Price Paid:  $680.00 at Cycle Sport

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
around Ashland - bike paths

Bike Setup:
stock except shifters

Summary:
This is a great bike. There's nothing quite like a steel ride with good chro mo tubing and a cf fork. It feels lighter than it is (around 23 lbs). I did some retrofitting with replacement of the SRAM grip shifters with SRAM trigger shifters. The SRAM x-7 derailleur works very well particularly with the x-7 trigger shifters.

Strengths:
light feel, nice road feel, decent components

Weaknesses:
It's basically a Volpe w a cf fork and road brakes. The brakes limit possibilities for cross tires as a 700c x 30-32 is about as large as you can go.

Similar Products Used:
Marin Lucas Valley (Bianchi has a better ride).
Bridgestone MB-1 with lugged light cro mo frame (also a very sweet steel ride).

Price Paid:  $560.00 at Capitol Bikes DC

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Around town

Bike Setup:
Stock with sks fenders and a blackburn rack.

Summary:
This review is for the 2005 Bianchi Strada. I purchased this bike because I needed an affordable commuter bike while I was in Washington DC. This bike is great. It is light for a steel frame bike, yet soaks the bumps and potholes on city streets. I don,t commute very far, but sometimes on the weekends I use the bike to cruise around town, and this bike fits the bill. It isn't the fastest bike, but it is substantially faster than a mountain bike. I added fenders and a rack to the bike which adds to its versatility. All in all, it is a great commuter bike for those wanting to use it as such or even a touring bike.
I think the bike originall listed for $799, but it was a 2005 model, so the price was reduced to $560.

Strengths:
Light weight, Alex AT-400 Rims (durable), good brakes, steel frame and carbon fork (soaks up the bumps)

Weaknesses:
Not the fastest bike on the street

Similar Products Used:
Trek 520