What Italian Bike?

kammybear

I'm a MTB'er just getting started. I have my dream MTB and started roading a few weeks ago with an Allez 2014 with Claris groupset. The bike is okay but I've decided I want a properish bike. Has to be Italian for some reason

I'll be getting it through cycle2work with a top up and have narrowed it to 3 choices:

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/wilier-i ... 75475.html

Willier ticks a lot of boxes, full carbon, Campag Centaur and looks awesome. They only have my size left so I need to be quick?

Next is

http://www.bicicielo.com/bikes/road/pin ... -bike.html

This is at the extreme of my budget but being shallow, love the idea of a pinarello. Full carbon but only tiagra...will this be much of downgrade from Centaur?

Last choice is

http://www.bicicielo.com/bikes/road/pin ... -bike.html

This is like a middle ground but I'm not sure if I should compromise? Frame is carbon/allow mix...sounds messy?

I'm veering towards the Willier but not heard much about them??

imposter2.0

You do know that none of those bikes are actually made in Italy, don't you?

kammybear

Yeah I know :P

rolf_f

kammybear wrote:

Yeah I know :P

Well you could at least go for a manufacturer that makes some bikes in Italy - even if not the one you actually buy! Pinarello is marginally more Italian than Raleigh is British!

Alternatively, if it helps, my Ribble Gran Fondo has 'Crafted in Italy' inscribed on the seatstay! And three Italian flags!

Grill

My Wyndy was made in Italy. Perhaps you should get one. :P

kammybear

Guys,

They may be made in China but they're still designed in Italy and it's not as if they go to dengfu and buy a random open mould...!

I would rather have something designed in Italy and then build in China.

Otherwise, we'd end up with this:



babe optional.

Grill

The correct answer is to buy a better bike for less money. Obviously. 2015 Felt F75 is an absolute steal on C2W. Of course if you feel the need to compensate for the ladies, you can go with one of those original three. But the rest of us will know. We'll know.

kammybear

Call me shallow, but I don't like the font that Felt use.

Something is just not right with it!

rolf_f

kammybear wrote:

Guys,

They may be made in China but they're still designed in Italy and it's not as if they go to dengfu and buy a random open mould...!

I would rather have something designed in Italy and then build in China.

Well, actually some of them do. But why not support an Italian manufacturer that actually manufactures in Italy? Or is it really just about the image?

StillGoing

I doubt you'll find anywhere that has them on the CTW scheme, but Basso are Italian; designed, manufactured and built in Italy. The UK importers and sole distributors are based in the Province. Give them a call.

t4tomo

Grill wrote:

The correct answer is to buy a better bike for less money. Obviously. 2015 Felt F75 is an absolute steal on C2W. Of course if you feel the need to compensate for the ladies, you can go with one of those original three. But the rest of us will know. We'll know.

But the felt looks like sh!t (OK but harsh but its boring) and a Wilier looks far nicer - bargain too at that price. The Pinarello looks like its melted but at least its distinctive.

rokt

J.E. James have been trying to get ride of them Wilier's for quite sometime !! It doesn't make them a bad bike though.

SoSimple

Think we're getting confused between 'Italian bike' and 'Italian style'.

Yes it's fickle to think like that but I get exactly what the OP means and I don't think he's after a bike that can demonstrate it's pure Italian credentials in the same way as a Swiss watch...oh hang on that's another story!

After your first 'entry level' bike, whether it's a Specialized, a Giant (mine), etc, the next stage seems to be a bike that is 'beautiful' and here enter Bianchi, Wilier, De Rose etc. usually there's a compromise on kit to balance out the heritage value.

You then either go down that route, Italian bike - ideally with Campag, or look a bit deeper and buy with your head, in which case it's the Canyon, Rose, Felt etc - more bike for your money, probably a better buy and decent finishing kit but a little lacking in history.

Which option is right is anyone's guess but it's great fun spending hours poring over the minutae and hesitating to pull the trigger because the perfect bike that ticks all the boxes is actually £1000 over budget!

How do I know? Because I'm there too!

dombhoy

Bianchi c2c infinito full carbon and 105 for £1679 and winstanley bikes offer the cycle scheme

dombhoy

Or the de rosa idol 105 from wiggle definately looks the best in my opinion but maybe just oover your budget at £1900

drlodge

Grill wrote:

My Wyndy was made in Italy. Perhaps you should get one. :P

I want one

ugo.santalucia

Designed in italy... what difference does it make if the guy behind the CAD can see the bay of Sorrento or the Fuji mountain from his window? And how do you know the guy with the view of Sorrento is not an immigrate from Greece, or someone actually based in the Enclave of San Marino for tax dodgying purposes?

I am Italian and can't care less for these trivialities. I am happy to support Italian heritage where it makes sense to do so (Ambrosio for rims, Campagnolo for gears etc.. ) but if there is no craft and manufacturing involved, you can expect the flare and flamboyance of a design to be dictated by marketing rather than the passport of the designer...

Moral, I think you're getting a rat...

menthel

You could get a Condor...

Designed in the UK, built in Italy and specced as you wish. Preferably with Campagnolo. Stick to Fizik trimmings and then you have a wonderful British/Italian hybrid.

ilm_zero7

go italian - you will not regret it, for the handling alone..... Campag is a must though....

buzzwold

SoSimple wrote:

Think we're getting confused between 'Italian bike' and 'Italian style'.

Yes it's fickle to think like that but I get exactly what the OP means and I don't think he's after a bike that can demonstrate it's pure Italian credentials in the same way as a Swiss watch...oh hang on that's another story!

After your first 'entry level' bike, whether it's a Specialized, a Giant (mine), etc, the next stage seems to be a bike that is 'beautiful' and here enter Bianchi, Wilier, De Rose etc. usually there's a compromise on kit to balance out the heritage value.

You then either go down that route, Italian bike - ideally with Campag, or look a bit deeper and buy with your head, in which case it's the Canyon, Rose, Felt etc - more bike for your money, probably a better buy and decent finishing kit but a little lacking in history.

Which option is right is anyone's guess but it's great fun spending hours poring over the minutae and hesitating to pull the trigger because the perfect bike that ticks all the boxes is actually £1000 over budget!

How do I know? Because I'm there too!

I started off with a Bianchi and now wanting to move on I just can't bring myself to go something which doesn't meet my irrational need for something that appeals to the heart. So i'm looking at upgrading up the expensive tree of Italian makes when I should be looking for a value German offering. I am convinced that if you feel good about the bike you're riding you'll enjoy riding more.

Grill

ILM Zero7 wrote:

go italian - you will not regret it, for the handling alone..... Campag is a must though....

dennisn

Rolf F wrote:

Alternatively, if it helps, my Ribble Gran Fondo has 'Crafted in Italy' inscribed on the seatstay! And three Italian flags!

My Gios Compact Pro has an Italian flag badge on the top tube. Plus it's got an Italian threaded bottom bracKet. Can't get a whole lot more Italy than that.

kammybear

Rokt wrote:

J.E. James have been trying to get ride of them Wilier's for quite sometime !! It doesn't make them a bad bike though.

Good to hear that they've been trying to get rid of them for a while.

What are the Wilier frames like? Are the cheap carbons quickie chinese open moulds like De Rosa or at least Wilier specific?

Just noticed that JE also have a 105 spec version for £200 less:

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/wilier-i ... 79704.html

Seems really competitive for full carbon italian heritage?

Worth the extra £200 for Centaur?

mfin

Grill wrote:

ILM Zero7 wrote:

go italian - you will not regret it, for the handling alone..... Campag is a must though....

I liked that too

StillGoing

mfin wrote:

Grill wrote:

ILM Zero7 wrote:

go italian - you will not regret it, for the handling alone..... Campag is a must though....

I liked that too

And not necessary. Stick whatever group set etc you prefer on it. Christ the Italian manufacturers themselves even sell their bikes with Shimano and SRAM group sets.