I am looking hard at one of these bikes. Does anyone have one? Any comments? Thanks in advance.

I am looking hard at one of these bikes. Does anyone have one? Any comments? Thanks in advance.
I have an '05 Virata in a size 53. I have had an absolutely great time with it. I typically commute into work a couple times a week and do group rides on the weekend so I end up with about 120 miles a week on it. The components I have put on since new are:

DT Swiss wheels and hubs.
Fizik Arieon saddle
Fizik gell wrap
Bont. XXX lite post
Deda Newton stem
Continental Force/Attack tires
Time pedals
Dura Ace skewers

From the dealer, the bike has a very nice full Ultegra components kit. I just suffer from upgradeitis. {I am seeking professional help.} The Ultegra 10 speed is soooo smooth. Shifting is crisp and precise. Out of the saddle performance is dead on for my style of riding. I don't think you would be disappointed in the least. For an Italian steel/carbon bike in the $2k range, you get a lot of performance.

Thanks for the reply. I can't tell from the Bianchi site if the seat post is measured c-c or c-t.
Do you know? Also, any thoughts on sizing? I'm 5'10. Thanks

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Thanks for the reply. I can't tell from the Bianchi site if the seat post is measured c-c or c-t.
Do you know? Also, any thoughts on sizing? I'm 5'10. Thanks

If I remember correctly, it is measured from ctr to top. As far as the sizing, I am also 5'10. I had a fit done and based on that I could have gone 53 or 54. It was such a fine line. Based on some smaller details, we made the decision to go 53. It was the right one.

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Like the Army of Darkness reference.

I looked at one briefly, but for that price, I wanted at least Ksyrium Elites. And is that model made in Italy or Taiwan?

Like the Army of Darkness reference.

I looked at one briefly, but for that price, I wanted at least Ksyrium Elites. And is that model made in Italy or Taiwan?

Yea it is out of darkness, cause i'm a mtb.guy looking for a road bike to get the miles without the drive to the trails.

I agree on the wheel set. My hardtail set is about 300gr. lighter, but I,m not paying 2k,
if I buy. I am looking for honest input from riders that own or have tested the bike.

Bianchiguy-thank you.

I am looking hard at one of these bikes. Does anyone have one? Any comments? Thanks in advance.

Have an 04 Virata that I am have put about 3500 miles on and am very happy with. Bought it as a frameset (not at retail) and hung a mix of 03/04 Chorus and Protons on it. For a light steel/carbon frameset it is very smooth and does not beat me up at all over some rough roads.

Cannot comment well on the stiffness of the frame as I am not the most powerful rider but I have not noticed excessive flex when climbing out of the saddle. In fact, for a steel frame it climbs pretty well.

The most remarkable trait of the bike is that it is very stable and confidence-inspiring. I am sure it will go where it is pointed and it feels great at speed and while descending/cornering. Not twitchy at all.

I have the metallic sky blue color and have received many compliments from other riders though the pain is a little soft and there has been some chipping on the downtube and around the seatclamp area.

In short, I am quite happy with the frame and have not felt any need to move on to another frame as my primary bike.

Pags

The Day the Earth stood still, from the film review "Look for vintage howlers: Army medical doctors smoking, and '50s newscasters casting with their hats on. The code words, should the occasion ever arise, are 'Klaatu barada nikto', which will make robots do your bidding." Sami Rami inserted the reference from one his favorite films.

The virata, Asian made, is a semi sloping top tube, so look to top tube length for sizing.

If I remember correctly, it is measured from ctr to top. As far as the sizing, I am also 5'10. I had a fit done and based on that I could have gone 53 or 54. It was such a fine line. Based on some smaller details, we made the decision to go 53. It was the right one.

I'm wondering about the smaller details. I have done a fitting by way of wrenchscience.coms, and others program of measuring, and come up with a 54 c to c, or 55 c to t.

Alexcad-Thanks for the input. I did't know the frame was built in asia, but thats not a show stopper. As for the top tube, i have looked at that,and it is a semi sloping, but does't seem tobe a compact frame design. I wish I had a LBS that carried the brand, but I don't.
.
Pags-Thanks for the review. Sounds like a nice build. Have you weighted it?

Happy holidays to all, John

Haven't weighed it yet as I do not have a scale (other than the bathroom variety). Feels pretty darn light though wasn't really going for low weight, just love the Chorus stuff. Thinking about upgrading the wheels some but have been pretty happy with the Protons. One broken spoke on the rear wheel and never out of true.