Bianchi USA Inc. Axis

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Arcadia Shops - Leno

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Central Park, NYC

Bike Setup:
As I ride city streets, I swapped the pedals for a Shimano SPD that has clips on one side and standard pedal cage on the other so I can bail if needed. I also added top brake levers (ala Trek)so I can ride in an upright position to keep my head above the traffic. I purchased Bianchi bottle cages and water bottles in celeste blue (what else) just to trick it out a bit (I note that Trek is using a clone color in the 2009 Tour de France). I use a Topeak MTX carrier and bag which I can remove when needed. The bike travels on a SoftRide hitch-mounted bike carrier which blows all competitors away for its utility and looks.

Summary:
This is a great bike! Leaving aside its sublime beauty, it is an all around champ. As I live in Manhattan, I never know what my ride will be. Central Park? Across the George Washington Bridge to New Jersey? Upstate? On road/off road? Happily, it doesn't matter. The Axis will do it all with grace, style and fun. I may even take up cyclocross racing.

Strengths:
Versatility, durability, build, style.

Weaknesses:
Front breaks squeal, particularly when wet. The stock knobby tires are not "road ready" but I just can't seem to replace them given the safety edge I need.

Similar Products Used:
My last bike was a 1985 Specialized SC with SunTour components (very old school). I was truely the first on my block to recognize the city use of a mountain bike, although by today's standards it is more of a cross-over. I still love that bike and ride it as my city beater. A classic - even with the albatross handle bars!

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Ebay

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
To Work

Bike Setup:
Bone Stock with some fenders.

Summary:
I have about 3500 commuting miles on the Axis. This bike has been a steady workhorse getting me around the city. When I purchased the bike in 2007 I was concerned about the quality of the wheelset but they have been unfounded. The only problem has been a broken spoke on the rear wheel. I recently took the wheels off the bike for truing and found that none was needed. I have also taken this bike into some singletrack at it preformed reasonably well. It is not the lightest, fastest, or blingyist bike but it is extremely functional.

Strengths:
Versatility. Bike works fantastic as a commuter. The geometry is quick enough to navigate Pittsburgh city traffic but not uncomfortable. The Bike has also been very durable. The only component that I have replaced was the bottom bracket

Weaknesses:
There are some flex in those cranks. I have been unable to control the squeal from the front brake. Changing pads or toeing in the front brake has not helped. I think it is coming from the flexy brake arms.

Similar Products Used:
Cross Check, Jamis Nova, IF cyclocross

Price Paid:  $700.00 at Ebay

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Any ride

Bike Setup:
Stock except for road tires.

Summary:
This is a great bike though it is not in the sub 20 pound range like most road bikes but is still light. I have no problem keeping up on it on any group ride I go on. I like the frame and how different it looks to the average road bike and its a little bit more solid when I am on non-paved roads.

Strengths:
Tough bike that can take some hits that are bound to happen on road or off. Handling is great and climbing is easy and is fast downhill.

Weaknesses:
For some reason the bottom bracket, crank, cartridge squeals (metal on metal) it seems to work its way loose even after tighting, anyone else have this problem? Because of gearing the bike is not the fastest on flat sprints.

Similar Products Used:
Fuji.

Price Paid:  $950.00 at Ebay

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
North Shore Waterdam

Bike Setup:
Stock except the store changed the rim to a Shimano one and the seat to Italia Stela.

Summary:
I bought this bike at a very good price. It was kinda second hand but the bike is like new with no scratch anywhere. I used to ride a road bike but I get a puncture twice when I cross a busy bridge (I live in Canada) and that's why I switch to a hybrid. I love this bike because the stiffness fits me and I can go anywhere. I usually ride on the road but now I don't have to worry about punctures. I am riding more recently and doing the ride for cancer this June for 250km. With this bike, I can totally trust that I can complete the ride without any problem. The bike weight is of course heavier than regular road bike but it's light enough for me.

Strengths:
The shifter is quite smooth but of course you cannot compare it with Ultegra or SRAM. Overall I love this bike and will buy from Bianchi again. They made good bike.

Weaknesses:
What I don't like about this bike is the brakes. It always makes very loud squicking sound and everybody turns around to look at you. The seat position is not too well either because it points towards the ground a little bit.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1200

Price Paid:  $1325.00 at Piece by piece on eB

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
It's a housing tract now :-(

Bike Setup:
Purchased a bare 2006 Axis 57cm frame, carbon fork & brakes for $300 on eBay, added Shimano DA, Ultegra and 105 components, Mavic CXP21 (black) rims, DT (black) spokes, Ultegra hubs, Ultegra 12-25 cassette, Salsa CX bars, 105 (black) shifters, Cane Creek (carbon fiber) cross levers, 105 (black)53/39 cranks, 105 (black) dérailleurs, Dura Ace chain and cables, Bianchi (celeste) Look road pedals, Conti Contact 700x28c hybrid tires, Bianchi (celeste & black) Pro Pista seat, Cannondale (carbon fiber) 250mm seat post, Bianchi (celeste) cages, SC6501 Flight Deck system, alternating (celeste & carbon fiber) bar tape. I bought everything brand-new on eBay, equipped it piece-by piece with the exact components I wanted and built it in my living room as parts arrived in the mail each day. My total cost including computer was under $1350.

Summary:
My new Axis seems to be the perfect commuter/play bike. With the Mavic rims and 700x28 Continental hybrid tires, I can wheelie it with abandon, hop curbs and slide it around without worrying about destroying a fragile road racer. However, it provides a smooth, stable and efficient platform when I want to get serious and cover some road miles.

I'm going to enjoy commuting to work (26 miles round-trip) on it two or three times per week, and really-really enjoy dropping my fellow cycle-commuting co-worker, as he thrashes away on his full-suspension cross country bike.

I only keep one bike at a time, but have never had much luck with products that claim to be a "jack of all trades", finding that they almost always under-perform at most tasks. Finally, I think I've finally found a bike that does everything I want it to do, and does it well.

Strengths:
Surprisingly smooth, well-damped ride for an aluminum bike on 100Psi tires.
Dark muted blue highlighted with celeste frameset looks absolutely fantastic when paired with celeste colored accessories, carbon fiber & black components & black rims!

Weaknesses:
Steering head tube could be longer. (Then again, at 6’1” and 235lbs; I COULD be in better shape!) Makes me sound like a girl when I obsess over the color combination.

Similar Products Used:
Old 27" Nishiki road bike, numerous Cannondale hardtails & hybrids. Nothing came close!