Hello all - I'm new to this forum and I'm hoping I can get some unbiased guidance here before I purchase my first decent road bike. I've been looking at the Specialized Allez and the Bianchi Via Nirone 7. Both are entry level road bikes with very similar components (Shimano Claris).
I can get the Allez in my size (58) tomorrow at $700 - The shop that is selling it also offers a lifetime warranty (on the entire bike) and free brake and gear adjustments for life, which is very appealing to me. I also got a good vibe from the staff at the shop with the Allez, which makes me feel more inclined to buy there.
The Bianchi is not available in my size anywhere locally. The shop by my house has my size in the next model up, which carries Shimano Sora components and is priced at $950. I do not think the Sora components are $200 better than the Claris and I also don't think I need the upgrades being that it is my first decent bike and I'm not sure how frequent I will be riding. When I went there tonight, I felt like I was being pressured into a sale and left the shop without bike.
I'm taking a breather to look at both bikes and see what is the best investment. I think I am being drawn toward the Bianchi for aesthetic reasons, which seemed fine before because they were the same price point and basically felt like very similar bikes. Now that I know the Bianchi is not available to me in the entry-level model, I'm leaning toward the Allez, but I also realize I know very little about all of this, which is why I'm here.
So the options on the table are the Specialized Allez with Claris components at $700... or the Bianchi Via Nirone 7 with Sora components at $950. Any thoughts?
I can get the Allez in my size (58) tomorrow at $700 - The shop that is selling it also offers a lifetime warranty (on the entire bike) and free brake and gear adjustments for life, which is very appealing to me. I also got a good vibe from the staff at the shop with the Allez, which makes me feel more inclined to buy there.
The Bianchi is not available in my size anywhere locally. The shop by my house has my size in the next model up, which carries Shimano Sora components and is priced at $950. I do not think the Sora components are $200 better than the Claris and I also don't think I need the upgrades being that it is my first decent bike and I'm not sure how frequent I will be riding. When I went there tonight, I felt like I was being pressured into a sale and left the shop without bike.
I'm taking a breather to look at both bikes and see what is the best investment. I think I am being drawn toward the Bianchi for aesthetic reasons, which seemed fine before because they were the same price point and basically felt like very similar bikes. Now that I know the Bianchi is not available to me in the entry-level model, I'm leaning toward the Allez, but I also realize I know very little about all of this, which is why I'm here.
So the options on the table are the Specialized Allez with Claris components at $700... or the Bianchi Via Nirone 7 with Sora components at $950. Any thoughts?