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Bianchi Sprint 2021: Why Not?

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Bianchi Sprint 2021: Why Not?

Old 10-27-21, 01:34 PM
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ridelikeaturtle
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Bianchi Sprint 2021: Why Not?

The girlfriend wants to upgrade - significantly - from her 2016 Specialized Dolce w/8-speed Claris. It's a pretty decent little bike, but she wants a level above that (at least). She does 6K kms a year and is no pushover, so it wouldn't get dusty.

She's got her eyes full of a new Bianchi Sprint with 105.

Since I'm a huge Bianchi fan, I'm a bit biased. I think it's a gorgeous machine, I've looked at the geometry of her old bike vs this one, the Bianchi seems a little more racy, with a lower stack and ever-so-slightly shorter reach. But it's really similar and shouldn't be anything she can't adapt to. The upgrade in components should put a massive smile on her face.

Is there any reason she shouldn't treat herself?

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Old 10-27-21, 02:08 PM
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Probably quite a bit more aggressive fit on the Bianchi as opposed to her current Dolce. Although if the Dolce is a smaller size than what she would normally be recommended, then maybe not.

I wouldn't expect to easily get the bars back to the Saddle to bar drop height her Dolce probably is at currently. So if a more aero position isn't desired, I'd look for some other Bianchi or another brand.
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Old 10-27-21, 03:10 PM
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Myself, I'd get an Infiniti instead. Heck, I just might!
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Old 10-27-21, 03:43 PM
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She might need to play with stem and spacers ... or whatever. it looks like an awesome bike ... but she probably needs to look at a couple more, and sit on a couple, and think it over.
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Old 10-27-21, 05:09 PM
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It looks very nice. The 105 groupset is excellent. I like Bianchi, I love the colour. Might want to think about disc vs rim brakes. Might also want to consider the Infinito, depending on the sort of riding she does. Race vs Endurance.
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Old 10-27-21, 06:48 PM
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How old is she and how's her flexability?
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Old 10-28-21, 04:23 AM
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I would think there are enough different stems in the world that one of them would solve any position difficulties.

I don't see why she shouldn't treat herself, but the flexibility question above could be a pertinent one.
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Old 10-28-21, 04:27 AM
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As much as I like that Bianchi Sprint (she loves it too, just based on looks), this isn't a bike for me, so I'm going to take what seems to be a sound general consensus advice to pop into every bike shop she passes and try out a load of different bikes.

Also, "endurance" seems to be the geometry buzzword that would likely be best for her. That's what concerns me about the Sprint, it may be a bit too race-oriented, being a full 1 inch shorter (stack height) than the Specialized Dolce is a big change. It's just too bad Bianchi doesn't seem to have a mid-range price point (around 2K) for an endurance frame (the Infinito XE is the guts of 3 grand!). Then again, she might love it, she's very competitive.

I'm now looking at the Canyon Endurace CF7. A more relaxed geometry, nice carbon frame, Shimano 105, less expensive, killer looks (in the Movistar blue)... but not currently available and not in shops (online only). I'm now on their mailing list, and we'll see what happens in the meantime.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback!

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Old 11-04-21, 01:38 PM
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Usually a "sprint" bike has a steeper headtube angle a shorter fork rake / offset and this is great for criterium racing but less so for general road riding. Worth checking out with a test ride of a similar frame before making the purchase.
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Old 11-04-21, 02:04 PM
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I'm not sure what bike she should get because that's a very personal thing. I will say I love the geometry on my Domane. The Endurance or Gravel set up is pretty comfortable for a beat up old guy like me.

The really pertinent question ......should she treat herself....Absolutely !!

If she finds one that's a bit out of her price range maybe you could kick in a few bucks !!
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Old 11-04-21, 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by ridelikeaturtle

I'm now looking at the Canyon Endurace CF7. A more relaxed geometry, nice carbon frame, Shimano 105, less expensive, killer looks (in the Movistar blue)... but not currently available and not in shops (online only). I'm now on their mailing list, and we'll see what happens in the meantime.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback!
Canyon make nice bikes for sure. The only thing to consider with the Endurace is that it's been around in its present form for a number of years, so probably due an update. That's not a criticism of the bike, just something to bear in mind. If you bought one and then a new version came out within a year, would you be bothered?
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Old 11-04-21, 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by ridelikeaturtle
  • It's just too bad Bianchi doesn't seem to have a mid-range price point (around 2K) for an endurance frame
  • the Infinito XE is the guts of 3 grand
  • she's very competitive.
Personally, I'd take the stairs two at a time. Scrape together another grand, get the Infinito, and she'll be happy for years to come. But I'm a "buy once/cry once" kind of guy.
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Old 11-04-21, 02:35 PM
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Originally Posted by PeteHski
Canyon make nice bikes for sure. The only thing to consider with the Endurace is that it's been around in its present form for a number of years, so probably due an update. That's not a criticism of the bike, just something to bear in mind. If you bought one and then a new version came out within a year, would you be bothered?
I wonder if that's why Canyon are sold out, they've shifted production to the next model?

Yeah, that could be annoying, especially if the price is pretty much the same for a nicer bike. In the current market, I don't see bike prices coming down anytime soon, with the shortages, the run up to Christmas, then warmer weather in the Spring, they're always seem to be in "high demand".

That's all motivation to wait. If there's any of last year's bikes left over in her size, she might be able to grab something at a discount to make room for new models.

One that's really caught my eye is the ORRO Gold Evo 105. There's a local dealer, we'll go have a look and see.
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Old 11-04-21, 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by ridelikeaturtle
I wonder if that's why Canyon are sold out, they've shifted production to the next model?

Yeah, that could be annoying, especially if the price is pretty much the same for a nicer bike. In the current market, I don't see bike prices coming down anytime soon, with the shortages, the run up to Christmas, then warmer weather in the Spring, they're always seem to be in "high demand".

That's all motivation to wait. If there's any of last year's bikes left over in her size, she might be able to grab something at a discount to make room for new models.

One that's really caught my eye is the ORRO Gold Evo 105. There's a local dealer, we'll go have a look and see.
Yeah the Orro Gold looks good too. I see a fair few of those around at UK Sportives. That's half the trouble, there are too many nice bikes to choose from and not many lemons! For this reason I would go with the heart. I bought my Defy using my head when I got back into road biking and have been drooling over more "sexy" bikes ever since!
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Old 12-04-21, 07:02 PM
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2021 LIV Langma Advanced 3 Disc

After checking out the ORRO Gold 105, this is what we - or more accurately, SHE - decided on: the 2021 LIV Langma Advanced 3 Disc. It ticked every box, as the ORRO Gold didn't come in a size small enough for a 5-foot-3 woman. Much better standover height and better reach, and the Tiagra 10-speed components are surprisingly nice, more like old-school Ultegra (from just a few years ago). Full hydraulic disc brakes, sweet frame, decent wheels & tyres.

Can't wait to get it out on the road, supply is a big issue for Ireland at the moment so having anything available at the moment is a treat.
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Old 12-04-21, 08:27 PM
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... ignore... I just saw you're last post... happy cadence for many miles to come !
oh, and, nice bike!
Ride On
Yuri

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Old 12-05-21, 04:19 AM
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As suggested above, the testride removed all doubts, her body language said everything. It was the "little things" that made a big difference, such as the throw of the brake levers being shorter was a big deal as she's often finding her forearms tired from braking on descents (I think she's experiencing that MotoGP phenomenon of "arm pump"), the narrow width of the handlebars, the shorter reach. Tubeless tyres is a nice bonus, it'll probably encourage me to switch.

I did not want to like this LIV bike as I'm not a big fan of GIANT - just for me, the big manufacturers are a bit "soulless" - but there's no denying the "bang for the buck" value, and most importantly all the women-specific features, which she immediately noticed on the testride, that make this such a comfortable option.
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Old 12-05-21, 08:22 AM
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I think she made a solid choice there. I know it's very superficial, but I do think the "Liv" branding actually helps quite a bit to move away from the generic "Giant" label. Giant make excellent carbon frames at competitive prices, but the "Giant" brand image is very mundane. To be honest that's the only issue I have with my Defy. As a functional, efficient and reliable bike it is pretty faultless. But because cycling is one of my few passions in life it does slightly bother me. It is perfect as an everyday workhorse bike, but I can't help looking at other more exotic options. But Liv seems like a more focused sub-brand and therefore scores higher on the "cool wall" if that makes any sense.
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Old 12-06-21, 05:48 AM
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Very happy to read post #17.
Although there was a lot of good input from people obviously very knowledgeable about the bike, they were not her.
She is the real expert on what she likes. You said the test ride sold her. A good investment in domestic tranquility.
Enjoy, both of you.
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