Bianchi USA Inc. Boardwalk

Price Paid:  $250.00 at Used

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
NYC commute

Summary:
Bianchi Boardwalk is a tough urban hybrid bike. Riding position is good. Brakes are very strong. Sram Sx4 shifting could be improved. Tires are extremely tough and will holf 80lbs. Overall a great commuter for 20 miles/day.

Strengths:
Aluminum frame, strong brakes, strong wheels and tires

Weaknesses:
Front and Rear Sram x4 leaves a lot to be desired.

Similar Products Used:
Nishiki Villager 3 speed

Price Paid:  $200.00 at used

Favorite Ride:
American Tabaco Trail, Durham NC

Bike Setup:
Stock + weird doughnut shaped gel seat cover

Summary:
My wife has a Trek 1000c road/comfort bike that she really likes. I am trying to get her on a touring bike because she frequently tows 1-2 kids in a trailer and she needs a wider range of gears. I thought the Boardwalk, with its 11-32 rear cassette, would be a reasonable alternative. It's not!

The gearing is great. And I like the effectiveness of the V-brakes. But the shifters are complete crap (at least on the model I rode).

We are accustomed to index shifting. You click a lever and you get the next gear, no hassles. The SRAM 5.0 on the bike I rode are essentially friction shifters with numbers painted on. It requires too much attention to shift onto the next chainring and then back off the tension a little so that the derailluer doesn't rub.

I guess this is what you expect in a certain price range. My personal advice, if you can spend a little more, get a bike with true index shifting. You'll love it.

Strengths:
Snappy brakes.
Wide range of gears.

Weaknesses:
The SRAM 5.0 shifters

Price Paid:  $500.00 at Eric's Cycle

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Pretty much stock. Added a stem riser, rack and small bags, Cateye Mity 8, Garmin GPS, and Salsa Delgado rear wheel.

Summary:
Very solid ride. Handles like it's on rails. Fairly smooth ride, but a little rough on the bump since there's no shocks. I was looking at the Trek 7200 FX when I bought this, but every time I take it out for a ride, I am so thankful that I decided to get the Bianchi instead.

Strengths:
Lightweight, pretty fast for a hybrid, brakes. Gets a lot of attention.

Weaknesses:
Shifting could be a little better. Gets a lot of attention

Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Traveler, Fuji Odessa (wore it out to the point it wasn't worth fixing)

Price Paid:  $350.00 at Bicycle Village Auro

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Bianchi

Bike Setup:
Stock.

Summary:
All aluminum with no shocks so it is a rough ride. It is so darn light, though. I compared it with Trek and others in this price range and they were all much, much heavier. This thing is crazy fast for an inexpensive bike. I have 200 miles on it and would definitely say it is a good bike for the price.

Strengths:
Lightweight, extremely inexpensive, fast.

Weaknesses:
Rough ride, some slight shifting problems.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 7000.

Price Paid:  $499.00 at Roberts Bicycles

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Bianchi Boardwalk

Bike Setup:
21" stock bicycle with pedals upgraded to Shimano SPD, PDA-520.

Summary:
This review is actually for the 2008 Bianchi Boardwalk. This bike is an excellent buy: comfortable, reasonably fast and responsive. The gear shifting was pretty smooth.

Strengths:
Lightweight and responsive.

Weaknesses:
None considering the price paid.

Similar Products Used:
Gios Torino SR racing bike and a Specialized Rockhopper