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Reviews 1 - 5 (6 Reviews Total)
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Submitted by
Mark Osmers
a Road RacerDate Reviewed: July 2, 2011
Strengths: Frame stiffness and comfort - acceleration is strongWeaknesses: Weighs 2-3 lbs more than a full carbon from a top manufacturer.Bottom Line: This bike is the best intermediate on the road. The frame is light and the ride is compliant for long rides. My bike is outfitted with a full Ultegra component set. The shifting is smooth and the brakes work flawlessly. I have put 5,000 miles (8046 KM) on the components and frame without issue. I would recommend this combo to anyone who is looking to step up to a new ride under $3,000
Favorite Ride: Santa Ana River trail
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At: Bicycle Village
Similar Products Used: S-Works SL-2 Tarmac
Bike Setup: Full Shimano Ultegra, Mavic Ksyrium elite wheels - a great riding combo for flat and hills
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Submitted by
xantros
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: April 2, 2009
Strengths: Light, price (I bought a "new" 2005 in 2008), full Ultegra group, unique, smooooothWeaknesses: Terrible saddleBottom Line: Two years and thousands of miles later, this is still my favorite bike! After suffering through many heavy, cheap, and old bikes for years I decided to get a real bike for an upcoming triathlon but something that I could enjoy riding everyday. I also wanted something unique, but at a price point of ~$1500 there isn't a ton of variety. It feels like I tried every boring entry-level bike out there until I found this one. WOW, I did not think I would be able to afford anything this nice. The only mods I've done to it are swap out the terrible saddle (there was actually a screw sticking into the center), replace the scratched up seatpost, and got some handlebars the correct width - and it only weighs just under 18lbs! This bike isn't a sprinter but it is fast and the full Ultegra group has performed flawlessly. The 1/2 steel, 1/2 carbon frame makes this an extremely smooth ride that gets a ton of compliments from other cyclists (usually as I'm passing them!). If you need a do-anything bike at a great price, I cannot recommend this bike enough.
Favorite Ride: All
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At: Bikesmiths - Milwauk
Similar Products Used: Tested Trek, Cannondale, Giant, LeMond, Specialized, Orbea, Raleigh, etc.
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Submitted by
jbrad
a Road RacerDate Reviewed: May 18, 2008
Strengths: It is a jack-of-all-trades ride. Its pretty fast and quite stable, and you can ride it all day. Bianchi says its sub-19 lbs., my scale said 18.1. Having said that, it rode quite a bit lighter.Weaknesses: Its a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none bike. Its not really a race bike and its not really a touring bike. It is a very god choice if you only have the room, cash, or desire for one bike.
This is a fine bike, but there are other options out there at this price point and using this design/technology.Bottom Line: I bought this 2005 NOS in 2007. I used it as a trainer post-surgery. I had a choice of 2005 or 2006 NOS, I went withe 2005 because I liked the color scheme better.
Favorite Ride: Depends on where I am
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At: Adrenalinebikes.com
Similar Products Used: Similar? Bianchi Veloce, fg lite, 2002 SL team. However none of these had a carbon rear tri..
Bike Setup: I rebuilt with Chorus compact gruppo, Neuvation wheels. WCS stem, and selle italia saddle.
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Submitted by
montejames84
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: April 3, 2008
Strengths: Mentioned above.Weaknesses: No real complaints, but if it had come with carbon handlebars and nicer wheels, it would have been nice.Bottom Line: I have the 2005 model in traditional Bianchi celeste green. I have ridden it for two years. It is a fantastic bike overall. I have ridden both aluminum and carbon bikes. Aluminum is terrible; it should be illegal to make aluminum bike frames due to road vibrations. Carbon is great but so is fine steel. This bike really absorbs road vibration.
I am a 46 year old attorney-dad-husband and only get to ride once or twice a week, but I think it is plenty fast and very close to carbon framed bikes. The full Ultegra components of course work great.
I have upgraded the wheel set, stem and handlebars. Carbon stem and handlebars, and Spider custom wheels. The effect of these upgrades is a faster role and smoother ride, but the differences are pretty subtle.
Favorite Ride: Austin, Texas
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At: Southwest Cycle in A
Similar Products Used: Trek Pilot
Mercier Serpens
Bike Setup: Above
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Nekidewtons
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: July 30, 2006
Strengths: Smooooothe steel frame ride and still lite weight.Weaknesses: Handlebars a inch too wide for my taste.Bottom Line: I shopped and shopped and shopped for the perfect bike. I knew I was only going to get one shot at a new road bike over the next several years so I wanted it to be perfect. I was looking for a value and hoping for an Italian frame. I did not expect to find the PERFECT bike but I did.
This sweet ride has all the benefits of a steel frame with carbon forks and rear triangle. It has the quiet ride of a monorail and I am comfortable in the saddle all day, but it still has the stiffness and power transfer of a thoroughbred racer (or at least a bad-ass club racer). And guess what, it has that Italian Bianchi mythos. Best of all, the 2005 model came in Bianchi Celeste Green. I really am pleased with every aspect of this bike and with the LBS (Black Dog Bikes) that special ordered it from Bianchi for me, set it up perfectly and tossed in some spd pedals, bottle cages, upgraded the stem, and gives his standard 1 year of free service. Gotta love that.
Favorite Ride: Blue Ridge Parkway
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At: Black Dog Bikes Mt P
Similar Products Used: tested alum and carbon frames
Bike Setup: Ultegra Double
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