The Rita is Bianchi's first new 29er since the early 90's. I love how they claim on their web site that they are not trying to brag, but after all they were making big wheel bikes back in the day. So I guess what I'm hearing you say Bianchi is that you swing with the trends and don't really stick with what you know is tried an true. I wouldn't be advertising that fact if I were you.
That notwithstanding, the Bianchi Rita does look like a nice bike. It's well spec'ed with the RockShox Reba SL front fork and WTB Exiwolf 29 inch tires. It's a little pricey for a single speed at $1400, but not having ridden the Rita, it's hard to say if the price is worth it compared to a comparably spec'ed bike like the Gary Fisher Rig at about $1200.
Update 10/21/06: Just noticed that Bianchi softened it's "we invented the 29er" tone a bit on its web site. Maybe we had an impact? I'm not really trying to pick on Bianchi...I'll have to make it a point to ride one so I can give it a real review. Maybe I can find one at one of the local LBS's or if Bianchi really did read this, then perhaps we can work something out?
