'Schwinn Sporterra' VS 'Bianchi Spillo Rubino'

[fatichar]

Hi Guys,

I am about to buy my first imported bike. Have read as much as I could on this forum. But still the technical jargon goes above the head

Have inquired a few stores. All are far from my house. So haven't seen/felt any bike personally yet. But probably will buy on my first visit itself. So want to complete my homework before I visit.

Location: Pune
Budget: 10k, increased to 15k after reading VKalia's excellent post. Now increased to 20-25k after spending 2 weeks on BZ
Purpose: Commuting 6+6 km to office, from Kharadi to Magarpatta. Road is not good, hence Hybrid seems to be the only option.
Height: 5'6"
Weight 60

Schwinn Sporterra seems to be the safest option. But curious about Bianchi Spillo Rubino also. While everything about the Schwinn is available here, I couldn't find anything about the Bianchi. It seems finding it in a store would also be tough.

Has anyone ridden the Bianci? How does it compare to other bikes in the 20-25k range?

[unair76]

If roads are not good, then look at an MTB. On a hybrid, road imperfections would be painfully transferred to your butt.

[wanderingwheels]

<snip/>
Budget: 10k, increased to 15k after reading VKalia's excellent post. Now increased to 20-25k after spending 2 weeks on BZ
<snip/>

Awesome! Nice self-enabling there. I'm not very sure of what bikes you can get in the price range. Schwinn is good, ask anvith, akshay. I've not ridden the Spillo Rubino but I've seen it; it didn't really look appealing to me. IMO, take test rides of both and decide. Once you buy your first imported bike, you can ride without having to worry about component failure. Good luck!

[fatichar]

If roads are not good, then look at an MTB. On a hybrid, road imperfections would be painfully transferred to your butt.

MTB needs more effort to drive. Its a trade off between speed and comfort. Hybrid is a balance of the two. If roads were like Delhi, I would have gone for a road bike

@wanderingwheels



I want to purchase before I increase my budget further!

Bikes have got really costly in last 1-2 years. I am not concerned about the looks. Preferences are effortless pedling, no back pain. Then some speed, If possible. Actually wife would be very happy if the bike looks ugly, so that I don't catch any eyes .

I have read that you own a Bianchi. What's your opinion on general quality, brandwise, of Bianchi and Schwinn? Like +ves n -ves of each brand?

[punerider]

If you are in Kharadi then have a look at Kona Bikes also. I guess Dew will come in your budget. The bike store is in Lane 7, KP.
Btw, you won't find much reviews about Kona bikes online either but they are worth every penny.

[wanderingwheels]

Yeah +1 to Kona. Check it out!

I can't really compare Schwinn and Bianchi because I don't know enough. As I said earlier, you buy any of these bikes and you will have a good cycling life ever after

PS: If I were you, I would check out the Kona Dew

[fatichar]

Vandit, in his post for newbies, says that steel is making a comeback for good reason. But lightness is one of THE factors in favor of imported bikes. I find that most hybrid bikes in the 20k range are either alloy or Aluminium frame. Which segment is steel making a comback in? MTB?

[fatichar]

Also, I would like to get a bike with drop handle bars, so that I get 2 riding positions. Any choices in my budget?

[Minkey Chief]

Vandit, in his post for newbies, says that steel is making a comeback for good reason. But lightness is one of THE factors in favor of imported bikes. I find that most hybrid bikes in the 20k range are either alloy or Aluminium frame. Which segment is steel making a comback in? MTB?

High-end MTB (eg: Niner S.I.R.), higher end mass-produced road (eg: Colnago Master-X) as well as a range of entry to mid level touring/light touring/cyclocross (eg: Surly LHT, Bianchi Volpe). And of course, it never went away in the custom bike segment.

[fatichar]

Visited two shops yesterday.

Lifecycle: "Sorry! We don't have a hybrid below 33k"

Surender Cycles: Had almost all the bikes in my range. Schwinn Soprterra/Soprterra Sport/searcher, Bianchi Spillo (rigid and suspension), Canondale Quick 5, Montra (model?). I tried the sporterra, Bianchi rigid, and the Quick 5.

Note: I don't know how to use gears, so rode on 2-5 or 206 combination. the test ride was limited to around 30m footpath.

Sporterra: Very light. Good looks. Smooth pedaling. No complaints. @19.5k after discount.

Bianchi: Adjustable handle. But shape was awkward. He offered to change to a flatter one, which comes with the suspension model, at no extra cost. I tried with that also, but was not as good as a full flat one. was heavier, and pedaling was also not as smooth. + point was free accessories: headlight, horn. @19k after discount.

Quick 5: felt very similar to Sporterra. @26k after discount.

The owner recommended the Quick 5. The mechanic recommended the Bianchi. I personally did not like Bianchi, only benefit was the add ons, while it missed on the main thing - cycling.

Now I am confused between the other 2. What advantages would quick 5 give over the sporterra, that would justify the 6.5k price gap?

I will visit another shop to try schnell and kona as well. But such small test rides dont tell much

[hac]

IMHO go for schwinn. Bianchi Spillo Rubino didnt look nice to me.

[fatichar]

Thanks hac. But as I said, I myself have rules out the Bianchi. considering only the schwinn and the quick 5.

[Carpediem]

Schwinn is value for money, Cannondale for excellent frame and brand premium. Take your pick.

[rahul13]

I'll add to the confusion. The Trek 7.1 is an excellent choice too. And since you asked about the material, it has a steel fork too which helps absorb road buzz

Love love love the Kona Dew. If you can try one, you'll put your money down right there.

[pankajzarekar]

Hi, I had been traveling on Kharadi-M'patta for 5 years until last Sept. I still live in Kharadi and road to M'patta is perfect for hybrid bike.

If you want to regressive evening test ride my 24-spd Schwinn Sporterra Sport on EON roads at 30kmph message me.

[paragpasarnikar]

@fatichar..earlier quick 5 used to come with alivio derailleur and now it has altus which is two grades below alivio but there is no reduction in price..the hubs of 2010 quick 5 quick were better than that of 2012 quick 5..I would suggest u to buy kona dew or orbia..these two are far better brands than schwinn..

[wanderingwheels]

Yeah +1 to Kona, based on the reviews I have read.

[fatichar]

Visited "rider owned bikes". Rode Kona Dew. Position felt good. Was heavier than the Sporterra. Smoothness was not of the level of Sporterra and Quick 5.
@paragpasarnikar, what's the recommended price of the Dew? I was quoted 24k.

wanderingwheels, what's your opinion abt the quick 5?

[paragpasarnikar]

@fatichar..u must have ridden kona dew fs which has hydraulic brakes and hence u must have found it a bit heavy..it makes no point in buying canondale quick 5 which has altus as the derailleur when u can get orbea eibar in 20-21k with an acera derailleur and eyelited rims with an adjustable orbea stem..did u contact sami makki?

[paragpasarnikar]

i had sent u my cell no earlier in a private message

[paragpasarnikar]

u can get a discount of 10-15% on kona..alpesh yadav and sami makki are the only ones in pune charging reasonably.i.e(they haven't attached new price tags(post budget) on old inventory..if u r getting a 10-15% discount on kona then i guess it woulld be a good deal because it is from the pre budget lot

[fatichar]

thanks parag,

where is Makki's shop? I could not find the details of the eibar on net. Could you give me a link?

[punerider]

Here is Sami's fb page link. Maybe you can send him a message and get more details

http://www.facebook.com/samimakki

Btw...there's another Kona bike which is an ideal commuter with fenders and all. I keep forgetting the name every time though. And 24K seems like a good price. 2 years ago i was quoted 20K for Kona Dew and 4K rise in 2 years is actually less when compared to Schwinn's hike pre-budget.

Just read that you will be going from kharadi to magarpatta. I travel on that road (towards dive ghat) almost every alternate weekend and the particular stretch you are talking about is good enough for even a road bike. (Trying to enable you here)

[fatichar]

My house is on the old Mundhwa road, I have to travel 2 km on it. Its BAD. I can't drive my Yamaha FZ above 40k!

[paragpasarnikar]

http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/orbea/eibar-2010

http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/orbea/elorrio-2010