Bianchi, Giant or Canyon?
11-05-18, 01:46 PM
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Bianchi, Giant or Canyon?
So I have been riding for over a decade now. i got started on used bikes off of ebay and then bought a Kestrel about eight years ago, but I am ready to make a more serious investment in a bike ($2-2.5K) and have started looking and trying to dial in what I want.
Bianchi Aria 105
Giant TCR Advanced 2 or disc
Canyon CF SL 8.0
One of my first bikes was a Bianchi and I love the aero frame on the Aria 105. However, I have seen great reviews all over the place about the Giant TCR Advanced and my LBS is a giant dealer. However I also like the look and have heard good things about the Canyon CF SL 8.0. Im not sure about the compact geometry of the Giant frame.
Anyone have experience with the above bikes? What did you like or not like? Is an Aero frame worth the extra money? Obviously I know that I will need to ride the bikes and get a feel for them. But I thought I would start here for some feedback and suggestions.
Bianchi Aria 105
Giant TCR Advanced 2 or disc
Canyon CF SL 8.0
One of my first bikes was a Bianchi and I love the aero frame on the Aria 105. However, I have seen great reviews all over the place about the Giant TCR Advanced and my LBS is a giant dealer. However I also like the look and have heard good things about the Canyon CF SL 8.0. Im not sure about the compact geometry of the Giant frame.
Anyone have experience with the above bikes? What did you like or not like? Is an Aero frame worth the extra money? Obviously I know that I will need to ride the bikes and get a feel for them. But I thought I would start here for some feedback and suggestions.
11-05-18, 02:46 PM
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No experience with any of them ( I did own a TCR Advanced SL for a while) but between the three mentioned I would go with the Canyon without a doubt. SL frame, all Ultegra, hydraulic discs and about 1lb lighter then the other two. But Also $2800 so above what you listed as your top limit. Also direct sale so you'll need to be able to assemble and tune it yourself or add another $100-150 for shop to do it. Out of the other two it would be hands down the Giant. The Giant and Bianchi look very similar in spec. The Giant MSRP is $700 less. Your LBS is a Giant dealer so it all adds up
11-05-18, 07:20 PM
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Sounds like my dilemma but on endurance frames. I ended up with the Bianchi because celeste, but that's not exactly a great reason.
Given your LBS and the relationship, I'd be hard-pressed NOT to get the Giant -- especially if you like it a lot. I wanted to get a bike from my preferred LBS, but wasn't looking at the brands they carry. Canyon presents the value for money, I think, given their direct model, however.
Given your LBS and the relationship, I'd be hard-pressed NOT to get the Giant -- especially if you like it a lot. I wanted to get a bike from my preferred LBS, but wasn't looking at the brands they carry. Canyon presents the value for money, I think, given their direct model, however.
11-05-18, 07:22 PM
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I'm a Bianchi guy. I'd get the Bianchi.
11-05-18, 08:06 PM
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TCR is a fantastic bike. One of the best overall handling/racing bikes out there.
I had extensive time on a Canyon CF SLX and it's a very good bike. Canyon's best road bike.
Of the two, I would go for your personal taste and what kind of price you can get.
More likely to get a good deal on the Giant with end of year, stuff going on sale.
Personally, I like the flat black Canyon style.
If the dollars are equal, gotta go with Canyon for the Ultegra spec.
If your LBS can hook you up with a Ultegra TCR for equal money, that would be a tough call.
It depends on fit too- both offer limited sizes, so that may make the decision for you.
no, aero bikes are not worth it unless you think they are.
For the same money, you get lower spec/heavier/less comfort for aero shaped tubes.
Same goes for disc brakes. But that's up to you of course.
Both the Canyon and TCR are upgrade worthy and long lasting bikes.
I don't know anything about the Bianchi.
I had extensive time on a Canyon CF SLX and it's a very good bike. Canyon's best road bike.
Of the two, I would go for your personal taste and what kind of price you can get.
More likely to get a good deal on the Giant with end of year, stuff going on sale.
Personally, I like the flat black Canyon style.
If the dollars are equal, gotta go with Canyon for the Ultegra spec.
If your LBS can hook you up with a Ultegra TCR for equal money, that would be a tough call.
It depends on fit too- both offer limited sizes, so that may make the decision for you.
no, aero bikes are not worth it unless you think they are.
For the same money, you get lower spec/heavier/less comfort for aero shaped tubes.
Same goes for disc brakes. But that's up to you of course.
Both the Canyon and TCR are upgrade worthy and long lasting bikes.
I don't know anything about the Bianchi.
11-06-18, 04:39 AM
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I love my TCR Advanced 2. I like that the new models come with tubeless tires, even though I've never tried them. If i could've bought a disc brake model I think I would have, but there wasn't the option that year in Japan.
11-06-18, 05:22 AM
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Your particular needs, your fitness, riding goals, fit challenges trump any difference between the bikes. They are all fantastic bikes and you will get love for all of them from different members here who own them.
But each may not be best for you.
If you are asking about aero, go out on the web and watch some GCN videos on youtube.
Generally concensus is...if you don't race or don't ride in the A group, don't get an aero bike.
Typically an endurance bike will be best for an 'average cyclist'...why they are so popular.
But you may have extraordinary flexibility...or have a very long torso and short legs.
So its more about you that determines the best bike. All name brand bikes are excellent and how they got to be name brands.
But each may not be best for you.
If you are asking about aero, go out on the web and watch some GCN videos on youtube.
Generally concensus is...if you don't race or don't ride in the A group, don't get an aero bike.
Typically an endurance bike will be best for an 'average cyclist'...why they are so popular.
But you may have extraordinary flexibility...or have a very long torso and short legs.
So its more about you that determines the best bike. All name brand bikes are excellent and how they got to be name brands.
11-06-18, 07:20 AM
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Your particular needs, your fitness, riding goals, fit challenges trump any difference between the bikes. They are all fantastic bikes and you will get love for all of them from different members here who own them.
But each may not be best for you.
If you are asking about aero, go out on the web and watch some GCN videos on youtube.
Generally concensus is...if you don't race or don't ride in the A group, don't get an aero bike.
Typically an endurance bike will be best for an 'average cyclist'...why they are so popular.
But you may have extraordinary flexibility...or have a very long torso and short legs.
So its more about you that determines the best bike. All name brand bikes are excellent and how they got to be name brands.
But each may not be best for you.
If you are asking about aero, go out on the web and watch some GCN videos on youtube.
Generally concensus is...if you don't race or don't ride in the A group, don't get an aero bike.
Typically an endurance bike will be best for an 'average cyclist'...why they are so popular.
But you may have extraordinary flexibility...or have a very long torso and short legs.
So its more about you that determines the best bike. All name brand bikes are excellent and how they got to be name brands.
These are great points, Im not racing I mostly ride for fitness and I do a weekly fast group ride. The Bianchi is more than I need for sure, but I've always had a thing for Bianchis, they are just beautiful bikes. Im leaning right now towards the Giant Advanced 2 based on pricing, LBS relationship, and the great reviews I have seen for them. I will have to give it a test ride and see.
11-06-18, 07:30 AM
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11-06-18, 11:29 AM
#13
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I don't own any of the 3 brands mentioned, but all I can say is that Giant gives on hell of a bang for the buck. 
11-06-18, 11:57 AM
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This the general consensus of what I keep hearing, i'm starting to lean more towards the Giant now. My heart says Bianchi but my budget and my brain are saying Giant TCR!
11-06-18, 03:05 PM
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Well if you plan on keeping the bike for a long long time go with what you really want price be damned, been riding my dream bike for going on 15 years now. Just bought a 2019 because of back surgery and old age, I need something more comfortable for longer rides, still keeping the dream bike for the 20 milers.
11-06-18, 03:33 PM
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No experience with any of them ( I did own a TCR Advanced SL for a while) but between the three mentioned I would go with the Canyon without a doubt. SL frame, all Ultegra, hydraulic discs and about 1lb lighter then the other two. But Also $2800 so above what you listed as your top limit. Also direct sale so you'll need to be able to assemble and tune it yourself or add another $100-150 for shop to do it. Out of the other two it would be hands down the Giant. The Giant and Bianchi look very similar in spec. The Giant MSRP is $700 less. Your LBS is a Giant dealer so it all adds up
11-06-18, 03:38 PM
#17
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Nothing new for '19 road bikes so far as I see... Trek had something happening with its Domane ALR offerings but pretty much dumped it for... ???
I'd usually be looking for a replacement for my current '15 rig but..
Maybe the 2020s but for now and for the ones you mentioned... I'd say, go Giant!
I'd usually be looking for a replacement for my current '15 rig but..
Maybe the 2020s but for now and for the ones you mentioned... I'd say, go Giant!
11-06-18, 03:52 PM
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Yeah this was my thought also, I wish there was a way to test ride the Canyon so I could compare ride quality to the TCR. Although I've heard great things about Canyon bikes.
11-06-18, 04:11 PM
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aero tube bianchi looks better
Come to San Diego, Canyon has a store here.
Come to San Diego, Canyon has a store here.
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Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
turns out I also really like it, but you pay for the Celeste.
11-06-18, 05:48 PM
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Giant offers most bang for the buck
11-06-18, 07:47 PM
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Just theoretically, it's hard to imagine how Canyon could offer better value than Giant - Giant are like Shimano or Toyota; a huge outfit with class-leading tech and unbeatable economies of scale, plus zero wank factor.
11-06-18, 08:58 PM
#25
Kit doesn't match
Agreed, except Giant sells through a dealer network and Canyon sells direct.