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Focus on: Bianchi Infinito

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Parent Category: Bicycles

Category: Bianchi

Published on Monday, 02 November 2009 07:22

Written by Luca Salvatelli

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Officially presented to the general public during the Eurobike, and with Robert Hunter (Team Barloworld) during the last Tour of Italy, presents several interesting technical solutions and a new design, the result of a new project. Ideally, this frame is situated between the famous and appreciated Via Nirone 7, with aluminum frame, and the special 928 Carbon, now renamed 100 Strade, where the particular design of the frame, although dictated by specific studies, it has partly limited the success. Frame Infinito arises, then, within the range of Bianchi C2C, the models most used for the long journey, with many hours spent riding his bike. This does not mean having to sacrifice performance. The new frame, carbon fiber monocoque is made with the use of high modulus fiber Toho UM40 and IM600. The Nano Carbon Technology applied allows a better compact, improving rigidity and strength. The surface finish is carbon 3K. The geometry of this frame has been optimized to achieve a good driving comfort, so has taken a longer head tube (125 mm in size smaller than 225 millimeters and well in the larger, for example, the sportier 928SL ISP values of 115 and 200 millimeters), which also help reduce the number of shims between attack and number of steering, increasing the rigidity of the steering itself. Then the tube is curved, like the "old" 928 Carbon, to better absorb vibrations and shocks, while the oblique tube has a classic straight shape. The latter, however, varies according to different sizes proposed. The tube is of conventional type with seatpost by 31.6 millimeters, as is the classic central movement, without visible areas struts. The series of steering bearing 1 inch and 1 / 8, while the same head tube has an arcuate profile. The rear stays are longer than the usual, so as to obtain a major stable, safety at high speed and comfort on bumpy. The SST wagon never bore sections and adopt the BAT and K-VID - Kevlar Vibration Isolating Device for absorbing vibrations. In practice, the horizontal pipes of the car, near the central movement, are slaves and have the inclusion of Kevlar. This construction leads to a good lateral stiffness, for responsiveness and less dissipation of energy during the ride, and a good vertical flexibility, that allows to absorb the blows on uneven. Even the vertical pipes of the car are thin and have included Kevlar near the dropouts. The new frame has a declared weight of 1080 grams. Added to this is the new full carbon fork blades with "semi rights" with use of K-VID technology and weight of 365 grams. Again Kevlar inserts allow a better vibration absorption. The new frame is offered in 7 different sizes (47, 50, 53, 55, 57,59,61) and in four different colours: Blue White, Blue, Red, Orange. The bike is offered with assembled groups Campagnolo Chorus, Athena and Veloce and groups Shimano Ultegra and 105. The Chorus is the most refined version as assembly, having stem carbon (FSA Carbon Pro model), handlebar FSA SL-K Compact, more carbon bottle cage Pase Carbon and Vittoria Rubino Pro clincher; Campagnolo Chorus group with compact crankset is adopted in full, while the wheels are Fulcrum R5 series, but there are also Racing Zero, the Racing Light and Speed (the latter with Vittoria Corsa Evo CX tubulars). In other proposals for all the wheels are Fulcrum Racing 7, while the models Ultegra and Athena may also adopt the Fulcrum Racing 5. These two groups are always taken in full, including compact crankset. Versions Shimano and Campagnolo Veloce 105, instead, adopt the FSA Gossamer 34/50 crank. The stem are the FSA OS-190LX, handlebar FSA Wing Compact and saddle Fi'zi: k Aliante Delta. Seatpost for all versions are FSA SL-K Carbon. The bottle cage is Elite Custom Race. Other differences are in the tyres Vittoria: Zafiro, models 105 and Veloce, and Rubino Pro, Ultegra models and Athena. The model Ultegra shares, then, with the same stem pattern Chorus. Further differences are in chains, with Chorus, Athena and Ultegra, which takes the chains of the group, while the velocity model and 105 take the KMC chains, model DX10SC. The series of steering FSA for all. The pedals are not included. Prices range from Euro 1800 frame kit with fork, set of steering and seat post collar to 3890 Euro pattern Chorus (with wheels of evenings), through the 2290 Euro model Veloce and the Euro 2990 models Ultegra and Athena. Analyzing the different components adopted for each assembly cost differences are justified, then as always the "brand" Bianchi must be paid out on a cost greater by about 200 Euros (at least) compared to other proposals of the competition. This model is ideal for those who make lots of miles and want a bike with a good comfort, to date the 928 Carbon is not appreciated, this model promises the same levels of comfort, but with a more sober appearance and performance through greater a lighter frame and rigid (though the differences are minimal). You can criticize the failure to adopt a set of differential steering (used by many direct competitors for this model) and some savings in components, particularly in access patterns (Veloce and 105), but this does not affect the quality of the product. Good, at least, the weight of the fork while the frame would not has a reduced weight, but considering the distance and the headstock is longer than can be considered valid. The values, in absolute terms, are still at the level of the best competitors in the category. Ultimately a good bike, very good if it would have a slightly lower price, while from a technical standpoint, the quality of the frame and fork, are pleased to note that Bianchi has suggested, after some unconvincing models, a frame from excellent techniques, in line with the best products in the industry.