Bianchi USA Inc. 928 L'una

Price Paid:  $3700.00 at Davenport

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Bianchi L'Una

Bike Setup:
Huh? I use Speedplay petals and a Cateye speedo; everything else (other than the cassette) is as it came from the factory.

Summary:
This is the highest quality object of any kind I have ever owned. It is a stunning piece of equipment. It is faster than any bike I have ever rode. It's smooth, too; it doesn't have the "wooden" feeling that my other CF bike does. I just feel good riding it.

Strengths:
Ride quality. Speed (it seems that it is 2 or 3 moph faster everywhere). Weight (if just flies). Appearance (it's gorgeous). The Fizik seat is surprisingly comfortable (it didn't look like it would be).

Weaknesses:
The bike is geared very tall. It came with an 11-23 cassette, and I am used to a 12-25. You can't buy specific gears; you have to buy a complete cassette, so I bought a complete Record 12-25 (major $$ there). Then I learned that with the 12-25, the chain rubs the seat stay. So, I mixed the gears. The smaller 3 or 4 are from the 11-23; the rest are from the 12-25. This works well (shifts well, too, regardless of what the purists say about doing this) and I am happy with the setup. The big cog is a 53 (not the 52 I had been used to), and that one extra tooth feels a lot taller.

Similar Products Used:
Giant TCR, Bianchi Campione, Specialized Allez Elite, my Italian wife, Z-06 'Vette, Suby WRX, Triumph Speed Triple...

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2006

Summary:
Easily the best bike I have ever rode. It's light, super quick and handles perfectly. And, the look cannot be matched. Equiped with Campy takes it to another level. I have over 5000 miles on it with no problems to report. It's ideally balanced and corners very well.

Strengths:
Very stiff, great handling, Campy is excellent, I feel very comfortable with it.

Weaknesses:
Nothing major. Campy equipment takes a little time to adjust correctly, but once it's right, nothing can beat it.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Cynergy

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
The coastline

Summary:
I've owned many high performance and aesthetically pleasing bikes in my lifetime, but the L'UNA is truly "the one." I absolutely love it! My girlfriend, fueled by her jealousy about the amount of time I spend with my L'UNA, has called this an entirely unnatural and perverted love affair. Whatever!

I don't know which I love more, riding the L'UNA or gazing upon it - talk about a bike that truly stands out for its appearance. But looks wouldn't have been enough for me, this bike has everything you'd expect from a high-end racing bike. It performs flawlessly: it's fast, light, handles incredibly well, climbs well, and it's incredibly comfortable to ride.

I was fully prepared to buy the new super light 2008 928 SL, but then fate intervened and I happened to stumble upon a brand new L'UNA in one of my local shops (I'd always wanted one in the past but never got 'round to actually buying one) and we rode off into the sunset together. I/we couldn't be happier.

Strengths:
Stiff frame and very solid bottom bracket. Fast!!! Gorgeous design and paintwork. Those Italians are true artists - and they're terrific engineers/designers as well. Truly the best of both worlds.

Weaknesses:
Nothing to report.

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi Mega-Ti (full Record), Trek OCLV,

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Campy Record Shifters, Derailuer and brakes, FSA Cranks, Easton EC90 Carbon Bar, Alien Seatpost, Mavic Ksyrium wheels.

Summary:
Great bike - Not as light as some of the other top end carbon bikes but still light. My 58CM weighs in at 16.6 LBS.

Climbs well, also good ride quality on the 80 + training rides. Over all been very pleased with the bike. No real weaknesses.

Strengths:
Climbs great, stiff frame, Sturdy BB. Bike just feels fast. Handles great.

Weaknesses:
Minor cosmetic cracking of the paint around the BB shell. Nothing serious but happened none the less. Skimpy 3 year frame warranty.