who'd buy anything Specialized after their latest bullying antics? Certainly not me, neither now or in the future. I definitely will not be giving my hard earned cash to such corporate prats.

Tjgoodhew

I bought the Caad8 2012 and have never looked back.

Great bike and other than a few creaks from the BB30 its been great fun to ride.

The wheels and tyres are on the heavy side but this is the same for any bike at this price point. I upgraded my wheels and it takes the performance up to a whole new level.

southdownswolf

I have an Allez Sport 2013 which is a lovely bike for the money. However the version that you are looking at is not so good, a step back with the aluminium fork and 2300 groupset...

Personally out of the options I would probably pick the CAAD at that price point.

smoggysteve

CAAD 8 best value of these 3. Bianchi Via Nirone really needs abetter groupset and the stock wheels are terrible. Specialized Allez is really billy basic and noone should be buying an Alu fork at this price range.

Jules Winnfield

Carbonator wrote:

Bianchi deserves more than a basic Shimano groupset and I think Specialized are having a corporate giggle/sweepstake bet to see how many sado's are willing to buy a bike with an aluminium fork just to have the privilege (or embarrassment, depending on your point of view) of the word Specialized written on it.

True story on both points. Specialized are way, way, way overpriced for what components they come with from the factory.

Sourav

Thanks to all for your experience and opinion, got CAAD 8 sora 2013, till now had not a long trip on it, but looks great and handles well at low speed also.