Italy’s Bianchi have revealed their 2015 range at the Eurobike show in Germany – a range that includes an Infinito CV disc model for the first time along with the new Aquila CV time trial bike.
It's Bianchi's 130th anniversary next year, by the way, so the bikes get a special badge to mark the fact.
Infinito CV Disc
We made the Bianchi Infinito CV the road.cc Bike of the Year 2013-14 and now Bianchi have added disc brakes for the first time (see main pic).
In case you need reminding, at the heart of the Infinito CV is a viscoelastic material incorporated into the carbon-fibre layup which Bianchi call CounterVail Vibration Cancelling Composite Technology, or CV for short. They reckon this helps the frame reduce high-frequency vibrations by as much as 75% compared to a regular carbon frame.
It’s the bike that Lars Boom rode to victory over the cobblestones on Stage 5 of this year’s Tour de France.
For 2014 Bianchi are adding disc brake options to the lineup. They’re built with internal hydraulic cable guide housing in the frame and fork, come with 415mm chainstays, OLD 135mm spacing, and they’re compatible with 140mm and 160mm rotors. Bianchi give a weight of 1,020g (+/-5%) for a 55cm frame.
There are three different disc-equipped models: one with a SRAM Red 22 groupset, one in a Shimano Ultegra Di2 build, and one with an Ultegra mechanical drivetrain. We don’t yet have prices.
If disc brake road bikes aren’t your bag, there are plenty more non-disc models out there – eight, to be precise, in both electronic and mechanical configurations, with Ultegra and Dura-Ace Shimano options, and Athena, Chorus and Super Record builds from Campagnolo.
Aquila CV
We first showed you the Aquila CV when it was launched at the end of July but it’s a great looking bit of kit so here’s your chance to have another gawp.
No prizes for guessing that the Aquila CV boasts the same Countervail Vibration Cancelling Technology as the Infinito (above) – the first time trial bike to feature it. The CV technology isn’t just designed to improve the comfort, it’s intended to reduce fatigue and so maximise your performance, hence its inclusion here.
The high-modulus carbon monocoque frame uses NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) aerodynamic tube profiles, Bianchi have integrated many of the components, and there are very few exposed bolts/fasteners or stretches of cable to disturb the airflow.
Impulso
Bianchi are also introducing the Impulso with an aluminum frame engineered for a disc brake system and with significant weight reduction.
The alloy frame is made from triple butted A4 and 6061 aluminium and the fork is carbon bladed with an aluminium steerer. Bianchi claim a frame weight of 1,500g for a 55cm model.
Oltre XR1
The Oltre XR1 is a new model too. We’ve reviewed the Oltre XR2 full-on race bike here on road.cc, and we absolutely loved it.
The XR1 is a monocoque carbon frame built to the same geometry, but Bianchi have downgraded the level of carbon to reduce the price. By how much? We couldn’t tell you right now, but don’t expect it to be mega-cheap; the XR2 we reviewed as priced at £6,800.
Vintage collection
Bianchi have some old-looking new bikes for 2015 in the Vintage Collection. The Strada, Volpe, Vigorelli, Lupo and Eroica models are all built around steel frames.
Women’s bikes
Bianchi continues to offer women’s road bikes for every level of performance and price. The Dama Bianca models are Infinito CV, Intenso (both also available with electronic groupsets), Impulso Disc and Via Nirone 7. All models feature updated graphics and colours.
Cyclocross
Bianchi have a new cyclocross bike called the Zolder Carbon Disc. It’s built around a carbon monocoque frame with a top tube section developed especially for cross. It’s available in a Shimano 105 build.
The carbon monocoque Cavaria is available as a frameset only with a claimed weight of 1.1kg, while the aluminium Zurigo comes in three different builds.
Click here to read all of our stories from Eurobike 2014, the world's biggest bike show.
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4 comments
It may be developed especially for cross but not by Bianchi - it's the same frame as the Fuji Altamira Disc or other direct from China frames (eg the Ican AC098). Shame to see Bianchi taking this route.
So what you're saying is that you could get mugged for a 'Bianchi' that isn't even a Bianchi? Talk about adding insult to injury!
The Aquila CV looks crazy fast
This is NOT correct. There was a disc version in 2014. All they've done is added a non Di2 Ultegra and a SRAM version to the line-up.
You should read BikeRadar more!