I went into Evans today (I know), and the guy was actually incredibly helpful. He encouraged me to test ride 3 bikes in my price range - Allez Sport, Bianchi Xenon, and Fuji newest 1.0. I thought I'd write this to help other people in my situation decide
Allez - £630
When I first got on it, I couldn't believe the speed and handling - a very nice bike I thought. The only thing whoich put me off was the nasty feeling and looking Sora equipment. I wasn't impressed with the thumb shifters at all
Newest 1.0 - £700
There wasn't much in it between this and the Allez, however it had better Tiagra stuff instead of Sora, and the red frame actually grew on me. Despite being told it was more vibration-prone thatn the Allez, I found them to be near identical. If I had to choose one, it would be the Fuji, simply because of the Tiagra parts.
Bianchi Via Nirone Xenon - £740
Far and away the best bike of the group. It just felt right, all the parts looked quality, and even though it had plastic shifters they felt better than anything else I tried. Also the best looking, and at only £110 more than the Allez I knew it was the one to go for, as I thought the Sora parts would need replacing before they needed replacing, if you know what I mean. People also stopped and stared at it when I wheeled it round the corner to the quiet road! A beautiful bike which I won't want to upgrade for a while, and this is definitely the one I will get when the cycle scheme is set up at work
Allez - £630
When I first got on it, I couldn't believe the speed and handling - a very nice bike I thought. The only thing whoich put me off was the nasty feeling and looking Sora equipment. I wasn't impressed with the thumb shifters at all
Newest 1.0 - £700
There wasn't much in it between this and the Allez, however it had better Tiagra stuff instead of Sora, and the red frame actually grew on me. Despite being told it was more vibration-prone thatn the Allez, I found them to be near identical. If I had to choose one, it would be the Fuji, simply because of the Tiagra parts.
Bianchi Via Nirone Xenon - £740
Far and away the best bike of the group. It just felt right, all the parts looked quality, and even though it had plastic shifters they felt better than anything else I tried. Also the best looking, and at only £110 more than the Allez I knew it was the one to go for, as I thought the Sora parts would need replacing before they needed replacing, if you know what I mean. People also stopped and stared at it when I wheeled it round the corner to the quiet road! A beautiful bike which I won't want to upgrade for a while, and this is definitely the one I will get when the cycle scheme is set up at work
I still get a buzz riding it a year later. Is your the new colours, not celeste but silver and blue or white (cant quite remember)...its a stunner 
