By Yokota Fritz
After a two year absence, it looks like Bianchi will reintroduce the Boron steel Pinella frameset in 2009.
I don't have information on the 09 model, but the sub 3 pound Pinella has been among the lightest weight steel frames available. Though there are concerns with durability -- the light weight comes from paper thin tubing -- when built up the Pinella frame makes for a fantastic looking bike that handles well at high speeds. It will be available as shown in the classic Celeste color with black graphics.
By Yokota Fritz
After a one year absence, Bianchi has reintroduced steel road bikes for 2009, including the nice Vigorelli.
The Bianchi people I've spoken with really like the 2009 Vigorelli steel road bike -- the exact word used is "love," and this bike built up with Reynolds 631 CrMo tubing and carbon fiber fork is indeed easy to love. Equipped with a mix of Shimano 105 and Ultegra 10 speed components with a compact crankset, the price I've heard is "under $1800."
It's good to see a decent steel road bike from a top tier bike vendor. 2009 will also see the return of the Imola (Tiagra 9 speed triple) and the entry level Brava (Sora 9 speed triple).
While Bianchi has a nice lineup of carbon fiber dream machines for 2009, higher prices on everything as well as renewed interest in steel among consumers will make the Vigorelli and their other steel bikes a good seller, I think.
By Yokota Fritz
Bianchi will introduce a flat bar and brakes version of their popular Pista fixed gear bicycle.
Besides the handlebar, cabling and brake hardware, this is exactly the same bike as their regular Pista track bike. The '09 Pista -- both the brakeless and flat bar versions -- will be available in blue, as shown here, and chrome.
2009 Bianchi Pinella steel frame
Cable stops on the head tube: worst. location. EVER.
...i'd venture to say that "cable stops on the head tube" means less heat applied to the thin walls of the down tube, where it may affect longevity...
Shift housings will have to be replaced monthly as the ferrules fatigue and fold; faster for four mil than five, but often in any case.
Perhaps wall thickness gives them the excuse in this case. Other frames sported them for a couple of seasons with no excuse at all. Very frustrating to maintain those bikes, especially when owned by riders with no critical eye for design. They just get tired of what they feel is cheesy housing.
Why bring back steel and paint it like a yahoo carbon bike?
Cable stops on the head tube may not be your cup of tea but crappy dirty stickers on the head tube to prevent cable/paint rub suck too. What to do?
What's wrong, exactly, with head-tube-mounted cable stops? I don't have any newfangled bikes that require anything beyond a simple friction lever, so I'm merely curious...
How is the Bianchi Pinella compared to the Casati Laser? :)
Funny but my 2007 Pinella is still going strong on the same shift cables, shifting and turning is perfect. I do go to a lot of trouble getting lengths just right, but I have had zero problem with Campag cables for a lot of KM already. Doubt I will ever upgrade from this beautiful ride. Greg - Australia.
2009 Bianchi Vigorelli - Steel is real
I just want a steel bike in celeste!
Amen to that -- a Bianchi just ain't a Bianchi unless it's clad in celeste paintwork!
Fritz, if you have contacts at Bianchi USA, you should suggest to them that the more celeste bikes they produce, the more they'll sell...all these new retro-fans will eat them up!
Ghost, I'll ask what's up with the color schemes. I think the chrome Pista looks very nice, but some of the colors they've selected for '09 honestly could have been a little better.
Well, yes, I'll give you that: the chrome is nice and makes the bike sleek and all, but how much cooler would it be to have a CELESTE Pista (or any other model, for that matter)?
It's one of, if not THE, most recognizable colors in the bicycling industry...yet I've noticed Bianchi is slowly stepping away from it. Heck, even some of their top of the line carbon wondermachines only show hints of celeste.
It's the purist in me -- as the original owner of a vintage celeste machine, I can be kind of snobby about Bianchis...chalk it up to the rants of a disgruntled commuter!
They have the Vigorelli in Celeste in Japan. I asked the US Rep and said they wont have it in US during 2009. Link Below
http://www.cycle-yoshida.com/c_europe/bianchi/clasic/9_vigorelli_page.html
I have the 2010 Vigorelli, and love it. Its unbelievably forgiving on rough pavement and long rides. And, surprisingly stiff.
STEEL IS REAL!!!
2009 Bianchi Pista - flat bars and brakes
What... no risers?
when will they be available??? i want one
If I had to guess, I'd say probably November or so.
Permalink: 2009 Bianchi Pinella steel frame
