Bianchi Sempre, Gran Fondo Cycles and Bicycling Mag online choice bike.

Thanks to Bicycling Magazine for selecting the 2012 Bianchi Sempre as one of their picks for Top 12 Enthusiasts Bikes.

....more here from Bicycling!

And here's a vlog from Lynn at Gran Fondo Cycles covering the Sempre platform. Thanks Lynn!

Bianchi Sempre hit the 2012 Strade Bianche on Saturday.

I'm so thrilled to glue myself in front of the screen this spring. No, not to endure the latest chapter of the Sufferfest DVD series, rather to marvel at, what seems like, any given time this season, there's online race coverage of a team on celeste bike between Androni, Vaconsoleil and Coldeportes.

This Saturday is the 2012 Strade Bianche. Based in the Tuscany region of Italy, a beautiful yet difficult stage in the Spring Classics. 8:30am EST for the start of S-B. The Columbia based Pro Continental team, Coldeportes will be lining up as well as Fleche-Wallonne and the Tour of California to name a few.

Here's a link to the feed for Saturday....click!

Personally, I'm very excited to see this squad on the Sempre frames. Mainly because the construction and performance of the frame is able to meet the standards for a Pro Continental team and Bianchi sells the same frame in a Shimano 105 build for $2299.99. I'm not sure there's any other bike company with a frame made with High Mod carbon, Nano-tech, construction, and 105 bits for that cost AND quality enough for a Pro team to race. [The 105 bike has an aluminum steer. Coldeportes is using a full carbon fork like the Sempre Ultegra, Red, and individual frame set offers.]

Click here for a previous drill-down on the Sempre 105 at Just Riding Along Bike Shop.

Best of legs to all!

Another bike I need in my Stable.

My first shop visit of the New Year was at The Bicycle Stable in Philadelphia, PA.


The shop’s owner Chaz, has always been a gear-head aside from only bikes. Motorcycles and rat rods have keep his hands dirty over the years. My first season with Chaz exposed me to one of his projects; a mid-80’s Volvo 240DL wagon fitted with a Mustang 5.0 lump.

When the winter months slow the shop’s traffic, Chaz’s wheels start turning; what bike will become the next project? Lately this has involved a bike build up of some sort that’s inline with The Bicycle Stable’s clientele and based on our steel single speed San Jose frame.

Wood is good.

At first glance this ox blood red 2009 San Jose looks like a stock bike with the addition of front and rear racks and added fenders. Upon closer inspection, you’ll see that this former single speed bike is now a 7 speed internally geared steed.

The rear hub is a Shimano Nexus 7 with a Roller Brake set up.

The left side shifter controls the rear Roller Brake.

As Chaz puts it, ‘It’s a parking brake, haha. Or a security brake, if you don’t have a lock.’ Thieves are sometimes in such a hurry that something as simple as a shifter, set up as a brake lock can slow their getaway or foil their plans all together. 'Sure, why not?' I thought. The stock cantilever brakes have been swapped out in favor of stronger grabbing Shimano V-brakes. Three brakes; front, rear and a parking brake, I like it.

The standard Sugino crank was pulled and an Origin8 and a machined single speed ring and 1/8” KMC chain were added to keep with the rest of the shiny bits.

The guys at Planet Bike have some of the nicest fenders for the avid commuter. This bike would look out of place with an organic looking set of bamboo fenders or a set of high polished ‘eyebrows’ in my opinion. When in doubt, make ‘em black!

The Panaracer Crosstown tires have replaced the stock WTB All-terrainasaurus. This puncture resistant tire is pavement oriented; more than the WTB which has more of a three season tread pattern.

Even if you’re not using a genuine Brooks saddle, a knock off version with rivets on the rear is still nicer than an old mtb or road saddle that looks like it was pulled out of the spare parts bin in the back of the shop.

At the time of my visit, the bike was scheduled to receive a Shimano Dyno LED headlamp. The front hub has already been installed as you may have seen in the earlier photographs.

I have to admit, this has me thinking about building up a ‘market bike’ for the spring season.

#bianchibicycles Sempre Red build @granfondocycles pt2

The GFC crew has confirmed a bike build weight from the previous post, of 15lbs with pedals and cages. That's a 50cm Sempre built with SRAM Red, SL-K crank and other FSA bits. I'll try and get some better photos of that build, during my next trip to Nashville.




In the meantime, they had a 59cm with Red roll out the door today. Britton's opinion on the ride is-- 'FANTASGREAT! It rides, um, awesome.'

Note- Sempre frame sets are now in stock; both paint schemes azzuro and celeste come with a full carbon fork.

--posted via iPhone.

2011 Bianchi Zurigo shake down write up.

Bart at South Park Cycles has a few Zurigos at the shop. He's put some laps on this new 2011 model and here's his take on the bike.


Now tried and tested is the Bianchi Zurigo Cyclocross bike. For $1599 you get an aluminum frame, carbon fork and Sram Apex shifter and drivetrain kit. First impression was the bike handled great. The bike held a great line whether on off camber downhill or climb. I spent about and hour and a half on this stead and this was my first real ride on Sram drop bar components. I had no issues adapting to the shifting and the Apex shifted flawlessly. The other nice touches to the bike are the additional bar brake levers and the ability to add racks to either the rear or fork of the bike. This is not just a great reasonably priced cross bike but also a versatile commuter or touring bike as well. These also have been added to the rental fleet.

Thanks Bart!

2010 Pista Via Brera Interbike 2009 review.

Via Brera.

Thanks FLIKBIN.com!