You're right, they do make steel, but most of the Reparto Corsa models are now aluminum. Do the aluminum models of Bianchi closely resemble the corresponding models of Gitane and Peugeot? Seems to me they do, but I admit to being no connoisseur of modern aluminum frames as I dislike them all. However, we've all known for decades that there have been only trivial differences between the coresponding models of Chevy, Olds, Buick, and Pontiac, and often Cadillac. Likewise Ford and Mercury, and since Ford bought Jaguar, some large Jag models now share a chasis with Lincoln. I doubt that the large corporate mentality operates any differently in the bike industry than in the auto industry. There is just too much money to be saved by sharing engineering and tooling across several brand names. Legnano was long ago reduced to only a name by Bianchi, and I expect Bianchi, Peugeout, Gitane, Monarch and Crescent are well on the way to a similar fate at the hands on the grand Pan-European cycle corporation. Sure, separate web sites will tout supposed design innovations of each marque, and there will be distinctive graphics schemes, but there will be no more real difference than between Buick and Olds.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Houston, TX
> Jerry & Liz Moos wrote:
> >
> > I did check the web site, as I have done off and on the last few years.
> > There are steel models listed, but not a lugged frame in sight.
>
> Please reread Jerry: Your statement is Bianchi's are "pretty much the
> same TIG'ed aluminum frames painted in different colors as a Gitane or
Peugeot."
>
> Chuck Schmidt
> SoPas, SoCal