Bianchi USA Inc. FG Lite

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Depends on where I am

Bike Setup:
Full Record. Eurus wheels. Everything is stock except that I added 2007 Record skeleton brakes and a sella italia flite saddle.

Summary:
I was moving, thinning the bike herd, and looking to add a different type of race bike all at the same time. I thought I was going to buy a Cervelo R3 or carbon soloist, or maybe even a Pinarello. Then I found this one. When I say "this one" I mean just that. The bike I bought is the bike pictured above. It, this particular bike, was one the cover of 2005 Bianchi catalog.

Strengths:
Depending on perspective it is either a comfortable, very fast bike or a very fast bike that is also comfortable.

I have seen reviews placing this anywhere from 16.25 to 17.4 lbs, all supposedly using the same bike, wheels, and gruppo. All I can say is that mine is 16.9 and feels lighter in both the "pick up" and real riding tests. It responds instantly, but it does not beat you to death. It really is a pleasure to ride.

Weaknesses:
It will be "heavy" for weight weenies.
The Liquigas color scheme is probably not for everybody.
These are very hard to find.

Other than those, there are no weaknesses (so far) in appeal or performance.

Similar Products Used:
Merlin Extralight, Cervelo R3, Trek Madone.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Full 2007 Campagnolo Record. Campagnolo Eurus tubular wheels, Veloflex Carbon tubulars, Fizik Arione saddle, ITM Millenium super over bars and stem.

Summary:
An awesome machine. It is quite simply the best bike I have ever ridden. The bare frame has a mass of 1078g, which includes the dial couplings and cable guide. The full carbon nanotech straight forks, with carbon dropouts, has a mass of 321g prior to trimming, and 289g after.
My frame is a 55cm, and I run one 10mm spacer beneath the ITM stem.

The frame is very stiff and extremely responsive. It is however not designed for comfort or for recreational riding. It is purely a race machine, highly reactive and very sensitive to rider input. Bianchi also advise that the rider should not be over 80kg if you are to gain the most from the frame.

The FG Lite is an absolute joy to ride, with 2007 Record, Eurus tubular wheels with Veloflex Carbon tubulars fitted, it rolls so easily and feels just amazing.

Strengths:
Light, stiff, highly reactive geometry, a true professional level race machine in every sense of the words. As good as you will ever find. The best all aluminium alloy frame available on the market today.

Weaknesses:
None, if used for what it is designed for.

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi EV2. Bianchi EV3.

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