Bianchi USA Inc. San Mateo

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
>40 miles

Bike Setup:
Stock base, Arione (red/silver, matches perfectly!!), FSA kWing + thomson X2 (the only non-european components on it).

Summary:
Great ride, good for racing, too.
The original stem was too long, the bars (deda elementi) were pretty terrible, especially the drops. And the stock seat had to go, no good for long rides. BUT the main components and wheels is all Campy which you can't beat, and the frame is stiff and responsive. And those are the points that count and where after-market treatment wouldn't work anyway.
Next to go is the somewhat short seat post with a weak clamp. After that it'll be perfect.

Strengths:
Great base product, Campy is sweet, fits like a glove

Weaknesses:
Some details needed refinement, like stem, bars, seat.

Price Paid:  $1499.00 at Rage Cycles, Scottsd

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Anthem-Airpark-Anthem (63 miles)

Bike Setup:
All stock, except stem (too long) and seatpost (too short). 61 cm. compact geometry frame came with 130 mm stem and 250 mm seatpost. Replaced Bianchi Componenti stem with Deda Logo 120 mm stem, and replaced Bianchi Componenti seatpost with Deda Metal Stick 340 mm seatpost.

Summary:
When you consider value for the money, absolutely nothing beats the Biancho San Mateo. Full Campagnolo Veloce, Campagnolo Vento wheels (perfect for a clydesdale like myself) and a stiff frame with carbon seatstays make for a bike that's a complete joy to ride.

Strengths:
Great frame, great component group

Weaknesses:
Spokes on the front wheel had a tendency to come loose. Rage Cycles applied Wheelsmith Spoke Prep to all the spokes, and that did the trick. Also, being that it's a compact geometry frame, they could have spec'd it with a longer seatpost.

Similar Products Used:
2005 Scott Speedster S4

Price Paid:  $1699.00 at Kopps Cycles, Prince

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Hopewell/Lambertville NJ

Bike Setup:
57 CM, Campy Veloce all around. Campy Vento Wheels, ITM Bianchi stem, deda bars, Bianchi seatpost. Selle Italia SLC Carbon seat

Summary:
This bike is stiff, fast and responds very quickly to every move I make. Just light enough to race and climb with, even with the 2005 VENTO wheels(2000g!) Looks nice, great geometry, carbon stays add smoothness to the ride. Carbon fork is slick. Campy Veloce does the job all around.

Strengths:
Italian good looks. Fast, stiff and responsive. Fairly light for the price range. Campy group a plus.

Weaknesses:
Vento Wheels add weight. Otherwise light and fast.
I give it 4s for the rating due to the wheels.

Similar Products Used:
2004 Fuji FINEST AL - cannot compare to the Bianchi.