Wanting a road bike

nikleson
nikleson Posts: 6
edited September 2008 in Road beginners
Hey All,

Just joined up to this site so thought i'd say hi and wanted an opinion.

I currently ride a hybrid GT Transeo 4.0 with Armadillo 38x700 Slick Tyres.

I really want to purchase a road bike as I feel I cycle enough to warrant a faster and lighter bike. I have a bugdet of up to £600 an am totally in love with the Bianchi via Nirrone 7 Alu Xenon Compact.
I'd really appreciate peoples points on this as Road bikes are a different breed and I'm still wet behind the ears of whats good and whats not.

thanks

Nick
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Comments

  • virtuoso
    virtuoso Posts: 45
    Buy it if you're in love with it.

    Bikes are much like women, if it's pretty it will make you go faster.
  • nikleson
    nikleson Posts: 6
    What a brilliant reply, made me laugh :D thanks!!

    I've just seen the Focus Cayo which is out of my budget but my god if the Bianchi is Natalie Portman the Cayo is Eva Mendes....
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    I've got this for sale if you're interested?:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12586738

    It's the model before frame with straight tubes, rather than curved top tube, but it has Campag Veloce groupset (2 models higher than Xenon). Plus some change from your budget for other things.
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • Juju_uk_68
    Juju_uk_68 Posts: 90
    I bought one this year on c2w scheme, and am generally very pleased with it.

    The Xenon is nice to give you 10sp, but the shifters do let the set down, I'd budget to upgrade them. The wheels are probably a touch heavy but for me thats perfect as they handle the rotten a 23 reasonably well.

    I find the bike comfortable to ride, a decent enough finishing kit, and for my slightly odd shape, seems to fit me well. Its not too sporty for a beginners bike.
    Bianchi c2c Alu Nirone 7 Xenon (2007) Road
    Orange P7 (1999) Road
    Diamond Back Snr Pro (1983) BMX
    Diamond BackSIlver Streak (1983) BMX

    Oh, and BMX is the *ultimate* single speed.
  • nikleson
    nikleson Posts: 6
    Juju_uk_68,

    Thanks for the review it helps a lot, so hard to determine whether or not its a good bike by magazine/e-zine and cycling website reviews.
    I'll see if my local emporium has one to test drive, I might give Evans a miss though as they never really seem like they know what they are talking about.
  • Juju_uk_68
    Juju_uk_68 Posts: 90
    If your in south london or anywhere close, my lbs who I didnt buy from due to the c2w, but who are very good and seem to be big stockists of Bianchi, are Geoffrey Butlers.

    The Xenon Alu Nirone is about the cheapest thing they stock, they're enthusiasts alright....

    As I say, the bike is for an ali framed bike, comfy enough for me, and the carbon fork seems to help with road buzz. now that Ive had a few hundred miles under my belt, the bike is not too flighty - but it did feel quite zippy after the barge like mountain bike.

    I tend to find Italian things suit me - I never had an issue with alfa romeo seating positions, or italian clothing, so perhaps I am sort of "italin" build - slightly short top body re legs. I did find however that despite people saying Bianchis measure up small, I found generaly that whislt recommended bike sizes for my inside leg/height suggest 52-54 cm, that the 53 cm in both Bianchi and Boardman sizing were far too stretched to the hoods, and that the smaller 50cm fits me - the saddle on my bike is a good couple of inches or so above the bar/stem height.

    Of all the bikes, I did like the look of it. Hey - if it looks fast, it will feel fast!
    Bianchi c2c Alu Nirone 7 Xenon (2007) Road
    Orange P7 (1999) Road
    Diamond Back Snr Pro (1983) BMX
    Diamond BackSIlver Streak (1983) BMX

    Oh, and BMX is the *ultimate* single speed.
  • idaviesmoore
    idaviesmoore Posts: 557
    nikleson wrote:
    I really want to purchase a road bike as I feel I cycle enough to warrant a faster and lighter bike. I have a bugdet of up to £600 an am totally in love with the Bianchi via Nirrone 7 Alu Xenon Compact.
    I'd really appreciate peoples points on this as Road bikes are a different breed and I'm still wet behind the ears of whats good and whats not.

    thanks

    Nick

    Don't fu@king bother. You'll never have any money, you'll always be cold/tired/wet/miserable/self conscious/cynical/ill/dodging cars. You'll end up bitter, twisted and full of sh1t like the rest of us on here. You'll wake up evey morning and run to the window to see the nearest smoke stack to check wind direction and you'll start subscribing to BBC's weather page.

    And people will constantly accuse you of systematic drug use during your several Tour wins

    Pull out now while there is still some hope you fool!!!!

    Lance Armstrong :wink:
    'How can an opinion be bullsh1t?' High Fidelity
  • nikleson
    nikleson Posts: 6
    I work just up the road from Geoffrey Butler and i drool everytime i pass by their window.
    Some wonderful bicyles in there, I may go along an test some of them out.
    I like the fact that you have decided all things italian suit you. I'll have to test drive a Alfa Romeo and buy a suit to if the Bianchi works out.

    I think it may be too late, I have recently joined a running club and will not doubt be competing a flurry of biking/running events before i know it......
    I already check the weather like a weather worshipping fiend. Prepare my wears the night before....... its all too late.
  • idaviesmoore
    idaviesmoore Posts: 557
    nikleson wrote:
    I'll have to test drive a Alfa Romeo .

    Oh My God!!!!!!!

    Could it be any worse???!!!!....

    Add 'Waiting In The Rain When The Electronics Fail' (and they will) to the list and Becoming On First Name Terms With Your Local Alfa Dealer's Service Manager' (most of aforementioned relationship will be accompanied with much shouting and swearing and throwing the keys back at him).


    Not that I'm bitter :wink:
    'How can an opinion be bullsh1t?' High Fidelity
  • stronginthesun
    stronginthesun Posts: 433
    idaviesmoore wrote:
    nikleson wrote:
    I'll have to test drive a Alfa Romeo .

    Oh My God!!!!!!!

    Could it be any worse???!!!!....

    Add 'Waiting In The Rain When The Electronics Fail' (and they will) to the list and Becoming On First Name Terms With Your Local Alfa Dealer's Service Manager' (most of aforementioned relationship will be accompanied with much shouting and swearing and throwing the keys back at him).


    Not that I'm bitter :wink:
    see ducati moto guzzi ect
  • dcab
    dcab Posts: 255
    virtuoso wrote:
    Buy it if you're in love with it.

    Bikes are much like women, if it's pretty it will make you go faster.

    true! but your always looking 4 a better one?
    veritas vos liberabit
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    nikleson wrote:
    Juju_uk_68,

    Thanks for the review it helps a lot, so hard to determine whether or not its a good bike by magazine/e-zine and cycling website reviews.
    I'll see if my local emporium has one to test drive, I might give Evans a miss though as they never really seem like they know what they are talking about.


    that's the best bit of advice anyone could give you. Get down to a proper bike shop and talk to people who know their stuff, then test ride test ride test ride.

    Alternatively buy a Focus Variado from Wiggle, great bike and stonking VFM! Plus Wiggle will help you with fitting if you email them your measurements. Not ideal but it'll save you a decent lump of cash to put towards all the accessories you'll need assuming you don't already have:

    Clipless pedals and shoes
    proper cycling shorts, jerseys etc
    gloves
    puncture repair kit
    minitool
    minipump/co2
  • nikleson
    nikleson Posts: 6
    Glad you agree, cheers for the wiggle info. I will give that bike a look too.
    As I say and i think someone else said it you see one you think you love then up steps a newer, shinnier, faster looking, sexier bicycle.
  • Stewie Griffin
    Stewie Griffin Posts: 4,330
    idaviesmoore wrote:
    nikleson wrote:
    I'll have to test drive a Alfa Romeo .

    Oh My God!!!!!!!

    Could it be any worse???!!!!....

    Add 'Waiting In The Rain When The Electronics Fail' (and they will) to the list and Becoming On First Name Terms With Your Local Alfa Dealer's Service Manager' (most of aforementioned relationship will be accompanied with much shouting and swearing and throwing the keys back at him).


    Not that I'm bitter :wink:

    Still driving a "classic" Sud or an Arna then? My Alfa is lovely :D
  • unclemalc
    unclemalc Posts: 563
    idaviesmoore wrote:

    Nick

    Don't fu@king bother. You'll never have any money, you'll always be cold/tired/wet/miserable/self conscious/cynical/ill/dodging cars. You'll end up bitter, twisted and full of sh1t like the rest of us on here. You'll wake up evey morning and run to the window to see the nearest smoke stack to check wind direction and you'll start subscribing to BBC's weather page.

    And people will constantly accuse you of systematic drug use during your several Tour wins

    Pull out now while there is still some hope you fool!!!!

    Lance Armstrong :wink:[/quote]

    :lol::lol:
    ...and I thought I was the only one who checked out the wind every day.
    I ain't won anything tho' so they've never had my p--s..... :wink:
    Spring!
    Singlespeeds in town rule.
  • idaviesmoore
    idaviesmoore Posts: 557
    Stewie Griffin wrote:
    [


    Not that I'm bitter :wink:

    Still driving a "classic" Sud or an Arna then? My Alfa is lovely :D[/quote]

    Q. What is the definition of STUPIDITY?

    A. Purchasing an Alfa 147 because it sounded great from the exhaust pipe. The car was as reliable as a British Rail timetable, broke down more times than Pete Dougherty, and cost me more money than 25 credit cruches...............................................................


    .......................Then I sold it and bought an Alfa 147 GTA V6 :shock: :roll:

    And they say an intelligent man learns from his mistakes :roll:

    Don't say it!!!!..................... :wink:
    'How can an opinion be bullsh1t?' High Fidelity
  • Stewie Griffin
    Stewie Griffin Posts: 4,330
    idaviesmoore wrote:
    Stewie Griffin wrote:
    [


    Not that I'm bitter :wink:

    Still driving a "classic" Sud or an Arna then? My Alfa is lovely :D


    Q. What is the definition of STUPIDITY?

    A. Purchasing an Alfa 147 because it sounded great from the exhaust pipe. The car was as reliable as a British Rail timetable, broke down more times than Pete Dougherty, and cost me more money than 25 credit cruches...............................................................


    .......................Then I sold it and bought an Alfa 147 GTA V6 :shock: :roll:

    And they say an intelligent man learns from his mistakes :roll:

    Don't say it!!!!..................... :wink:[/quote]

    As I said mine is lovely, 1 flat battery in 7 years isnt bad going at all. Granted a 7 mile round trip to work and back isnt exactly going to test it to its limits though. The fact that it fills up with water during heavy rain ISNT Alfa's fault. Poor bodyshop repair, I will get the doors re-fitted, soon. Every so often consider selling and getting a 147 as the 156 is larger than I really need, and has been for the last 7 years. There is nothing wrong with buying a car because of the sound it makes is there :oops: ?
  • idaviesmoore
    idaviesmoore Posts: 557
    Stewie Griffin wrote:
    [. There is nothing wrong with buying a car because of the sound it makes is there :oops: ?

    No, certainly not. It was the sound and those ridiculous speedo binnacles that sold it (plus the thought of owning an Italian 'thoroughbred' :roll: ). The V6 sounded just splendid (for about 3 months untill the electronics catastrophically failed on the A14 in a thunderstorm-the RAC man who turned up almost drove past when he saw what car it was :lol: )

    TBH I reckon Alfa have been dining out on exhaust notes for years :wink:
    'How can an opinion be bullsh1t?' High Fidelity
  • doktorsteve
    doktorsteve Posts: 112
    If you buy cars based on the sound then you should look at a TVR.

    I bought a 350i because I started the engine and revved it a bit. on the test drive the engine stalled when I used the wipers or the electric windows but the garage managed to put that right.

    Only other time I had electrical problems was when I needed to get the roof out of the boot as it had started to rain. The electric catch always failed to open until I wiggled all the contacts on the fuse box.
    100% ME!
    Do you think I would be this bad on drugs?
  • stronginthesun
    stronginthesun Posts: 433
    hassle free motoring / motorcycling = japanese
  • RSV_Ecosse
    RSV_Ecosse Posts: 237
    stronginthesun wrote:
    hassle free motoring / motorcycling = japanese

    Or Aprilia, the exception to the "Italian rule". :D


    If indeed, it is true that if your bike is pretty, it will go faster, then take a look at Pinarello's.

    I got my FP1 about a month ago and to be honest, although I could have got a better specced bike for the same money, as soon as I clapped eyes on the thing I knew I had to have it.

    If you really like the look of a particular bike, go for it.

    Otherwise, if you let yer head decide, you might have a slightly better specced bike, but everytime you see the bike you liked the look of most, you will be forever thinking......."If only I had bought that one....." 8) :P
    Ethernet (noun): Something used to catch the etherbunny.
    Road : Pinarello FP1 | MTB : Cube Acid 2010
  • idaviesmoore
    idaviesmoore Posts: 557
    doktorsteve wrote:

    Only other time I had electrical problems was when I needed to get the roof out of the boot as it had started to rain. The electric catch always failed to open until I wiggled all the contacts on the fuse box.

    :lol: You wouldn't get that on a 911!!! (I haven't got one but my brother-in-law has)
    'How can an opinion be bullsh1t?' High Fidelity
  • OllyBianchi
    OllyBianchi Posts: 89
    edited September 2008
    I used to have an Alfa 155 V6 - it was red, fast, noisy, thirsty, scruffy, unreliable and too expensive to insure my wife to drive.
    So it got replaced with a Skoda Fabia VRS, which is faster, handles better, more comfortable, fits two bikes in the back, can be driven by my wife, utterly reliable and does 55mpg.
    But it's not an Alfa...

    So I have to get my italian fill from my Campag equipped Bianchi instead - which rides over rough surfaces just as badly as the Alfa but has fewer electrical problems, and I can get a consumption of one gel/bar a hour out of if I go carefully.
  • idaviesmoore
    idaviesmoore Posts: 557
    OllyBianchi wrote:
    I used to have an Alfa 155 V6 - it was red, fast, noisy, thirsty, scruffy, unreliable and too expensive to insure my wife to drive.
    So it got replaced with a Skoda Fabia VRS, which is faster, handles better, more comfortable, fits two bikes in the back, can be driven by my wife, utterly reliable and doesn 55mpg.
    But it's not an Alfa...

    So I have to get my italian fill from my Campag equipped Bianchi instead - which rides over rough surfaces just as badly as the Alfa but has fewer electrical problems, and I can get a consumption of one gel/bar a hour out of if I go carefully.

    I agree with everything. Italians should stick to bikes, componentry and fine wine :wink:
    'How can an opinion be bullsh1t?' High Fidelity
  • idaviesmoore
    idaviesmoore Posts: 557
    Sooooooooo....to get back to OP's question.

    If you want a good bike...don't buy an Alfa......but Bianchi are pretty nice :wink:
    'How can an opinion be bullsh1t?' High Fidelity
  • Stewie Griffin
    Stewie Griffin Posts: 4,330
    OllyBianchi wrote:
    I used to have an Alfa 155 V6 - it was red, fast, noisy, thirsty, scruffy, unreliable and too expensive to insure my wife to drive.
    So it got replaced with a Skoda Fabia VRS, which is faster, handles better, more comfortable, fits two bikes in the back, can be driven by my wife, utterly reliable and does 55mpg.
    But it's not an Alfa...

    So I have to get my italian fill from my Campag equipped Bianchi instead - which rides over rough surfaces just as badly as the Alfa but has fewer electrical problems, and I can get a consumption of one gel/bar a hour out of if I go carefully.

    I dont get why thats a bad thing at all :lol:
  • OllyBianchi
    OllyBianchi Posts: 89
    Stewie Griffin wrote:
    OllyBianchi wrote:
    I used to have an Alfa 155 V6 - it was red, fast, noisy, thirsty, scruffy, unreliable and too expensive to insure my wife to drive.
    So it got replaced with a Skoda Fabia VRS, which is faster, handles better, more comfortable, fits two bikes in the back, can be driven by my wife, utterly reliable and does 55mpg.
    But it's not an Alfa...

    So I have to get my italian fill from my Campag equipped Bianchi instead - which rides over rough surfaces just as badly as the Alfa but has fewer electrical problems, and I can get a consumption of one gel/bar a hour out of if I go carefully.

    I dont get why thats a bad thing at all :lol:

    Her job subsidises my lifestyle so I have to make the odd concession... and within 10 months of getting her to buy a road bike she was riding 120 mile sportives with me, so I let her have her way over my poor old Alfa.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    idaviesmoore wrote:
    nikleson wrote:
    I'll have to test drive a Alfa Romeo .

    Oh My God!!!!!!!

    Could it be any worse???!!!!....

    Add 'Waiting In The Rain When The Electronics Fail' (and they will) to the list and Becoming On First Name Terms With Your Local Alfa Dealer's Service Manager' (most of aforementioned relationship will be accompanied with much shouting and swearing and throwing the keys back at him).


    Not that I'm bitter :wink:
    Hmmm, Alfa main dealers are by all accounts, cr*p, but the cars are not necessarily as unreliable as people like to think. I have had 2 Alfa's (a 145 and a GTV V6 3.0), and have done 80000 miles in them with one breakdown, a failed clutch slave cylinder (which is bound to go on any car eventually). All servicing is done by an independent Alfa specialist - full service for £140 and his knowledge of the cars is second to none. Not many Audi / Volvo / Boringmobile or whatever drivers have such good experiences. So you can have style AND reliability, and drive one of the most famous marques in motor racing history.

    I just thought I should try and redress the balance :oops:

    cuore sportivo
  • idaviesmoore
    idaviesmoore Posts: 557
    alfablue wrote:
    ]Hmmm, Alfa main dealers are by all accounts, cr*p, but the cars are not necessarily as unreliable as people like to think. I have had 2 Alfa's (a 145 and a GTV V6 3.0), and have done 80000 miles in them with one breakdown, a failed clutch slave cylinder (which is bound to go on any car eventually). All servicing is done by an independent Alfa specialist - full service for £140 and his knowledge of the cars is second to none. Not many Audi / Volvo / Boringmobile or whatever drivers have such good experiences. So you can have style AND reliability, and drive one of the most famous marques in motor racing history.

    I just thought I should try and redress the balance :oops:

    cuore sportivo

    :D Alfablue, all my comments/experiences on AR are tongue-in-cheek (but true, nevertheless) and when they ran, my god, they were great!!!
    I love the Brera and the new Spyder. Nobody makes reasonably priced cars look like AR do and that's a fact.
    But in terms of car ownership........let's just say I had the kids from hell :wink:
    'How can an opinion be bullsh1t?' High Fidelity
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    idaviesmoore wrote:
    alfablue wrote:
    ]Hmmm, Alfa main dealers are by all accounts, cr*p, but the cars are not necessarily as unreliable as people like to think. I have had 2 Alfa's (a 145 and a GTV V6 3.0), and have done 80000 miles in them with one breakdown, a failed clutch slave cylinder (which is bound to go on any car eventually). All servicing is done by an independent Alfa specialist - full service for £140 and his knowledge of the cars is second to none. Not many Audi / Volvo / Boringmobile or whatever drivers have such good experiences. So you can have style AND reliability, and drive one of the most famous marques in motor racing history.

    I just thought I should try and redress the balance :oops:

    cuore sportivo

    :D Alfablue, all my comments/experiences on AR are tongue-in-cheek (but true, nevertheless) and when they ran, my god, they were great!!!
    I love the Brera and the new Spyder. Nobody makes reasonably priced cars look like AR do and that's a fact.
    But in terms of car ownership........let's just say I had the kids from hell :wink:
    I know there are plenty of genuine horror stories, and many of them revolve around the mechanics at the main dealers being totally incapable of diagnosing and fixing problems. If you buy new or nearly new you are probably bound to use them, but the independent specialists really do make ownership viable and cheap (and second hand they are great buys as there is so much depreciation!). The parts costs are a lot less than I experienced with Peugeot/Citroen. My insurance on the GTV (group 19) is only £400 a year (okay, I am an old geezer living in a low risk area), however the fuel costs are high (17mpg) and I will obviously (and deservedly) get hit by the new VED rates as it is in the poorest CO2 category :oops: I just can't give it up though. I ease my conscience by cycling whenever I can.

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