Bianchi USA Inc. 1999 Brava

Price Paid:  $0.00 at fridend

Bike Setup:
mine is a vintage 1987 Brava, full 105 all original parts! 52-23 gearing, profile aero bars, black c

Summary:
Wooo haaa this bike is fast! nice and light too, love that luged steel frame,

Strengths:
fast
light
great components
lugged frame has pump peg and chain hanger

Weaknesses:
gearing is a bit tall for mountian climbing, have to sell her

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $550.00 at Bike Zone

Favorite Ride:
Any ride in Mallorca

Bike Setup:
Stock. 135mm stem, Look pedals only changes (so far).

Summary:
A great bike! I use it daily for commuting, and on weekends for road racing. A very smooth, quiet ride.

Strengths:
Frame, handling, quality

Weaknesses:
Tires, saddle

Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Super Sport, Trek 1000

Price Paid:  $650.00 at Cycle Works

Favorite Ride:
Waterloo Valley Rd.

Bike Setup:
58cm with Dimension 80cm stem, Hutchinson Excel kevlar tires

Summary:
A beautiful bike to ride and look at. The Shimano RSX shifter is easier to use than the Sora on the 2000 model (personal prefenence). The top tube on this frame geometry seemed a little "long" at first (I did replace the stem with an 80cm versus the 120cm stock piece)but after some riding you become accustomed to it. The stock (Maxxis) tires were extremely succeptible to "pinch" flats and replacements are worth consideration especially after realizing the speeds you can easily reach on this bike. Shifters are generally smooth and accurate.

This "machine" puts you on a par with the "big boys" - now it's just up to you to put on the miles and build your strength. This is was a great purchase - the last road bike I'll ever buy. Bravo, Bianchi !

Strengths:
Dynamic Performance, comfort,ride,overall value, visual appeal.

Weaknesses:
Handling,original tires.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1000, Raliegh 300

Price Paid:  $650.00 at Turin Bicycles, Denver, CO

Favorite Ride:
RAGBRAI

Bike Setup:
Factory stock, with Look pedals, Simano Sora components with tripple chainring.

Summary:
I bought this to get back into road riding and for a better commute. After 2 months on it, I rode RAGBRAI (500 mi across Iowa) and loved it. I'm sure there are better bikes out there for more money, but for the price, this has served me extremely well in all kinds or terrain and weather and uses. I've put over 1500 mi on it in 6 months. Last year I did 1/4 of that.

Compared to the other bikes I test rode, this one was the most comfortable - not so stiff a frame it was painful to an intermediate rider, good enough components and all that I could learn to ride better without immediately hitting the limits of the bike. And through a lot of riding and city streets it has held up like a champ - only very minor and simple adjustment of the shifters due to the usual stretching of the cables.

An excellent entry road bike.

Strengths:
Very solid, reliable bike for reasonable price. Most comfortable frame in the price range.

Weaknesses:
Entry level road components. Weight. For city/commutter riding it needs heavier tires or liners.

Similar Products Used:
Tested Trek 1200, Fuji Finest

Bike Setup:
Stock, full Shimano RSX

Summary:
The bottom line is that the bike is great for the money. Of course it will not perform like a 14lb Litespeed complete with full Dura Ace, but I have no complaints about the Brava. The bike is light, very fast and comfortable. Also it is surprisingly maneuverable and most important fun to ride, I love it. "It is sooo choice... If you have the means I highly suggest picking one up." -Ferris Bueler

Strengths:
Value, Bianchi frames are sweet, pretty Light for price

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Spec. Allez, Bianchi Eros