Advice on Bianchi bike please??

KierKenn

I am looking to buy a bike for commuting 4miles each way to work every day that can take panier bags. I want something that changes gears smoothly and gives a good all round enjoyable cycle. My local shop recommended the Bianchi Camaleonte 1. Would anybody have any advice on this bike please?

On the internet, i have seen that this bike comes as a bianchi camaleonte 1 or camaleonte 2 or camaleonte 3. These vary in price from about 650 to about 1000 euros. Can anyone suggest if the extra money is worth the extra spec?

Much appreciated,

K

Lumen

1: 8sp rear
2, 3, 4: 9sp rear.

1, 2, 3: alu fork.
4: carbon fork.

1, 4: rim brakes.
2, 3: disc brakes.

Confusingly, the 3 seems more expensive than the 4 on Evans.

Number of gears is irrelevant for your use. Disc brakes are also unnecessary on a hybrid. Carbon fork is arguably nice to have if you're running super-skinny tyres.

Expensive hybrids depreciate heavily. Just get the cheapest one.

AstraMonti

4miles is a short distance, if you have no hills in your commute gears are unnecessary and you ll have much more stuff to retain in good working condition. You can always look in a singlespeed bike.

KierKenn

Thanks a lot for those replies. Should also mention that I want to use the bike for long distance cycle holiday (around west kerry, cork, etc) about once per year. Anybody else got any suggestions?

Lumen

KierKenn wrote: »

Thanks a lot for those replies. Should also mention that I want to use the bike for long distance cycle holiday (around west kerry, cork, etc) about once per year. Anybody else got any suggestions?

What's your budget?

Raam

Get a Bianchi Via Nirone
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/via-nirone-7-sora-compact-2011-road-bike-ec025815

KierKenn

Budget is 1000

Raam

KierKenn wrote: »

Budget is 1000

The Via Nirone in that case. A great bike.

Lumen

Raam wrote: »

Get a Bianchi Via Nirone
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/via-nirone-7-sora-compact-2011-road-bike-ec025815

Pretty, but no rack mounts for touring.

Trek 1.2?

http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/bikes-c5/road-bikes-c18/trek-12-compact-road-bike-2011-p83143

Raam

Lumen wrote: »

Pretty, but no rack mounts for touring.

D'oh, I missed that bit.

Lumen

The Bianchi Volpe is apparently decent for touring, but doesn't seem to be available in Europe.

L'Enfer du Nord

Lumen wrote: »

1: 8sp rear
2, 3, 4: 9sp rear.

1, 2, 3: alu fork.
4: carbon fork.

1, 4: rim brakes.
2, 3: disc brakes.

Confusingly, the 3 seems more expensive than the 4 on Evans.

Number of gears is irrelevant for your use. Disc brakes are also unnecessary on a hybrid. Carbon fork is arguably nice to have if you're running super-skinny tyres.

Expensive hybrids depreciate heavily. Just get the cheapest one.

Good point, seems to fairly few entry level or mid price 2nd had road bikes on the market compared to hybrids.

I'd say optimum value for a hybrid is c. 500-600, after that seriously diminishing returns or you be better off with a road bike.

I aslo agree that signle speed would be better for 4 mile comute.

For commuting + occasional touring seven speed hub gears may be the way to go.

Having siad that, Bianchis are great so maybe just go for it.

studiorat

Not a Bianchi, and slightly over the grand.

But it ticks all the boxes : Genesis Day One Alfine

single speed isn't as spendy

KierKenn

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Another bike shop has recommended the Kross Evado 1.2. Does anybody have experience of the Kross bikes? how would they compare to bianchi?

studiorat

KierKenn wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Another bike shop has recommended the Kross Evado 1.2. Does anybody have experience of the Kross bikes? how would they compare to bianchi?

Looks a bit average really. Polish bikes I believe, about €400?

The Bianchi is more stylish/hip or whatever. Would probably hold it's value better...

Lumen

KierKenn wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Another bike shop has recommended the Kross Evado 1.2. Does anybody have experience of the Kross bikes? how would they compare to bianchi?

Avoid suspension on a bike for the road.

http://kross.pl/eng/rower/102-EVADO_1.2.html

jetski

OP, you may be interested in this....

http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/bike-for-sale-bianchi-camaleonte-3/787705

coolbeans

I gotta agree with the gist of this thread, you shouldn't really spend big money on a hybrid as they lose a lot of money quickly. Get a Bianchi with drops, a proper bike, or if you must buy a hybrid just get a Carrera from Halfords. Perfectly good.

Lumen

One of my neighbours (a MTBer) bought this for commuting:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=57647

It's really rather nice.