Updated endurance bike prioritises comfort for long days in the saddle with 32mm tyre clearance
Bianchi has updated its Infinito endurance bike, with the new bike adopting integrated cable routing to improve its aerodynamic efficiency.
The Italian brand says the bike is designed for long hours in the saddle, with a more accessible geometry compared to its Specialissima and Oltre XR4 race bikes.
The Infinito sits below the Infinito CV, which is yet to receive the integration treatment. Full pricing and availability are to be confirmed.
Subtle changes
The outgoing Infinito range consisted of the Infinito CV and Infinito XE.
The top-flight Infinito CV employed Bianchi’s Countervail technology – a viscoelastic material incorporated into the carbon fibre that was claimed to reduce vibrations by up to 80 per cent.
The new Infinito forgoes the use of Countervail, suggesting that the Infinito CV may also be due an update soon, given it doesn’t use an integrated front end.
The Infinito is capable of accommodating tyres up to 32mm wide, identical to the outgoing models.
With many of the best endurance road bikes now capable of clearing tyre widths of 38mm (as on the latest Giant Defy Advanced SL) or more, the new Infinito is behind the curve in this respect.
The Infinito continues to use a BB86 press-fit bottom bracket standard.
Bianchi Infinito geometry
The new Infinito uses a similar, endurance-focused geometry to the outgoing Infinito CV.
Bianchi has lengthened the head tube, though, saying the increased stack height this offers enables a less aggressive riding position, which improves comfort over long hours in the saddle.
The head tube also looks sleeker and less angular than its predecessor, otherwise the frame silhouette remains virtually identical.
| | 470 | 500 | 530 | 550 | 570 | 590 | 610 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 70.5 | 71.5 | 71 | 72 | 72.5 | 72.5 | 72.5 |
| Head tube length (mm) | 120 | 135 | 150 | 165 | 180 | 195 | 210 |
| Seat tube angle (degrees) | 74.5 | 74.5 | 74 | 73.5 | 73.5 | 73 | 72.5 |
| Seat tube length (mm) | 420 | 450 | 480 | 500 | 520 | 540 | 560 |
| Top tube length (mm) | 515 | 525 | 535 | 550 | 560 | 575 | 585 |
| Chainstay length (mm) | 415 | 415 | 415 | 415 | 415 | 420 | 420 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 986 | 988 | 993 | 999 | 1,004 | 1,019 | 1,023 |
| Reach (mm) | 371 | 375 | 377 | 381 | 386 | 391 | 392 |
| Stack (mm) | 521 | 539 | 553 | 569 | 585 | 600 | 614 |
Integration is now on the menu
With practically all modern road bikes now embracing integrated cable routing, the latest Infinito joins the club.
The flagship Infinito uses a Velomann (Bianchi’s in-house components brand) aluminium handlebar and stem with fully internal cable routing.
On this model, the hydraulic hoses are concealed through both the handlebar and stem, and pass through the upper headset bearing.
Cheaper models in the range feature semi-external cable routing, however.
On these bikes, the cables and hoses are routed externally on the handlebar, then underneath the stem and into the frame through the upper headset bearing.
Bianchi says the new Infinito is compatible with the Reparto Corse one-piece carbon cockpit found on the Specialissima. This cockpit is available in five stem lengths, from 80 to 120mm, with the 110mm variant claimed to weigh only 330g.
New colours
Bianchi is debuting two new colours on the Infinito. First up is Celeste, which although a mainstay choice synonymous with the brand, features new green-blue graphics.
A second Deep Lustrous Purple option is also available with matt black graphics.
Bianchi Infinito range and specification details
Bianchi Infinito Shimano Ultegra Di2
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170
- Cockpit: Velomann aluminium handlebar and stem, with fully integrated cable routing
- Wheelset: Velomann Palladium 33 carbon wheels
- Price: €4,363 excluding VAT
Bianchi Infinito Shimano 105
- Groupset: Shimano 105 R7100, 12-speed mechanical
- Cockpit: Semi-integrated handlebar
- Wheelset: Velomann Palladium 33 carbon wheels
- Price: €2,868 excluding VAT
Bianchi Infinito Shimano 105
- Groupset: Shimano 105
- Cockpit: Velomann aluminium handlebar and stem, with semi-external cable routing
- Wheelset: V30R aluminium wheels
- Price: €2,130 excluding VAT