I picked up a new bike on Thursday from Loose Spokes.
The Bianchi San Jose is technically a cyclocross bike. It is a steel frame bike with top tube routed brakes. The bike is excellent, it is crisp and smooth on the pedal and seems to be very tough. I wanted a single speed steel bike for my daily Michigan commute in the off-season. I essentially went through every drive train component on my Felt F1X last winter. And while Ultegra is not Campagnolo it wasn’t cheap either. So I decided to go all out and buy a complete bike. The idea of a Surly single speed was very appealing, but a frame plus all the components I needed would be almost double what I paid for the San Jose.
I swapped out the stock drop bars for the Nitto moustache bars. I dug in and figured out how the brake levers come off, and then how to apply handlebar tape. Not really that hard. But I think I could’ve done a better job.
I think the bars are pretty sweet. Nice hand position. I just need to get my lights on it and maybe a new saddle.
I love this bike!!
the only thing I might add to the review is that the crank, chain ring and chainguard are a little flimsy. The chain guard bent over time and now rubs against the chain on every stroke, I have a new chain ring on order.
You can always swap a new crank and chain ring, and chain guard to this bike and be ready to roll. I rode all through winter with no problems.
do you still like this bike? I’m thinking about picking one up as my weekly “ride around town” bile, it seems to be exactly want I’m looking for.
Nice lookin’ bike.
I’d been looking for a winterbike then someone gave me an old Huffy 12-speed. It was kind of a high-end bike in 1984 and has some french parts and shimano derailers.
I stripped it down to the frame, painted it and sandblasted the brake levers. And a bunch of other work and parts that added up to a little over a $100. I also added cyclocross type knobby tires so hopefully It will do well in snow. The tires have made my commute a bit tougher. 5 miles each way.
Before-After:
http://www.carvegp.com/bike.jpg