Got my New Bianchi!

[Harley]

This is my first road bike since I quit riding in 1991...

WOW, she is great! I did my first ride today, a short 20 miles on rolling/flat to start the "body break in" process and fit feels really good. My LBS did a really great job fitting me to the bike.
I had a computer installed that has cadence. Any advise on what a good cadence is.... high/low/average?

Not sure what to call her yet, I'll need more bonding time. Suggestions welcome.
Just had to share... (took the photo at our frame shop, I'll get a better one with me riding)

[Red Rock]

Awesome Bike!! I remember when my older brother was looking at bikes. I think he checked out a Bianchi at one point. This was back in the 70's and I think they just had the lime green color. Now at least there are choices:D

I had a ten year lay off until two years ago. I pulled out my 70's Fugi and started riding it. Then I found out about today's techology and ended up with a Look 555 and Ultegra components. I thought I died and went to heaven. Perhaps you feel the same way.

Congratulations again. May you have many happy miles togerther!:D:):D

Red Rock

[Harley]

Thanks Red Rock
Yes, I tried to ride my old Vitus and it was terrible. I have been riding a mountain Bike around town, but it's not the same.
The new technology really does make a difference!! I need all the advantage I can get.;)

[mimitabby]

i wish you many happy miles on your lovely Bianchi!

[redrhodie]

Very cool! She looks like a Francesca to me.

[SandyLS]

That is a beautiful Bianchi. I've been riding a Bianchi for about three years now and just love mine. I hope you have many happy and safe miles together.

[Aggie_Ama]

What a beauty! I think cadence is somewhat personal. My cadence is not working, but I know I will get very different feeling and result from staying where my husband rides. And Lance Armstrong's was much different than Jan Ullrich. You get the idea. I think 80-90 is where my husband thinks mine should be. :p

[Yen]

Congratulations! Very nice bike.

[Harley]

Thanks to everyone for checking in on my new ride.

Aggie, I hold my cadence over 60, average is 69, feel pretty comfortable in that range for now. I'll try to boost to 70, but 90:eek: no way unless its a downhill:cool:
I'll search the forum for cadence threads... would be interesting to know what others try for, or feel it doesn't matter.

I'll see you on the roads, and be lurking here to get your valuable insights.

[firenze11]

I just had to jump in and say: oooooohhhh prettttty biiiiike (insert drooling smiley here)

Congrats Harley, I hope you have many long happy miles with her!

[Starfish]

Gorgeous!!!!!! I LOVE the white.

Is that a C2C?

ETA: would love some specs. and, are those standard shifters...or short reach?

[Harley]

Yes, I LOVE the pearl white. She is a 50cm C2C Via Nirone 7, triple butted aluminum alloy frame; Carbon/kevlar forks and stays"K-vid Kevlar technology absorbs vibration in both frame and fork"; Long distance geometry... Ultegra shifters and rear/ 105 front; FSA Gossamer MegaExpo (that sounds impressive) compact crankset 50/34. 11/27 10spd rear,soon to be changed to a 28. Ultegra clipless, Selle lady gel saddle... The one it came with was pretty,white, narrow :o my LBS gave me a credit toward the Selle, which I'm not totally sold on, but will give it a little time.
They are not short reach brake levers, kind of wish they were. It is a bit of a stretch... The bars are "wing bars" flat on top, which is really comfortable.

the ride is really smooth, not to stiff, not too soft, just right! Waiting for the weather to get above 40 to take another ride.

[kaybee]

Congratulations! That is one beautiful bike.

KB

[Trigress]

What a beauty!

I support the Francesca idea, she does indeed look like a Francesca. :)

[Harley]

Hmmm, Francesca, she does look like a Francesca...I was thinking Pearl.
I'll try both out on my next bonding ride.:rolleyes:

Maybe an italian name, whatever that may be:confused:

[ilima]

Wow! That's a great looking bike.

As to cadence--around 90 rpm is considered optimum. It's a good place to start, but there is obviously variation from person to person. I tend to ride a little high most of the time, more like 95-100.

If your average has been around 70, that's pretty darn low and in pedal mashing territory. It's harder on your knees and less efficient energetically for most folks.

Spinning at 90 will feel strange at first, but you really will get used to it.


This is my first road bike since I quit riding in 1991...

WOW, she is great! I did my first ride today, a short 20 miles on rolling/flat to start the "body break in" process and fit feels really good. My LBS did a really great job fitting me to the bike.
I had a computer installed that has cadence. Any advise on what a good cadence is.... high/low/average?

Not sure what to call her yet, I'll need more bonding time. Suggestions welcome.
Just had to share... (took the photo at our frame shop, I'll get a better one with me riding)

[Bron]

Awesome Bike!! I remember when my older brother was looking at bikes. I think he checked out a Bianchi at one point. This was back in the 70's and I think they just had the lime green color. Now at least there are choices:D

Lime green??????

Bianchis are celeste.

That looks like a lovely bike though, I hope you have a lot of fun with it.

[Velobambina]

Shame on you--

CELESTE GREEN, which is gorgeous!!! I own an Eros Donna, in a lovely bleached Celeste.

For a name, Francesca is nice. You can call her Frankie.

[KnottedYet]

Beautiful bike! Congratulations!

(BTW, my cadence is pretty much the same as yours.)

[Running Mommy]

She's a beauty! In fact I have two on my sales floor...:D
Good taste!!

[rij73]

Lovely new bike! Enjoy!!!

[rij73]

Harley, if the brake levers are a big reach, try the Specialized Slim Shims!

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=30994

[madscot13]

I drop whatever I am doing to look up at Biachis as I role by. They look so beautiful!

[GLC1968]

She's a real beauty! Congrats, and have fun naming her!!

[tulip]

Beautiful, Harley!

[Bad JuJu]

Bianchis rock! I've got a Veloce (though it doesn't fit me as well as I originally thought it did) in celeste, but that pearl white is gorgeous!

Name suggestion: Bianca? Doesn't that mean "white"? Kinda close to "Bianchi," but worth considering.

[SueSue]

Your new bike is fabulou! I'd call her "Miss Slick". Have fun!

[Harley]

I am bonding nicely with Pearl/Little White Wonder/Frankie/Bianca. Getting closer to a name!
She is in the shop today, needing some minor adjustments. Putting on a shorter stem and the 28 rear cog.
Hoping to ride tomorrow, however snow is predicted! Just when the roads were getting clear... Keep reminding myself, it's still March!
I'll post more photos next ride.

[Trekhawk]

Happy Riding on your new beauty.
I hope the snow stays away for you.

[csr1210]

Congrats on the bike --she is beautiful!

I think maybe she looks like a Bianca....

but I like Francesca too.

Enjoy,
Christy

[RoadBunner]

Beautiful bike! I really like white bikes--ended up buying a black one...go figure. I saw yours at the LBS and drool!!

[BikerDar]

Beautiful bike......the word for beautiful in Italian is Bella.....
the word for pearl is perla.

I'm partial to Bella....

I wish you many happy years with her!


I've always been coached that optimim cadence is 80-90.
you want to maximize your efficiency, and somehow that cadence is considered the way to do it. it does take a little while to get used to that pace, but once you do, it just feels right.

happy pedaling

[cyclinnewbie]

Niiiiiiiiiice Bike.....I'm partial to Blanca...means white. Or you could just call her "my preeeeeeeeeecioussssssssssssssss". For a nick-name. You know....

[KatyLady]

VERY pretty! Hopefully you will have nice Spring weather soon. Good luck on the name . . . since we all know how important the name is.

[sundial]

Hoping to ride tomorrow, however snow is predicted! Just when the roads were getting clear... Keep reminding myself, it's still March!

It never fails, if you want rain/snow/sleet, buy a bike. :eek: :rolleyes:

Your Bianchi is GORGEOUS!! You'll be one hot babe on you new sweet ride. :)

[northstar]

What a beautiful bike. Wishing you many happy miles on her!

[Harley]

Thank you everyone, your support is wonderful!

After it was snowing hard this morning, the sun came out at noon; roads dried out and I went for a ride. 20 miles, 38 degrees, but warmed up nicely to 42. Headwind of 5mph first half of the ride, wind at my back on the way home.

The new gearing 11/28 rear works great with the compact 50/34. Stem and fit are now perfect. I cruised up hills I was worried about with 3 gears to spare (of course the wind was at my back ;)) Even stood up on short hills... Whoohooo!!!

I LOVE this bike!!!!
Her name is Bella Blanca.:)

as for cadence... I'm paying closer attention, trying to stay above 70, even reached 105 on the downhill! Rode with a friend who has a nice spin, she will push me to 80... I have the confidence this old body can still ride!!:cool:

[cyclinnewbie]

Ahhhh Bella Blanca....I like it!

[SadieKate]

Hoping to ride tomorrow, however snow is predicted! Just when the roads were getting clear... Keep reminding myself, it's still March!
I'll post more photos next ride.So you're the one responsible for the inch of snow we've been getting every day here in Bendemonium!