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Heart says Specialissima, Head says zX-1. What do you say?
Hi everyone looking for some advice/views. I’m lucky enough to have had some cash come my way and permission (from she who must be obeyed) to get another bike to join my aged C60. I have been looking at Bianchi’s Specialissima disc with ultegra. But after reading rave reviews about the Vitus ZX-1 with sram force, I’m quite tempted by its shiny new tech. I’m no racer but got into cycling to get and keep fit and do love chasing those Strava segments. Which would you guys go for. I live in the south west and most rides are hilly but nothing too severe. My head says New shiny tech that seems like a lot of bike for the money but my heart says Italian frame and replace the low spec parts ie wheels cockpit at a later date?
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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In all fairness, it almost certainly NEVER happened…
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10 comments
Many years ago JE James refused to put Dura Ace on my first Colnago, 'If tha wants Jap gears on't Colnago, tha can come darn and put 'em on thi'sen' (which is Rotherham for yourself). They were right.
I'd go for the Specialissima (and with my apologies find it strange that someone would make the comparison). But put mech Chorus on it. I have mech Record, Chorus and Ultegra Di2 on my bikes, and whilst the latter is convenient, genius even, it has no soul.
I have mech Record, Chorus and Ultegra Di2 on my bikes, and whilst the latter is convenient, genius even, it has no soul
This reminds me of having a good laugh at so called audiophiles describing, in reviews of nutter expensive audio kit, qualities of sound which don't exist like 'colour' and 'forwardness', when all that's really there is frequency and amplitude, with a few legitimate shortcut terms like harmonics and echo. There are no souls in people, or bike components.
Of course equipment has no soul (and whether or not a person has one is a question probably more suited to a theology discussion than a cycling forum).
I'm a former Di2, current AXS user, on my good/long/year-round bike. I have 11sp Chorus on my summer/light/short bike - and I know exactly what Chris means.
I'd express it more as 'the difference in user experience'. Di2 and AXS offer very little tactile feedback, and they do have a somewhat robotic feel, though both are brilliantly effective. On the other hand, there is something about the feel and sound of Campag mechanical that I find very satisfying.
There is something to be said, though, for the fit and forget, totally reliable nature of electronic shifting, and IMO it comes into its own at the extremes: on longer, slower rides where comfort and ease of use matters most, or fast group rides where you're trying not to get dropped and missing that gear will make your life really hard.
Having said all that, I'd get the Bianchi in this case because it's just a lovely thing.
They're a bit chalk and cheese. Are you keeping the C60? Do you have any others?
The Specialissima is gorgeous. but will you love it as much as the C60, and if you do will you feel a little bit sad inside?
How abut the Vitus for fast days and a new set of components/wheels etc for the C60 for those "just cycling" days?
the bianchi, with vision 5d/6d ACR handlebars.
Bianchi - you'll get used to the virus tech in 2 rides then will be lusting after Bianchi forever more
Go with the heart. It's always right.
The blue one...
But red's faster!?
Maybe - but what happens when the bridge is gone...?