Road Bike Question

Hi, I have seen the Bianchi C2C Via Nirone 7 Alu Carbon Ultegra/105 10 speed Compact 2008 Road Bike at Evans in store and am in love!

The problem is it's right at the top of my budget at £950 and would really prefere to spend a little less. I have seen the Bianchi C2C Via Nirone 7 Aluminiumn Mirage 10 speed 2008 Road Bike at £699 on their website and have two questions.

1. Is the frame noticeably heavier on the cheaper bike? I know I should try the cheaper model for myself but they do not have any in my local store. The more expensive bike is very light, and is a Alu/Carbon which I am not familiar with. Anybody know where you can see frame weights?

2. Would it be wiser to purchase the cheaper bike and upgrade the parts as I get more experience thus appreciating the bike more, this would be my first road bike purchase. Could you upgrade the cheaper bike to the same level as the more expensive model? Or would the frame be a problem in terms of weight? Or is the weight mainly in the parts?

I wouldn't buy a cheaper bike then upgrade, not cost effective. That Bianchi is a nice bike but a £500/£600 is also, just maybe 1Kg or so heavier. On a cheaper bike the only thing I'd replace is the wheels and maybe the brakes (seem to skimp on those) might come with Tektro so replace with matching groupset arms.

Usually higher end bike frame is lighter, but also each component is lighter also. A £500 bike will have carbon forks, like the £950 but on the latter the steerer would probably be carbon too. Maybe carbon seatpost as well. Lighter crank/crank arms etc etc.

Try a Campagnolo bike, you might prefer the shifters. Italian too

Since it's your first road bike don't get too hung up on total weight, as long as it's not a 25kg Halfords £50 full suspension jobbie you won't notice the difference. It's going to cost you several hundred on bike accesories, from clothing, new saddle, clipless pedals, wet gear, shoes, lights so maybe cheaper bike + accesories is a better option, rather than £1K bike+ skint.

My road bike is Giant OCR-2, Campagnolo Mirage groupset. Camagnolo Vento wheels



Replaced stock Fizik saddle with Brooks Team Pro saddle (really comfy) and Shimano single sided SPD clipless pedals. Also tyres with some other ones, with kevlar layed inside. 105 shifters on a £1000 road bike is a bit stingy also R500 is a bit basic, have seen other £1K bike with Ultregra all round, with Mavic Aksium 622-15.. R500 is only £75, but the Mavic are £145 (both wheelsets) You're paying for the Bianchi name unfortuantly, same for Cannondale. I'd expect a better wheelset on a £1K bike. Hell even my Giant Vento wheelset is more expensive, £120

Shimano hoods are quite large with soft rubber, but the Campag are smaller with harger rubber. So try them both out. It looks like that £1000 Bianchi has carbon frame and carbon seatpost.

oh the most important thing DO NOT BUY this years models, always buy the previous. You can save a packet! I think saved £300 on mine

Thank you for your reply BadBob, appreciated. I've learnt a lot there. I will have to think alittle harder. Do you know where I could get hold of older models? eBay only? Or do retailers sell them too?

lakitu said:

Thank you for your reply BadBob, appreciated. I've learnt a lot there. I will have to think alittle harder. Do you know where I could get hold of older models? eBay only? Or do retailers sell them too?

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Plenty of retailers sell the last years (or even the year before) model with sometimes quite significant discounts - obviously it varies from bike to bike but it isn't unknown for the only real changes to be cosmetic so you get an 'outdated' paintjob or perhaps a different coloured saddle. It won't always apply as sometimes there are significant differences but with a bit of careful research you can often get a bit of a bargain.

Quick look on wiggle shows upto 40% discount on previous years- Kona. But they're usually overpriced anyway. King Zing @ £1800 still has low spec.

25% discount for last years model is common.

I have the more expensive of the two Bianchi's that you are looking at and love it.

I would go and ride them both in a good independent bike shop if you can. You may find that you can't tell, or prefer, the difference between a full aluminium frame to one with carbon rear-stays. To me anything over 105 or Mirage should be fine, I wouldn't go lower if I could help it.

If you go to an independent shop they may be able to source that Bianchi in different colours, from overseas markets, if you are keen on it.