Bianchi had rather a lot of line-up tweaks to announce at this year’s Eurobike, with changes to road and mountain bike staples both on the cards.
Oltre XR
The company have introduced the newly tweaked Oltre, now called the Oltre XR, for 2013. Layup alterations have further reduced the overall frame weight (859g for a 55cm size) and the addition of more Nano Tube carbon and UHM fibres has improved stiffness too.
The Oltre range has been bolstered by new additions in the form of Super Record EPS, Di2 11-speed and Athena EPS 11-speed models, with the range already supporting Ultegra Di2, Super Record and Dura-Ace (now 11-speed) plus frame only options.
Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the new bikes look impressive.
The Oltre XR’s clever hidden seatclamp
Sempre
The race-ready Sempre has had significant upgrades to its frame for 2013, in the form of a new tapered head tube from 1 1/8in down to 1 1/2in. The bottom bracket is BB30 and cable routing is now fully internal. The bike is dual compatible between mechanical and electronic groupsets.
Topping out the Sempre range is an Ultegra Di2 model, which also features Fulcrum’s deep-section Red Wind XLR two-way-fit wheels, with an option for Racing Quattros also available.
Say hello to the new Sempre
Infinito
Bianchi’s more sportive focused Infinito also has fully internal routing and dual compatibility for next year. Up front, the head tube rises above the line of the top tube. Bianchi claim this is to reduce the need for too many headset spacers, which can have an adverse effect on front-end stiffness.
The sculpted Infinito top tube meeting the high head tube
Vertigo
The latest addition to Bianchi’s road line - the Vertigo - is a first for the classic Italian brand, pitching them at a whole new carbon price point.
It was the only 2013 bike Bianchi could confirm pricing on at Eurobike. At £1,500 the full carbon Vertigo features a Campagnolo Veloce group, and Bianchi’s in-house Reparto Corse finishing kit and wheels (courtesy of Maddux). US pricing is still to be confirmed.
With a frame weight of about 1.2kg (2.5lb) it’s looking impressive for the price, and we will be getting a first test on the new platform as soon as possible.
The Bianchi Vertigo - complete carbon at a wallet-friendly price
29er gets travel
Bianchi’s race ready Methanol 29er has an all-new cousin in the form of the new Methanol 29FS. Out back on the new full-sus bike is a 100m travel four-bar system with Horst link.
For strength, the frame is designed with Bianchi’s triple wall technology (where the tubes are further strengthened with a central spine throughout). It uses the press-fit 30 standard for its bottom bracket shell.
To keep the weight down and the strength of the construction up, Bianchi have also developed a new full carbon dropout, incorporating 160mm post mounting and using the X-12 rear axle standard.
The Methanol is all carbon, including the suspension link
Bianchi’s ERC system is also used, meaning carbon ‘ribs’ are embedded and moulded into the structure to increase frame stiffness at the head tube and bottom bracket. The company claim this reduces the power lost during more conventional frame construction.
The down tube’s front facing surface is also protected by Bianchi’s patent-pending Ti-Net technology - a titanium mesh is moulded together with the carbon, creating a barrier to protect the frame from stone impacts from the front wheel. It’s claimed this increased impact resistance will extend the lifetime of the frame.
