New Specialissima keeps its low weight and classic look despite of new aero frame features or disc brakes. The all-new Specialissima was first revealed back in late 2020 with the biggest news being its move to disc-brake-only configuration - something we've seen employed en masse among all major manufacturers. Just judging by the reaction that the Specialissima got wherever it wasridden, Bianchi definitely got the bikes aesthetic nailed. In terms of the geometry numbers, the Specialissima is a pure-bred race bike. The number of compliments, questions and just general interest in the Celeste-lathered bike was impressive and a true conversation starter. 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. To start, there is no power meter, and we think any proper race bike over $8000 in 2021 should ship stock with power. Bianchi says it has borrowed aero cues from its Oltre XR4 race bike, and certainly the fork crown intersection and the sculpted head tube do look the aero part. Bianchi has also created a Signature Collection for those who value rarity and aesthetic, choosing from five different colourways for the frame and graphics, prepared and selected by Bianchi creative designers to offer exclusive pieces of art. However Id suggest if there are any specific speed-generating aspects here, they are weight and stiffness. https://www.google.com/intl/sk/policies/privacy/, Analytical tool for evaluating traffic, traffic sources, site behavior and shopping behavior. Bianchi is one of the few brands thats historically eluded our test team. The frame has short 41cm chainstays but seems to still leave room for 32mm tires. Sure, being the oldest bicycle brand in the world (founded by Edoardo Bianchi in 1885) has a lot to do with it, but their iconic Celeste finish and striking lines that seem to be present on all their bikes remain a consistent head-turner. Looking at our build is where we got a bit confused. Aaron Borrill I rode that bike and I loved that bike its short wheelbase, compact rear triangle and low position made for incredibly reactive handling, borderline flighty but in the most beguiling way. This build uses Campagnolo Super Record EPS, which is near flawless in every regard and for me has the best disc brakes on the market. And before we pour one out in the memory of the gorgeous rim-brake Specialissima of the past, lets look at the broad details of the new aesthetically polarising disc-only machine. 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. 1, BIANCHI SPECIALISSIMA DISC - ULTEGRA 8070 Di2. By THROWBACK THURSDAY, 2020: WAS THOMAS DE GENDT CHEATING ON ZWIFT? Bath Faultless, Top-drawer Italian components such as Campagnolo Super Record EPS feature heavily in the build. We always install the necessary technical cookies on your device, even without your consent, because without them our website would not work. Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now. That integrated seatpost clamp has a goitre-like look to it that has us raising an eyebrow. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). On my 55cm test bike, the head-tube and seat-tube angles are practically parallel to each other at 72.5- and 73.5-degrees respectively, placing you directly over the bottom bracket and allowing a more aero riding position. That all changes for 2021. 2022 - Road Bike Action. This in our opinion is a good thing and is an example of experience and evolution as a brand. Additionally, theres the Signature Collection which aims to bring a select number of Italian-painted artistic iridescent and holographic elements to the frames. Aerodynamics Specialissima has adopted several aero features fromOltremodel, for example fork integrated into bottom of head tube, integrated seat clamp, more aggressive aero head tube and last but not least profiling of all frame tubes. Bianchi claims a frame weight of only 750 grams, but that is likely without the CK16 (Celeste) paint and Mermaid Scale graphic, both of which are completely worth whatever weight they might add. In-the-saddle efforts left us impressed with the level of overall comfort since there is little design emphasis on comfort other than inherent flex of the 27.2mm seatpost. Totally re-engineered with the all-rounder in mind, the Specialissima helps you fly up the climbs and dominate on the flat. It's all very light, foregoing the chunky trends in favour of slimmed-down architecture. All rights reserved. Hes twice ridden the Cape Epic, completed the Haute Route Alps, and represented South Africa in the 2022 Zwift eSports World Championships. We offer competitive pricing, complimentary bike fits and quality servicing. There are for sure consumers that will be happy to see a 46-33t crank and will just opt for a 10-33t cassette for the ultimate in steep climbing gear options on the road. 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. In terms of design, the tube profiles have been reshaped with chamfered edges, and all the cabling has been tucked inside the frame, resulting in improved aerodynamics and lateral stiffness - attributes borrowed from the Oltre platform. (Top factoid: the last time Bianchi won a Tour de France was 1998 when Marco Pantani was pedalling an aluminium Mega Pro XL). Specialissima stands on the top of Bianchi range through its history as well as utilized technologies offered by Bianchi. The max gear of 4610 was just alittle too small for a bike of this style and caliber. Celeste still makes an appearance for those dedicated to our enduring heritage. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. This might seem like minutiae, but as bikes get ever better in terms of technology, such differences in geometry really start to mark particular bikes out. It does, however, hold a regular round 27.2 mm seatpost. PRO CYCLING, s. r. o., uses cookies to ensure the functionality of the website and, with your consent, to personalize the content of our website. The frame is stiff and responsive as you would expect from a top-level model. If I were to spec one thing differently Id put in some matching Campagnolo Bora Ultra WTO 45s in place of the Fulcrums theyre faster and nearly 200g lighter and perhaps 28mm tyres (the max clearance) for even better grip. |
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. In fact, it appears as though the entire range is lacking in the wheel stakes with Vision being the other provider. Dubbed Reparto Corse, the CNC-machined 6061 aluminium stem clamps down on a unidirectional carbon-fibre bar. Despite the improved lateral stiffness and disc-brake mount reinforcement on the rear triangle and fork, Bianchi quotes 750g for a size 55 frame. For us, another plus is the use of a PF86 bottom bracket instead of the problematic 30mm option that many companies use. You guessed it. The carbon disc frame is light, just 750g, so none of your climbing power is wasted when the road turns upward, but its also superbly-stiff providing excellent transfer of that power to the road. There is a frame reach of 38.9cm and a stack of 54cm for an almost perfect fit for our test crew that is between 5-foot-10 and 6-foot-1. Still, all round this is a thicker-set bike just look at the seat tube cluster and chunky head tube so to be able to maintain frameset weight given this and discs is admirable. 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! It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. When it comes to driving power through the frame in the saddle or out, all our efforts had near-instant response. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Analytical cookies on our website are anonymized after collection. All frames are hand-painted in Italy by Bianchis expert artisans and with iridescent and holographic elements. The Oltre XR4 (from 6,355) is Bianchis paid-up aero machine, using Bianchis proprietary Countervail carbon for a smooth ride and a Vision Metron 5D cockpit to hide cables and cheat wind. If anything it feels livelier and more hungry to clock up miles at speed. The leg-sapping topography that makes up the Surrey Hills region. 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. 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. One of our biggest issues with the bike doesnt come from the Bianchi factory but instead with their choice of components. BA1 1UA. The only time we really truly noticed it was when By continuing to use this website, you consent to our use of these cookies. The Specialissima is a tame Italian race bike. This website uses cookies to help us give you the best experience when you visit our website. Bianchi claims a 750g frame weight (in the lightest black colour, whereas Celeste paint adds 80g), all the more impressive given the Specialissimas tubes are markedly fatter than the 2015 bikes. In terms of their performance, there was some flex during out-of-the-saddle accelerations and descending at speed, but the Fulcrums behaved on the whole. Instead, the 98.8cm wheelbase and 72.5-degree head tube are confidence-inspiring. Cookies are anonymized after collection and cannot be assigned to a specific user. we were static at a light trying to remain on the saddle with our toe on the ground; it was a reach. It all just feels just so. We also have the ultra-light, all-black colourway created specially for the WorldTour, with a weight-saving of 80g. As far as handling goes, it's one of the livelier bikes on the market - able to change direction with ease and corners almost telepathically. Additionally, there are the usual aero marks now common across the majority of performance race bikes, including an integrated seatpost clamp and fully concealed cable routing. Not content with totally changing the way it rides, we also set about transforming the way the Specialissima looks, with cleaner aerodynamic lines and fresh colourways. z o.o. A carbon Fizik Antares R1 saddle clad in Alcantara rounds off the touchpoints. Thus the Specialissima dynasty sat mothballed until 2015 saw Bianchi resurrect it in the name of carbon fibre, producing a superlight bike whose frame weighed a claimed 780g. It had heaps of personality thanks to its round tubes, near-horizontal top tube and matt Celeste finish. Ordering: We offer competitive pricing, complimentary bike fits and quality servicing. Rides: Cannondale SuperSlice Disc Di2 TT, Cannondale Supersix Evo Dura-Ace Rim, Cannondale Supersix Evo Ultegra Di2 Disc, Trek Procaliber 9.9 MTB. The Specialissima is available in three distinct colourways: Celeste (pictured here), greenish-blue and ultra-light black, the latter of which saves 80g owing to a paucity of paint. And it is exactly the downhills, where you appreciate Specialissima with disc brakes offering incomparable brakes modulation and braking efficiency under any weather conditions. Any way you look at it, you are getting a sweet ride, and maybe down the line the Bianchi will update their component spec. Thanks to its refurbished design it has become universal racing bike All-Rounder. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. That said, it's still fairly dainty in appearance with frame angles and shaping that harks back to the round-tubed climbing bikes of yesteryear. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It's a superbike designed for winning races and excelling in the high mountains of grand tours - it's an absolute pleasure to ride. All frames are hand-painted in Italy by Bianchis expert artisans, and with iridescent and holographic elements, the Specialissimas new decals really must be seen to be fully appreciated. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The top half of the bike feels light to flick about, the bottom half stiff and resolute. It remains as the Italian companys lightweight and stiff race offering but follows the trend of moving to an aerodynamic design built around the use of disc brakes. The fully concealed cabling sees Bianchi adopt FSAs ACR internal cable routing system, a turn-key cockpit and headset solution thats also used by the likes of Merida and De Rosa. All Rights Reserved. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, The overall look might be classic but make no mistake. He was born and raised in South Africa, where he completed his BA honours at the University of Cape Town before embarking on a career in journalism. Meanwhile, Bianchi has equipped a Shimano-style BB86 press-fit bottom bracket shell. Equally, Bianchi claims to have retained a high level of frame stiffness. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But the better thing for the bike, and me as its rider, is Bianchi has carried the 2015 geometry over almost verbatim. Condition: The watchword here is balance so hard to pin down but so obvious when lacking. Our size-55 test bike has a 14cm head tube, but when you include the mandatory ARC top cap, its bumped up to 15cm. Having spent time on the previous version, the new Specialissima is head and shoulders above its forebear when it comes to ride compliance. Cervelo PX-Series & P-Series 2020 | First Look & Review, Cervelo S5 Disc 2019 | First Look & Technical Details, Focus Izalco Max Disc 2019 | First Look and Review, Focus Jam2 2020 | New Bosch Performance CX Gen4, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Frameset | 2022 | SB - Black Carbon UD/Mermaid Scale | 5466, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Frameset | 2022 | SC - CK16/Mermaid Scale | 5466, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Frameset | 2022 | SJ - Greenish Blue/Mermaid Scale | 5466, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Ultegra | 2022 | SJ - Greenish Blue/Mermaid Scale | 6242, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Ultegra | 2022 | SB - Black Carbon UD/Mermaid Scale | 6242, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Ultegra | 2022 | SC - CK16/Mermaid Scale | 6242, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Ultegra Di2 | 2022 | SJ - Greenish Blue/Mermaid Scale | 8285, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Ultegra Di2 | 2022 | SB - Black Carbon UD/Mermaid Scale | 8285, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Ultegra Di2 | 2022 | SC - CK16/Mermaid Scale | 8285, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Dura Ace Di2 | 2022 | SC - CK16/Mermaid Scale | 11,206, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Dura Ace Di2 | 2022 | SB - Black Carbon UD/Mermaid Scale | 11,206, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Dura Ace Di2 | 2022 | SJ - Greenish Blue/Mermaid Scale | 11,206, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Red AXS | 2022 | SJ - Greenish Blue/Mermaid Scale | 11,695, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Red AXS | 2022 | SC - CK16/Mermaid Scale | 11,695, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Red AXS | 2022 | SB - Black Carbon UD/Mermaid Scale | 11,695, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Super Record EPS | 2022 | SC - CK16/Mermaid Scale | 12,578, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Super Record EPS | 2022 | SJ - Greenish Blue/Mermaid Scale | 12,578, Bianchi Specialissima Disc Super Record EPS | 2022 | SB - Black Carbon UD/Mermaid Scale | 12,578. The confusing part is that they are an entry-level carbon wheelset that weigh in at over 1600 grams and are 40mm deep. The geometry is race-oriented but has a good balance, and unlike many race-bred Italian stallions, doesnt leave you filled with anxiety and holding the bars tight at speed. Perhaps the item most at odds with the rest of the build is the Fulcrum Wind 40 DB wheelset. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Built with Volusion. There is an alloy FSA NS ARC stem paired with a carbon FSA K-Force bar that makes the internal routing possible. 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. Yes, gone are the rim brakes that looked so elegant yet worked so poorly in wet weather; in their place (in this build at least) Campagnolo Super Record discs. Yet despite this, weight has actually gone down. The Bianchi Specialissima Super Record EPSis a genuine challenger for the best lightweight bike crown. 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. The previous Specialissima sat squarely in the premium end of the market, and its safe to assume this new model will too. Id guess that in a straight-line race it would get trumped by its sister the Oltre, but thats to be expected. The press release from the oldest still-running bicycle company may have lacked finer technical details, but it gave plenty of space to talk paint. Bianchis iconic Celeste (pictured up top) will, of course, remain available. After anonymization, it is no longer personal data, because anonymized cookies cannot be assigned to a specific user or person. There will always be trade-offs, and here the trade is a modicum of top-end speed for superb climbing abilities, punchy accelerations and sublime handling. Bianchi has a new custom configurator. 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. As previously mentioned Bianchi has made a concerted effort to dial as much of the learnings from the Oltre into the new Specialissima and the results are tangible. The carbon frame and fork use 12mm axles and flat-mount caliper standard. Then theres the way a short wheelbase allows a bike to make quick changes in direction, perfect for carving down sinuous descents. 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 range starts with a Shimano Ultegra mechanical offering and goes up to one with Campagnolo Super Record EPS. Javascript must be enabled for our site to work properly. It's simply brilliant. Now based in the UK's Surrey Hills, Aaron's life revolves around bikes. The frame also retains Bianchis CounterVail (CV) technology, a patented Viscoelastic material thats layered into the carbon composite construction in an effort to dampen vibrations. Contact us with your upgrade or component alterations, we will endeavour to create your desired specification at purchase whilst maintaining a competitive price. For more information and the expected date of stocking, do not hesitate to contact us at info@bianchi.sk. Next was the gear selection that left us confused, with the 46/33 crankset matched to a 12-speed/10-28 cluster. This allows the focus to stay fixated on the shapely, aero-refined carbon frame. Cervelo P5 2020 | Review and achieving the perfect fit, EX10 vs. EX11 setup. 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. We just wished the Bianchi team had chosen a more appropriate gear for a bike of this caliber. We like that they are tubeless-ready, have a hook bead so you can run any tire, and are fairly modern with a 19mm internal width. Wahoo Elemnt Roam, 299.99, Condor Cycles. Contact us or visit the 'Order Process' page for more details. Im sure this helps with drag, but for me the boon is aesthetics, which at this price is incredibly important. 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. This means the Specialissima feels as urgent on flats as it does on climbs or rolling terrain. The Pirelli P Zero Race 26c tyres are sublime and, despite needing to run higher pressures than the tubeless equivalent, fosters impressive levels of grip across both wheels. sp.k. With a claimed frame weight of 750 g (55 cm frame, painted) and a fork at 370 g, the Specialissima is still low-weight. And you canprobably guess one of the main changes: disc brakes. Things do get better, as they have chosen the Vittoria Corsa Graphene 2.0 tire in size 25mm that measures 28mm on the wheels. The FSA ACR system allows the Specialissima to be set up with either electronic or mechanical shifting. The handling is tight and responsive but doesnt feel like its cornering on a razors edge. Rounding things off nicely is FSAs ingenious ACR stem and headset, which allows hoses and wires to thread unseen into the frame thanks to the extra space afforded by a 1.5in upper bearing. Up to now it used to be a climbing specialist bike aiming to achieve the best balance of weight and stiffness. 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. I reckon on having had this little fella since 2019, and while Covid stuffed up the world it did have some positive effects for riding, namely lots of A-Bs with bikes in place of trains, and how the Roam helped. Google Recaptcha sleduje a analyzuje v pohyb na strnke, na zklade ktorho vie vyhodnoti, i je pouvate lovek alebo robot. The new Bianchi Colour Configurator allows you to select from different combinations and create your own Specialissima. By clicking on the "Accept all cookies" button, you agree to the use of cookies and the transfer of data regarding the behavior on the website for displaying targeted advertising on social networks and advertising networks on other websites. The wheelbase is only 3mm more at 988mm, so too the chainstays at 410mm, and if anything the bike has become more aggressive, as reach remains much the same but this size 55cm drops its stack by 5mm. 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. Contact us or visit the 'Order Process' page for more details. And while not mentioned by Bianchi, a look at the photos reveals some unused cable ports at the down tube which suggests you wont be forced to the use the ACR internal cable routing system if you prefer otherwise. 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. While relatively lightweight and perfectly adequate for the job at hand, something more premium and more in line with the groupset is what's expected here - perhaps something from the Bora WTO range. Theres a metallic greenish-blue option for those wanting something more modern and vibrant. 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. Fast-forward to the back end of 2020 and the announcement of a new Specialissima naturally sent my Spidey senses tingling. The last head-scratcher is the Vision SC 40 Disc wheelset. This latter offering sounds quite similar to Treks recently announced Project One Icon series. It also moves from category of pure climbing specialist bikes into more and more popular category ofuniversal racing bikes. As a result, the Campag paraphernalia is complemented by a stem, bar and seatpost arrangement designed in collaboration with FSA. From outward appearance the mapping couldnt look more basic, but thats why it works so well the screen is uncluttered and clear, making directions easy to follow. That would bump the price up by around 1,500, but if youre in the market for this bike, money probably isnt something you worry about. The Fulcrum Wind 40 DB wheels did a stellar job and the gloss-varnished aesthetics look superb against the Celeste frame but feel this bike could have been specced with something more exclusive.
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