Bicycles

On test: Riccardo Riccò’s Bianchi 928 SL IASP Team Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce

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Parent Category: Bicycles

Category: Bianchi

Published on Monday, 24 May 2010 08:22

Written by Luca Salvatelli

A bike that is close to perfection

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Editor's Note:

This test was carried out thanks to the professionalism and passion for cycling to some people without which the test could be achieved. It's important to thank, then, Roberto Marrone, Team Manager of Team Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce, for his great willingness to make available the test bike season starts, the staff of Bianchi leaders who have agreed to our proposal with enthusiasm endorsing the availability of a test, the mechanic of Team Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce, Sergiy Dekhtyar, who with his usual patience and professionalism has put in hand a perfect bike, and finally, the sponsors of Team Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce first. Without them, would not have been possible to perform the test.

Bianchi has made available to the Team Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce the new model 928 SL IASP. The new frame features an integrated seat post and the introduction of a new building of the same technology, which improves the molding process leading to a reduction of weight equal to the same mechanical properties. The frame is made of high modulus carbon (Toho UM40 - IM600 - UT500) and has a declared weight of 1,020 grams. The fork with straight legs, weighs 315 grams and an internal structural reinforcement called TSR (Reinforce Technology Section), which improves the rigidity. The number of steering is traditional, bearing 1 inch and 1/8 above and below, while the seat has integrated airfoil. Abundant area of bottom bracket, the very short head tube, the rear also very compact, well-sized tube, which joins the well area of the bottom bracket and seat tube. The characteristic combination of rear, vertical and horizontal pipe, a triangle with carbon fiber that stiffens the entire area. All athletes of the team have access to the same material technician and good mechanical Sergiy adopt the most suitable components for each athlete, the difference between different bikes are found only in the stem, handlebar and saddle, every athlete chooses on the basis to their preferences within the catalogues FSA and Selle Italia. The wheels and tubolars (Fulcrum and Vittoria) will vary depending on weather conditions and the type of route. Riccardo Riccò of the bike is customized to the aesthetic level, with reference to the Cobra, his nickname. The stem FSA is aluminum with carbon faceplate and handlebar in aluminum. In the pictures you see the attack for the new cycle computer Garmin Edge 500. Also FSA K-Force Light model is the crankset with ceramic bearings, FSA K-Force Light is still the brakes and the chain always FSA. The set of steering FSA, always with ceramic bearings. The rest of the group (controls, front and rear derailleur and sprocket) belongs to the Shimano Dura Ace. The saddle is a Selle Italia SLR Team Edition, with hull and carbon fork, custom Riccardo. The bottle cage are Elite carbon fiber, Time RXS pedals, carbon. The wheels we see in photos are the Fulcrum Racing Light XLR, with low-profile carbon rim and carbon hubs with ceramic bearings. The tubolars are Vittoria Corsa Evo CX 320TPI. Cables are Gore Cables, while the handlebar tape and the Spirale. The bike as assembled, including the pedal is at the limit of 6.8 kg allowed by the UCI Rules.

The road test

Sergiy Dekhtyar, former professional Ukrainian and now chief mechanic of Team Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce, with his usual professionalism and reliability check out the bike for one last time before leaving. We climb into the saddle and find a perfect location for us. Will be different for cables or the mastery of Sergiy, but the first thing that surprises is the high fluidity of the controls Shimano Dura Ace, higher than we are used normally. The ergonomics of the handlebar FSA has more than a good and confirms the accuracy is within steps of the relationship of Dura Ace, always quiet and fast enough to move from one relationship to another. Excellent brakes FSA K-Force Light is lost, compared to Dura Ace, a string of scalability, but has gained further in stopping power, both front and rear. Another confirmation comes by the high rigidity of the FSA K-Force Light crankset that with the bottom bracket with ceramic bearings provides an unparalleled smoothness. On the move showed the high stiffness of the frame, bottom bracket is that the rear triangle, which associated with the overall lightness of the bike, makes every push on the pedals you get a net increase in open rates. The excellent performance of the frame are well attended to by Fulcrum wheels, sliding and light, well complemented by Vittoria tubular, perfect for grip and glide. With this in mind you get valuable benefits in the plains, where the bike running fast and stable, with an impeccable behaviour and a rigid frame that emerges gradually increasing the maximum speed is reached. The rigidity of the frame it provides excellent power transmission to the rear wheel, the more evident the more the speed increases. So where other frames start to suffer this 928 SL IASP, however, continues to go along perfectly with the athlete a perfect rigidity. Excellent for rigidity, even in the range that yields stronger braking and allows always a good direction, it does not absorb very bumpy, but it is a perfect fork for a bike race. The weight and the aforementioned rigidity, allow, then good performance even on slopes, where it runs fast, thanks to light wheels and the frame above reproach, avoiding unnecessary power losses. In speed stability is good, away from what may be a white infinity, but good for the category. Correctly on a bike for competition has given priority to speed cornering and changing direction, where this Bianchi is competitive with most qualified competitors. Bike even faster than entering a curve, here is more stability at higher speeds and on rough, so it is easier and less stressful to control the bike downhill and slippery asphalt at high speeds, where driving safety is always perfect. The comfort on bumpy is discreet, even in this case far from the endless white, but over direct competitors in this behaviour is an excellent help from the saddle Selle Italia, which offers better support for the thrust of the buttocks, does not impede the movements of the legs and absorbs bumps well the asphalt. A bike, so that borders almost perfectly: it is not convenient, but best of direct competitors, has excellent driving skills, with a slight preference of the handling stability compared with its competitors and has a rigid frame and reactive that no fear respect, great weight. A bike that included among the best ever in the world scene.

Price

The bike as described is not currently on the market. The frame kit is priced at around 2,500 Euros, a very competitive price, lower than many similar services from competitors.

Positive aspects

Rigidity and responsiveness of the frame

Riding skills

Overall performance

Low weight

Braking

Balance between stability and maneuverability

Smoothness and stiffness of the crankset

Perfect assembly

Negative aspects

None

To learn more:

Bianchi

Website: www.bianchi.com

www.teamflaminia.com