|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#21
|
|||
|
|||
Who still makes non-compact frame road bikes?
Op 30-4-2012 15:05, Duane schreef:
On 04/29/2012 03:22 PM, SMS wrote: On 4/29/2012 12:01 PM, Duane Hebert wrote: On 4/28/2012 5:03 AM, Lou Holtman wrote: snip The toptube is also slightly sloped. Some people qualify that as 'wrecked' and limiting their choice enormously. Well I have a Specialized Tarmac that fits me like a glove and it has a fairly bent top tube. I don't consider it wrecked. For the Bianchi Volpe in question, I would miss the lugged frame most of all if I traded in my old one for that one. Just because I like the look. Actually Bianchi's geometry has remained pretty good, at least for some of the steel models. I went back and compared the specs between 2012 and 2006 on their steel models and they are similar, though it's hard to compare because the Bianchi USA web site is so poorly done. One big decontenting at Bianchi took place from in 2006 for the Brava, and 2003 for the Volpe. When did they drop the lugged frame? The Brava's problem is the CF fork. The Volpe has a steel fork which is well worth the extra $200 (besides having other upgrades). I think it'll come down to the Surly Pacer (with a crankset plus front and rear derailleur change will be about $300), the Bianchi Volpe, or something from Habanero. Not sure when Bianchi dropped the lugged frame. I bought mine in 1994 but it was a 93 model. Looking at the geometry for the 2012 Volpe, they have 9 "sizes" so I don't see any big difference from mine. I think that when I bought it, for a size 52 there were 2 choices of TT length. The size then as the seat tube lenght IIRC. Now there seems to be only one TT length per AS but given that you can change stems I don't see a big problem. They still have more selection than the Specialized Tarmac that has 6 basic sizes. I would have bought one of their road bikes when I was shopping for one but Bianchi is not readily available in Montreal for some reason and I prefer to have a bike that I can get parts for easily from the LBS. I would not have any problem recommending a Bianchi. I still ride mine and it's nearly 20 years old. What parts on a Bianchi bike should be readily available at a LBS? Daughter of a buddy showed up for our sunday morning ride with her new Bianchi. It cost her an arm and a leg she said: 4500 euro's and she got a discount of 2000 euro because the frame had several scratches. She asked what I thought of it. I said if she liked it that was all what matters. That made her curious and she really wanted to hear my opinion. I said she paid 2000 euro for that puke color, the white spokes and the Bianchi labeled saddle, handlebar, stem and seatpost. Geezzzz, 4500 euro's for a 7.5 kilo bike and 'only' equipped with Campy Chorus.... Lou |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Opinions on two different makes of bikes | [email protected] | General | 28 | September 25th 07 03:10 AM |
Compact road crankset on a MTB frame...Bonus external bearing content | Barnard Frederick | Techniques | 8 | May 20th 06 01:28 PM |
FA: Giant TCR Compact Road frame | Wade Summers | Marketplace | 0 | February 18th 05 09:04 PM |
Compact Chainsets & Road Bikes | [Not Responding] | UK | 23 | December 17th 04 10:41 AM |
Compact frame vs Traditional Frame geometry | Dennis Vaughn | Techniques | 39 | September 4th 03 02:10 AM |