Avanti blade series

'Cause we prefer Giant CRXs, Felt SR71-101s and Merida Speeder Ts. 😄

jbbcj said:

Cannot find any reviews on the avanti blade series. Only thing i can find is whats on the avanti web site. Apparently avantis best seller but there are no opions on 05 or 06. Look like a great bike but no one wants to talk about them.
Why is that?

I was looking at getting a 05 blade about a month ago. Went to homebush a couple of weeks back to have a look at my options and was annoyed Avanti wasn't there as they were one of my selections. Ended up going for a road bike instead of a flat bar.

Had to put the bike on lay by cause wedding plans are eating all my money.
just over a week to go hopefully and ill be ridng finally.

jbbcj said:

Cannot find any reviews on the avanti blade series. Only thing i can find is whats on the avanti web site. Apparently avantis best seller but there are no opions on 05 or 06.

Look like a great bike but no one wants to talk about them.
Why is that?

Bcorse there all out riding their Avanti Blades having too much fun to fart around here. 😄

Seriously, its a New Zeland bike so I suppose the Aust magazines are not interested in promoting them with a review. Word of mouth works better IMHO than some so called Xpert who gets paid by the 1,000 words. I think that the feel and fit of the frame and the level of equipment sell the bike without "reviews"

Cheers
Hugh

Happy 05 Avanti Blade Elite rider

About 6 weeks ago I bought a Blade Pro that was on special: runout model. Paid $1750. At the time my second choice was a Giant CRX1, and I also rode a Specialized Sirrus but it was too "agressive" for me. I also tried a Felt (SR81?, 71?). The Blade is very well made - compare the welds on the Balde to the Giant for example. I find mine very comfortable, fast and smooth and have no complaints. It looks great too. I don't think many shops have got all the 06 models yet, and even Avanti's website doesn't list the 06 Blade Pro although I did see a photo of it in an add in one of the mags.

Hope that helps.

Ive recently got an Avanti Blade Pro 05 on sale for $1750 (Le Tour Cycles in Melb) after my previous Felt SR71 got pinched. Got to say that the Avanti is a substantially better bike than the Felt for the price. Also tested the CRX1 - both 05 and 06. The Giants are good value, but the carbon seat stay and bar ends, superior finish, tripple chain ring on the Avanti did it for me - worth the extra $200 (better colour than the 06 CRX1 too). Its a great bike to ride, feels responsive and road vibration (compared to the CRX1/SR71) seems less- maybe the extra carbon bits. I'd recommend the Blade Pro although the other models didnt do much for me - I think the Giants/Felts etc are just as good and cheaper.

I think Le Tour Cycles in Melb still got a 05 Blade Pro "L" in stock

rdk said:

About 6 weeks ago I bought a Blade Pro that was on special: runout model. Paid $1750. At the time my second choice was a Giant CRX1, and I also rode a Specialized Sirrus but it was too "agressive" for me. I also tried a Felt (SR81?, 71?). The Blade is very well made - compare the welds on the Balde to the Giant for example. I find mine very comfortable, fast and smooth and have no complaints. It looks great too. I don't think many shops have got all the 06 models yet, and even Avanti's website doesn't list the 06 Blade Pro although I did see a photo of it in an add in one of the mags.

Hope that helps.

Picked up a Blade Pro 06 on 1/12/05 Only 2 rides so far 40 kls + 61kls Certainly a different "go" to my old but respected 03 Trek Hybrid with 18000 kls under its bottom bracket.
Thought about saving myself a few hundred $ with an 05 model, but I think the new 105 gear was worth it. One of my apprehensions is the 30 speed set up which I hope lasts a reasonable distance. My old 24 speed set up ( alternating 2 chains ) lasts around 14000. I suppose if the Pros gets close to 10000 before replacing the "lot" I would be satisfied.

Daz1980 said:

I was looking at getting a 05 blade about a month ago. Went to homebush a couple of weeks back to have a look at my options and was annoyed Avanti wasn't there as they were one of my selections. Ended up going for a road bike instead of a flat bar.

Had to put the bike on lay by cause wedding plans are eating all my money.
just over a week to go hopefully and ill be ridng finally.

Daz I did the same thing, it appears it costs a fortune for companys to set up at Homebush. Avanti is imported by Shepards which is based in Melbourne so to fly staff up,accomodate, feed, transport etc then pay for stall space and so it goes.
Anyway I am happy with my 06 Blade Pro flat bar which I bought site unseen

My partner has the 05 Blade Comp and she's very happy with it. It's fast and comfy and a good bike if you want a fast bike but don't want the dropped handlebars. I took it for a spin and liked it, although it was a bit of a harsh ride.

Sequoia said:

My partner has the 05 Blade Comp and she's very happy with it. It's fast and comfy and a good bike if you want a fast bike but don't want the dropped handlebars. I took it for a spin and liked it, although it was a bit of a harsh ride.

Specialized with all their zertz & shaped seat stays etc probably create a better ride. Cosidered a Sirrus Pro but 05 model was not a triple ( although 06 is )
An Avanti Plus dealer described Blades as quote:-straight pipes welded together.
The Sirrus Pro had lots of anti vibe gear hence probably a Sequoia kind of ride.
Anyway shimano 550 wheels (16 f & 20 r spokes),new 105 30 speed was appealling enough to sway me to the Blade Pro 06.With carbon forks,seat post & seat stays maybe a little better ride than the Comp.

Choice of tyres can make a big difference to ride comfort.

I have Conti GP4000s on my new Try-bike and a Conti Ultra Gator Skin-Kevlar on my rear training wheel. I will be buying a third GP4000 tomorrow, the kevlar belted tyre is just too harsh after riding on the GPs. The handling is more predictable with the GPs than the Gator skin, rather skittish.

The Felt will also be upgraded to GP4000s in blue at a later date. 😎