Bianchi USA Inc. Freccia Celeste HC

Price Paid:  $500.00 at Corridori cycle spor

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Wales somewhere

Bike Setup:
SRAM Force groupset, mavic ksyrium wheels, de rosa carbon post, token pyrotec carbon saddle, some random bars found in the garage

Summary:
Amazing bike, great feel.
I am 13 and have to wait for my dad coz its so fast!!!

Strengths:
Speed, Rigidity, Climbability

Weaknesses:
Has to be cleaned a lot, wife/mum knows you spent a lot on it... I have had some lettering come off though

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi socks,

Price Paid:  $330.00 at EBAY

Model Year:
2005

Bike Setup:
Ultegra 10, FSA SLX compact cranks, Mavic Ksyrium SL Premium, Fizik Arione, Profile design wing type handlebar,

Summary:
Had a steal with the slightly used Bianchi FC frame while no one was looking. Realized Had a better deal after assembly & riding it.
Rode Colnago steel before so this was my 1st aluminum frame. Not the lightest but feels light. Comfortable ride too

Strengths:
Comfort, Zooms like a spear,Excellent & classic celeste paint job. Of course, Made in Italy

Weaknesses:
None that I have noticed

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at RAcycles.com

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Climbing

Bike Setup:
Bianchi Freccia Celeste frame and fork (in liquigas paint scheme). ITM K-Sword handlebars. ITM carbo stem. ITM Millenium carbon seatpost. Fizik Arione saddle. Campy Chorus gruppo. TIME RXS Carbo pedals.

Summary:
This bike is great. While it's not the lightest frame out there (about 3.2 pounds frame and fork). However, the bike rides incredibly "light". It's a very direct bike in that the second you put a tiny bit of force behind the pedals you're launched forward. It climbs better than any bike I've ever ridden. I like the ride a bit more than I like the ride of my dad's Orbea Orca (Which climbs like a beast in its own right).

Strengths:
Stiffness. Power transfer. Climbing.

Weaknesses:
The stiffness and rigidity of the frame may not be what some people are looking for.

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi Veloce, Orbea Orca, Scott CR1, Specialiez Tarmac

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at online

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere Anytime

Bike Setup:
Full Carbon Record 10 Group, FSA K-Force Cranks, ITM K-Sword Wing Bars with matching Stem, Campy Eurus Wheelset, Vittoria open pro's. Fizik saddle.

Summary:
I had the opportunity to pick up this bike at a price that still has me checking over my shoulder.
This is by far one of the most incredible bikes I have thrown a leg over. I used to despise Aluminum bikes after selling my last Cannondale. And I must say that this bike embodies all that is good about Aluminum, with none of the annoying buzzing,rattling drawbacks. I can ride it all day long, It is the fastest bike I own, (I have 7 other road bikes). And it carries speed like no other.
This bike is ABSOLUTLEY beautiful ( I have the Extreme Celeste version)It gets compliments anywhere we go.

Strengths:
Buy one if you can still find one. You will have no regrets.
Super Fast, Stiff where it needs to be, and Comfortable for the long haul.
Pretty enough even your wife will notice it...

Weaknesses:
Bianchi stopped making it, Too Pretty to ride in the rain.
Pretty enough your wife will notice it...

Similar Products Used:
I currently have in my Quiver... Bianchi Ti-Mega tube, Bianchi EV Boron, Bianchi 928 Carbon, Lemond Victorie Ti/Carbon Spine bike, Lemond Malloit Juane Steel/Carbon spine, Lemond Zurich 853 Steel, and a Lemond Tete de Course Full Ti.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Bianchi Freccia Celeste

Bike Setup:
2006 Record Group
Campy Proton wheel set...(bulletproof)
Ritchey WCS stem
Deda 215 shallow-drop bars
Fizik Aliante Saddle
Thomson Elite Non-setback Post
Continental Attack/Force Tires (No flats in over 5,000 miles!)
Elite Patao Carbon Cages
Look Keo Carbon Pedals (Fantastic quality w/o the squeaks)

Summary:
Purchased as frameset and built up with 2006 Campagnolo Record Group. The Celeste Extreme paint with inlaid down tube "Bianchi" logo is one of the most beautiful paint finishes you will ever see. Even the full carbon Deda fork has Celeste flake in it. The carbon rear triangle smooths things out just a tad over my XL EV2. This bike roars up hills and is stiff as hell, a characteristic that I love. The finish has held up fantasticaly....a miracle given the 3-roads that have been tared and chipped here in Western PA that I frequently ride.

Strengths:
Fit and finish....simply gorgeous.
Quality of materials is 2nd to none.
Rides like you are glued on rails...stable as can be.

Weaknesses:
None as of yet