Bianchi USA Inc. XL EV2 Record Mix

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Bianchi XL EV 2

Bike Setup:
ITM Millenium Bar, Stem, Seatpost. FSA RD-200 Wheels, Full Dura-Ace 9 group. FSA SL-K compact cranks. Time RXS pedals.

Summary:
I loved this bike since first buying it in 2003. It was my first race bike, so I expected a pounding on the road. Surprisingly though it was quite forgiving, I love how it sounded on the rough roads. Sprinting and climbing are great as the frame is very stiff. I retired the frame though in favor of an all carbon frame. So long Il Pirata.

Strengths:
Paint: Team Pirata Black, Absolutely beautiful.
Geometry is everything you'd expect from an Italian race bike.
Very stiff.

Weaknesses:
Weak front end. 1" steer is just inadequate.

Similar Products Used:
2003 Specialized S-Works E5, 2004 Bianchi XL Carbon

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
LAkeside, mountains

Bike Setup:
Bianchi xl ev 2, Mavic helium, Itm Millenium, Selle San MArco, Conti force /attac, look pedals, shimano dura ace

Summary:
A great bike! I had never any problems with it. The feeling having it in one`s hands is unbelievable! It is the Ferrari of all the roadbikes.The quality isvery good, although the texture is a little to vulnerable. My bianchi wighs only 8.0 kilos, with speedplays even less. I ride it with shimanos dura ace, Itm Millenium and look pedals and mavic helium. The forc is out of carbon.
I took it to the Swiss mountains and had no problems...
If Michael Schumacher would ride a bike, he would ride this one!

Strengths:
-great feeling
-frame is very strong but also very stiff
-looks great
-very light
-all the expereince of bianchi!

Weaknesses:
the finish is a little to smooth
expensive

Similar Products Used:
Pinarello dogma

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Bianchi XL EV2

Summary:
The best road bike I've used. Stable and precise steering and quick as a cat on the ascents. No problems with cracking on the frame at all, and the roads suck big-time here in Western PA. The bike is stunning to look at as well. Beautiful paint scheme and a very durable paint job as well. The Campy Chorus/Record Mix is the best of both worlds. I replaced the stock 11-23 cassette with a 12-25 for the hilly terrain around here and the Titanium Bianchi seat post was replaced with a Titanium Chourus model which offers better adjustments. I also replaced the Pirate seat (Ugly at best), with a San Marco Regal. The Levitation wheels have stayed trued and have not given me a bit of trouble, especially given the horrible road conditions around here. This bike was designed to be fast and agile......it accomplishes both with great style.

Strengths:
Build...Color scheme...Durable finish...component selection...Lightness on the climbs

Weaknesses:
$3,500.00 new......Yikes!....No bike is worth that much.

Similar Products Used:
Colnago Dream, Raleigh Professional

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at Vail Bicycle Service

Favorite Ride:
highland valley

Bike Setup:
Campy record/chorus mix, easton ec90 seatpost, American Classic 350s, SLR trans am, speedplay X1s

Summary:
Loved this bike, really pretty, really light and I got it for a great price... until frame cracked at the head tube and left me without a bike just in time for race season. Had a bit of a problem with the levitation wheelset too, had to rebuild both hubs within 3 months of buying the bike.

Strengths:
Light, responsive, great mix of components

Weaknesses:
Cracked frame (hope Bianchi USA will replace it) and crappy wheels

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale multisport, Lemond Alpe D'Huez

Price Paid:  $4000.00 at Bicycle Planet

Favorite Ride:
Lake George NY

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace,Ksyrium SSC Rims,Easton EC 90 Handle Bar,Reynolds Ouzo Pro Fork.

Summary:
I enjoy riding this bike very much. It gets me going with the group and finishing the exciting ride in no time.

Strengths:
Rides well on hills, has a Stiff Frame, obsorbs vibration on roads. No wonder Jan Ullrich took second place on the 2003 Tour De France in sixty one seconds.

Weaknesses:
It rides too fast and I'm not able to enjoy the scenary.(just kidding)

Similar Products Used:
Steel Colombus Bianchi Bikes.