Bianchi USA Inc. Auto-Milano

Price Paid:  $400.00 at Big Daddy's in Blue

Favorite Ride:
Along the beach on multi use trail

Summary:
Although my wife and I own ten bicycles -- from tri, racing, multi, mountain -- this bike is a hoot to ride and makes me feel that I'm in Europe going cafe to cafe. The shifting is idea for all riders at any level. I've owned a Bianchi a few years out of college, but this has been my favorite in the casual line. If you been thinking of buying a FUN bike for you and your wife (my wife is more into yoga than cycling) to ride around in style, you have found the right bike!

Strengths:
Light weight and ease of use.

Weaknesses:
Had to get use to riding a bike with a "kick stand."

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi Gyro
Bianchi Mountain
Giant multi use
Cannondale Slice tri (Do not a$$k how much I paid for this one! Big bucks)

Price Paid:  $500.00 at Helen's in Santa Mon

Summary:
Went from the standard Canondale Hybrid to this and found that although the Bianchi seems like it should be a smoother ride than most hybrids, it may not be the best ride for daily commuting. There are 7 gears. This could be one of the factors. Another factor is that it seems more like a beach cruiser than a commuter bike. I seem unable to gain a lot of speed on it. Can't keep up with my partner's Trek. Also on downhill coasting, I coast much slower than the Trek. The leather handle bar grips are nice and comfy but don't mean much to a person like me who's commuting in rainy 50 degree weather with gloves on. All in all, it's a very LA bike. Looks very pretty, but practicality is out the door! For a fraction of the price, you can get something that goes much faster and is a more comfortable ride...like the trek 7200.

Weaknesses:
hard to pick up speed

Price Paid:  $519.00 at One on One BIke

Favorite Ride:
Bianchi Auto Milano---Cafe Racer

Bike Setup:
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Summary:
This bike is everything a bicycle should be. Riding it is like floating because it's so light weight and quiet. I get at least one compliment a day riding it thru downtown. One time a candy store worker saw it thru the window as I was making a purchase and came outside to take a look. The breaks are super sensitive and the rear is electronic. The seat lights up and best of all---automatic shifting. The computer on the frame changes gears on the rear wheel. If I want to shift manually or for racing speeds there is a digital dial shifter on the right handle bar, which is also a speedometer. Best Bike Ever.

Strengths:
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Weaknesses:
Only 4 gears, and I get paranoid about someone ripping off the digital shifty dial thing.

Similar Products Used:
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