Can't decide

[RyanMcGrath]

Hello everyone,
I'm new to cycling. I've done so much research and narrowed my options down to 2 bikes.
1: Bianchi via nirone 7 xenon £999 celeste green
2: Norco valence A1 £1000
I'm after more of a comfy ride than a racing style as would like to do long distances. I've ridden both bikes and like them both. I love the look of the bianchi but unsure excatly what to wear with it. If anyone has pics of them on there bianchi I would really appreciate it to see your colour options. The norco has 105 group set where the bianchi has campagnolo xenon. I'm 5ft 5 with smallish hands. Been told the campagnolo are better for people with smaller hands and the shifting up down the gears are easier. When I rode the bianchi it was lovely to ride. What's people's view on them? The norco is also a very nice looking bike. Evans told me they mainly build mountsin bikes and downhill but are coming over to road and to get there name out there putting good group set on there bikes. I've been told tiagra is a very good group set and I would have no problems with it? I just can't decide!! The norco is black with red on it so colour matching not a problem. With the bianchi I no you can buy there jerserys etc but would you get looked at as "Mr bianchi"??
I also love the look of the chris boardman carbon bike in halfords for £999
Full carbon with tiagra group. I don't no if people would cringe as halfords sell it. Please anyone help as would like to try and buy it this weekend.
Kind regards
Ryan

 

[goody]

Have you looked at PlanetX or Ribble?

 

[cyberknight]

Wear what you like, colour matching your kit i would have thought would be the last thing to worry about as long as the bike suits you the best .
In what way do you want a bike for long distances as you can play around with stem length and angle to give you a higher cockpit or do you want something that soaks up the buzz ?

 

[Cycleops]

If you are more worried about what you are going to wear on it and look like you are not going to be swayed by the technical superiority of one over the other are you?

 

[smokeysmoo]

Check out the Cannondale CAAD8 as well, your budget will get you the 105 model with an easy £50 haggle.

Awesome bike, awesome frame, awesome reputation

But, a with any bike - make sure it fits you or you probably won't use it as much as you'd intended, and you could even be risking injury in some cases!

Last thing, wear what you want, ride what you want, and bo!!ocks to anyone who 'cringes' at your choice of wheels because of the retailer or because of your apparel.

 

[derrick]

Go for the Bianchi, wear what you like it don't matter.

 

[Herzog]

Go for the Bianchi, wear what you like it don't matter.

Is that a big ring-big cog I spy...?

 

[derrick]

Is that a big ring-big cog I spy...?

Could well be.

 

[Herzog]

Could well be.

At least you're doing it on nice bike

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Go for the Bianchi, wear what you like it don't matter.

I like that bike. NIce kit too.

Personally I don't give a hoot what colours I wear on a bike as long as I am visible (highly).

Will be interested now to see if Ryan will buy the Bianchi based on your clashing colour combination esp' the green stripe on your jersey.

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

Is that a 'racing stop' stance (or whatever it's called) - if so, I'm very jealous - my lack of core strength = wobbles and putting feet down

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Ryan - for gods sake just buy the bike that fits and whose ride you like and then wear whatever takes your fancy - seriously you'll have more to worry about on the roads than whether or not you have created an nth degrees colour coded visage as you waft by.

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

Ryan - for gods sake just buy the bike that fits and whose ride you like and then wear whatever takes your fancy - seriously you'll have more to worry about on the roads than whether or not you have created an nth degrees colour coded visage as you waft by.

... and if he is super-speedy, he'd create a whizz of colour anyway, which wouldn't be 'matching'

 

[derrick]

Is that a 'racing stop' stance (or whatever it's called) - if so, I'm very jealous - my lack of core strength = wobbles and putting feet down

Practicing track stands

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

Practicing track stands

Ah, I thank you, Derrick - every day is a school day