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Submitted by
hank
a Cross Country Rider
from PA
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Bottom Line: | This is a add on to my last review. Bianchi originally said 3 weeks, which turned into 2 months before I got a bike back. They kept trying to pawn off a pink frame. I finally get the bike back and I am presented with a $30 bill for shipping. They also sent a fork with a short steerer tube so I am unable to put in any spacers. Well Bianchi it's been nice up to this point but you really effed this all up. Sorry to say that I will not be buying another Bianchi. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hank
a Cross Country Rider
from Kemblesville, PA
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | White Clay | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Strengths: | Fun bike, smooth | | Weaknesses: | It breaks! Same as the other guys on here, same crack, same place. | | Similar Products Used: | My old bike is a CUSS, which I keep as a backup. Love that bike. | | Bottom Line: | I'm guessing if you ride alot you may have the same frame crack problem. I'm not exactly "Mr. Extreme" but I do spend a fair amount of time on this bike. 8-20 hours a week maybe. Up to this point I've been happy with the bike, a bit portly but smooth. I should wait to see how Bianchi handles the situation before the review. However this isnt a review on their customer service but their bike. I've liked this bike alot overall, no complaints till this. Check out my 2002 Specialize Stumpjumper review to see a bike that I really hate though. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Cross Country Rider
from Folsom
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Connector/FDLT | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Hammerhead Bikes | | Strengths: | Frame, frame, frame; climbing ability; component selection | | Weaknesses: | Headset is poor quality; chain stretches like a rubberband | | Similar Products Used: | 1997 Specialized Rockhopper converted to singlespeed (light but aluminum SS's beat the crap out of you) | | Bike Setup: | Stock except: Manitou Skareb fork and 2.1 WTB Velociraptor rear tire w/ 2.24 WTB Mutanoraptor front; RF 120mm Prodigy stem | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding this bike for 6 months now, and it is such a blast to ride. The frame rides so buttery smooth, yet when the trail heads uphill, it climbs like a goat. Over rough, rocky trails we have in NorCal, you just point this thing and go. The frame will soak it up. Acceleration is very good, too. I didn't care for the huge 2.4 tires and a suspension fork was a must. I haven't experienced any of the frame or chain line issues other posters have mentioned. I did have the "tick-tick" sound from the chain connector hitting the chainring guard. Swap out the crap stock chain and put on a SRAM PC-69 and shred. The stock headset is crap, but I will ride it until it blows up and press in something decent. Stock, this bike isn't the lightest pre-built singlespeed out there, but you would be hard pressed to find one better spec'd out of the box and as much fun to ride! SS's make a great winter bike, but after slinging my leg back over it after a few months went by, I forgot just how much fun this bike is. I have friends who ride SS's with a lot of bling bling on them, but I'm right on their tail or in front of them with this steed. If you can find a left over one, grab it. You WILL NOT be disappointed!! Charles at Hammerhead bikes was great to buy from. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wade
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodbury
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | the last mile to the beer store | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | Outdoors Inc. Memphis | | Strengths: | It's a build kit you can ride. Steel. Fat tires. One gear. Discs. | | Weaknesses: | Grips are silly hard. Welded in China/Tawain. Chain link thing. A tad chubby. | | Similar Products Used: | Demo'd a Spot--parking lot only. Rode my gear bikes in 32x16 for a while before buying a SS. | | Bike Setup: | Z2-80mm, Bebop (the ultimate) Pedals, Oury grips, black tape where a cable guide would be nice. | | Bottom Line: | I've raced this chunky muther three times. It's a dammed blast! I don't win or even get near the front, but every Sport rider I pick off is a small victory. (I raced Beginner for two seasons--now it's SS or nothing).
This is the first bike out of the rack. My high-falutin' FS rig hasn't been out much lately. When I do take it out I rarely change gears. The shifters are shot and I don't care.
This is a great way to try SS'ing. If you don't like it, there are plenty of folks who'll buy your Bianchi ??SS bike. IF you do like it. You've got good parts to build a much nicer bike with.
I'm putting a King (Dave Thomas) wheelset on next with kevlar 2.4's. THOSE TIRES ROCK!!!. MOTO!
Then I'm going to swap the frame for a custom EBB Columbus-tubed deal.
Then I'll swap out some of the other heavy stuff--but by then there ain't much SiSS left--But I'll have two SS bikes.
I've had absolutely no problems with rubs, cracks, hubs, brakes, etc. Good ride for the buck. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cramer
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Rapids
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | tires, saddle, brakes and cranks have all worked pretty well. | | Weaknesses: | spot hub blows, frame cracked, original brake pads were bad, chain line is off. | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up to my original review back when I bought the bike. Since then I've had just about every single issue that people tend to have with this bike. Here is the list:
First I had the chain clicking problem, moved the master link to the other side to fix that.
The next thing I noticed was that my brakes were constantly in need of adjustment. Then the pads wore out after only about 400 miles or so. Avid said they had a bad batch and sent me replacements for free. I haven't used the replacements, I went with some Kool Stops which worked fine.
I also noticed when honking up a steep hill, the tires do rub the frame in the rear as the stays flex side to side.
Next my rear hub bearings failed so I had a new set pressed in at the bike shop. When I look at the design, it seems strange to me that there is no lock nut. One time the wheel did slip on me while riding and I suspect that is when the bearing got damaged.
I've used several different chain rings up front and through the process, I noticed the chain line was off from the factory and that the chain rings work best on the outside of the spider. Seems kinda cheesy to not have the right chain line from the beginning though.
The last thing that happened to my SISS is the familiar frame crack, at the drive side chain stay. Based on the location of the crack, I don't think it was the result of an impact from say a jump or just downward stress on the bike. From what I can gather, at least the way mine cracked, it's not a rider weight issue or an abusive rider issue. I think it's a stress crack from lateral forces on the chain stay. The crack in my frame was vertical along the side of the stay. It seems to me that if it cracked from a downward load from say a jump or a heavy rider, the crack would be on the bottom of the chain stay. I think all that flex in the rear that happens when you hammer up steep hills in a big gear is what causes the crack.
In either case, I asked Bianchi for a DISS frame in exchange for my cracked SISS and they actually were able to accomodate me. Time will tell how that frame holds up.
I gotta go low on the flamin' chili count now, after everything I've been through with this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque, NM, USA
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Strengths: | Great components for price. | | Weaknesses: | Frame broke at chainstay after 5 months use. | | Similar Products Used: | First singlespeed. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with SPD pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Singlespeeds are great. Super fun to ride. Great workout. My frame cracked at the drive side chainstay after 5 months use (I weigh 180, ride singletrack trails, and I do not jump or freeride). Judging by other reviews, this is not an isolated defect. Although this bike has some minor problems mentioned by other reviewers , if the frame was reliable, this would be an outstanding bike for the money. Untill there is evidence that Bianchi has fixed this defect, buyers beware. It will break if you ride it off road. Also note: I found it a real struggle to get a replacement frame from Bianchi (took 4 months and I am not happy with what I got (scratched, weird paint job, uneven seatstays and a used fork which I'm not sure is mine). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith Leavitt
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | reno/flag/bear deadman's loop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | rock n' roll sports, gunnison | | Strengths: | Steel frame, great tubeset. Parts spec is impeccable for the money--a great intro to sngle speeding, and worthy of upgrades | | Weaknesses: | initial set up is problematic--issues of chainline, rear hub and headset have been issues. These are easily fixable; see below for suggestions. | | Similar Products Used: | IF custom steel, IF custom ti, Surly 1x1 (a lighter and better riding frame could be built from steel plumbing), and a Willits custom ss. The Bianchi measures up to all but the ti IF. | | Bike Setup: | CK headset, 959 pedals, stan's no-tubes conversion (pythons for racing), paul's word brass washers, ODI lock-on grips. Otherwise stock. | | Bottom Line: | This is my 6 month review of the bike (see below--I really raved about this rig). In response to the problems other people have had:
1. the headset is crap. This is common on most bikes. Press in a King if you're going to keep the bike for a while.
2. The rear hub is subject to binding. Don't blame spot. When I got mine, the cones were stupid tight, partly because the washer spacing was terrible (they're too thin, and consequently the stays are flexed inward). Buy a set of the Paul's word brass washers--they barely fit into the dropout, and you may even need to file them, but do this and loosen up the cones and this hub rocks.
3. Chainline--once you fixed the above problem, throw the KMC chain in the trash--this isn't a bmx bike. Put an 8 speed, shram pc 68 on it--not rubbing will occur, and assuming the bb is installed right and your cranks are on tight (mine weren't) you should have no further problems.
4. The pedals--yeah, they're junk. But given that this is a second bike for almost everyone, and the fact that some of us ride egg beaters, times, or frogs, it really doesn't make sense to stock a "second bike" with clipless pedals because of compatability--buy a duplicate pair of what you usually run with the money you save buying this rig.
5. Seatpost slippage--grease the inside of the binder bolt itself, and clean and regrease the post. Torque to speck. Problem solved.
6. Avid mechanicas need adjusting--find a new LBS; they installed them. Also, if you can't adjust the avid mechanicals, consider enrolling in a college with the words "beauty", "clown", or "cartooning" in the name.
All in all, this bike rocks. It sees more miles than my new Blur, I get a better workout on it, it's more fun to race, and (after the above corrections) has been maintenance free. If I had to give up every bike I own but one, I'd keep the SISS. With the above changes, mine weighs 23 lbs, climbs like crazy, tracks well, and keeps my @ss humble. You truly can not find a more fun bike, especially for the price range. I'm even thinking about having a local frame builder throw an S & S coupling into it, so I can travel with this rig. Read my earlier review, and I still stand behind everything. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray Adams
a Cross Country Rider
from Brandon, MS, USA
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | The combination of big tires, disc brakes, comfortable frame and good components give the bike some merit. | | Weaknesses: | Frame is steel, but mine cracked at the chainring clearance indent on the right chainstay after 4 months of cross-country riding. I weight 185lbs. and just ride cross-country with both wheels on the ground 99.9% of the time. Juan, the warranty guy at Bianchi, said that they had a known production problem causing the cracking in these frames that has been fixed and the new warranty replacement frame would not have the problem. Bianchi did warranty it, but I have waited almost six weeks for it to arrive.
Spot hub binding, see other reviews down below and or the Spot hubs review.
Chainline is off from the factory. Easy to fix, just swap the chainring and guard around. This is due to the Spot hub placing the freewheel more outboard than other SS hubs. They decided to place it right up next to the dropout. This just means that you have to run your chainring in the outer position. You would think that Bianchi would spec the crank/hub combo to be compatible out of the box. It is so obviously off when it comes out of the box that it is ridiculous.
You will go through chains monthly and may need a new chainring after a couple of months. I did, until I put on a White Industries F/W and a SRAM PC58 and a new chainring, and then my frame cracked. So I don't know if this will fix it or not yet. In the rides prior to the crack, it did not need to be tightened as much with this new set-up. It makes me wonder if the Shimano 16T was causing the excess stretch??
There is no way the bottom seal will fit the lower cup/crown race on the headset. It is too large in diameter. It will rest on the lower race, but will not fit up in the lower cup. It fell down on me a couple of times onto the top of the fork. I will be putting a new headset in the warranty frame.
The frame has clearance issues with the 2.4 MutanoRaptor back tire. There is only about 1/8" on each side of the tire. It rubbed on every climb until I tightened all of the spokes on the rear wheel about 1/2 turn each. Then it only rubbed on tough climbs. Hearing your tire rubbing the frame while you are in an all out effort to make a climb can drain you mentally.
| | Similar Products Used: | No SingleSpeeds. 15+ years on other upper end harttails with none of the problems this bike has had. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with sealed bearing platform pedals, White Ind. 16T, PC58 chain, Ritchey headset, Profile stiffy stem. | | Bottom Line: | Just a guess here, but by looking at the specs on the Bianchi site, the new 2004 SASS will probably have the same problems as this years SISS.
I would recommend looking into getting a Surly 1x1 instead of this bike. If I had to do it over again, I would do that instead. The Surly 1x1 can be built up for about the same price from some of the online retailers. I have over $1000 in this bike now that I have upgraded everything, plus I have lost out on 6 weeks of riding waiting on Bianchi warranty. This cost is not measurable, but has been high for me. I have missed some of the best riding weather we get here in Mississippi and I was riding this bike 5 or 6 times per week.
If you do buy this bike, and enjoy riding daily, make sure you have a spare bike for the times that this one is down with a mechanical failure.
I rate the value so low, because of the problems I have had, and it appears that so many others have had the same problems. Bianchi needs to address these issues before their bikes go out to consumers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GP-TJ
a Cross Country Rider
from RI
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Fun to ride. Affordable singlespeed from a reputable company. Bianchi was on board with a singlespeed for a long time. Steel Frame. Decent parts spec - Avid Mechanicals | | Weaknesses: | 1. Rear Hub Bearings - Toasted Rear Hub bearings within 1 month. From what I have read this is an assembly issue. LBS covered the replacement part. I paid labor. I took it home and it still wasn't put together right. See another post below for the proper setup. I set it up per these instructions and the wheel never spun so smooth. I don't think it is Spot Brand on this one - Assembly is key with this hub. Incidently the bad bearing was on the non-drive side so it wasn't a chain tension issue. I practiced taking my wheel off and on so I could do it on the trail and the axle was tough to turn after my first ride. I didn't do anything but fix the headset seal and put pedal on before the first ride.
2. Frame Flex/Rear Tire - I am heavy ~200lbs and ride pretty hard. The frame flexed from the get-go and the tire rubbed. I put an old Maxxis 2.1 on there (circa 1995) from my 1993 Bridgestone and no more rubbing. I think the tire is just too big for the frame/flex/me.
3. Chainline - The chainline was way off. I had to keep the chain very tight to prevent hitting the chain guard. When keeping it from hitting the guard, the tight spot in the chainring was pretty tight but not overboard. I moved the chainring outside, used triple chainring bolts which came with ~4mm spacers and mounted the guard outboard of the ring. I used 2mm spacers to keep the chainring bolts form bottoming out. It works nicely. The chain hasn't stretched anywhere near as much since. The chainline is now within 1mm. I can run the chain a lot looser now without clanking the guard. You should have seen the wear on the ring/guard from the chainline being off by ~4mm. I only ran it like that for 1 month and the guard had wear marks all the way around and the inside of the teeth of the ring were filed smooth and were silver.
4. Chain - wearing pretty fast.
5. Headset - The bike was delivered with the bottom seal off. It was down around the fork. Took it back to the shop to have it fixed. It was brand new and the wrench said it was just a cheap headset and if I wanted a better seal I would need a better headset. I asked him why it wasn't sitting on the race and he said it was probably deformed. I said it's brand new and he just pushed it up a little and it still hung down. I fixed this also. I did put a lizard skin on there for insurance. I will upgrade to CK when it is NG.
6. Pedals - I think these are just place keepers until you put your's on. I even think the Bianchi website says it doesn't come with pedals. I don't think this is a real weakness but worth mentioning since they came on the bike.
7. Seatpost slips a little. I don't want to break the bolt. I sent an E-mail to Bianchi for the proper torque and they said 60 in/lbs. I have gone higher and it still slips. I have to check to see if there is too much grease on the post.
8. Disc Brakes - not set up properly at delivery. Check out your instructions that came with the brakes for proper caliper positioning. I reset the brakes properly and they worked a lot better. Mine disc wasn't offset 1/3 - 2/3 to the outboard side and really bent the caliper really bent the disc over when applied. I set them up per the instructions and now the work great. I did ride 1x before readjusting. The change was drastic when I did it. The avid instructions are good and it is easy.
| | Similar Products Used: | Homemade Marin Muirwoods Singlespeed. Cost me $100 to assemble and ride it until the freehub started skipping. It got me started. It didn't have as many problems as this $900 bike. I built it up myself with old/new parts. I made sure it was right the first time. | | Bike Setup: | Stock SISS except: Time ATAC pedals, 2.1 Rear Tire, RaceFace Riser Bar | | Bottom Line: | Fun/Fast bike with a good component spec. There are problems with the bike but I feel it is easily fixed. Should I have to fix it? I paid $900 after tax. I think the problems I stated should be eliminated before delivery. I don't run a bike shop so I don't know how much time they can spend fixing these problems. Maybe Bianchi is at fault. I do think that the LBS should do more than slap a wheel on and deliver the bike.
I really enjoy riding the bike but have not enjoyed getting rid of the problems. This bike is worth a look if you want a singlespeed. If you work on your own bike you should be able to turn this bike into a winner. My LBS wasn't so receptive to things. I hope your's is better.
I have to give a lower rating for the problems encountered. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
paul mcintyre
a Weekend Warrior
from leesburg VA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | my own urban backyard | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | factory | | Strengths: | the brakes were amazing, i've never used discs before and i was not let down, the large 26x2.4 tires were extremely grippy, they help to stick to anything concrete, mud, or gravel. the frame feels pretty strong, coming from bmx primarily it flexed a bit more but then again i am coming from bmx so everything flexes after that. a comfortable seat made the ride all the more enjoyable, you have to protect your fanny before anything else. | | Weaknesses: | the fork also felt a little iffy, maybe its psychologial but i felt alot of flex in it, i was also putting it through some extreme abuse on the streets so maybe urban wasn't in mind when the for was designed, the grips weren't to my liking but that is hardley a problem, and the worry that i may destroy the wheels, what do i do when i need a disc single speed replacement/upgrade? petals....resin? i suppose they were thinking you would clip in and upgrade, personally i use wellgo platfors with blue cages, they stick to my shoe as if i was clipped in, and i have the elbow scrapes to prove it, because i fell over a few times when i my foot didn't come off my petal as easy | | Similar Products Used: | none...maybe my own bmx (fly, spanish fly 20') | | Bike Setup: | stock, minus the wellgo petals, primo chad degroot sig. grips and the primo barends, plus a salsa skewer for the front that matched my petals) | | Bottom Line: | a unique bike, and i was a huge fan of the paint scheme as well as the chick desinged emblem hidden on the seat tube. can't beat a good old steel bike, and this one has attitude also, you will for sure be the one who stands out at a local trail session. i'm still riding it with no real problems, there was one hang up and that was when i finially got a thorn in my back tire. they say to undo the caliper to get the wheel off, but you can pry the dropouts apart to pass the wheel, its steel right? it flexes. but you might as well undo the cailper because you will have to realline it when it comes to tensioning the chain. email me if you read this review and compare your results if you tested the same bike or similar ones. thenoblesock@adelphia.net | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott
a Cross Country Rider
from livermore falls, me
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$775.00 | | Purchased At: | VeloCity Cycles, Holland, MI | | Strengths: | Single Speed, Avid disc brakes, simple, a deal for the stock parts. The steel is nice, you can really take off pedaling if you need to. | | Weaknesses: | Plastic pedals, grips, not as pretty as the older Bianchi SS's, seems a bit heavy for what it is. | | Similar Products Used: | My big brother's Huffy White Heat that didn't shift cause he left it in the rain too much. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with azonic magnes. platform pedals and new grips. Debating a suspension fork, but that's anti-SS imo. | | Bottom Line: | Being mainly a casual road biker, I wanted something fun to trash around town as well as ride around school and to work that wouldn't require much TLC. There exist no real hills around these parts, I haven't tried to climb much. I had to switch the masterlink after I got a nice set of shiny grooves from it rubbing. It's super fun and I covered it in wood-colored contact paper. It's an ideal SS for he who doesn't have the parts to build up a Surly 1x1. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Teo
a Cross Country Rider
from Pacoima
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR | | Strengths: | Stiff frame, relatively light with switched out parts but great stock bike setup | | Weaknesses: | Because no suspension very stiff front end. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Perfomer from when I was 14 | | Bike Setup: | Purchsed on MTBR stock, upgraded to EC 70 HB and SP, Truvativ stem, Aspide saddle, Python tires and of course Chris King Headset. | | Bottom Line: | This is an incredibly stiff bike. This is both good and bad. While climbing out of the saddle this is great, absolutely no flex while your pumping away. But when the road gets rough it almost feels dangerous, hard to keep your hands on the bars on those nasty bumps. On the positive side this bike handles great. It’s very responsive and corners great. And as many people have mentioned riding a single speed bike is a lot of fun. It takes you back to the days when you just got on your bike and took off for the whole day never once worrying about the bike beneath you. Even if you don’t get this bike I suggest trying a single speed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Andover, MN USA
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Lots | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Blaine Velo Sports | | Strengths: | This review is for the D.I.S.S. Most of the bike. It's a awsome single speed. It has made me a better rider. Easy to ride fast. | | Weaknesses: | Grips:Hard as hell, Pedals:Suck, Paint:It's rubbing off. Seatpost:Come loose regularly | | Similar Products Used: | 20" BMX bikes as a kid, Specialize Stumper Jumper FSR Comp. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, With Time Z-Control Pedals. Adding new ODI grips and a Shock. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great, fun bike. I ride it more than my full supention bike. It's stiff as hell which is great, but that's why I'm adding a shock fork. I weigh 225 and ride hard cross country and haven't had a real problem yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ziggy Stardust
a Cross Country Rider
from outer space
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$875.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Cheap, light frame, cool looking, single speed specific (horizontal dropouts), great product spec (for the money), great avid disc brakes, frame comes with lifetime warranty | | Weaknesses: | - WTB 2.4 Mutanoraptor tires are wire beaded (there is a kevlar beaded version thats a little lighter and they are easily confused with these)
- front WTB tire was slightly out of round
- the spot rear hub had bound bearings due to improper setup (forcing me to replace the bearings)
- the bike overall is pretty heavy (~25 lbs for a SS is high)
- bottom bracket feels loose already (after only a few months of riding)
- headset is junk (but is hanging in there so far after a good greasing)
- stock pedals are worthless/slippery plastic (throw them away immediately)
- chain line was out significantly. I needed to remove the bashguard and move the chainring outside (with spacers) to correct the chainline
- stock Avid pads wear very rapidly in muddy conditions and cost $25 a set to replace (now using EBC golds which are holding up much better)
- very harsh ride with stock rigid fork (I put a Duke SL 100mm on and I'm MUCH happier now).
- frame has a long wheelbase which makes it a better (more stable) climber (which is a strength obviously). But this slows the handling some, and makes lofting the front end (wheelying) difficult. (I tend to prefer a bike that is light on the front end...a nitpick really) | | Similar Products Used: | 1971 Columbia single speed with banana seat and steerhorn handlebars (when I was 7) | | Bike Setup: | Stock 02 DISS frame with '03 SISS component set, except replaced freewheel with 15 tooth ACS, Time carbon pedals, Rockshox susp seat post (26.8), WTB Ti laser saddle, water bottle cages (2), WTB 2.5 Mutanoraptor Kevlar up front, EBC gold pads on the Avids. | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the '02 DISS which is identical to the '03 SISS except it has an Al frame. The components on my bike were swapped from an '03 SISS and built up on a warranty DISS frame.
This bike is good and I'm pleased with it overall. I REALLY love the singlespeeding experience thats for sure. But I did have several teething problems that irritated the hell out of me. Especially the bound bearings on the Spot rear hub and the skewed chainline...these are things that should have been caught/corrected at the factory and at my LBS...but instead I had to deal with it.
The bike feels sturdy as hell. I've heard of several people breaking Bianchi SS frames, both their steel and Al versions (usually by the chainstay). It's hard for me to believe I'm going to break this frame though. The bike feels tough, but I'm not a hardcore jumper or huckster...just a Joe Blow XC guy (190 lbs, 6'1" and a 21 XL fits me well). But this frame is not intended for that kind of use anyway. I guess durability will reveal itself in due time. I'll use the lifetime warranty if I need to.
All in all this is a good bike. I mention a lot of weaknesses above. But for the price it is very hard to beat. Plus, if you know about the shortcomings ahead of time (which you do now!), you can use this information to get your LBS to straighten the flaws out BEFORE you take delivery. Afterwhich, you'll be a happy singlespeeding camper. This bike is nice once you get it dialed in, don't underestimate it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Nicholson
a Cross Country Rider
from Friendsville, Tennessee
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Haw Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | The Path | | Strengths: | Good bargain and a great introduction into SS | | Weaknesses: | Frame is poor quality (it broke)
BB is poor quality
HS is poor quality
Rear hub is poor quality
I didn't care for the cranks | | Similar Products Used: | Dean SS | | Bike Setup: | Stock + King head set, carbon post, flite saddle, ACS f.w., Frogs | | Bottom Line: | I rode this bike for 6 months and it was my first single speed. After about a month I knew I loved SS but not the SISS so I ordered a boutique frame and it’s a good thing I did. In the 6 months I rode the bike the rear hub bearings had to be replaced twice, the bottom bracket went out, and drive side chainstay broke just behind the bridge. Bianchi did send me a warrantee frame pretty quickly. The frame (19.5”) was very flexible under my 185 lbs. the tires always rubbed the inside of the chainstays on steep climbs. The chain line was a little off and I had to ditch the bash guard and move the chainring to the outside of the crank to get it to line up. The wheels stayed true and held up well, the tires and brakes where excellent. I did ride the bike allot and on some hard trails in poor conditions but the failures I thought where unacceptable. But for the price you cant get a better introduction into Single Speeding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Huckleberry
a Cross Country Rider
from Louisville, KY usa
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Employee Purchase from Bianchi Rep | | Strengths: | Big tires, ISIS crank and BB, Spot rr hub, Titec Knock Rated stem, good geometry, Best rigid fork in years, awsome frame | | Weaknesses: | KMC chain, WTB front hub with WTB skewer, cheepo headset, nylon pedals, Paint looks cool and chips on first ride, | | Similar Products Used: | lots of steel frames, first singlespeed mtb | | Bike Setup: | deviations from stock: Sram pc80 chain, new seat, lock on grips, clipless peda.s | | Bottom Line: | Awsome package deal. Save money, buy a complete bike. I think this bike tracks great and climbs well. Stable on the downhills. However...the front end can sometimes get away on smooth jumps on fast trails. Single speed, multi speed, shocks, whatever, this is my favorite bike right now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SWISS
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | wheelset
brakes
tires
price | | Weaknesses: | possible chainstay failure on other SISSes?
paint
headset | | Similar Products Used: | Redline Monocog, Ritchey Logic w/singleator | | Bike Setup: | Stock except King headset, Race Face air alloy riser bar, Flite gel saddle, 180mm Stylo cranks, Time pedals, ACS claws freewheel | | Bottom Line: | This is a followup review to the one I posted a few weeks ago. Since writing that not-so-glowing review, I've put some more miles on my SISS and have been gradually putting the stock parts back on, including most importantly the 2.4 WTB tires, Titec stem, and rigid fork. All I can say now is WOW! I love this bike! With the rigid fork on, the bike feels lighter and handles better. The stock WTB tires rock, even if they're wire beaded (thanks again for pointing that out BrianN). The combination of the rigid fork and disc brakes = no flex and the ability to stop and turn on a dime. The wheelset is strong and tough - I actually ran over half of the front wheel with my car (brain fart - forgot to load the wheel up in the back after loading the bike on the roof rack), and it didn't even go out of true, much less break! Bone stock, this bike is a fantastic deal and rides very nicely.
Minor nitpicks I have are that the paint is very soft and chips easily and that I had problems with the stock headset.
Here's the caveat - People who are interested in buying this bike should know that some riders have had a major chainstay failure with this frame - i.e., the chainstay breaks in half. I don't know how big those guys were or how they were riding the bike, but it sounds like Bianchi has been good about replacing their frames. In sum, great riding and handling bike (but be aware of possibility of chainstay failure). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas Steele
a Cross Country Rider
from Woodbridge VA
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Annadel, Santa Rosa CA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | City Bikes, D.C. | | Strengths: | Steel frame, Avid disk brakes, nice and light. Stealth paintjob. Easy rear wheel chain tension adjustment. | | Weaknesses: | Italian bike made in Taiwan... Cheapo resin pedals, headset is a little cheesy. Paint is already wearing off where the brake cable rubs the head tube. Numerous decals on the bike are a little silly- on the top tube is a "cars-r-coffins sticker, and some other weird ones on the back of the seat tube. All decals are under the clearcoat and cannot be removed. The chainstay sticker says "Your bike sucks"- it seems weird to look down at MY bike and read that... | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F600, Trek Fuel 90, Trek 8000. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Eggbeater pedals and Michelin tires. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike at a great price. The stock 2.4 WTB tires were just too big for me, I swapped a pair of 2.1 Michelin tires on and shed some weight and it seems to ride a little faster now. I might go narrower in the future, even with a rigid fork the ride is great. I also ditched the stock resin pedals for Eggbeaters. Gearing may be a little tall for my riding but it is easily changed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brendan
a Cross Country Rider
from WANTAGH,N.Y.
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | ANY | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | VALUE, STEEL FRAME, STRONG DISC BRAKE, SPOT REAR HUB,2.4 WTB TIRES. | | Weaknesses: | CHEAP HEAD SET | | Similar Products Used: | KONA UNIT(TEST RODE | | Bike Setup: | STOCK WITH (NEW)CANE CREEK S2 HEADSET AND 105MM MX COMP MARZOCCHI BOMBER (SEE REVIEWS OF THIS $250. FORK) | | Bottom Line: | BESIDE BEING A GREAT VALUE (MUCH NICER SPEC'S THEN THE SAME PRICED KONA) THIS BIKE HAS A TIGHT RIDE, IT IS A BLAST TO RIDE, NO THOUGHT ABOUT "WHAT GEAR I SHOULD BE IN FOR THIS NEXT CLIMB?" ITS ALL JUST FULL SPEED AHEAD GIVE IT EVERYTHING YOU GOT AND EITHER CREST THE HILL OR WALK IT. I AM CHARGING OBSTACLES (BIG LOG PILES, ROCKS,ETC...) WITH VIGGER I THOUGHT WAS LOST TO MY YOUTH. I HAVE NEVER LAUGHED TO BYSELF SO MUCH JUST FROM RIDING A BIKE. IF YOU LOVE TO RIDE YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO AT LEAST TRY A SINGLE SPEED ONCE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen Comer
a Cross Country Rider
from Missoula, MT USA
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Sawmill Curry | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Adrenaline Bikes | | Strengths: | Componentry, simplicity (K.I.S.S.). | | Weaknesses: | Seat Post Clamp. | | Similar Products Used: | First SS since childhood. Other bikes include Bianchi GT Sport (FS); Custom FS w/Rohloff hub built on Giant NRS frame; Montague Paratrooper folding MTB; and Ross Mt. Whitney. | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shok Pilot forks. | | Bottom Line: | Still breaking it in, but so far am impressed with the capabilities and handling. Climbs well, handles great (love those 2.4's). Will hit a challenging trail this weekend to give it a full workout.
Would recommend this bike to anyone who wants to see whether single-speeding is for them, or for anyone looking for a bullet-proof urban hauler.
Great value--appreciate Bianchi's commitment to SS MTB. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles Coker
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | can't tell you, it's a secret :) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | www.hammerheadbikes.com | | Strengths: | great handling, RAILS corners, great part spec for the money | | Weaknesses: | none really... the parts alone are worth the cost of admission.. could be lighter, sure.. but consider the price and it's a steal... | | Similar Products Used: | numerous.. have also a Two Circles decked out SS | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | this bike represents a tremendous value
you can spend more and not really get much better
the frame geometry is dialed and it just freaking rails corners and accelerates like a cat on crack!
I also have a Two Circles SS that's built up trick with light parts and sure, it's lighter, about 4 lbs lighter, but it also costs about 2.5 times as much
I own a shop and we do a lot of SISS bikes because they are just such an awesome deal.. great tubeset on the frame... very nice.. you could ride this for a long time as stock or slowly "upgrade" to drop a bit of weight..
but really, the bike as stock just rocks..
(btw, we also ship these to customers out of town/state)
Charles
www.hammerheadbikes.com | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric
a Cross Country Rider
from arcata, ca.
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | tish-tang | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | anthony's cyclery | | Strengths: | I like the geometry on the 17.5". Avid mechanicals are wonderful. Great mud bike. | | Weaknesses: | Unfortunately, my bottom bracket was loose when I got the bike. Surprisingly, I found that the crank bolts were frozen. I am in the process of dealing with that right now. Pissed me off. In addition, the paint is thin, the headset will need upgrading as well as the BB I presume. | | Similar Products Used: | none. | | Bike Setup: | stock. time pedals | | Bottom Line: | great budget bike. worthy of upgrades. Buy this bike if you want a great introductory SS, like to ride in muddy conditions, need a good strength building hobby, love the simple life, and are a value shopper. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith Leavitt
a Cross Country Rider
from Gunnison/Crested Butte CO
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Whatever's dry early | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Rock N' Roll sports | | Strengths: | Simple, well specked, butted steel frame, disc brakes, big ol' tires, conservative geometry | | Weaknesses: | My quads, biceps, calves, abs,...... | | Similar Products Used: | Independent Fabrications steel "oney" (custom)
Surly 1 X 1 | | Bike Setup: | Other bike is a S.C. Superlight, full XTR, ultra light and pretentious. My S.I.S.S. is bone stock ('cept for the 959 pedals!) | | Bottom Line: | I picked this up last week, and Holy S@%T is this rig fun!!! No noise, no gears, no chain suck, minimal weight= no excuses for failure. This bike rides every bit as well as my buddy's $$$$$ independent Fab oney, and only weighs a pound more. Complaining about the seat or stem on this rig would be stupid: the rear hub alone is worth $155, each brake is worth $95, the tires run $40 each, and the frame is nice: do the math. I'm actually finding that I'm a faster climber on this rig than on my zooted superlight--because I have to be. Remember when you were 8 and you just rode a bike to ride a bike? Being on this bike will simplify your life--no kidding. THrow away your licra, cut the sleeves off an old sex pistols t-shirt, have a pint, and go enjoy. No camelbacks, just a water bottle and a seat bag. If you weigh this bike, you missed the point. Riding (not necessarily owning) this bike will make you a better person! 5 chilis overall--the best part about this bike is that you forget it is under you. 5 for value, $850 retail is a drop in the pan for the value of falling in love with riding again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
moxie
a
from no cal
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Pioneer Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$680.00 | | Strengths: | This bike kicks ass. I bought it after breaking some spokes on my geared mountain bike and haven't fixed the geared bike yet...it's been six months.
Rides great right out of the box, fits perfectly, looks cool. | | Weaknesses: | I had a lot of problems with the rear wheel/tire. The Spot hub needed to be rebuilt, the freewheel needed replacing, the WTB tire needed to be warrantied (it was out of round.) | | Similar Products Used: | Voodoo singlespeed
Bianchi BUSS | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Marzocchi Z4 | | Bottom Line: | Buy this bike if you want a great singlespeed. It's fun, feels very light when you're on it, tracks well.
The WTB Mutano Raptors seem very sticky and track great.
I preferred the Paul hubs that came on the previous incarnations of Bianchi's singlespeeds. They seemed to be better quality than the Spot hub, surprisingly.
But this is an all-around fun bike that has, and will continue to keep me off the geared bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SWISS
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Fisher Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | GREAT rear hub
good brakes
Super deal for what you get | | Weaknesses: | HEAVY!!!!
downspec on some parts (headset, stem, bar, post, saddle, etc...)
HEAVY!!!!
Did I mention it's heavy?
175mm crank arm spec on all but 21" - why?
Dedacci COM steel, not EOM as advertised | | Similar Products Used: | converted Ritchey SS, custom Redline Monocog | | Bike Setup: | stock except '00 SID XC fork, King headset, Race Face bar and stem, Selle Italia Flite gel saddle, 180mm Truvativ cranks, Time pedals | | Bottom Line: | Probably the best deal in singlespeed bikes today. Who else sells a steel singlespeed with a Spot rear hub and Avid disc brakes for under $1000? Nobody. That said, most of your $850 for this bike is for the pretty nice frame, Spot rear hub, and Avid brakes. Bianchi clearly went downspec and HEAVY for everything else. The Diacompe Aheadset was replaced after it pooped out after 3 rides, and the Titec stem and bar combo is pretty cheap too. Not enough rise or width on the bar for me. Why the 26.8 seatpost? Why not 27.2 like all other bikes? Why the 175mm cranks on the 19.5" frame? The WTB disc wheels are also very heavy, but match well with the 2.4 Mutanoraptors. All that said, it's a great deal, but at 25.5 lbs for the 19.5" bike, I don't see this bike as that much of an improvement over the $100 Redline monocog frame (built out nicely with mostly Race Face/Thomson parts at 25lbs) I rode for the last year. It rides nicely, climbs OK, but nothing to get too excited about. Good middle of the road ss, but I wouldn't race on it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alexis
a Cross Country Rider
from calfornia
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | dead cow | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Disc brakes are strong. Super comfortable ride. climbs like a goat. | | Weaknesses: | paint chips and changing the rear tire but it is a single speed.
| | Similar Products Used: | Moab converted to a single speed. | | Bike Setup: | Marzzochi bomber 80 mm travel with compresion lockout. Bar ends are a must on this bike. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is incredible. I pass people all the time on climbs. I love to here them cuss when they realize I am on a single speed. The personal satisfaction of cleaning a steap climb on this bike is like no other. I think the shock up grade is a must even though it adds a few pounds. Particularly if you are 200+. I rode this bike for three mounths straight 4-5days a week while I was rebuilding my intense sl. I now climb and descend faster on my other bikes.Singlespeeds improve your riding. I highly recomend this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike K
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any technical single track | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Pittsburgh Pro Bicycles | | Strengths: | The complete package | | Weaknesses: | Umm the scrapes on my leg from my fall down a hill. Oh wait that was due to my stupidity so nevermind. | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first singlespeed and first steel bike. For comparison my other ride is a 2000 Jamis Komodo with a Manitou Black, Avid Mechs, and other goodies. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | I am writing this after my first ride because I just had to let the intelligent people who use this site how great the bike is. You cant beat the package and it would be impossible to build up a single speed for the same price. The steel frame and monster tires provide a decent amount of cushion and I am still surprised at how non-rigid the bike feels in comparison to the rigid aluminum bike I started mountain biking on.
That said the SISS is no sissy bike. It will tear you apart on the first rides and if this scares you I dont think you really wanna try single speeding. But I enjoyed that as it presented me with many new challenges and forced me to ride smoother. If you want to get into single speeding this is your ride!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bolinas
a Downhiller
from Mill Valley CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Favorite legal trail, tender foot | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Mikes bikes | | Strengths: | Great value. and great parts. best price for the componets | | Weaknesses: | nothing | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | buy this bike if you want a single speed. its the best deal for a single speed with disc and WTB componets. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Cross Country Rider
from Oklahoma City
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any single track | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$849.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | geometry, components, cool little designes. | | Weaknesses: | haven't had it long enough to say. | | Similar Products Used: | first S.S. | | Bike Setup: | stock except for '01 Mars Super | | Bottom Line: | Well I've waited for a couple of months for this bike and although I haven't ridden it on the trail yet, it was worth the wait. The Mars will be great with its lock out and it doesn't weigh very much either. It pedals sooo smooth. The 2.4 WTB Mutano Raptors feel like I have a little rear suspension, cool. Avid mechanical disc brakes are great. My son has them on his bike also. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Cross Country Rider
from Oklahoma City
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any single track | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Bianchi, parts specs | | Weaknesses: | I don't know yet | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | It will be stock except for a Mars Super I took off my sons bike. | | Bottom Line: | This must be a good bike. I ordered it in January, 2003 and haven't recieved yet (back ordered). Hopefully from reading these reviews it will be worth the wait. Ever heard of the slow boat from China? Well this must be the slow boat from Italy. As far as ratings go I'll give good ones until I've ridden it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Padre
a Cross Country Rider
from Costa Mesa, Ca
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | The Path Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Cost effective
Disc ready | | Weaknesses: | Weak
Cheap paint.
Lame cable routing. | | Similar Products Used: | n/a | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi MXPro
Avid Discs
Thompson/Thompson
| | Bottom Line: | Had it a month.
It broke today.
Chainstay cracked in half.
Steel is NOT real.
And..eheee... My Bike Sucks | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Conway, Arkansas
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Camp Robinson | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$749.00 | | Purchased At: | Outdoor Inc, Memphis, TNN | | Strengths: | Manipulated steel, disc specific, outstanding components for the money, no need to switch out anything! | | Weaknesses: | Weak paint, unsealed headse w/carrier bearings | | Similar Products Used: | Demo'd a Sofa King | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Try building up a steel (let alone one made out of anything other than 4130!) disc specific single speed for less than 1K. I think one would be hard pressed to put a bike together anywhere near the caliber of the SISS for what it sells for.
My only gripe is that the saddle is an OEM vinyl WTB Laser V. Not that it isn't comfortable, I just hand vinyl as they tear easier. I suppose another really moderate gripe is the paint, but I haven't ridden anything with paint in so long, been on a Ti hardtail, that this could be the norm for non-powder coated frames.
The ride is awesome, makes one wonder why anyone ever bought aluminum hardtails. No complaints about the geometry, nothing too radical, but everything works well. I felt well in control of the bike, and haven't picked up on any nagging geometry quirks. I am 5'9 and have the 17.5 with 175mm cranks.
If you're thinking about getting in a single speed, don't hesitate.
Oh, my bike had two cable guides on the TT and two on the chain stay, no zip tie for me. I also had the polished Truvativ cranks as opposed to the black ones pictured on Bianchi's web page. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael H
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | hartwood acres | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$749.00 | | Purchased At: | trm cycles | | Strengths: | light, responsive ride, inexpensive for good parts such as spot rear hub, avid disks, nice cranks. | | Weaknesses: | rear disk brakes are difficult to adjust with horizontal drop outs and adjustable disk mounts | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | great bike for the parts, I could not build a similar bike for under a thousand with disk brakes. I use the bike exclusively for communiting to work. It gives a good work out and can take a lot of punishment from all the snow and road grime. I really love this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtnpat
a Weekend Warrior
from Front Royal, VA
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$849.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Outfitters, Leesburg, VA | | Strengths: | Ride quality, components, low maintenance | | Weaknesses: | Paint chips/rubs off easily, heavy, low bottom bracket | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Replaced grips with ODI Rogue lock-ons, pedals with SPDs, 16t freewheel with an 18t, and BMX chain with a SRAM PC58, other than that bone stock. | | Bottom Line: | I love riding this bike! Climbs great out of the saddle, and rocks on the downhills. The low riser bar works for me, no complaints. Dispite a somewhat aggresive riding position, I never feel like I cam going to endo either. Seat is very comfortable. Mine came with a polished version of the TruVativ SS crank, which look pretty cool. Bike is hands-off stable, but is also fast and flickable in tight situations. Lots of fun in tight singletrack.
I have the 21.5" version with 180mm cranks. On a digital hanging scale, the bike weighed in at 24.7 lbs (24 pounds, 11.2 ounces).
For the money, it is simply a great value...start looking at what the components on this bike would cost separately(like the Spot rear hub), and you will see what I mean. The complete wheelset (tires included) are great.
A couple of things are mis-represented in the Bianchi publications though. First, the Dedacciai tubeset is not the EOM variety as stated, but actually the COM variety (probably cheaper steel). Not sure if it is butted, but it does show some interesting tube manipulation on the downtube, so it is not el cheapo or anything. Second, the WTB Laser Race seat is supposed to have titanium rails (according to WTB, not Bianchi), but mine says ChroMo right on the rail. Not sure who is pulling a fast one here, but it is not the exact saddle that Bianchi and WTB advertise as being on the bike.
Bottom line - buy one (and some touch up paint).
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank
a Racer
from Lansing Michigan
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Erics Cycle of Lansing | | Strengths: | Good looking frame. Disk spicific. Tire clearance. Other than the peddles, there aren't any bottom shelf parts on the bike. | | Weaknesses: | Shimano freewheel. Short 175mm cranks. Titec super low rise bar. Had to turn the chain master link around just like the other dude. No more clicking. I'll have to get either a stick on cable guide for the TT or if I can find a metal one, JB Weld baby! | | Similar Products Used: | All converted singlespeeds. Haro Escape converted, Schwinn Homegrown conveted, GT Rebound converted. No disks ever. | | Bike Setup: | Stock other than a Thompson seat post, XTR clipless, Titec Berzerker. So far. Plan on a carbon riser and perhaps Stans tubeless for until the Mutanoraptors wear out. | | Bottom Line: | Bought this bike wanting 1) steel 2) single speed
Disks were a bonus. I've always been anal about my brakes and never quite satisfied. Hoping the disks are the ticket. Only ridden the bike twice now. It has very light, quick steering in the single track. The fat 2.4's rail the corners even when covered with wet leaves. The bike feels quite light when riding and I can throw it where ever I want. The rear tire was actually churning when I stood up and hammered up hills. So I guess it's still pretty stiff out back. The steel frame and fat tires really do soak up the small hits.
It weighed in on my bathroom scale at 21.5lbs bone stock. Thats for the 19.5 frame. I'm 6'1" and it feels like a nice fit.
I was leaning towards building up a Surly with my race parts, but would have still been plagued with the sour brake issues. Plus I really wanted FAT tires. This thing has plenty of room left even with the 2.4's! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cramer
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$775.00 | | Purchased At: | Velo City Cycles (Holland, MI) | | Strengths: | Great value. If you don't have a pile of parts laying around to build a SS, this is a good way to go. | | Weaknesses: | Cable routing for the rear disc brake is cheesy and they use a zip tie on the top tube. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a great riding bike and they really nailed it with the specs. The tires, saddle, and brakes are all top notch IMO. The sizing and geometry are a little odd. I'm 6' tall and normally ride a 19" or maybe a 20" frame but I bought the 21.5" because it gave me the best fit. They size these from the top of the seat collar instead of the center of the top tube which makes a huge difference.
It kind of reminds me of an old school early 90's geometry but it works well for this application. I was worried about the long stem and low bar position but since the fork is so light compared to a suspension fork, I still have no trouble lifting it over obstacles and the lower bars make it easier for me to climb.
There was a clicking noise coming from the drivetrain sometimes and later I noticed my bash ring has uniform scratches on it which I now believe are the result of the master link rubbing on it. I switched the master link to the other side of the chain but I haven't ridden since then so I don't know if that got rid of the clicking sound.
I haven't owned it long enough to comment on its durability, which is an important factor also, it's just too new.
Five chilis for value and Four overall because of the crappy cable routing for the rear disc. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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