I'm in the market for a road bike. Today's contenders: Italy vs America. In one corner, we have the Lemond Maillot Jaune Classic
http://www.lemondbikes.com/2004_bikes/maillot_jaune_classic.shtml
Reynolds 853 steel frame, in the blue and yellow pictured here:
A full Shimano Ultegra component set, double chainring, 9 speeds in the rear. Bontrager carbon fork, Bontrager 16 spoke wheels.
In the other corner, the Bianchi Veloce, http://www.bianchiusa.com/veloce.html Reynolds 631 steel. Classic Celeste green, shown here
All Campagnolo Veloce components. It has a triple chainring, which I don't like, but 10 speeds in the rear. 30-frig-gears. I don't need the extra weight, but I kinda like the 10 speed rear
<p>I like the ergonomics of the Campy trigger shifter better than the Shimano levers. I've longed for that classic Italian bike, the Celeste green Bianchi's history. The Bianchi also has rear rack mounts, which would be good for the multiday excursions I want to do.& The geometry of the two bikes is nearly identical. The head tube angle of the Lemond is half a degree steeper. The chainstays are longer.
The Bianchi lists at $1600, they've got it for $1500.& The Lemond lists for $2100, according to their website They've got it for $1700, will sell it for $1600. I didn't realize how big of a gap there was between these two bikes until now.
Both felt excellent. I think the Lemond is a little lighter. I probably couldn't tell the difference between them if blindfolded.
http://www.lemondbikes.com/2004_bikes/maillot_jaune_classic.shtml
Reynolds 853 steel frame, in the blue and yellow pictured here:
A full Shimano Ultegra component set, double chainring, 9 speeds in the rear. Bontrager carbon fork, Bontrager 16 spoke wheels.
In the other corner, the Bianchi Veloce, http://www.bianchiusa.com/veloce.html Reynolds 631 steel. Classic Celeste green, shown here
All Campagnolo Veloce components. It has a triple chainring, which I don't like, but 10 speeds in the rear. 30-frig-gears. I don't need the extra weight, but I kinda like the 10 speed rear
<p>I like the ergonomics of the Campy trigger shifter better than the Shimano levers. I've longed for that classic Italian bike, the Celeste green Bianchi's history. The Bianchi also has rear rack mounts, which would be good for the multiday excursions I want to do.& The geometry of the two bikes is nearly identical. The head tube angle of the Lemond is half a degree steeper. The chainstays are longer.
The Bianchi lists at $1600, they've got it for $1500.& The Lemond lists for $2100, according to their website They've got it for $1700, will sell it for $1600. I didn't realize how big of a gap there was between these two bikes until now.
Both felt excellent. I think the Lemond is a little lighter. I probably couldn't tell the difference between them if blindfolded.
