View Full Version : giant avail1 vs bianchi vianirone 105
peace3185
02-25-2009, 09:13 PM
i was wonderding if anybody could give some feedback on both of these bikes
im really new at this.they both ride well. im confused on whhat bike would be much better in quality and components thank you
giant avai1
Frame Technology
The Avail’s all-new, women’s specific ALUXX SL aluminum frame is the latest from Giant, the world’s most experienced fabricator of aluminum bicycles. It’s super efficiency that boosts your performance, mile after mile.
Features
— 10-speed Shimano 105 shifting with triple FSA Gossamer crankset
— Crank Brothers Smarty pedals, custom-colored
— Mavic CXP22 rims, Formula sealed hubs/SAPIM race spokes, wheelset
bianchi Via Nirone 105 ~
Light, strong, and comfortable frameset of custom shaped and triple butted 7000 aluminum with super high-modulus carbon fiber seatstays. Parts include 20 speed Shimano 105 components with FSA MegaExo Gossamer compact crankset (50x34), Deda Piega handlebar, RC alloy stem, San Marco Ponza saddle, and Shimano WH-R500 clincher wheels with Michelin Dynamic 23mm tires. Includes Look Keo pedals! Color is red with white decals
Miranda
02-26-2009, 01:31 AM
Umm... Just curious, what size frame of Giant are you considering in the women's model? OK, I am hesitant in posting this because I have not figured out my new ride yet:o, but I have a Giant 2007 wsd OCR1 that is the twin of the Avail that I might be selling this spring. Just thinking/typing out loud:rolleyes:... (it's a women's size small, btw)
OK, to answer your question... I think both bikes would be ok for solid entry level road bikes...
With the Giant, you are getting a triple for gears. I don't live in the mountains, but I have used it some. I need to improve my hill climbing skills, but I can spin faster than I can mash (in a bigger gear). My Giant is/has been a good bike for me. My issue is that my frame size is too big for me (unfortunately figured out after a good fitting at a DIFFERENT shop). Plus, I knew even when I bought it, I wanted to eventually upgrade frame materials to carbon. The bike I bought was the best I could stretch the $ at the time.
The Bianchi is comparable, but you have a compact there for gears. There is the Sheldon Brown gear calculator if you want to do the math and geek it out, but... the lbs told me a compact you basically lose the lowest gear (from a triple) and the highest gear (from a standard size double). So, it's close. From what I understand, Bianchi makes a good bike too.
Hope that helps:).
Jiffer
02-26-2009, 02:24 PM
Okay, I'll make some comments from my limited knowledge, but hopefully you'll get more from other people.
The main thing I noticed on the Bianchi is the carbon fiber seat stays. This helps with making the seat a little softer. The aluminum frame is less comfy, over all, than carbon fiber, but built for speed. (I have aluminum). The carbon fiber seat stays should make it a slightly more comfortable ride. As would carbon fiber forks, which neither bike has that I saw, but you could add.
Triple verses compact double. A lot of people don't like triples because they tend to have trouble shifting and they make the bike slightly heavier. Some people love them because of the shifting capabilities. I would lean toward the compact double myself, and you should be able to add a cassette to add a bigger or smaller gear if you even feel the need. Ask the LBS about this before you buy.
Do you know what each bike weighs?
I am not familiar with a lot of the other components you mentioned, other than the Shimano 105's but they both have that. From my limited knowledge, I'd lean toward the Bianchi.
peace3185
02-26-2009, 04:51 PM
thank you all for all your information. i think im going with the bianchi. i did not know the the giant avail1 was all aluminum. i assumed it had carbon forks and seat post.
Model
Road "C2C" VIA NIRONE 7 Alu Carbon 105 10sp Compact
Code
Y9B29
Color
8B Metal Black w/ White, 8X Red w/ White
Sizes
50-53-55-57-59-61
Frame
VIA NIRONE 7 ALU/CARBON
Fork
Bianchi K-VID Carbon w/alu steerer - 1-1/8"
Headset
FSA ZS4-CUSTOM
Shifters
Shimano 105
Rear Derailleur
Shimano 105
Front Derailleur
Shimano 105
Crankset
FSA OMEGA MegaExo Compact 50/34
Chain
KMC DX10SC
Sprocket
Shimano 105 10sp 12/25
Brakes
Shimano 105
Brake Lever
integrated
Wheels
Shimano WH-R500
Tire
Vittoria ZAFFIRO 700x23c
Stem
Bianchi RC forged alloy
Handlebar
Deda Elementi Big Piega
Grips
Bike Ribbon cork
Seatpost
Bianchi RC Carbon - 31.6mm
Saddle
Selle San Marco PONZA
Pedals
VP-R70 Clipless
Waterbottle Hanger
Aluminum
Jiffer
02-26-2009, 05:34 PM
Sounds like you're making the better decision. I sent your post to my husband to get his opinion. Here it is.
Not even in the same league with each other. The Bianchi is hands down a better group of components and sounds like a nicer aluminum composition/lightweight performance frame. 7000 series is nice enough.
105 is "ok" from Shimano, but it's great if that's what they can afford. It's better than Tiagra also by shimano - which at first glance doesn't look any different - avoid those. The "Look" pedals are ALL very nice. They start out as very nice and go up to amazing-insane - so can't go wrong there. Crank Brother's however - more known for a good mountain bike pedal maker - not road.
bikecanada
02-27-2009, 11:25 AM
Hi. I have the new Giant Avail1 and it's been great so far. I haven't really taken it out on the road a lot, since it's winter here, but I use it every week for spin class. I like that it's a triple and that I can mount a rear rack on it if I want to take it touring (credit card touring). It's my first road bike, but it seems pretty good so far! I don't mind the Candy pedals because I have mountain bike shoes (also more convenient for touring I think).
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