Bianchi USA Inc. Eros

Price Paid:  $900.00 at Cycles BiKyle

Favorite Ride:
Philadelphia to Valley Forge & beyond

Bike Setup:
I made the following changes: Selle San Marco saddle; 80's Campy platform pedals; Continental tires; Campy quill stem and Nitto Noodle handlebars. Stock drivetrain & shifters.

Summary:
I have a 46cm Eros with 650c wheels/Campy Mirage/Veloce, purchased new in '96. A delightful ride - steel is real. Liked it so much I found a used 46cm '99 / 650c and built it up as a fixie. Nice lugs, great handling. Fast, but not whippy. Completely as advertised.

Strengths:
Wonderful steel ride; triple chainrings for the hills. Easy to handle, not fatiguing on long rides.

Weaknesses:
Stock saddle - too uncomfortable & pedals - waay too flexy. Major weakness - no longer made with 650c wheels or with lugs after 1999.

Similar Products Used:
Rivendell All-Rounder; Bridgestone XO-1

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Georgia Cycle Sport

Favorite Ride:
many East Athens, GA loops

Bike Setup:
stock except for Italia seat.

Summary:
I love my Eros (my "Italian lover")! It is very comfortable for me without sacrificing performance for the riding I do (50k rides with some hills). I love the steel frame and carcon forks and the classic design.

Strengths:
comfort, smooth shifting, acceleration, great for aggressive rec rides, touring, centuries and commuting!

Weaknesses:
I switched out the stock seat and might eventually upgrade for lighter wheels, cranks and pedals, but not in any hurry.

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Kopp's Cycle Shop, P

Favorite Ride:
Road To Nowhere, NC

Summary:
I bought the bike for recreation, club rides, and centuries. I have been able to ride it in the Smoky Mountains and along the New England coast. It feels quick and responsive to whatever I put into it, the steel frame is also very comfortable. Has been admired on club rides for the classic design and good components. I can tell this is a bike that I will be able to grow into and enjoy for a long time, even as I become a stronger rider. Feels smooth on the road. People who ride aluminum and carbon will say it is heavy, but compared to the steel frame I was riding 15 years ago, this bike is light!

Strengths:
Steel frame, carbon fork, solid campy components, Mavic Aksium Race wheels, clean shifting, triple crank set (very kind on the long hills).

Weaknesses:
Very uncomfortable stock seat from Bianchi - switched to a Specialized Avatar gel saddle.

Price Paid:  $799.00 at Bicycle Village in C

Favorite Ride:
air force academy

Bike Setup:
stock

Summary:
When I went looking for a bike, I wanted quality and reliability with a price range between $700 and $1000. The Bianchi Eros was the best deal for the money. I test road a Specialized Allez Sport Triple, Schwinn, Fuji, Trek and the Eros. For my purpose (hill climb and cruising), the Eros beat them all hands down. The Eros climbed better, a lot less jarring over rough roads, more comfortable and a better fit. Further, the Eros shifts better and comes equipped with better wheels. Obviously, there are better bikes on the market with higher end components and higher prices, but if you're not a road racer and just want to get a good work out and not be beat up by your bike, then the Eros is the way to go.

Strengths:
frame, climbing ability, cruising, drive train, comfortable on unkind roads

Weaknesses:
For the price I paid, there are not weaknesses.

Similar Products Used:
gmc denali 7005, trek 1000, specialized allez sport triple, schwinn and fuji

Price Paid:  $1079.00 at River City

Favorite Ride:
Bianchi Eros

Bike Setup:
Bianchi Eros
Schwinn Homegrown Pro XTR
Schwinn Varsity Sport

Summary:
This bike was given the green light by me because of how peppy it was. I test rode other bikes in the price point and the Trek seemed peppy but too stiff and the Specialized seemed, well, blah. This bike loves to climb and it loves to be accelerated. This was my first real road bike so I thought it was light but I guess everybody else complains about it being heavy. I thought it was easy to move and the shifters worked just great.

Strengths:
Climbing ability, shifters, fit, feel, comfort.

Weaknesses:
Wheelset.

Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Varsity Sport(ha ha!)