Bianchi USA Inc. 2000 Alloro

Price Paid:  $650.00 at LBS

Bike Setup:
Recently upgraded to Ultegra 6600 10 sp groupset with Dura Ace 7800 chain, Ritchey Aero OCR wheels, Ritchey Comp carbon fork, BBB carbon stem, Easton EC90 slx3 ergo bar, fsa headset and seatpost, Selle italia ponza lux saddle and Vittoria open corsa evo cx tires with continnental racelite tubes.

Summary:
This is my first road bike. Didn't really know what to look for. Originally came with Ultegra 6500 9 sp groupset with mavic open pro wheels ITM bar and stem which were all o.k. but heavy. This bike is stiff and light. the short wheelbase allows quick accelleration and easier hill climbs.

Strengths:
CELESTE paint!!! light, short wheelbase, very rigid and did i mention CELESTE paint!!!

Weaknesses:
heavy wheels and aluminum seatpost, stem and bar. Upgrade to lighter wheels and carbon bar, stem and post and bumps are a little bit more forgiving. plus it also shaves some undesired weight.

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at Winning Wheels

Favorite Ride:
Yes

Bike Setup:
Ultegra standard stuff. Upgraded to Chris King headset and Easton CT2 carbon seatpost.

Summary:
Aluminum that rides better than steel, and several pounds lighter. Crisp handling, excellent carbon fork, tasty Celeste paint (I've heard it's prone to chipping, but have not had it happen to me). I thought it was an expensive aluminum bike when I first went bike shopping, but now realize this thing rides so well the extra few bucks are well worth the return in ride quality and handling.
Previous bike was a Trek 5200. The Alloro rides better and is not as dead feeling.

Strengths:
Excellent frame that rides as well or better than steel. Carves turns beautifully, accelerates well. Climbs and descends like a bike should.

Weaknesses:
Original headset and seatpost replaced too quickly.

Similar Products Used:
1989 Bianchi SLX steel frame set. The Alloro and the SLX ride with the same level of Italian smoothness, but the Alloro does it four pounds lighter.

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at Spokes

Favorite Ride:
Road biking on small twisty mountain roads

Bike Setup:
Regular setup Except Dura Ace spd's, Terry Buzz saddle(don"t like saddles without holes, but will keep matching seat for resale) Mavic classics.

Summary:
The bike is a great ride I have done 4000 miles on the bike. It could be lighter if I used different wheels, but the classics are strong and reliable. I decked my bike with blue trim and it looks nice. I will probebly get a Bianchi agian when I go for my next bike.

Strengths:
Strong Bike, good geometry, tight wheel base.

Weaknesses:
Paint chips easily,

Similar Products Used:
Mongoose Carbon 98' Victory Ironhorse.

Price Paid:  $900.00 at used bike

Bike Setup:
Reparto Coursa XL aluminum frame with carbon fork. Complete Shimano Ultegra group. Mavic comp wheels. Selle Italia Trimatic Gel saddle.

Summary:
I love my old Bianchi steel bike, which I've owned and ridden for 15 years, but wanted to upgrade to a lighter bike with index shifting, better brakes and wheels. Was reluctant to buy an aluminum frame intially because of things I heard about harsh ride, but several Alloro owners I talked to said it was very smooth riding for an aluminum frame. I bought this Alloro used, but it has been well maintained and looks like new. It rides great and I honestly cannot tell the difference between it and my old Bianchi steel frame in terms of comfort or ride quality. The Alloro feels much quicker, however, and steers faster and is much lighter and easier to shift. Selle Trimatic saddle is also surprisingly comfortable. I'm not sure what the new 2001 Alloros will be like, as they are changing to a compact frame, but the 1999s and 2000s are great bikes. Finally, I am a sucker for Bianchis with Celeste green paint, and I think this is just a great looking bike.

Strengths:
Super light frame. Beautiful paint job and finish. Nice ride for an aluminum frame. Carbon fork. Ultegra group.

Weaknesses:
Paint seems to chip more easily than other bikes I've owned.

Similar Products Used:
Owned Bianchi Nuovo Record steel frame since mid-1980s. Test road Specialized Allez Comp, Trek 2200, LeMond Zurich.

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Tony's Bikes, Milford CT

Favorite Ride:
Fairmont Park, Philly (mountain)

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
When I was shopping for a bike, I knew what I wanted to spend, and this was among those in the price range. I rode an older version of this bike and liked it. I liked the looks and the Bianchi tradition. I wanted aluminum and not steel (I am 6'4" and did not want the flex of a large steel bike). So I ordered it sight unseen (the 99 model). You could say it fit the "bill". After about 800 miles on it, I am pleased with the ride, but not completely happy. For starters, it is a bit heavy, but this I can change with improvements on the components (BB, wheels, seatpost, etc.) It rides much "softer and forgiving" than other aluminum rides, in part because of the stock Tri-Matic saddle it comes with, but it is still very much an aluminum ride. It handles well at high speeds, but not exceptionally well, which is the same for sprinting, turns, etc. I do like it on long and steady grinds and it climbs fairly well, though it could be better with reduced weight. It is a better than average bike, but not the best. I am already looking ahead at what will be next a year or two down the road, maybe a Trek OCLV carbon, which I recently rode and was very impressed with. For me it has been a bike that I grew into and now I am growing past. A good choice for the price though and would recommend for anyone who wants a middle-range, race worthy bike.

By the way, my LBS rocks, as you can see, I got a great deal on it and their maintenance has been flawless.

Strengths:
Price, component package (full ultegra), ride, nice details

Weaknesses:
it is not the lightest or stiffest

Similar Products Used:
GT 1000, Lemond Alp D'Huez