EoinC said:Jeff, I don't see anyone picking a fight. You came and asked a question. People have answered, and / or asked for more clarification. Remember, some of us have done many years of racing and have been through the first-bike situation, often with less accessibility to advice than you are experiencing. If you ask the question, but are not interested in listening to the answers, you didn't need to ask the question.
Riding an Italian Stallion in 'A' Grade, I have been beaten by a vet riding an old rusty Hillman. The bike does not maketh the man. My current ride is a 20 year old fixed-wheel and (as an old fart who hasn't raced for many years) I still managed to hold my own in the break on a 50k race a while ago (until the tailwind on the home stretch had me seriously undergeared).
Some of your comments seem a little strange to some of us - things like "I have tested trek bikes and they are not comfortable" relate more to the particular set-up of the bike/s you tried, rather than who the manufacturer was. Bianchi are also capable of turning out frames that you would not feel comfortable on. It is more important to get the fit right (including frame, seat, seat post, handlebars and stem) than whose sticker is on the down-tube. I've never ridden a Trek, but I would guess that, when they can make a frame stiff enough for pro-riders to use, they probably are able to cover your needs.
The best advice I can offer you is to go and find a good 2nd hand bike that fits you well. Ride and race it so that you learn what really does work. Then, once you are making inroads at racing, buy yourself your dream bike and use the other one for training. Each time you hop on your race bike, it will feel good.
The other thing, if you go down this path, is that going out and starting racing will often open up doors to getting a good deal on a bike through LBS's who support racing. You may also be pointed in the right direction for getting good advice on the set-up to suit you.
For me - race first, then decide what bike is going to help you improve, otherwise you may end up with a very flash bike that only gets used for commuting. As has been said before, Jeff, it's your money. Take our advice for what it is - just advice. Nobody is yelling at you.
Regards,
Eoin
Great comments, EoinC. Agree campy components and wheels are a fine match for the Bianchi, even one that's not their traditional celeste green.
Of course Trek, Cdale, Giant and the other major brands make proper-fitting and race-worthy bikes....lots of races are won on them all the time. The bike (or wheelset) doesn't make the rider, but most of us don't learn that until we've gotten a nice bike....or two or three. When we're riding the old steel clunker, it's easy to be convinced that a 16 lb wonderbike is going to make you a lot faster. Just read the ad hype for the San Mateo....how can you not want all that?