Bianchi USA Inc. XL Carbon/Chorus

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at Velocity

Favorite Ride:
anything except climbs

Bike Setup:
Bianchi XL Carbon
Nucleon Wheelset (race)
Open Pro with Dura ace hubs (train)
Ritchy Pro Stem
Kestrel EMS PRO handle bar
FSA TEam Issue barbon cranks
Campagnolo 10 Record Groupset
Fizik arione seat

Summary:
Bianchi XL Carbon Chorus

Very Good ride

Strengths:
Good handling; stiff yet comfortable;

Weaknesses:
Pricey

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi sl lite alloy
Le mond Alpe de Huez
Peugeot Versailles

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Local dealer

Favorite Ride:
Bianchi xl carbon

Bike Setup:
Bianchi XL carbon
Campagnolo Record
Ksyrium SCC SL
Time Impact S Pedals
Stem, Handlebar, Seatpost Ritchey WCS
Sella Italia Prolink
Vittoria Rubino

Summary:
Fantastic bike.
Purchased a frame and built my own bike.
Is very light (7,800 kg)

Strengths:
Light, handles very well, easy to built, looks fantastic.

Weaknesses:
No found until now

Similar Products Used:
Ridley scandium
Giant Team

Price Paid:  $0.00 at All Star Bikes

Favorite Ride:
2002 Blue Ridge Brutal

Bike Setup:
full campy record, nucleon wheels, bianchi carbon cranks, ti-steel casset, vitoria tires cx, slr saddle, "The Stem", mellenium bars.

Summary:
Love this frame. I have ridden a 99 alloro, 99 shotping, 2001 EV2 all from Bianchi. I would have to say that this is the most comfortable ride I have had on a bike. The 55cm frame weighs exactly 3lbs (about the same as my 57 EV2). This is sort of heavy but built without peddles its 17lbs. The coolness factor, handling, rigidity, and comfort are well worth it.

Strengths:
Stiff, smooth, lots of compliments and good comments.

Weaknesses:
It would be nicer if it was a hair lighter, but even then who cares. Maybe in 2005 when they revamp the road bikes they will lighten in a bit.

Similar Products Used:
all Bianchis.... '99 alloro, 99 shotping, 2001 EV2, test rode a 2002 EV4.

Price Paid:  $3300.00 at Fitzroy Cycles

Favorite Ride:
Hell Ride

Bike Setup:
Campy Chorus groupset, Ksyrium SL wheels, ITM Mantis stem/bars.

Summary:
An excellent bike - certainly the best I have ridden or tested out.
Feels like you are riding on carpet with no road vibrations at all.
Great power transfer when you put the hammer down.
A much nicer feel than the Trek 5500 which feels wooden in comparison. Also descends much better than the Trek. Complete confidence in the steering/handling, probably due to the better FSA rather than Cane Creek headset.

Strengths:
Light and stiff.
Very comfortable carbon monocoque frame.
Fast.
(Also looks magnificent!)
Value (price given is US$)

Weaknesses:
None.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5200, Moser Forma