Hi Kovie, To comment here, Wouldn't the local Bianchi Dealer in your
area possibly order a bike for her?
She seems to know exactly what size, and what grouppo she needs/wants.
I own an NOS (2001) Bianchi Campione steel frame bike, with
conventional geometry, and with Campy Veloce group, and have been very
happy with the bike, particularly the Campy components. There's
absolutely nothing wrong with Veloce, and properly maintained will
give many years of fine service. The components are every bit as good
as the older Nouvo Record hardware IMO.
Naturally, not maintaining even the very best hardware can quickly
deteriorate over time.
Perhaps some dealers think that if they order one bike too many, that
this is going to severly hinder them? Like it's going to put them out
of business to order one too many bikes? I don't know?
Going mail order is an option I suppose, and there's always a few
dealers in the back of Bicycling Magazine who advertise good prices
for Campy Equipped bikes.
The only thing with going mail order, is that if there's a problem,
there will be greater difficulty resolving any possible issues if
there's something wrong.
Generally bikes now days are packed very well in very strudy boxes, so
it's not likely damage would occur enroute, but once the bike reaches
its destination, it would need to be assembled/checked over. Actually
not all that hard, as most the hard work is already done for the
buyer. By buying mail order, there will be no local dealer support
with the bike.
Many local bike shops do offer one year free
checkups/adjustments/repairs should something not be right, or go out
of adjustments (Loose spokes, hard/improper shifting, tight bearings,
defects, etc)
Buying sight unseen though is difficult unless you know exactly what
it is you are needing/buying. There's always the chance that when the
bike arrives that something would not be suitable for her, or
something she just doesn't like about the bike? In that scenario, she
then has laid out $1200-$1600 for a bike she doesn't like, or want.
There could be fit issues, or other minor issues such as a poor ill
fitting saddle for example, etc, and now more cash would have to be
spent to resolve these issues. So going mail order could possibly not
be the cheapest/wisest way to go in the end.
Hope these suggestions help you some. I'm hoping that whatever she
should choose, that she is happy with the final outcome/purchase. Mark
"Kovie" <
[email protected]> wrote in message news:<5zQEc.8006$%_6.3981@attbi_s01>...
> A friend of mine has been shopping around for a road bike and after many
> test rides strongly prefers Campy shifting, and a non-aluminum frame. The
> problem is finding one in her price range, which is $1200-$1600. She saw a
> Bianchi in a local store that came with Veloce 10s for $1400, but not in her
> size (51"). Can anyone advise on finding complete Campy-equipped road bikes
> in this price range, with a triple front and preferably 10 speed rear? She's
> willing to go mail order at this point as the pickings appear to be pretty
> slim here in Seattle. Everywhere she goes, it's almost all Shimano. (Not
> knocking Shimano here, she just prefers Campy.) Veloce's ok with her, as
> she's not a racer.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Kovie
> [email protected]zen
