Bianchi USA Inc. Brava

Price Paid:  $550.00 at Discovery Cycle

Favorite Ride:
Dripping Springs

Summary:
This was my first road bike and I bought it not knowing anything about bikes. It has been a good little bike, can't say that I've had many major problems. It's far from the smoothest ride, but you get what you pay for. I'd definitely recommend this bike to anyone who is just testing the waters and not sure if they're going to become a serious rider, but if you know you will be spending a lot of time on the bike, set your sights higher.

Strengths:
Tires of kryptonite--in 3 years, I only had one flat!

Weaknesses:
Bottom of the line components
Heavy

Price Paid:  $675.00 at Velo Bike Shop, Seat

Favorite Ride:
Lake Sammamish Loop, WA

Bike Setup:
Sora STI shifters
Sora Front Derailleur
Sora Rear Derailleur
Sora Brakes
Bontrager Select Wheelset
Sugino Crankset
SRAM Rear Cassette
Bianchi Seatpost
Bianchi Stem/Headset

Summary:
This is a review for the 2005 model of the Bianchi Brava. Basically, this bicycle is an amazing value with great performance and a very quiet and smooth ride. I've been on this bike for about three months now, logging a few hundred miles, and I couldn't be happier. The frame is constructed from cro-moly steel; along with the carbon fiber fork it's very comfortable and extremely strong. The whole bike weighs in at around 23.5 pounds, a little on the heavy side for me.

Other than the frame, the Brava features Alex DA22 rims, Sora shifters/derailleurs/brakes, and a Bianchi in-house saddle. The rims might've been the weakest link to this bike - they were a little heavy and not particularly aerodynamic. I took a minor spill and knocked the front wheel out of true and bent the back rim altogether, so I ended up buying a new set of light rims (Bontrager Select) and am really happy with those.

As for the rest of the parts: I've seen the Sora components take a lot of flak from other reviewers. However, they've been very good in my experience. I constantly adjust and maintain my derailleurs and as a result the shifting is near perfect and extremely smooth, both front and back. The brakes work extremely well also. Overall, Sora is very durable and inexpensive, though not as lightweight as some upper level components (105, Ultegra).

The greatest strength of the Brava lies in its fantastic ride. After testing other aluminum bikes (Giant OCR3, Specialized Allez, etc) I took one ride on the Bianchi and was hooked - the bumps are soaked up by the cro-moly frame and there is a general smoothness and effortless feel to the acceleration which is really wonderful. I finished my first test ride with a big smile on my face, and every ride since has been the same.

Overall, it's a great bicycle - if only everybody's first road bike could be this good. I definitely have no regrets about picking this bike.

Strengths:
Ride quality
Shifting (extremely fluid)
Traditional geometry
Carbon fork

Weaknesses:
A little heavy
Rims could be better

Similar Products Used:
2002 Fuji Roubaix
2001 Bianchi Imola

Price Paid:  $650.00 at Holmes Cycle and Fit

Favorite Ride:
Hills

Bike Setup:
Sora all around.

Summary:
I reviewed this product previously here is an update after riding for a few years and gaining some experience: This is an OK bike. They (Bianchi) don't fit anyone I know really well. I liked this bike but if your looking to spend some money on a road bike trust me spend a little extra. You'll be selling this one in a couple years. Entry level? Heck yeah.. that's all I can honestly say about this one.

Strengths:
Strong. Good paint quality. Decent value.

Weaknesses:
Sora is a crap group. Bianchi can't build a frame that fits anyone I know. They're pretty much a department store bike.

Similar Products Used:
Huffy?

Price Paid:  $750.00 at lbs

Favorite Ride:
all

Bike Setup:
all stock

Summary:
Solid bike. Quiet even when cranking it (other more expensive bikes I've tried creak). I had a Specialized Langster (aluminum) which punished me. I can ride the Brava (steel) all day long--it's a pleasure to ride.

Strengths:
Soft ride even when my tires are have max air pressure. Precise shifting. No flats so far.

Weaknesses:
Heavier material

Similar Products Used:
Felt F1, Cannondale R700, Gian TCR

Price Paid:  $650.00 at Holmes Cycle and Fit

Bike Setup:
58cm

Summary:
When i was looking to by a road bike last summer I looked at several road bikes in my price range: Giant, Specialized,Jamis,Raliegh. NONE of these bikes even came close to this bike in feel, ease of handling, and over all quality and value for my consumer dollar.

Strengths:
Price, value, handling, looks, Bianchi legend. I keep up with the B+ riders on this thing!! Go spend $5,000.00 on a bike, I'll pass you on my steel Bianchi Brava ANYDAY!!

Weaknesses:
Sora components have a little to be desired. Not bad, but clunky. I'll be upgrading them before next summer. I really don't care for the shifter/brake levers.