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Submitted by
Seth Horwitt
a CommuterDate Reviewed: November 23, 2003
Strengths: Great bikeWeaknesses: BB noiseBottom Line: This is a great bike! I commute 10 miles a day rain or shine and have had no unusual problems. I have the '02 model with roughly 2500 miles on it thus far. I have had a few issues with the bottom bracket making noise. Had it replaced under warranty at the shop.
By the way, Missing Link is a great bike shop! I've tightened the BB once myself and will need to do it again soon. No biggie though! At 200 lbs with a 20 lb backpack, pounding over rough roads and bunny hopping railroad tracks, the BB gets some abuse.
If you're looking for an all purpose bike, look no further. This bike is just as much at home on the road as it is on a fire trail.
Favorite Ride: Away from Traffic
Price Paid:
$1250.00
Purchased At: Missing Link Berkele
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
DC8Mech
a TriathleteDate Reviewed: October 17, 2003
Strengths: Excxellent frame set --Light Strong Compliant. great Brakes Good component spec. Light front end... Good for bunny hops and WHEELIES!!!Weaknesses: El Cheapo headset.. Chainline problemos with some specs.Should be offered as frameset as we cyclocrossers like to modify or change setups.Cheap cables that rusted quicklyBottom Line: I read with interest that they now come with a Sugino Crankset.. Hmmm I got a Race Face STANDARD Turbine LP on mine and its definitely da bomb.. Switch out the 105 shifters for bar end shifters,although there is nothing wrong with the 105. this bike is very versatile,equally at home on the road or trail and anything in between. The compact frame lends itself well to being thrown into corners but my stock Ritchey tires objected to that sort of nonsense.Stock, this bike is good... With some minor tweaks this bike is excellent. The XT derraileurs are bullet proof and the Avid brakes are as good as they come although not exotic like some.Make whatever alterations you feel suit you and your riding style and then Ride.This bike loves to be thrown into corners and let out to play. Simply wweight the outside pedal and hang your scabby boney knobby knee out there. She'll hook up and this bike is sooo quick side to side it will be ready for the next turn before you are.
Favorite Ride: Forbidden Acres
Price Paid:
$1250.00
Purchased At: Cycles De Oro
Similar Products Used: GT Cross GT Road Bike I guess its Huffy now..
Bike Setup: XT as stock Avid shortys as stock. RaceFace Turbine LP cranks 175 mm FSA BB special 68x103 for my ring set up and never drop the chain ever again chain watcher device. Selle Italia Lite saddle nice on the goodies. race Face Stem and Salsa Bell Lap Cross Bar. Dura Ace Bar end 9 spd shifters crummy Dia Compe levers -- upgrade!! I am able to shift with my right knee!! Bonus. Bontrager Lite Wheelset and Vredestein Campo 32c tires. Lets Race!!
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Panel Kerman
a Road RacerDate Reviewed: September 28, 2003
Strengths: Great stock set-up.
Good gearing for fire road riding.
Compact frame with traditional road geometry.
Carbon fork.
Stiff bars and stem.
Light and stiff wheelset.
Handles and performs exceedingly well both climbing due to flexibility of gearing and stiff frame. Performs equally well descending due to carbon fork and compact geometry.Weaknesses: Old school tapered bottom bracket with Sugino cranks.
Kenda Qwick tires.
HG53 chain
(I replaced the Sugino crankset with a Race Face utilizing the existing rings. Replaced the Sugino BB with a Race Face ISIS. Replaced the tires with Kenda Cross Supreme. Replaced the chain with a SRAM.)
Now, the bike is the perfect set-up for my requirements.Bottom Line: The best set-up I have ever ridden. In over 10 years of cyclocross, I have owned custom bikes to most recently the Kona Jake. Out of the box, the Axis is hands-down the best set-up for all around riding, particularly on fire roads. Great stock components, superstiff frame and fork, yet the carbon fork makes for a very compliant ride especially noticeable on descending on rough stuff. Compared to the Kona Jake, this bike is much stiffer, yet more compliant. The components are more well thought out. The Jake is really rough due to straight AL fork and heavier.
Purchased At: lbs
Similar Products Used: Kona Jake the Snake
Strong cyclocross
Several others
Bike Setup: Stock set-up with the changeover of the above-listed components.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Sean008
a Commuter
from Boulder, CODate Reviewed: July 16, 2003
Strengths: Great frame/fork. One of the best looking bikes I've ever seen! I love that the top tube is flat on the bottom for easier carrying (I know this was done for 'cross racing, but it's also nice when toting the bike up/down stairs).Weaknesses: I find integrated headsets suspect, but I'm sure I'll eventually come around...Bottom Line: Although I wish it were offered as a frameset only (the website says it is, the company says it isn't), it's still a great deal when compared to $2000 for the Cross Concept.
I love this bike! It rides like a dream. It may be that I finally found a bike that fits me well, but I am extremely happy with everything except the 170 cranks, which is an industry problem, not a Bianchi one.
I believe if you have only one bike, a 'cross bike is the one to have. You can ride non-technical single track, commute comfortably, and go for road rides as well. It is the all purpose bike!!!
Favorite Ride: Olde Stage Climb
Price Paid:
$1150.00
Purchased At: University Bikes
Similar Products Used: None...first 'cross bike
Bike Setup: Due to my size (5'4"), I changed out the 170 cranks with 155 TA Zephyrs (a controversial change I know, but if you're small, it makes all the difference). Otherwise, it's stock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Commuter
from AustinDate Reviewed: July 3, 2003
Strengths: Frame and fork. Great stuff. Awesome energy transfer. Rigid as a catholic school nun. Sharp-looking bike. You look fast standing still.Weaknesses: Component set. It sucks. The marketing guys at Bianchi got ahead of the product guys. They hit the pricepoint, but missed on the performance aspect. Oh, and the Kenda Kwik tires do NOT belong on a bike of this caliber - blew the sidewalls already. Bianchi also ditched Shimano for Alex as the brand of wheel choice for 2003. The jury is still out on them.Bottom Line: Great frame. Great fork. Looks really cool. Amazing craftsmanship on the welds. Crappy component set. The 68x110 off-brand bottom bracket was too narrow, and in general, a noisy dud. I replaced it with a 68x113, which produced immediate drivetrain improvements. The Sugino crankset flexes more than a yoga instructor. Not sure what I'm going to replace it with yet. I'm a little suspicious of the 105 shifters married with the LX front deraileur and XT rear deraileur. After three months of tinkering with the set-up, I'm finally able to use most of the gears. I still have a lot of chain noise. Not sure it's the best match. Something tells me I'm going to be going to all road components in order to make this bike perform as strongly as the frame and fork suggest it should. My $1299 investment appears to be mushrooming. All-in-all, I am pleased that I have the beginnings of a great bike, but am disappointed by some component choices employed by Bianchi.
Price Paid:
$1299.00
Purchased At: Local shop
Similar Products Used: First cross bike. I had no idea what to expect when I bought this bike.
Bike Setup: Pretty much stock from Bianchi - XT rear deraileur, LX on the front, 105 shifters, lame-ass Siguno crankset, forgot which Shimano BB I used to replace the stock option, WTB pedals, cheap Ahead Set.
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