Bianchi USA Inc. 2000 Milano

Price Paid:  $420.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
Any ride with Kathy

Bike Setup:
Stock, plus:
LED rear flasher
Rear Rack with wire basket
Cateye 5-LED headlight
Zefal LED/Halogen headlight
Performance Campus pedals
Slime rear tube
Vetta wireless cyclocomputer
Red Devil-Ducky hood ornament
Bianchi fenders

Summary:
I bought the Milano for commuting after checking it out for almost a year. This bike compliments stable which includes a 10k Carbon Fiber Tandem, steel custom road bike and a cross-country FS Mtb.
It's truly worthy of sharing the road with all of these. I chose the classic Bianchi Celeste color. I get ogled constantly by cyclists and drivers alike.

Strengths:
Low (almost non-existant) maintainance
Total utility and function
Low profile (not a thief magnet)
Perfect gearing

Weaknesses:
Hard to find used
A tad heavy

Similar Products Used:
ibis Scorcher
Raleigh 3-speed
"Beater" ten-speed

Price Paid:  $575.00 at Continental Bike Sho

Favorite Ride:
Bianchi Milano

Bike Setup:
Kona Jack@#$% Pedals, Cateye Enduro 2.

Summary:
A cross between a Schwinn StingRay and a Road Bike. One sweet ride for street and very light trail duty. I forgot seven gears is plenty. Do you really need a purpose built MTB or Hybrid?

Strengths:
Nimble handling. Light. Clean Styling. Chainguard. LED in seat. Quiet. Versatile.

Weaknesses:
Wonder what it would be like with 29" wheels?

Similar Products Used:
Defines a niche.

Price Paid:  $550.00 at City Bikes DC

Bike Setup:
standard plus fenders, rear rack, kick stand, bell, under seat bag, pump and cage and bottle. Will replace stock pedals with good pedals later this year.

Summary:
This is the funnest bike I have ever owned and an excellent value. I can keep up with commuters riding more expensive road bikes.

If you're a college student, take Stephen's advice and buy this comfortable ride instead of a mountain bike.

If you're thinking about a hyrid, you must check the Milano out.

Strengths:
Bought this to get a little exercise (I'm almost 50, very out of shape and 80 pounds overweight).
The previous reviews helped me decide to take a look at the Milano, whcih I'd never heard of before seeing it reviewed here. This is a *fun* bike to ride.
The rear hub (internal 7 speed) is maintainence free.
The comfortable seat has a built in led-light (my 10-year old loves it).
The red striped tires with the light green frame are very cool.

Weaknesses:
Needs fenders, rack and bell.
Low gear could be just a bit lower for very steep hills.

Similar Products Used:
20-year old Nishiki 18 speed

Price Paid:  $500.00 at Rhoslin Cykel Ystad

Bike Setup:
Shimano XTR V-brake and brake handles.
Mavic X 517 wheels with ceramic and XTR center!
Michelin Wildgripper Sprint S at winter and Hutchinson Top Slick in the summer!
Cat Eye Hyper Halogen.
And a set of new pedals!
The old ones were very crappy!

Summary:
A very nice bike to ride all year around especially if you modify it with the stuff i have!

I would recommend this to any bike rider!

Strengths:
Almost everything!
Quality, comfort, weight.
A very good bike to ride to and from work and school!
It´s very useful, I use it all year around!
Aluminium frame!

Weaknesses:
Low gearing, a higher gearing would have made it better!
Original saddle, not very comfortable!

Similar Products Used:
Centurion Light and Basic Light.

Bike Setup:
rack, bell, fender, Shimano 323 dual side pedals.

Summary:
A great product. My sentiments are much like the 2 reviews before this. Just buy one, and leave your car at home.

Strengths:
Reliable general transportation with quality, performance and low maint the competition does not have.

Weaknesses:
None really considering price. Seat post tends to get loose, but not fair to compare this price point to my road and off-road bikes.

Similar Products Used:
Internal 3 speed hubs and clunkers.