glowrocks

I wanted a Celeste Bianchi Infinito for a few years now.

Earlier this month, I pulled the trigger and ordered one to be delivered to a "local" branch of a small mid-west chain.

After 2 weeks of anticipation, I got the word that the bike was in, assembled and ready for me to pick up.

A short 4-hour drive (ha!) later, I walked in the store, back to the shop, and told them what I was there for.

You can imagine my utter disappointment when he wheeled out a black Bianchi. Not a Celeste Infinito.

Oh no!

So the manager checked, and indeed, they had shipped the wrong color.

But, he said, we have a generous return policy, and given how far you've driven, why don't you take this one home to ride until the Celeste model shows up.

Now here's the problem.

Having pulled the trigger on the Celeste, I started having second thoughts about the Celeste color. Maybe it was too much. Too showy. Not really my style.

Mild second thoughts that I presumed would vanish upon receipt of the bike.

So imagine my surprise at the major question I now face, because, as it turns out, having looked the bike over more closely, I kind of like it!

It is matte black (and that is a concern in and of itself) and has very nice Celeste touches throughout the body.

The Celeste bottle cage looks great, and I had already decided to keep the black tape on the Celeste model, but now I think the Celeste tape would look great on this Matte Black/Celeste combo.

Pictures tomorrow. I got home late and am too tired tonight.

Interesting problem to have, eh?

I'm curious if anyone has faced a similar decision, though of course it will be up to my heart to decide.

The answer is: NOT a happy accident. The Celeste model was ordered and has arrived!!

dr_lha

It's up to you man, but IMHO the black Infinito is for people who don't have the balls to go full Celeste. It's OK, not everyone can pull it off. The black one is still a nice looking bike, but it's look is compromised IMHO.

WhyFi

I would stick with the Celeste or, at the very least, ask for a bit of compensation on the black bike.

Bah Humbug

If I got a Bianchi, I'd very much want it to be Celeste.

str8jakett

I'm in the other camp. Love the black with Celeste highlights. Standing by for pictures...

indyfabz

It's just a Bianchi, which is a Swedish bike.

colombo357

It's been done before, I suppose.

ljp3

I have an oltre that is matte black with Celeste highlights, and yes Celeste bar tape does look great. However if I had ordered or had the option I would have went with predominately Celeste.

jitteringjr

My old carbon XL was black with Celeste decals. I kept Celeste cork bar tape on it and it looked great. I would have preferred a full Celeste bike but it wasn’t an option in the frame back then. In your shoes, I would keep it as black because I am too impatient to wait for a reorder. Get some Celeste bar tape to enhance the look and go ride it.

Noctilux.95

I have a celeste matte Oltre XR4 but wouldn't mind a black version with celeste bar tape. Both colors are gorgeous.

sdmc530

Agree....if buying a Bianchi bike, I would have to have that nasty green! Its awesomely ugly to me.

glowrocks

The current state is, they are trying to figure out if they even have a Celeste in stock (as their computer shows).

I'm still trying to decide (30 days max, so that's plenty of time!).

I get Bianchi == Celeste. That's where I started.

But this color scheme looks pretty sweet, so it's hard.

One thing though, re: other threads and matte finishes ... if I keep this one I will ask for a discount as the matte finish is already showing signs of the aging that is to come.

Photos soon.

Pizzaiolo Americano 

Before I leave Italy for good next year, I am hoping to buy an Infinito CV Disk. For some insane reason, they aren't making that particular frame in celeste. It only comes in the matte black with celeste accents. If it was available in straight celeste, I would be riding it now...

glowrocks

Just got word from the store. NO Celeste 2017 Infinitos in any of their stores. Their computer shows stock, but a physical check reveals 2 codes pointing to one bike, and it's matte black/celeste.

So now the question is, what to do. This bike sold for $3200 + tax.

I've been shopping for them for 3-4 years and know that's a pretty good price, although each year you can find similar prices (usually).

So I'm not spending 5k (every time I specced one at Comp. Cyclist that's what it came out to).

I'll either keep this bike or wait and try for an end of life 2018 model late this year, early next year.

I do plan to ask for an additional discount, both for the (accidental, but still) mis-representation, as well as for the fact that the matte finish will likely be problematic (I think there's one stain on it already, more reason for additional discount).

Q: what's a reasonable amount to ask for?

I'm thinking 500, as $480 is right at 15% which I'm sure they can handle.

Cyclist0108

The correct answer is to own both. That way you can compare the ride quality of the color schemes.

smarkinson

I've got a red Bianchi.

'cause it's faster.

sdmc530

I know of places this would get you beat up.


Seriously funny though!

himespau 

I think I'd return it because I'd always look at it and see something that wasn't quite what I wanted and be a little disappointed.

glowrocks

Photos are posted: https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...-infinito.html

mstateglfr 

Cool look or not- i wouldnt want a frame that already has wear and signs of aging to come(whatever that means).

TakingMyTime

You obviously took some time deciding and shopping for the bike you wanted. Since this is not the bike you ordered, I would ask for an immediate refund and politely ask the shop to notify you if one becomes available in the configuration you requested. You've mentioned you're already having doubts about the paints durability which to me just reinforces the fact that this is not the bike for you.

I would not let the shop dodge the bullet by having you accept the wrong bike and not having to go through the motions of having it returned. Whoever built the bike should have immediately notice that this was not the color on the purchase order and contacted you long before you drove 4 hours for the wrong bike.

Siu Blue Wind

Celeste is Bianchi's signature color.

Not getting is like getting the yellow sponge curlers and not the pink.

Or getting Cheeri-xs instead of Cheerios.

glowrocks

Current status: Erik's made me an offer to see if they can get a 2018 Celeste (which they don't have in stock, but hopefully can get from a Bianchi warehouse).

I told them yes, please try to acquire said bike and let me know how soon you can get it to the store.

As I told them, I ordered Celeste on purpose.

softreset

We'll get a 3rd thread when the correct bike comes in, right?

You ordered color X, you got color Y. Honestly, I wouldn't even have taken it home.

It's a nice looking bike, though.

glowrocks

If I wasn't tired and frustrated after the 4 hour drive to pick it up, I might have not taken it home.

But the offer to ride the bike, if not the color, I wanted, for 30 days did work as a consolation prize for the hassle.

I've had two great rides on it already, and a much longer ride planned for tomorrow, so at least I get to enjoy this bike, pending receipt of the right bike.