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-
$1600 for a bike she doesn't like, or want. There could be
fit issues, or other minor issues such as a poor ill fitting
saddle for example, etc, and now more cash would have to be
spent to resolve these issues. So going mail order could
possibly not be the cheapest/wisest way to go in the end.
Hope these suggestions help you some. I'm hoping that
whatever she should choose, that she is happy with the final
outcome/purchase. Mark
"Kovie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<5zQEc.8006$%_6.3981@attbi_s01>...
Quoted message said: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 hidden]
