The noble Bianchi Specialissima racing machine from the traditional Italian manufacturer is technically perfect and has a lot of style. Anyone who was allowed to drive it for a few hours will dream of it for a long time.
There are racing machines that you can actually only drive in very special places. Some are at home on northern French cobblestones or Belgian hills, others want to feel the hot French summer sun on the lacquer.
One would most like to ride a bike like the Bianchi Specialissima between Lake Garda and Tuscany; but since the first hot days also the Rhineland in a beautiful country transformed, we don't have to make our way across the Alps - the top model from the traditional Italian manufacturer is coming to us.
Bianchi – one of the biggest names in cycling
Founded in 1885, Bianchi is one of the oldest wheel manufacturers in the world. And unlike many competitors, of which only the brand name has survived, there is also an unbroken company history behind the bikes in Celeste. This includes motor vehicles as well as bread-and-butter bikes, which is perhaps precisely what makes the brand so appealing. It's not just in Italy that you see old touring bikes with Edoardo Bianchi's eagle; in his homeland, the company is closely intertwined with sport, everyday culture and mobility over the past decades.
Despite all the tradition, the Bianchi Specialissima has very little in common with the racing machines of the era of Fausto Coppi. Less than 800 grams frame weight, just under 350 grams for the fork: No bike from Treviglio has ever been so light, and probably only a few have been so "celeste". The most modern bike from the Italians shows a lot of classic turquoise; even contrasting lettering has been dispensed with. And because the paint is matt, the intense color comes into its own, although the velvety surface is quite sensitive to dirt.
Bianchi Specialissima – lightweight construction at its finest
Our test bike is equipped with Campagnolo components - of course, one would like to say, but in the modern era many Bianchis have raced with Shimano parts. The design of our Specialissima also benefits the bike visually: wheels, FSA attachments and "Super Record" group appear to be made of one piece; the small red logos on the Campa parts set striking points of contrast. And of course the components make the bike incredibly light: with a bottle holder, our test bike weighs just 59 kilos with a frame height of 6,17 cm; Ready to go with pedals, bike computer and full water bottle, it's almost exactly seven kilos.
That raises great expectations, and indeed: The Specialissima is extremely sparkling; it immediately goes forward and effortlessly achieves a pleasantly brisk cruising speed. On the first climb of our tour, 1,7 km with at least 110 meters in altitude, the Bianchi dances back and forth in the saddle, and despite heavy legs from the day before, we are up pretty quickly. The fact that the bike can be steered playfully in the tight corners is less due to the rather neutral steering angle of 73°, but to the extremely light, yet very stiff wheelset. Ready to ride with tensioners and tires, the "Bora One 35" front wheel weighs just 830 grams, the rear wheel including Campa rim 1.220 grams. The gyroscopic forces that occur are correspondingly low, and the wheel can be easily steered and swiveled back and forth under the rider .
More convenience with "Countervail"
In addition to its low weight, the Specialissima has another special feature that is hard to spot on smooth asphalt: there are fiber layers called Countervail in the frame and fork, which are intended to dampen vibrations, which of course makes cycling more comfortable on the one hand and on the other hand but also prevents fatigue caused by permanent impact loads.
A several hundred meter long, hard-packed gravel path clarifies whether and how this works, bumpy and peppered with larger and smaller stones - not exactly ideal terrain for a bike with 7,5 mm tubular tires pumped up to 22 bar. But the ride over the rumble track is extremely gentle; Shocks and vibrations get through to the rider as weakly as if this were a bike with 28mm wide tires and a far extended carbon seat post.
Several kilometers against the wind follow, which prove one thing: This Bianchi is not a real aero racer. On the other hand, the 35 mm deep rims are by no means susceptible to side winds; Ultimately, the impression remains that the Specialissima strikes the golden mean between agility and climbing ability on the one hand and suitability for speed on the other. Especially since the bike behaves in an exemplary manner even at high downhill speeds: full road holding, safe straight-line stability and not a trace of uncomfortable nervousness.
A bike that can cope with a wide variety of conditions, which is certainly also due to the balanced geometry. With a top tube length of 59 mm and a head tube length of 575 mm, the '180 test bike has a rather stretched but not too deep seating position; the 57 with 560/160 mm would also be an option for us. With seven frame sizes, you don't have to make any compromises when it comes to the seating position. We would have liked a seat post with a little less offset, but the ovalized top link fitted perfectly.
The smooth shapes of the frame are very well done, giving a harmonious picture overall: the down tube isn't too stocky, the rear stays aren't too thin. The brake cable entry on the head tube is particularly attractive, and the company crest applied to the seat tube in transparent material is a visual highlight. What is missing is a frame guard behind the sprocket; here you should attach a thick protective film to be on the safe side. If you want, you can also get the bike in matt black or in your choice of color for a surcharge (Bianchi calls its new special color program Tavolozza); the Specialissima is hardly imaginable more beautiful than in the Celeste version.
Campagnolo Super Record - components that always impress
The noble Campagnolo components, which function convincingly, must also be mentioned: the brakes grip the carbon rims firmly and reliably; the shifting processes are precise and crisp, a touch more rustic than with Shimano and SRAM.
In the end, the feeling of having ridden a perfect racing machine remains: handling, comfort, seating position and weight leave nothing to be desired. The price alone ensures that this top classic has to remain a wish for many: the tested version is 8.399 euros, the frame set costs 4.299 euros. After all: when we dream of Italy now, the Bianchi Specialissima plays an important role in our thoughts.
Conclusion Bianchi Specialissima
Everything is right with the Bianchi Specialissima, and if you don't like Campa, you can also get it with Shimano Dura-Ace or (soon) with SRAM eTap. It's just a shame that the bike costs a lot.
Product Highlights
- Very low weight, super light wheels
- Handling, driving behavior and rigidity top
- Classic feeling with the latest technology
prices and web
- Test bike with Campagnolo Super Record €8.399
- Frame set €4.299
- www.bianchi.com
