Performance an integral part of the Bianchi pedigree

Bianchi is the world’s oldest bicycle manufacturing company in existence, having pioneered the use of equal-sized wheels with pneumatic rubber tyres. Bianchi bikes is a brand that dates back to 1885. Founded in Italy, its headquarters and culture remain rooted in its homeland.

Synonymous with Bianchi is Celeste, with almost all frames available in this beautiful colour, as well as a new Tavalozza programme for custom paintwork. Regardless of the colour, Bianchi is always recognisable, and the brand has legions of fans who wouldn’t think to ride a bike in any other colour.

The Bianchi range is extensive, consisting of aero race bikes, endurance race bikes, TT bikes as well as commuter bikes. Whatever the bike, performance always remains a hefty part our pedigree.

Countervail technology

Bianchi collaborated with Materials Sciences Corporation, to develop our innovative and exclusive patented Counterveil ® integrated vibration cancelling system for cycling. Counterveil® is a patented carbon material with a unique fibre architecture and viscoelastic resin that cancels 80% of the vibration while increasing the stiffness and strength of our carbon frames and forks. Counterveil® is embedded within the layup of Bianchi “CV” high-performance models.

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 frame weight is as low as 780g (in a size 55 with black paint.)

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 Oltre is Bianchi’s aero race pedigree, available in two different frame options. The XR4 is the top of the range choice, raced by pro cyclists on team Jumbo-Visma.

Where many aero race machines provide a harsh ride, Bianchi bucks the trend, adding Countervail technology to create a smooth passage, whilst aero tubing and an integrated Vision Metron 5D aero bar/stem combo slice through the air. 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 980g, 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, there’s the XR3.

The XR3 does use different tubing to its bigger sibling, but the down tube and chainstays are identical and it still carries pronounced aero shapes, just minus the integrated bar/stem combo. You still get the buzz-reducing Countervail, too.

Both the Oltre XR3 and XR4 bikes come with rim or disc brakes to suit your preferences.

If the Oltre range is out of reach, then the Aria is the alternative. Design cues from the Aquila 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 frame weight is 1,100g for a size 55 so it’s hardly a heavy machine.

Like the Oltre, the Aria can be purchased with rim or disc brakes. It’s also available in a ‘Triathlon‘ build, with short reach Vision Team Mini TT Clip-On TT bars in 170mm length.

For those seeking Bianchi performance with aggressive geometry, at a more wallet-friendly price point, the Sempre Pro rounds off the race range.

The carbon frame boasts plenty of stiffness, with an oversized bottom bracket, though there’s no real aero claims and Countervail tech isn’t on offer.

The Infinito CV – available with disc brakes – moves into endurance territory. However, it’s ‘endurance race’ – meaning that although you’ll find a higher head tube, longer chainstays and longer wheelbase for greater comfort and stability when compared with models like the Oltre XR4, it’s still designed to make the rider feel fast and agile. This was Bianchi’s first model with Counterveil® and remains a market leader.