saga77039

Any of you guys either have one of these or test ridden one of these?? Im thinking about picking up a Via Nirone in the next month or so and wanted to get some opinions on it.

I like the look of the Via Nirone's. It would probably be the Sora model. Im also looking into a Scott Speedster S50 or a Specialized Allez (Sora equipped).

thanks..

the beef

I hear the Via Nirone is a sweet ride. Still..

I don't have experience with the frame, but I've owned a bike with Sora components. My overall experience with em was pretty underwhelming. Overall, the Via Nirone 7 Sora for $799 MSRP isn't the greatest deal out there. Look around at perhaps the closeout 06 models for some killer prices.

saga77039

i think will probably upgrade some of the sora drivetrain to 105 later on...right now i just want to train on it. if i ever feel the need to do anything more..then i will upgrade to 105....if and when..

saga77039

anyone else??

clausen

I have an '05 Via Nirone 7 and love it. Never did run the bike stock, It came with 9 speed mirage components switched out 10 speed veloce Right away because I wanted 10 speed. I found that the Bianchi has a more stable ride than the allez which I like. I believe the new Bianchi are the same geometry so they should handle the same. As for the components theres nothing wrong with sora if your riding for pleasure.

brundle_fly

I have an 06' Nirone Ultegra.Bought it used though,and I'm very happy with it.Those Scott Speedsters look very nice too

Hopetoditchcar

bump for more experience, I might be buying one this weekend

gantman

I have the Via Nirone C2C frame with the 105 setup & celeste frame. The more I ride it, the more I like it.

I previously rode a 1998 Trek 5000 with Campy Veloce. With the Bianchi, I am impressed with the better balance. It is much more suited to the way I ride now, which is mostly recreational. The geometry is a tad more relaxed and comfortable. The cons, which are minimal are; the bike is a little heavier. The Aluminum frame (even with the carbon seat stay and fork) offers a little firmer ride. I am by no standard an expert, just my 2 cents.

I recommend highly as long as you are not expecting a racing bike. As always, ride it before buying.

Hopetoditchcar

what makes the gemoetry more relaxed and comfortable?

clausen

It's the head angle and wheel base. Even though it use a compact frame for sizing the main points hubs, handle bars, saddle and BB and angles are a Italian stage bike compared to crit bikes.
Here is a little article on Italian geometry. go to the "Italian "STAGE GEOMETRY"" section

https://www.smartcycles.com/stage_bikes.htm

gantman

Hopetoditchcar ....
Just noticed your sig. You may want to look elsewhere for a bike. The Aluminum Via Nirone frames are made in Taiwan.

Hopetoditchcar

The frames say rc on them, which means made in italy

gantman

Sorry... Not anymore. Mine has got an RC plaque and a "Made in Taiwan" sticker. LBS verified origin of frame. It doesn't make a difference to me, but just wanted to make you aware if it is a barrier in your decision when getting a new bike. I certainly would not want to spend the money to find something like that after the fact.

michaelmc

I can't believe that I wasted a few minutes of my life reading that crap. What the "Italian 'STAGE GEOMETRY'" section boiled down to is "A bike's geometry is important. Italian bikes come in many sizes. That is good." It says nothing about what exactly characterizes such geometry in terms of angles and relative lengths, and the diagrams, which also are devoid of such empirical measurements, specifically say "not to scale"! More factless horse**** designed to sell whatever bike the propagator is selling.

Hopetoditchcar

REALLY?!?!?! I guess the via nirone is out now

rousseau

Your signature is offensive and moronic.

I know it's less likely for you to grok the idea simply because you're an American, but here's something to ponder: We're not all Americans on this list. Even more shockingly, some of us have lived in Taiwan and have strong connections to the place.

But most astoundingly of all, there are excellent bicycles being made in Taiwan these days. I ride one myself, actually.

What kind of childish and/or ignorant mentality does one have to have to make bombastic proclamations against the manufacturing sector of a certain country with the expectation that all and sundry are Americans and therefore should necessarily agree with them?

jkw

Ok guys,
It shouldn't really concern you where the frame is made, as Taiwanese bikes are of the highest quality if you're buying these well known brands. Their engineering is advanced (especially carbon), and most bikes are made in the same few factories...

Please correct me if I'm wrong, this is just what I have gathered from other people...

However, on topic, I have also read that US-bound lower end Bianchis are made in Taiwan, whether they say Reparto Corse or not. I think that some are even US made (probably wrong).

Here in the UK, and I'm assuming most of Europe, they are made in Italy. My Via Nirone has no "made in Taiwan" stickers on it, and even goes so far as to say HANDMADE in Italy

gantman

JKW

I agree with you. Everything I have seen and heard about the European vs. US distribution channels concurs with what you have stated. I don't think it makes a difference in the quality of the frame. Even if it does, I am happy with mine.

If someone does not want to buy a frame because origin, material, brand or whatever.... so be it. Some reasons may be valid, some may not. I am simply stating two facts; I like my bike. The frame was made in Taiwan.

Angry rants loaded with assumptions and name calling say much more about the ranter than what he or she is ranting against.

rousseau

Not wanting to buy a frame due to its origin is one thing. Calling what a country produces "garbage" and exhorting people to "never buy Taiwan!" is quite another.

Hopetoditchcar

Someone at a shop mentioned this to me, and again it has been brought up by JKW. Why does manufacturers supply their european buyers with bikes made in europe, but supply the american buyers with bikes made in taiwan?

gantman

Distribution can add a substantial cost to getting a product to market. I assume it plays a role in this case as well. If Bianchi does produce the same frames in Italy and Taiwan, I am willing to bet they would centralize production when and where there is a cost benefit to do so as long as quality did not suffer.
A company the size and with the reputation of Bianchi has much more to lose in the long run if their quality declines regardless of any short term gains in margin.

Hopetoditchcar

Do you think it could be related to the consumer as well? Most americans don't seem to mind where a frame is made, but maybe those in europe do? Maybe people in Europe prefer a frame to made in their own backyard?

gantman

There is a mystique to Italian bikes. I'm pretty sure that operates at different levels depending on location. I was disappointed when I discovered that the frame was made in Taiwan. I was also disappointed when I discovered that the bike I preferred and could afford was not available Campy equipped. (By the way, Bianchi also has many more Campy equipped bikes for this frame in Europe as well.) My disappointment did not have anything to do with quality, only mystique. By all tangible measurements, the bike performed the way I wanted. So I got it... No regrets.

However, to your point... companies do spend a lot of money on marketing departments, advertising agencies etc... Not only do they gauge a consumers wants, but they also work to help sell the product by appealing to emotions. If Bianchi still uses that mystique to sell bikes in Europe, producing frames in Taiwan would definitely be a conflict.

gopheralex

I ordered my C2C Via Nirone Sora back in February and it just came in last month. It's a 50cm, weighing in at about 20 pounds on the bathroom scale. $799, Made in Taiwan. There is not enough celeste on it, but oh well. I was a little disappointed because on the website, the color is silver and it has carbon seat stays. It's also listed as having Ambrosio wheels, whereas mine are Alex. But that's okay. On my first ride I became familiar with the Sora front derailleur, SLAMMING the chain into the chainstay and taking out a big gouge of the paint. I think it was a misadjusted limit screw, but I will eventually be upgrading it to full Campy anyway.

(Shown as stock except for the pedals & bottle cage)

Adagio Corse

I have the 928 C2C Ultegra and I love it to death. Comfy and smooth. Fits my riding style to a T. I ride long straight routes for miles on end. It absorbs bumps very well, but I run 700x25 clinchers at 90psi, so that may have something to do with comfort too.

As for the made in Taiwan Bianchi's. Apparently, American sold Bianchis are unique to the American market, with the exception of the "RC" models and maybe the cyclocross concept, but almost all the other models are designed for Americans by Americans (by Bianchi North America) and produced in Taiwan. No differently, there are models in Japan designed uniquely for the Japanese market. Bianchi has a very sophisticated marketing arm that caters to individual countries. Just as there are several Euro only models that Americans have no access to.