Solid, cheap, lightweight.

Track drops, rear brake mounts.

Bought this bike as a frame back in 2007 and have been riding it on and off since. Since I started with just a frame so this is what I will review. Paid as much for the brakes as I did the the frame originally on CL I really like the geo, sure it looks weird at first glance, but it flies. The long top tube and slack headtube seam ahead of its time. Running a shortish stem 70mm makes it on my Med 17.5". For flat-ish terrain its my go to!

Its been great as a ride and also as a project. The only real problem I ever had was the rear brake mounts where warped by the original owner and had to file them down so that I could slide them around/remove the wheel. Also the track drops require a chain tensioner or a solid axle wheel. Anyway current build, Reba 100mm, Xt brakes/cranks, dt/xtr wheels, misc enve/raceface cockpit, 2.4/2.2 conti's, etc. Gearing 33/18.

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On-one Imbred, Cannondale Rush, Var. Road/Cross bikes, lots of SS's

Specifically the frame is exceptional. Light, Stiff, and cheap. Three things that seldom come together when describing a bike. The fork is heavy and generic but that is because it has to balance out how great the frame is I would guess.

Product did not come with a disclaimer stating it was 'too good'.

The bottom line is this bike was a game changer for me. I left full suspension cross country all together after one ride on this. I kept it fully rigid and changed parts out as they got worn or no longer met my satisfaction. As a stock bike I thought it was spec'd perfectly and rode very well for its price.
I bought this new in 02 at the shop I was working at and it had remained in great shape until the day it was stolen (6/1/11). I've never owned a bike that had such complacency. It took easy riding, abusive riding and everything in between. It even took me to a podium in my class for one of the few races I did on her. After 9 years of riding I can say this is one exceptional bike. If you have the opportunity to own one of these presented to you, take it! You will not regret it. I am currently looking for another one [DiSS].

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Nothing similar. I stopped using full suspension after getting this bike for the cross country rides and races.

Light, great geometry, and componentry for this price point.

None noteworthy. Well, maybe brake cable routing.

I love this bike, as in "emotional attachment". It's reminds what biking was like when I was a kid. Given this, when I think of which bike to take for a certain trail it's the first one I think of...unless the trail has long flats or uphills. It's really perfect for tight, rolling hill trails. Every time you crank it, you feel the back tire gripping the dirt through your legs, I guess it's the bike equivalent of road feel. Anyway, I think all of Bianchi's SSs of the time had about the same geometry. If you can find one, get one.

Great bike, good looking quality components

No Front Brake Pads upon delivery and Bianchi didnt seem to give a crap! Bianchi USA passed the buck and thank God I had a good shop that took care of the problem at their own expense! If Bianchi USA would have been more accomodating and taken responsibility I would have given 5 flames!

Great bike and am really happy with it! Just order some extra pads at the time of purchase in case the pads arent in there.

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I also own a VOODOO Nzumbi that has RaceFace Cranks, XTR brakes, Time Pedals and Manitou TiSX forks!

Great Frame. Great components- Avid Mech Disc Brakes, Truvativ Cranks, wide bar and great HUGE tires.

head set/stem seems to have an ongoing creaking sound...

Bottom line- this is a great bike for the rider who wants to find out what singlespeedingis all about or anyone who wants a highly quality ride for the lowest price.

The bike is very resonsive and a blast to ride! After a brief adjustment period you will stop going for the gears and concentrating on momentum, technique and speed. I have been tinkering with the bike ever since getting it and it has been nothing but fun- I didn't realize how fun it would be to find the best balance between weight, performance and personal touches...

I put a z2 Atom 80 up front and it matches up very nicely! The front end feels a little heavy but it hasn't bothered me. I have seen the bike with a Manitou BLACK and there was a definite weight advantage, but the only place I want to be using an air pump is on my tires...

I found the gearing to be just alittle too heavy for technical climbs, and I switched the freewheel for a 17 tooth Shimano BMX. Now I can squeeze out that last little umph to keep the wheels rolling. The Bianchi DISS comes with a 32 Tooth Chainring giving the rider the ability to make the gear easier (using 17 or 18 tooth cogs) but I am not sure if you can make it harder without getting a 34 tooth chain ring (Spot makes rings and guards that will fit the Truvativ Cranks).

A couple of other important points. The front Avid Brake pads seem to be getting knocked loose and lost in shipment; if you special order the DISS, like I did, you may want to order a spare set of pads. Even if you don't need them right away you may need them down the road. Speaking of brakes, the frame and rigid fork only accomodate disc brakes and will not accomodate linear brakes. If you are on the fence about whether you will keep the disks you may want to consider a 2000 CUSS if they are still available. Finally, the 17.5 size comes with 175mm cranks; I'm not sure if the larger sizes are spec'ed with 180mm's but if you are a taller rider that might be something you should look into. I'm on the shorter side and was happy with the 175mm.

This is a long review but I hope this information helps anyone considering the DISS as an option. The bike is excellent and I expect many many many happy miles!

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Bianchi CUSS

Headset
Grips
Pedals

Following the first real test of adverse conditions... moderate rain and copius mud...the headset was totally f***ed up and full of gritty kitty. I took it the shop and they overhauled the headset, said the rain had carried debris down into it from the top, and they warned me it would happen again. I had them slap a Chris King silver in it for $109. Looks great, no more worries on that end.
The freewheel is also gritty following that ride, the shop said from time to time lay it over and pour Phil's Tenacious Oil in the groove on the drive side and to plan on replacing the freewheel about every year. That's kinda weak but when I do replace it I will buy something more durable.
Put a shorter/angled stem to get off the front wheel. Better tires and grips.
I still love this bike, it's great, but I'm droppin a chili for the headset B**lS**t. Flush the AHEADSET and get a Chris King. If you ride this bike with a rigid fork you have my respect.

avid disk brakes are the best easton stem, bars, and frame and the wtb wheels are pretty good

rigid fork(so i had to change that out) and the wtb saddle and tires put some tioga downhills a bike that looks this good needs so treads to go with it and the wtb grips how you you expect someone to ride a bike without yeti grips its just not human

this is the dopest bike made in 2002 almost up there with the trek fuel 100 but not quite loved this bike till some punk stole it from me guess ill have to just get another one

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none why look anywhere else for a dope single speed disk brakes come on

Grest looks, good parts mix, good price, easton stem and bar, Isis Truvativ crank, light weight

cheap headset, rigid fork, wire beaded tires

This bike is a blast to ride. At first you keeping tryin to find the rapid fire trigger because you start revving out on your spin. The baike really makes you ride more efficiently. You learn to pedal at the right times and coast as well. The Mutanoraptors are killer tires. They hold a line in whatever is in the way. The roll well and if you lower the tire pressure will climb loose, sandy hills like a wildcat. The gearing was a little heavy for the climbing we do in Colorado but it wasn't too bad. I feel that to be smart you will need to invest some money on a couple of extra sprockets and freewheels. Just like when I use to race BMX, I would change my gearing for the specific track (downhill and or flat). Just a thought. I would recommend this bike to anyone looking to expand their biking skills. Ride on!

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BMX bikes and cruisers when I was a teenager

solid
light (25 lbs with Marzocchi fork)
smooth
value
looks

paint finish is easily scratched/rubbed off
(I'm talkin' finger-nail easy)

SWEET SINGLE SPEED MACHINE!
Solid and sturdy...yet light. Had the dealer slap a Marzocchi Z4 air/oil (no coils) on it before I even rode it...still feels evenly balanced front to rear. A light shock for a light bike. The pedals that come on it are designed to be temporary...plan on buying some SPD's. Flushed the stock tires, they were meant for all terrain use on a rigid frame bike, swapped with the dealer for some mud-hogs. I had the dealer swap the 16 tooth in the back for an 18 so I could climb easier...not very fast on the flats though. The paint job looks like a million bucks but scratches like a $2-HO. And if anyone tells you that the AVID mechanical disc brakes suck...it's because they don't understand how to adjust them. I figured out a trick to get them dialed in and I posted a separate review under brakes. Check it out if you need it.
SINGLE SPEEDERS ROCK AND SO DOES THIS BIKE!
Buy one!

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Rockhopper Comp FS

Value for money, Stock spec- Avid Mechanicals, WTB disc specific rims, Trivaviv crank, Easton

Paint does chip easily

I bought this bike for use as my commuter (mainly off road up and through Forest park) since single speeding seemed like a low maintenance, inexpensive and fun way to get some fitness back into this beaten up and misused body of mine.
My full suspension bike now no longer gets a look in and is hanging in the garage getting its share of care and attention from the spiders.
The D.I.S.S is a great all round bike for the money. The avids are the best brakes I have had on any bike. I have the modulation set for maximum feel with the levers positioned for single digit braking.
I tried riding the bike with the rigid fork for a while when I first bought it but had to give in, put my hand back in my pocket and get the Marzocchi with the Chris King to finish the package. The Bianchi frame feels very responsive and the stiffness that was all too present with the rigid fork has been dampened nicely with the addition of the MXC.
The Chain link was catching the ring guard when I first got the bike. I liked having the ring guard so, rather than removing it, I solved the problem by rotating the chain so the offending chain link is facing the rear wheel. The mutanoraptors that came with the bike have served me well over the summer but have been retired for the cyclocross season and replaced with the skinnier Continentals. They will be back on the bike in the spring.
I had to add some cable ties to stop the continuous cable slapping and put on some paint saving clear stickers at the advice of some earlier reviewers.
Bottom bottom line is this bike has given me twice the fun of my full suspension at a third of the price, with a great workout included for free! If I had known I would ride this bike as much as I do, I would have paid a lttle more and got a Gunnar or Jerhicho.
Buy this bike unless you want to pay for/can afford a custom steel build.
1 chilli off for the 'Italian' but made in Taiwan along with the easily chipped paint job.

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Tried a Gunnar S.S, Rode a BMX whan I was younger, have a Cannondale Jekyll.