Bianchi has always been proud of its sizing range — with some models available in up to nine sizes, from 44 to 61 — meaning it's easy for most people to find a comfortable fit. All bike brands measure their sizes slightly differently, but it's fair to say that Bianchi bikes come up fairly big when compared to the American giants. Bianchi first introduced Countervail technology embedded into its Infinito frames. The material was patented by the Materials Sciences Corporation, and has elsewhere been used in military helicopters to reduce vibration.
Sounds high tech right? In short, Countervail technology is a process of manufacturing that sees a viscolelastic resin used in conjunction with structural carbon. The result is a dampening effect that Bianchi says cancels out 80 per cent of vibration whilst increasing stiffness and strength. The Bianchi Specialissima is the brand's lightweight race bike. The geometry is designed for pros, and though an oversized head tube and bottom bracket offer ample stiffness, the claimed frame weight is as low as g in a size 55 with black paint and our last review model came in at 6.
Comfort isn't forgotten — Bianchi has woven its Countervail tech into the frame, with the aim of reducing fatigue and helping riders to go harder and faster for longer.
The Specialissima bucks current trends, by being disc brake only - but of course this does suit its lightweight credentials. The Oltre is Bianchi's aero race pedigree, but it's available in two different frame options. The XR4 is the top of the range choice, raced by pro cyclists on teamJumbo-Visma.
The head tube takes notes from Bianchi's Aquila time trial bike, and you get all the aero nods you'd expect such as a hidden integrated seatpost clamp.
A size 55 frame comes in at g, and the geometry is race inspired and places the rider in a long and low position. For those keen to enjoy the majority of the XR4's performance features, but at a slightly more friendly price that, there's the XR3.
You still get the buzz-reducing Countervail, too. How you regard the value proposition of the Oltre XR3 depends on the store you put in the Bianchi marque. Many other brands will offer you a higher spec package at this price. If the Oltre range is out of reach, then the Aria is the alternative. Design cues from theAquila time trial bike are still present, including an aero fork plus integrated seatpost clamp.
The key loss is that of Countervail technology, so the ride will be a little harsher, and of course the carbon is of lower spec so a little heavier.
This said, the claimed frame weight is 1,g for a size 55 so it's hardly a heavy machine. Like the Oltre, the Aria can be purchased with rim or disc brakes. For those seeking Bianchi performance with agressive geometry, at a more wallet-friendly price point, the Sempre Pro rounds off the race range. The relocation of Bianchi production from Italy will make the managers of other companies in the Cycleurope group happy.
After all, Bianchi may be the eternal envy of those who were never able to create a legendary brand like the golden eagle on its field of celeste. However, we are certain that Bianchi customers will be not happy. When you buy a Bianchi, you are not only buying a bicycle. When you decide to ride a Bianchi you are also making a commitment to the shared responsibility of representing with pride the bike used by Coppi, Gimondi, Argentin, Bugno and Pantani to write the milestones of cycling history.
The bicycle built by Italian hands, the same hands that turn red with applause for the hero who challenges the Stelvio climb. The same eyes of the racer who can see his entire life in one race. At their height in the late s and early '40s the company employed 4, in two Italian factories. At that time Bianchi weren't just a bicycle manufacturer, but also produced motorcycles, and even cars. Times changed, and the company stopped making automobiles in with the outbreak of World War II.
Bianchi's motorcycle production lasted into the late '60s; the last rolled out of the Italian factory in Today Bianchi is a smaller company, but one that's still known throughout the world for their celeste bicycles. While no longer produced, this motorcycle shows that Bianchi even used the celeste paint on its non-bicycles as well. Bianchi strives to maintain a small piece of their heritage, with efforts to stay true to the nature of the company's bike shop beginning.
The bike assembly at Bianchi is more akin to a shop, than an assembly line, as each bike is built by one mechanic from frame to finished machine. Masnata stressed that the Bianchi way is not about a factory assembly line, but rather about devotion to each individual bicycle.
This is the Bianchi way. We have five assemblers and 25 other workers helping construct the bicycles. Many of those finished bikes will feature—even if just a small amount—of the Bianchi "celeste" paint along with the crowned eagle that is supposedly based on a former royal crest.
This Bianchi celeste green has many stories behind it. It seems that whenever mainstream media talks about road bikes, Italian brands feature frequently as the ultimate representation of our aspirations while, in contrast, those from Taiwan are suggested as affordable stepping stones to something better. It certainly does no harm for a bicycle company to be based in a country awash with esteemed producers of wheel- and drivetrain-based performance brands like Ferrari, Ducati, Pirelli, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Aprilia, and so on.
Italian products bearing the prestigious Made in Italy title are highly-coveted the world over — for their integrity and durability, design originality and creativity.
An enduring relationship with professional road cycling lends heavily to the formidable appeal of Italian bicycle brands. Although a few French brands such as Gitane, Look and Time occasionally enjoyed similar levels of cachet, there was otherwise little competition at the top of the road bike food chain.
Visibility of Italian brands in pro cycling peaked in at the 89 th Tour de France; of the 21 teams that started, nine were supplied by Italian firms — namely Pinarello three teams , Colnago two teams , De Rosa two teams , Fondriest and Carrera each with one apiece. Countries possessing and extolling what we believe to be desirable values are viewed favourably over those who do not. History, style, passion and creativity are examples of characteristics associated with Italy that have been successfully translated into highly desirable objects for centuries.
In summary, adroit leveraging of these three pillars has seen Italian road bike brands gain unrivalled levels of distinction amongst consumers and win fawning praise from media.
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