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2002 Bianchi Brava or 2005 Haro Veloz VTR

post #1 of 9
2/12/05 at 1:55pm
Thread Starter 
Amateur biker here, trying to choose between item number #7133617312 (used Bianchi) on ebay (bid starts at $300) or a new Veloz VTR. Internet doesn't have much on the Veloz, so I'm sceptical. Love the steel frame of the Bianchi and plan to do a lot of long rides, not races. Veloz comes w/105 f & r derailleurs, Tiagra shifter & break levers, carbon fiber fork, double buttes? aluminum frame.
Bianchi is a 2002 Brava - no upgrades, 60 miles. HELP!
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post #2 of 9
2/12/05 at 2:56pm

Re: 2002 Bianchi Brava or 2005 Haro Veloz VTR

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrie Marchak
Amateur biker here, trying to choose between item number #7133617312 (used Bianchi) on ebay (bid starts at $300) or a new Veloz VTR. Internet doesn't have much on the Veloz, so I'm sceptical. Love the steel frame of the Bianchi and plan to do a lot of long rides, not races. Veloz comes w/105 f & r derailleurs, Tiagra shifter & break levers, carbon fiber fork, double buttes? aluminum frame.
Bianchi is a 2002 Brava - no upgrades, 60 miles. HELP!
I'd go with the Veloz hands down. I love the 105/Tiagra componentry and the fact that it is new with a warranty. I took a look at the Brava and I don't know if I would trust this person... on the frame material description, she writes carbon fibre...hah! It seems that maybe only the fork is carbon. As far as the rest of the bike, you are paying for Sora components plus the Sugino. The Sora is really Shimano's bottom-end stuff, not that it's bad, but just not as good as the 105/Taiagra group you will get on the Veloz. The only redeeming quality of the Bianchi, IMHO, is the fact that it is a steel frame. Steel just produces a nice, smooth ride.
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post #3 of 9
2/12/05 at 3:23pm
Thread Starter 

Re: 2002 Bianchi Brava or 2005 Haro Veloz VTR

Quote:
Originally Posted by lohsnest
I'd go with the Veloz hands down. I love the 105/Tiagra componentry and the fact that it is new with a warranty. I took a look at the Brava and I don't know if I would trust this person... on the frame material description, she writes carbon fibre...hah! It seems that maybe only the fork is carbon. As far as the rest of the bike, you are paying for Sora components plus the Sugino. The Sora is really Shimano's bottom-end stuff, not that it's bad, but just not as good as the 105/Taiagra group you will get on the Veloz. The only redeeming quality of the Bianchi, IMHO, is the fact that it is a steel frame. Steel just produces a nice, smooth ride.
What if I bought the Bianchi for $350 and upgraded to 105's and add the Tiagra shifter & brakes? Would it be worth it? I really like the idea of "nice, smooth ride."
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post #4 of 9
2/12/05 at 4:16pm

Re: 2002 Bianchi Brava or 2005 Haro Veloz VTR

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrie Marchak
What if I bought the Bianchi for $350 and upgraded to 105's and add the Tiagra shifter & brakes? Would it be worth it? I really like the idea of "nice, smooth ride."
That's up to you. The frame by itself, IMHO, isn't worth paying $350. I personally would not pay extra money to upgrade components on this bike. I would rather get the Veloz and upgrade to a carbon fire seatpost, which will help dampen the ride. I used to ride a steel bike and sure, it's nostalgic, but once you've ridden an aluminum or carbon, you'll never go back. If you're still concerned about the smoothness of the ride, go to your LBS and ask them to try out a ride on a Bianchi Brava (or equivalent) and then compare it to the Veloz. I just upgraded from riding a Mercier Aquila (Chromoly) to a Quattro Assi Attack (7005 double-butted alum, same as your bike). The ride quality on the Quattro Assi is far superior to the ride on the Mercier.
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post #5 of 9
2/12/05 at 4:21pm
Thread Starter 

Re: 2002 Bianchi Brava or 2005 Haro Veloz VTR

Quote:
Originally Posted by lohsnest
That's up to you. The frame by itself, IMHO, isn't worth paying $350. I personally would not pay extra money to upgrade components on this bike. I would rather get the Veloz and upgrade to a carbon fire seatpost, which will help dampen the ride. I used to ride a steel bike and sure, it's nostalgic, but once you've ridden an aluminum or carbon, you'll never go back. If you're still concerned about the smoothness of the ride, go to your LBS and ask them to try out a ride on a Bianchi Brava (or equivalent) and then compare it to the Veloz. I just upgraded from riding a Mercier Aquila (Chromoly) to a Quattro Assi Attack (7005 double-butted alum, same as your bike). The ride quality on the Quattro Assi is far superior to the ride on the Mercier.
awesome input,
I have been to the LBS's in town, and asked them about the Bianchi bike - they too agreed that it's not worth it. I'll go test the Veloz again, appreciate it!
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post #6 of 9
2/13/05 at 3:02am
Thread Starter 

Re: 2002 Bianchi Brava or 2005 Haro Veloz VTR

If you can pull up the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MakeTrack=true

what do you think of this bike? Seems to be getting a lot of attention.
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post #7 of 9
2/13/05 at 6:13am

Re: 2002 Bianchi Brava or 2005 Haro Veloz VTR

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrie Marchak
If you can pull up the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MakeTrack=true

what do you think of this bike? Seems to be getting a lot of attention.
Lietspeed is a great name. Note his post...he is willing to let it go for $1200 and has no reserve. That makes me wonder if this is price is too good to be true.

A brand new Sirius frame, by itself, is $1700 retail. The rims look like Spinergy Xaero Lites. They retail new for $700. Along with his Shimano Ultegra componentry, we're talking a very expensive bike. $1200 seems a bit low, even for a used bike.

My best advice.... Caveat Emptor, Buyer Beware.
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post #8 of 9
2/13/05 at 3:04pm
Thread Starter 

Re: 2002 Bianchi Brava or 2005 Haro Veloz VTR

Quote:
Originally Posted by lohsnest
Lietspeed is a great name. Note his post...he is willing to let it go for $1200 and has no reserve. That makes me wonder if this is price is too good to be true.

A brand new Sirius frame, by itself, is $1700 retail. The rims look like Spinergy Xaero Lites. They retail new for $700. Along with his Shimano Ultegra componentry, we're talking a very expensive bike. $1200 seems a bit low, even for a used bike.

My best advice.... Caveat Emptor, Buyer Beware.
thanks - Can you also, if you have time, look at Bikesdirect.com? I've ridden the Specialized Dolce & the Bianchi Eros Donna and loved the fit of both. I rode that Veloz again - and the top far felt too long.
How about the Mercier Aquila Euro & Elle and the Motobecane gigi.
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post #9 of 9
2/13/05 at 3:46pm

Re: 2002 Bianchi Brava or 2005 Haro Veloz VTR

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrie Marchak
thanks - Can you also, if you have time, look at Bikesdirect.com? I've ridden the Specialized Dolce & the Bianchi Eros Donna and loved the fit of both. I rode that Veloz again - and the top far felt too long.
How about the Mercier Aquila Euro & Elle and the Motobecane gigi.
My best suggestion is to go with which one feels better. I really don't know too much about Specialized bikes. Bianchi, can make some very good bikes and they have a line of cheapies. As a company, they've been around for over a hundred years or so. Their frames are not all made in Italy..... made in Taiwan and Japan, I believe. For an average ride around bike, I guess they're both okay. Same goes for Mercier and Motobecane.... Motobecane and Mercier both European bike manufacturers at one time, sold their names to the Asians.

Bottom line, I would still try the Veloz out, although I think it may be a bit large for you. Try a smaller frame and perhaps try adjusting the seat...
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