Boardman Team or Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Veloce

had my bianchi nirone for a few years now it was my first road bike and the thing that attracted me first was the colour of it.Celeste is just so recognisable

I love my boardy. If there's anything that would put me off buying a bianchi, it's celeste green. Hate it.

The Boardman is better priced.

Can you wait for the Jan sales? Might get better deal?

There is one thing I don't understand about Bianchi, though. Why do they make bikes in colours other than celeste? I mean, what's the point? They surely can't sell any?

If you do get a Bianchi you do realise you'll need to get full Mercatone Uno kit à la Pantani

I think to some boardman are looked down on due to the halfords connection and that they are thought of as a bike bought by someone making the most of a cycle to work scheme.

That said they are very good bikes. Always get good reviews and are well equipped.

All said and done I think I would personally go with the bianchi though, just 'cause the heart shouts louder in me.

I reckon you'll get more bike for your buck out of the Boardman. A friend has been riding one for a couple of years and while I'm constantly looking at new bikes he's perfectly happy with his. We regularly do >100k rides together.

The Via Nirone, sex on wheels by the way in common with most of the Bianchi range, there is definitely something about Italian design... But anyway the Via Nirone is in their C2C range so the geometry will be more comfort than fast. Not a bad thing but sounds like not what you're after if you're saying "I might get into amateur racing". In the Bianchi range the Sempre looks like it may be more appropriate, but of course that comes in at way over £1k.

Have you thought of second-hand? It is a gamble I know but there are genuine riders out there who take care of their bikes and when they look to upgrade their kit will put their old bikes on e.g. eBay. I picked up a Giant TCR Advanced (full carbon plus ultegra groupset) for only £50 over your budget and it is a superb bike. But, as I say, a gamble.

I have a 2008 Bianchi and it has been without doubt the best bike I have ever owned and people still drool over it.

"I am gonna follow more experienced groups of riders 70-100 kmh."

Respect!