Giant Defy 2 Vs Bianchi Via Nirone?

[Cavalol]

Right, I have a Giant Defy 2 road bike which I love to bits. It's my first 'modern' road bike and it's brilliant. I love the weight, the look, the gearing, just everything really. I don't do big miles, 36 was the most I did once, but I do like a 20 mile ride out and plan to go a fair bit further when I'm fit again.

Anyhow, having seen a few Bianchis knocking about in that lovely light blue-ish colour, I've fallen in love and have taken a fancy to a Via Nirone 7, so the big question is: are they much better than the Giant I already have?
I'd be buying second hand and reckon with some homework/luck I wouldn't have to fork out much more than I'd get for the Defy.
I have to confess I don't understand much about different gears and components etc, so have to look a bit daft and ask if it'll be worth me lashing out a few more quid just because I like the look of the Bianchi better!

Any help gratefully received, thanks in advance.

 

[Cyclist33]

no. in a word!

the defy is great and whats more, you love it. dont throw that away for a flash of bianchi thigh.

 

[Cyclist33]

i mean come on, you know what the answer is really.

 

[vickster]

Certainly a celeste Bianchi is much prettier than a Defy 2 (to my female eye for sure), however, even with a Tiagra groupset like the Defy, the Giant will have a better frame than an equivalent priced Bianchi.

You could of course look for a higher specced alu Bianchi, one in carbon, or with a higher groupset etc

Lots of the lower Bianchis come with Campag Xenon groupset, the Tiagra will be better than that - I think the campag sets have the button shift, so a different mechanism to the Tiagra

You've something like this but on BiN, you'll need to find some extra, and it may well not be the correct size, check the geometries of the two bikes

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bianchi-R...1063448484?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item19dbe5bba4

Up to you really, have a ride of the Bianchi and then decide, bike riding is more than how pretty it looks, especially as you are more than happy with your current bike

 

[Keith Oates]

If you're happy with the Defy then stick with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Peteaud]

The bike will be no better imho, but, its your money.

FWIW i have a Defy 2 (2010) and whilst it may not be the best looking or have the flash branding it does the job and is a good bike.

 

[AndyRM]

If you love your Giant, the Bianchi will never feel as nice.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

imho the celeste colour is like marmite, some love it, while other such as myself are in the dislike it camp. At first glance to me most Bianchi look the same, it does not matter if its a 1500 quid bike or a ten grand bike the colour makes one model and year blend into another.
The bikes are no longer italian eotica made with passion, they ship from the far east like most other mass produced brands.
Having said that I did see a nice Bianchi on the fnrttc to Brighton which was a deep royal blue and it changed the entire look of the bike.... Celeste

If your bike makes you smile, thats the right bike for you imho

 

[Cavalol]

Many thanks, some food for thought there. Vickster: I have that in my watch list, cheers! Oh, V For, that's a very good point. Trouble is I'm so fickle I think a Bianchi would make me smile more!!!

 

[vickster]

Make sure you check the geometry versus the Giant, I think a 57cm frame is probably for someone around 6ft. Might be worth asking the seller how tall he is

 

[AndyRM]

I have re-considered my position. Flog your Giant and get the Bianchi.

It may not be 'properly' Italian any more, but the Via Nirone is a great bike. I had one and loved it to pieces. In fact, I'm about to sell the frame if you are interested...

 

[Kies]

I can't say i get that excited by Bianchi's .... As someone said earlier,you either love them or you don't.
I prefer the Giant Defy's .... Really great bikes.

 

[Bianchi-67]

My wife and I both own Bianchi Impulso and Via Nirone respectively and we love them.

 

[Cavalol]

I have re-considered my position. Flog your Giant and get the Bianchi.

It may not be 'properly' Italian any more, but the Via Nirone is a great bike. I had one and loved it to pieces. In fact, I'm about to sell the frame if you are interested...

Hmm, possibly, but I don't have the brains to be able to build a bike up sadly. I'll have to ask though: how much do you want for it, please?
Went for my first decent run of the year on the Giant yesterday, did about 26-28 miles and enjoyed every bit of it. If anyone in Cheshire has a Bianchi and would be kind enough to let me have a quick test ride I'd be very grateful!

 

[vickster]

How about asking Evans? They are very agreeable when it comes to testrides, you just need a credit card to leave a 1p deposit

They have several stores in Manchester and one in Liverpool. Call first to see what they have in stock in your size - they carry a number of Bianchis