Aren't these beautiful??

[7rider]

They are pretty, but why do all of the Bianchi women's bikes have triples? And their "top of the line" bike has just a mix of 105 and Ultegra? Don't they think we deserve better components? Don't they think women might want to ride a double (or at least a compact?)??
(sorry to be a spoil-sport!)

[Bad JuJu]

Interesting question, actually, Regina, since the Veloce has Campy components, the 2006 does have a compact, though the 2005 had a triple. And according to someone, Lise I think, the Veloce has been discontinued for 2007 (though it's not a WSD model, just has some WSD geometry in the smallest sizes.) Hmmm.....

[mimitabby]

I'm glad you brought this up! I was wondering the same thing.
No WSD and no Campy components in steel for women. what's the deal?

I am glad i have an older bianchi but gee, i was hoping to buy a new one some day!

[salsabike]

Um...the Eros Donna has some Campy components. And at least here in a city built on hills, I wouldn't want a bike without a triple. Those things can always get changed out, anyway, if you wish.

[Bad JuJu]

Yes, the Eros Donna is still steel. And it looks great!

[indysteel]

Regina, you took the words out of my mouth. It irritates me that Bianchi and several other manufacturers outfit their WSD bikes with lower-end components, as if women have no need or desire for the high-end stuff. I ran into that problem when I bought my Eros Donna. My solution was to swap out the brifters and rear derailleur for Veloce. I would still like to change out the brakes and crank though. I would have just purchased the Veloce if they'd been able to snag my size without a significant wait.

I noticed, too, that some companies price their better-speced WSD bikes higher than their comparable men's bikes. What's up with that? While I'm glad that more and more companies are paying attention to women's needs, I still feel patronized to some extent. If and when I buy another bike, I'm going to shell out the money for custom steel and get exactly what I want......

With all of that said, I still love my Eros Donna.

[Kano]

So, last night, when I was reading this forum, I clicked this link, and the window was still open, partially visible, on my screen, when DH walked by, and said I must close that window and not look at that stuff.

You'd think there were kids in the room or something!

Karen in Boise

[roguedog]

Regina, you took the words out of my mouth. It irritates me that Bianchi and several other manufacturers outfit their WSD bikes with lower-end components, as if women have no need or desire for the high-end stuff.

The weird thing is that Bianchi's designer for those bikes that are Reparto Corse is a woman who's based here in Hayward, Ca.