Bicycles

On test: Bianchi Sempre 105

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Parent Category: Bicycles

Category: Bianchi

Published on Monday, 06 September 2010 06:22

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Great bike with a rigid frame and responsive; discrete assembly and excellent price

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After the first contact during the presentation to the international press, we were able to learn more about the new model white always, assembled with Shimano 105. A special test that has finally revealed its strengths and weaknesses of this interesting model. For the innovations introduced in the implementation of the frame we refer readers to previous tests (On test: Bianchi Sempre 2011) where we describe the well casing and its peculiarities. Here we recall briefly the construction of the monocoque carbon frame, fork with straight stems, seeds and aluminum head, the BB30 bottom bracket, the passage of cables and the particular shape of the rear, with horizontal tubes of great size and very thin vertical. The steering is classic series, bearing 1 inch and 1/8, while the frame has a declared weight of 1100 grams. Six sizes and three colors are available. It's available Kit frame; bike assembled is available with the groups Campagnolo Veloce, SRAM Apex, Shimano Ultegra and 105. In version 105 the stem and the handlebar are aluminum signed "Bianchi Reparto Corse", as the seat post is carbon fiber with aluminum head. The saddle is a San Marco Ponza Arrowhead, hole decompression of the perineum. The wheels are always signed "Bianchi Reparto Corse" and are supplemented with Vittoria tires. Bottle cage Elite, while the Shimano 105 is adopted for the commands, the sprocket set 12/25, the rear and front derailleur. The KMC chain is, the brakes are FSA Gossamer, like the Gossamer BB30 crankset with 34/50 rings. There are no pedals. So assembled, in size 53, the bike has a weight of 8.4 kg, as observed with our instrumentation.

The road test

After the first test case in the press presentation, we were able to fully test the Bianchi Sempre, especially on "our streets" could make a certain number of detections and reliable, in addition to measuring the performance with the Polar Power 600. We anticipate that the overall assessment on the bike remains very positive, even if they are of little bee emerged that had not previously encountered. The bike is sophisticated, well crafted and considering the list price may be more accepted that the wheels and components "Bianchi Reparto Corse" Shimano 105 group or not adopted in full. On the other hand, it is easy to see how the cost of the kit frame, aligned with the competition is very slightly smaller than the complete bike. At these prices you can not find a better assembly only by choosing an unknown brand or nearly so. The absolute validity of the frame, however, makes the final weight of the bike is still very competitive, the group adopted and also lower than some competitors that adopted above groups. Too bad there are no pedals as standard (no common to almost all production Bianchi and many other manufacturers) and the lack of knock chain. Well protected, however, the steps of the cables. Ultimately, the proposed assembly, which is good in proportion to the price list and good choice of components has affected the final weight that remains competitive. Excellent adoption BB30 bottom bracket and the good Gossamer crankset, which is a valid acting crank Shimano 105. In particular, the merits of the FSA crankset, smoothness and stiffness are greater than the original Shimano crankset, although the differences are minimal. On saddle there is a spatial pattern identical to model Oltre, since the basic geometric dimensions are the same. Change the fork and its inclination, and this leads to a different driver behavior. The saddle is discrete, has a good decompression of the perineum, but remains rigid over long distances (more than three hours) is to be coupled with a good pad for maximum comfort. An excellent turn FSA and well operated controls. The brakes are very adaptable, and powerful enough, especially in the first stage of braking. Then to get very strong braking should exert pressure on levers. Rather than the maximum power, therefore, stand out for its excellent scalability that comes in handy in the wet and in the presence of slippery. Good accuracy and deragliator exchange. The excursion of the levers is contained, good smooth action, and you must apply pressure just above the average for the passage of the report. Road has been confirmed the excellent stiffness of the frame, very responsive and with an area of the bottom bracket very stiff, which allows a good transmission of power to the rear wheel. Equally valid fork, again rigid and can withstand very hard braking. The responsiveness of the bike is only partially limited by weight and the wheels, preventing strong accelerations. But once they reach a given speed is easy to maintain, because the frame is rigid and sliding wheels. As always good for grip and glide, the victory clincher. It's true, however, that direct competitors do not offer a performance better. Even uphill the behavior is more than good, thanks to the excellent chassis rigidity and good smoothness of the wheels. In descent the frame geometry allows fast and precise cornering inputs. A wire slower than some competitors, but more precise and safe, especially on rough, where the bike to maintain stability and accuracy than good. In general it is easier to ride a bike and take the limit, even on bumpy paths or very close. Other geometries would allow even better performance, but would become far more difficult to reach high speeds safely. The comfort that we had previously judged good, but is only sufficient, because the rear is hard and long stretches we suffer a bit rough. Even in this case directed competitors do not offer a performance better. If you want a rigid frame and responsive on the other hand, you can not expect a high degree of comfort. A bike, then, that confirmed the positive impressions that emerged in the first Test. It is not very comfortable and has not a blend of high quality, but the rigid frame and ensures optimum transmission of reactive power, which translates into overall performance rather than good for the category. You can criticize until you want but the price at which the proposal is really hard to make something better. Pity, then, that this frame is also offered with a full carbon fork and a quality group (Campagnolo Chorus): its qualities of light weight and stiffness it deserved. Finally a bike destined to those fans who come from entry level aluminum bike or you want to bring a bike from an already good base. Who likes rigid and reactive behaviors typical of most extreme bike, which Sempre 105, although with certain limits, comes close to general dynamic behavior.

Performance measured with the Polar CS 600 Power

Explanation of why the test:

We decided to use the instrumentation Polar CS 600 Power to analyze the performance of the bike. Other tools we can indicate the values of stiffness of a frame, important information, of course, but they say little about the overall goodness of bike enthusiast will go to buy and its real value for money. It's clear, in fact, that is not just a bike frame, but also components which are assembled and which determines the overall performance. With the Polar CS 600 Power we know how many watts the athlete must develop to go at a speed X. The more rigid frame is the best crankset, wheels good, other parts are good, so the lower the power requirement to achieve this speed X, the better the goodness of the bike as a whole. However, a great frame, but with components on top, may have worse results of a frame but assembled with good mid-range components. We evaluate then the bike as a whole, as well as buy from the dealer, not a single element of it, even if important. The Power Polar CS 600 is also the only instrument that detects the power generated without replacing crank or rear wheel.

The completion of the test:

installed and calibrated properly, the CS 600 Power, the athlete has come a perfectly flat stretch of road and in excellent condition, no wind and other interference. The athlete has run several sections the first 30 km/h constant, then 40 km/h and finally constant at 50 km/h constant, always with the relationship longer available. These are the powers needed to maintain the speed:

30 km/h 210 Watts

40 km/h 315 Watts

50 km/h 455 Watts

The commentary to the test instrument

As mentioned previously, this test is not very influenced by the total weight of the bike. In particular values facts emerge from the Bianchi Sempre are good at 30 and 40 km/h, to become very good at 50 km/h, always in comparison with direct competitors. All values are better than competitors, but the difference is minimal in the first two data essentially coincide with major competitors, where evidently the rigidity of the frame can not be stressed too because of the wheels, sliding but not very good, while at high speeds, where most important is the rigidity of the frame, shows the clear difference with its competitors. Test confirmed the high validity of the frame, very hard, partly undermined by that assembly should take into account a very limited list price.

Positive aspects

Construction quality of the frame

Aesthetic care

Rigidity and responsiveness of the chassis

Performance

Stability and driving safety

Easy and safe driving

Saddle with effective decompression of the perineum

Negative aspects

Saddle hard on long distances

Lack beat chain

Price

The bike we tested has a list price of Euro 1990, the frame Kit is 1590 Euro. The frame Kit is priced in line with competitors, and perhaps some could cost less some Euro. Very competitive price of the assembled bike, both with well-known brand, is also against the brand niche. More than good value for money.

To learn more:

Bianchi

Website: www.bianchi.com