It's fast, precise and nimble, and delivers one of the better ride qualities in the segment thanks to the advancements in the carbon-fibre layup and tube shaping used in its construction. The handling is tight and responsive but doesnt feel like its cornering on a razors edge. Meanwhile, Bianchi has equipped a Shimano-style BB86 press-fit bottom bracket shell. The pre-existing version was an aspirationally high-end and competitively low-weight frame that offered elegant lines, round tube shapes, and not a spinning disc rotor to be seen. The Bianchi Infinito (from 5,150) goes to town on robust smoothness, employing Countervail and special tube shapes to help dissipate road buzz and negotiate poor surfaces. 31.8mm, drop 125mm, reach 80mm, 4o Outward Bend, Size: 400mm-47/50cm, 420mm-53/57cm, 440mm-59/61cm, Fi'zi:k Argo Vento R1, nylon carbon reinforced shell w/WingFlex, carbon braided 7x10 rail, 260x140mm, Fsa K-Force Light SB25, UD Carbon Monocoque, clamp type 2-Bolt Head MTC , Setback 25 mm, Length 350mm, 27.2mm, Di2 Battery compatible, Shimano Ultegra Di2 RD-R8050 SS 11sp, top normal Shadow Design, direct attachment, Max 30T, Shimano SM-RT800 Center Lock, diam. Google Recaptcha sleduje a analyzuje v pohyb na strnke, na zklade ktorho vie vyhodnoti, i je pouvate lovek alebo robot. Je preto nevyhnutn pre jej fungovanie. It's a superbike designed for winning races and excelling in the high mountains of grand tours - it's an absolute pleasure to ride. Up to now it used to be a climbing specialist bike aiming to achieve the best balance of weight and stiffness. Thank you for reading 5 articles this month*, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription, after your trial you will be billed 4.99 $7.99 5.99 per month, cancel anytime. This system uses oversized 1.5 headset bearings top and bottom. When it comes to the myriad of drop-bar bikes we see out on the roads, there are only a few that have consistently attracted as much attention as a Celeste-colored Bianchi. The frame is stiff and responsive as you would expect from a top-level model. It also supports bike stability in high speed descents because it is not enough to climb the uphill as the best if that is followed by difficult downhill! With a front 50/34T chainring configuration driving an 11-29T rear cassette, the gearing favours climbs over flat terrain. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. We also like that a standard 27.2 round FSA K-Force Light carbon seatpost is topped with the Fizik Argo Vento R1 carbon-railed saddle to finish things off. Weight of the frame designed for disc brakes usage andCountervail ultralight formulatechnology reaches830g(in special black colour even750g). The Specialissima, like the rest of the industry, has made the transition to disc, but Bianchi still offers a rim brake version for those old-school holdouts. The fabled Bianchi Specialissima is back. For us, the color and attention the bike attracted were validation enoughto move it up our short list ofdream bikes. 2021 BIANCHI SPECIALISSIMA ROAD BIKE REVIEW. Cyclingnews is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Tour de France Femmes 2022: Everything you need to know, Stage 6 gallery: Vos is Boss at Tour de France Femmes, Robyns Extremely Online Round-up #24: Geraint Thomas knows how to meme, Gallery: Wout van Aert triumphs in thrilling Stage 20 time-trial at 2022 Tour de France. Theres a metallic greenish-blue option for those wanting something more modern and vibrant. The new Specialissima will be available in three colours. Analytical cookies on our website are anonymized after collection. New Specialissima keeps its low weight and classic look despite of new aero frame features or disc brakes. Is it a deal-breaker though? However Id suggest if there are any specific speed-generating aspects here, they are weight and stiffness. Treks recently announced Project One Icon series, Bike brand musical chairs: Mitchelton, Jumbo, and Sunweb swap sponsors, Whats up with Jumbo-Vismas all-black Bianchis? Instead, the 98.8cm wheelbase and 72.5-degree head tube are confidence-inspiring. One of our biggest issues with the bike doesnt come from the Bianchi factory but instead with their choice of components. Fast-forward to the back end of 2020 and the announcement of a new Specialissima naturally sent my Spidey senses tingling. I did feel the Campagnolo 03 AFS 160mm front/rear rotor configuration was a bit overkill - especially given its lightweight credentials - but then again the descending confidence afforded by this set-up is superb. Now based in the UK's Surrey Hills, Aaron's life revolves around bikes. In our opinion, a bike of this caliber should be fitted with the 48/35, and either the 10-28 cassette for speedsters or the 10-33 for a more climbing-oriented setup, which would offer an easier ratio. The cables and hoses are run through the top bearing while using a regular round fork steerer tube. All reviews are fully independent and no payments have been made by companies featured in reviews, Treks versatile gravel bike offers progressive geometry, hidden storage, a racy but comfortable, The Corsa N.EXT is billed as a challenger to the GP5000 and Pro One, and we think its claim is, Do-everything gravel bike isn't even slightly revolting, Yellow jersey sprints to a second stage victory, extending overall advantage ahead of final weekend, The 24th instalment in our new series recaps the weekly shenanigans in the peloton, showcasing the, Green jersey holds on as Thomas, Pogaar and Vingegaard all come close to TT stage win glory. As a result, we set out to establish just how good it is - not only at overcoming gravity but at descending tricky switchbacks and devouring flat and choppy terrain, too. A compact 50/34T crankset drives an 11-29T cassette via 172.5mm carbon cranks - it's a stunning assembly and the perfect companion for this particular build. While this would have undoubtedly brought with it a weight penalty, Bianchi's engineers have managed to retain all the feathery attributes that have made it such a popular bike among enthusiasts and professionals alike by improving the frame structure and carbon-fibre recipe - and you can feel this through its underpinnings. All rights reserved. The number of compliments, questions and just general interest in the Celeste-lathered bike was impressive and a true conversation starter. As a lightweight all-rounder with aero cues, the Specialissima finds itself in direct competition to newly revamped bikes like the Scott Addict RC (which the existing Mitchelton-Scott team will be swapping from), Specialized Tarmac SL 7, Trek Emonda SLR, Wilier Zero SLR, and more. The Specialissima sits at the top of our road racing all-rounder category, delivering the same climbing panache you know and love, but with boosted aero-performance and a level of stiffness rarely seen on a bike this light. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Bianchis Specialissima has long stood as one for the traditionalists. A carbon Fizik Antares R1 saddle clad in Alcantara rounds off the touchpoints. Good going even now. With enhanced climbing, improved stopping power courtesy of disc brakes and smoother aerodynamic performance, its a new pure racing machine, bearing a name that has become iconic. https://policies.google.com/privacy, Specialissima Disc carbon w/Bianchi CV, 1.5 - 1.5 headset, 27,2mm seatpost, mechanical/electronic shifting compatible, PressFit 86,5x41mm BB, internal cable routing for disc brakes, flat mount calip, Bianchi Full Carbon w/Bianchi CV, 1.5 integrated head, internal cable routing for disc brake, flat mount caliper, thru axle 12x100mm, Shimano BR-R8070 Hydraulic disc brake, flat mount calipers, FSA NS ACR, ST-OS-160, 3D Forged/CNC AL6061, 31.8mm, rise -6, Di2 compatible, Ext: 90mm-47/50cm, 100mm-53cm, 110mm-55/57cm, 120mm-59cm, 130mm-61cm, Fsa K-Force, UD Weave Carbon, diam. Weight to stifness ratio the main Specialissima feature thanks to which climbing the steepest mountain passes or sprinting to the finish becomes effective as much as possible. Bianchi has a new custom configurator. That's pretty feathery by modern standards and fairly impressive considering the new frame architecture has been constructed using Countervail vibration-damping technology. Copyright Diamond Publishing 2022. Cyclingnews is supported by its audience. Id guess that in a straight-line race it would get trumped by its sister the Oltre, but thats to be expected. Beyond the wireless SRAM drivetrain, the frame uses the FSA ARC system that hides all the brake hoses and shift wires/cables (if we had them) internally from the bar all the way into the oversized 1.5-inch head tube. Je to bezpenostn ochrana pred zneuitm a pokodenm strnky. All Rights Reserved. Northern Ride, 19 Saville Street, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 7LL, All about the best Bianchi road bikes of 2020, Bianchi Sprint & Sprint Disc 2020 | First Look & Review, Bianchi Infinito CV Disc 2019 | First Look & Review, Cervelo 2022 | Product Launch & Pre-Order, Cervelo FM151, the Soloist | Cervelo Soloist 2023, Cervelo Aspero First Look & Tecnhical Details. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Bianchi is pretty vague with the aerodynamic design elements, but its clear the Oltre XR4s design has been an influence on the aerofoil tube shapes. This means the Specialissima feels as urgent on flats as it does on climbs or rolling terrain. | There is an alloy FSA NS ARC stem paired with a carbon FSA K-Force bar that makes the internal routing possible. The Specialissima accelerates beautifully, encouraging me to click through gears with abandon, and it climbs like a Celeste-coloured goat, responding nimbly to shifts in body weight and cranking up inclines like a rollercoaster winching its carts up before release. For information on Cyclingnews' testing protocol and how our scoring system works, see our how we test page. The bikes clean aesthetic is no doubt enhanced by what you dont seecables. The test bed? Celeste still makes an appearance for those dedicated to our enduring heritage. Is it time to ditch the final day procession? | Rides: Cannondale SuperSlice Disc Di2 TT, Cannondale Supersix Evo Dura-Ace Rim, Cannondale Supersix Evo Ultegra Di2 Disc, Trek Procaliber 9.9 MTB. A bike as pedigreed as the Specialissima pictured here needs to be respected and tested in equal measure. 160mm, Fsa NO.55R 1.5 /ACR/Bianchi, lower 1.5 - upper 1.5 , 36- 45 ACB bearings, w/Carbon custom top cap specific for Disc ACR stem/handlebar, for 52mm/52mm OD head tube, w/TH-894/CR-1 compressor, Shimano Ultegra FC-R8000 50x34T, Hollowtech II, Crank Length: 170mm-47/53cm, 172.5mm-55/59cm, 175mm-61cm, Shimano Ultegra CS-R8000, 11-12-13-14-15-17-19-21-24-27-30T, Fulcrum Racing 418 disc brake, R400 aluminium asymetric rims 622x17c, tubeless ready, 34mm profile thru axle front 12x100mm - rear 12x142mm, Center Lock AFS. The retail price for the wheels is $1000, and for a bike that is over $12,000, this is a significant letdown. For years the bike waved the Bianchi flag, until the 1990s saw aluminium knock steel from its perch in the pro ranks. What the frame loses the fork gains to accommodate a disc brake, going from 340g to 370g. we were static at a light trying to remain on the saddle with our toe on the ground; it was a reach. This in our opinion is a good thing and is an example of experience and evolution as a brand. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In terms of the geometry numbers, the Specialissima is a pure-bred race bike. Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now. In the meantime, Bianchi hasnt provided pricing. Tyre clearance is quoted at a modest 28 mm, an underwhelming figure by current trends. The overall look might be classic but make no mistake. As you'd expect from a bike of this calibre, the Specialissima is a handsomely appointed bike and features Italian-only componentry.
Sure, it is specd with SRAMs top-tier componentsRed eTap AXSthat uses wireless shifting, but with further inspection, it might be lacking at this price point.
The max gear of 4610 was just alittle too small for a bike of this style and caliber. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It's ultimately let down by a wheelset that's not in the same league, Fast, balanced and nimble in all situations, the Specialissima can do everything asked of it and more, Coming in at 7.25g, it's not very heavy for a disc-brake-equipped bike but could have been lighter, It's pricey and that's going to be hard to swallow for most enthusiasts but after considering its purpose, spec level and superlative riding performance - it's undoubtedly going to find favour with cyclists looking for a pure and unsullied bike experience. We offer competitive pricing, complimentary bike fits and quality servicing. Instead, it easily dives into tight corners with a stable feeling allowing you to lean more when needed. Aaron was the Tech Editor Cyclingnews between July 2019 and June 2022. Wahoo Elemnt Roam, 299.99, Condor Cycles. Faultless, Top-drawer Italian components such as Campagnolo Super Record EPS feature heavily in the build. The leg-sapping topography that makes up the Surrey Hills region. It's all about the grams, Eight womens pro bikes from the Tour Down Under, Scott Addict RC 2020 first-ride review: Now aeroized, Wilier Zero SLR 2020 first-ride review: Integrated, but not aero, Bikes of the Bunch: Bianchi Specialissima X-4. It's all very racy - a fact further illustrated by the 43mm fork offset and 59mm trail number which makes for an incredibly nimble and lively performer. Design 3 new minimalistic colour schemes, new writings design and last but not leastreturn of classic Bianchi eagle logo on head tube. For those who value rarity and aesthetic, Bianchi has created the Signature Collection: five different colourways for the frame and graphics, prepared and selected by Bianchi creative designers to offer exclusive pieces of art. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). The watchword here is balance so hard to pin down but so obvious when lacking. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Want more options? Recent times have seen Jumbo-Visma spend most of their time on the aero Oltre XR4, however, its clear Bianchi has designed the new Specialissima to become the regular go-to for WorldTour use as the brand changes team.