11New Bike Advice-'91 Trek 2100 or '06 Bianchi Forza
12-10-12, 01:52 PM
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11New Bike Advice-'91 Trek 2100 or '06 Bianchi Forza
Hey guys, I'm a college student who got hooked onto riding after getting a fixie for school. Now I realized how useless they are for hills, which is pretty much everywhere in East Bay. So now I have 2 choices, a '91 Trek 2100 with 105 components, but it's downtube shifting (which I have never used) or a '06 Bianchi Forza (https://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/B...e#.UMY-XYc8CSo)
So which one should I get? They're both $200. Thanks in advance guys!
So which one should I get? They're both $200. Thanks in advance guys!
12-10-12, 03:16 PM
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Bianchi because of its age. Should require less maintenance. Down tube shifting is easily switched out but it will add cost. Am not sure when rear dropouts became wider - something to check because if they the older dimension spreading might not be possible with carbon seat stays. For everyday I would go find a good used steel frame bike.
12-10-12, 03:18 PM
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+1 on Forza
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12-10-12, 03:20 PM
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I have a Trek (1400) of that vintage. Its a great bike and I still ride it regularly, but I enjoy wrenching and doing my own maintenance. If you saw it today, you'd think it was a later model.
However, between those two options, I would recommend getting the Bianchi based again on age alone and having modern parts.
However, between those two options, I would recommend getting the Bianchi based again on age alone and having modern parts.
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Last edited by Drag; 12-10-12 at 07:28 PM.
12-10-12, 03:38 PM
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The Bianchi has fairly low end components, but even cheap Shimano stuff usually works ok.
I would get the Bianchi. New components could be swapped onto the Trek later, and I happen to like downtube shifters fine but...
Really neither bike is going to be adequate if you get the road cycling bug badly, and neither is going to be worth putting a ton of money into "upgrading". You'll be more likely to get a good price for the Bianchi if/when the time comes to sell it.
Having ridden fixed for a while I find the descending more annoying than the climbing. Being geared appropriately for the way up means spinning like mad on the way down. The cheap solution is to put a freewheel on your existing bike, gear it down as needed, and run two brakes.
I would get the Bianchi. New components could be swapped onto the Trek later, and I happen to like downtube shifters fine but...
Really neither bike is going to be adequate if you get the road cycling bug badly, and neither is going to be worth putting a ton of money into "upgrading". You'll be more likely to get a good price for the Bianchi if/when the time comes to sell it.
Having ridden fixed for a while I find the descending more annoying than the climbing. Being geared appropriately for the way up means spinning like mad on the way down. The cheap solution is to put a freewheel on your existing bike, gear it down as needed, and run two brakes.
12-10-12, 03:50 PM
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Bianchi.
12-10-12, 06:30 PM
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Fit, fit, fit. Buy neither if they are the wrong size for you.
If you can test ride them, give each a go and buy the one that fits you the best. Either one should be a perfectly functional bike for your needs (assuming they are in good condition).
DT shifting is no big deal. Brifters are nice, but the DT shifters not a deal killer in my book. The 2100 was and still is a nice bike. Plus, retro is cool.
If you can test ride them, give each a go and buy the one that fits you the best. Either one should be a perfectly functional bike for your needs (assuming they are in good condition).
DT shifting is no big deal. Brifters are nice, but the DT shifters not a deal killer in my book. The 2100 was and still is a nice bike. Plus, retro is cool.
12-12-12, 08:04 PM
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thanks guys for helping me on my first real bike! I'll go with the bianchi!
