Road Bike Dilemma

[Rebekah H]

It's not going to be until late fall that I am able to get a bike of my very own instead of riding my husband's mountain bike and I'm torn! Firstly, I'm super visual. If I don't like the way something looks, I'm not going to love the thing. I love, love, love the look of vintage Bianchi steel, especially in Celeste. I dream about that bike all done up with multi-colored spokes and nipples with polka dot rims. I know, there are a million bikes out there to choose from, but honestly, the whole boy racer look does nothing for me.

However, I know my husband. We will get the frame in and there will be a million decisions that I will have to make that will make me insane. He is a "well, you need to decide now so that seventy-eleven years from now when we decide to actually do this thing, you will know exactly what you want," kind of guy. Hate. This. About. Him. Seriously, it took us six years to pick a new car and then we bought a six freaking year old car. Three years for a leather sofa. Homeboy is a rockstar who loves my lady lumps but he is a little too paralyzed by information. I'm more of a "hey, I love it now but if I decide that I don't like it in a few years then I will change it," kind of girl. If we have to get into it about every doggone part of a bike, I will likely be charged with some form of aggravated assault. Nursing school leaves me with little patience for anyone other than my patients so I already have a sort of short fuse.

All that to ask this: would you pick the Bianchi 7 Via Nirone 7 105 or the Gran Fondo Imola? I know that the Via Nirone has better components and I could spend money on having awesome wheels that I love built. On the other hand, I love the minimalist look of the Gran Fondo. And the steel vs. aluminum debate. My husband keeps telling me about all of the wonderful attributes of steel and I don't really disagree with him. Honestly a pound or two heavier on the bike is the least of my worries when I weigh as much as I do.

What do you think, awesome group of bikers? Vintage, Nirone, or Fondo? Steel or aluminum? Marital bliss or manslaughter?

[pll]

You need to try the bikes -- the geometry of one or both might not be comfortable for you. Try to ride them for more than 20 minutes. If the bike does not fit you, you won't ride it.

[Rebekah H]

Excellent point. I wish there was a way that I could test ride them, but no one around here stocks Bianchi. Maybe a trip to Houston is in order?

[colorisnt]

I second PLL's suggestion.

My commuter is not women-specific. I got a Trek 1.2 first and was using an old steel as my commuter. So, I didn't know any different when I bought it. It's fine for 1-10 miles or even up to 20, but the drops do not fit my hands well. I would never use it as my sole bike.

Ride as many as you can. Bikes have COMPLETELY different feels. My Giant is a different ride COMPLETELY from my Trek. I much prefer the feel of the Trek. If there is a big store in the area, go there. Even if you have to drive a bit. I was lucky to have the Trek Store and about 5 other shops that carried everything from Trek to Bianchi to Specialized to Felt, etc. I am glad I tried as many as I did (and put up with bike store BS) because now I knew what I wanted and where I did and did not want to buy a bike!

[suzbyrd]

My first hubby was like yours...drove me nuts. Anyway, I like the Trek bikes above all else and they all ride and feel differently. I agree with the suggestion to ride different models. Good Luck!

[Velocivixen]

I took the Gran Fondo Vigorelli for a ride and it's a lovely bike. Steel with 105 components. Very light. I, like you, prefer simpler graphics and am visual. I think the Via Nirone is ugly, like so many other road bikes out there. I do think you should test ride, but only the ones you like the looks of. Sure, you could fall in love with the ride of any bike, but if it's visually unattractive you won't love it.

[smittykitty]

I totally wanted the Vig. Loved the look. Love Bianchi. Thought steel would be the answer too. Then I rode it. Nothing Not sure if it was the wrong size or what, but the love affair sadly was over.

You really gotta ride em! You'll know when its right.

PS maybe a shopping trip without the big guy is in order. We can really over think things sometimes.

Good luck and have fun.

[Kiwi Stoker]

Test and buy without him. Just stick to agreed budget and do it. It's your bike, not his.

Just make sure you don't complain about anything to do with the bike later in front of him or it will be "I told you so".

[NbyNW]

Test ride. The bikes you are looking at are a significant investment, not only in dollars but in terms of what will fit you best and keep you happy on the road. If you can't test ride them near you then it probably is worth a trip.

You are buying a bike to ride it, not to look at it. And don't worry about steel vs. aluminum, focus on the quality of the ride. Today's steel bikes are very different from those of a generation ago.

[lph]

Definitely test-ride - and close your eyes! I know what you mean about the visual, but you can change the colour of the bike afterwards, you can't change the frame. The most gorgeous bike in the world will just feel frustrating and "fake" once you get used to the looks, if it doesn't really fit you well and ride well.

And let your husband give you good tips, then smile, and make of it what you will . His perfect bike is not your perfect bike. My dh and I both love our bikes, but they are very different bikes with different attributes.

FWIW, I like steel.

[Catrin]

Test ride, test ride, then test ride again. A bike must fit you or you won't ride it - and believe us, it isn't fun to ride a bike that doesn't fit.

Steel vs aluminum is a personal choice. Steel bikes these days are much lighter than they once were. For me, I strongly prefer steel and won't buy bike that isn't (outside of my mountain bike that has a full suspension).

[NbyNW]

Also, if this is your first road bike, maybe it doesn't have to be THE perfect bike that lasts you the rest of your days. I mean, there's always custom . . . and how would you know what you want in a custom bike if you don't have a previous ride to compare it to?

[hulagirl]

Homeboy is a rockstar who loves my lady lumps but he is a little too paralyzed by information.

I freaking love this!

[Rebekah H]

I took the Gran Fondo Vigorelli for a ride and it's a lovely bike. Steel with 105 components. Very light. I, like you, prefer simpler graphics and am visual. I think the Via Nirone is ugly, like so many other road bikes out there. I do think you should test ride, but only the ones you like the looks of. Sure, you could fall in love with the ride of any bike, but if it's visually unattractive you won't love it.

The Via Nirone would be great if it didn't have so much crap plastered all over it! I have a friend who has the Infinito who literally slept with the bike and put his wife on the couch the day he brought it home. But you're absolutely right, it's not the awesome sauce that the Gran Fondo is visually. I am completely on board with the "if it don't fit, you must acquit" rule of bike buying. I couldn't imagine spending that kind of money on something that would make me uncomfortable. BUT, it has to look good to me. You pretty well have me pegged in that regard. If I don't love it, I won't ride it.

Test and buy without him. Just stick to agreed budget and do it. It's your bike, not his.

Just make sure you don't complain about anything to do with the bike later in front of him or it will be "I told you so".

AMEN. AMEN. AMEN. Did I say amen? I meant to.

His perfect bike is not your perfect bike.

Also, amen to this.

Also, if this is your first road bike, maybe it doesn't have to be THE perfect bike that lasts you the rest of your days. I mean, there's always custom . . . and how would you know what you want in a custom bike if you don't have a previous ride to compare it to?

That is a very good point! I don't know if I could ever afford custom, but it's certainly something I could aim for if I really love cycling down the road as much as I do now.

I freaking love this!

Thank you so much for all of your input! Y'all have some great insight and I will be remembering your suggestions while I'm on my search for my first, perfect (heh!) bike.

I completely overlooked the LBS in Mandeville, LA that carries Bianchi somehow so while the hubby is away on business next week I will be carrying my behind there to test the Via Nirone. Without telling the Homeboy. Because I love him and don't want to have to kill him when he comes at me like Rainman on meth with all of the facts and specs and blah-di-blah-barf that makes my head ache about what bikes I tested and wanting to know all about each one. Outside of school and work, I'm a go with your gut kind of person and not one who makes decisions solely on the technical merits of things. It's hard for him to understand that sometimes, I think.

[Biciclista]

sounds like a plan! I love Bianchi celeste too. And color DOES matter. (That's why I am riding a custom bike!!!)