How are Bianchis measured?

Does Bianchi measure their bikes, center of the BB to center of the top tube, or top of
the top tube?

Also, I'm looking at a Veloce, which has a sloping top tube. I'm assuming that they size them to the
virtual top tube rather than the true TT. Their site lists virtual and true for the top tube
measurment, but only lists sizes as 44, 49, 51, etc.

Thanks very much.

 

Dave Smith wrote:
> Does Bianchi measure their bikes, center of the BB to center of the top tube, or top of the
> top tube?
>
> Also, I'm looking at a Veloce, which has a sloping top tube. I'm assuming that they size them to
> the virtual top tube rather than the true TT. Their site lists virtual and true for the top tube
> measurment, but only lists sizes as 44, 49, 51, etc.

They're measured to the top of the actual seat tube. However, the top tube (virtual) is by far the
more importan spec.

The "true" top tube length on a sloping top tube frame is just noise. It is of no use at all for
fitting purposes, and they really shouldn't list it in the geometry. It just confuses people.

See also http://sheldonbrown.com/frame-sizing.html

Sheldon "Bianchi Dealer" Brown +--------------------------------------------------+
| The less you bet, the more you lose if you win | --Alan Rudolph (_Trixie_) |
+--------------------------------------------------+ Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041 http://harriscyclery.com Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
http://captainbike.com http://sheldonbrown.com

 

Sheldon Brown <[email protected]> wrote:

> Dave Smith wrote:

>> Does Bianchi measure their bikes, center of the BB to center of the top tube, or top of the
>> top tube?
>>
>> Also, I'm looking at a Veloce, which has a sloping top tube. I'm assuming that they size them to
>> the virtual top tube rather than the true TT. Their site lists virtual and true for the top tube
>> measurment, but only lists sizes as 44, 49, 51, etc.

> They're measured to the top of the actual seat tube. However, the top tube (virtual) is by far the
> more importan spec.

At least my Bianchi frame, a last year's SL Alloy Lite with a sloping top tube, is measured from the
bottom bracket to the center of a virtual horizontal top tube. The frame is 53 cm, and the seat tube
is just 50 cm.

-as

 

"Dave Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Does Bianchi measure their bikes, center of the BB to
center of the
> top tube, or top of the top tube?
>
> Also, I'm looking at a Veloce, which has a sloping top
tube. I'm
> assuming that they size them to the virtual top tube
rather than the
> true TT. Their site lists virtual and true for the top
tube
> measurment, but only lists sizes as 44, 49, 51, etc.
>
> Thanks very much.

A bit off topic, but anyway.....

Why are Bianchis sold in the USA mostly steel frames, while those in Europe (see
http://www.bianchi-france.com/catalogue.asp) mostly aluminum?.......