Several Vacansoleil-DCM riders – including Juan Antonio Flecha – used Bianchi’s as-yet-unannounced new Infinito model for this year’s Ronde van VlaanderenJames Huang/BikeRadar
Though team mechanics covered up the model name with tape, this infinity symbol – not to mention the UCI approval label next to it – confirm that this is Bianchi’s new InfinitoJames Huang/BikeRadar
The new Bianchi Infinito uses dramatically flattened chain staysJames Huang/BikeRadar
The rear end of the new Bianchi Infinito uses some radical shaping – presumably in search of more comfort on rough roadsJames Huang/BikeRadar
The tall head tube of Bianchi’s ‘Coast to Coast’ geometry required this Vacansoleil-DCM rider to use a -17° stemJames Huang/BikeRadar
Aluminum fork tips on Bianchi’s new InfinitoJames Huang/BikeRadar
Vacansoleil-DCM team mechanics covered up the model name but that couldn’t hide the bike’s true identityJames Huang/BikeRadar
Unique seat stay shaping on Bianchi’s new InfinitoJames Huang/BikeRadar
A dedicated battery mount is located on the underside of the down tubeJames Huang/BikeRadar
Bianchi’s new Infinito will use a PressFit30 bottom bracketJames Huang/BikeRadar
Vacansoleil-DCM team mechanics use spacers to adapt the FSA BB386 EVO crankset to the Bianchi Infinito’s PF30 bottom bracket shellJames Huang/BikeRadar
Hourglass-profile head tubes like this are becoming more commonplaceJames Huang/BikeRadar
Bianchi’s “K-VID” (Kevlar Vibration Isolating Device) apparently uses a Kevlar weave in the fork blades to help smooth out the rideJames Huang/BikeRadar
It’s Spring Classics time, which means lots of Ambrosio Nemesis aluminum box-section tubular rims disguised as otherwiseJames Huang/BikeRadar
The Infinito is part of Bianchi’s Coast-to-Coast endurance range, complete with a slightly taller head tube. Vacansoleil-DCM team mechanics milled down the headset cover on Juan Antonio Flecha’s machine to gain him a few more millimeters of handlebar dropJames Huang/BikeRadar
This Vredestein hot stamp is having a hard time holding on to this tireJames Huang/BikeRadar
Some Vacansoleil-DCM riders opted for Bianchi’s aluminum Impulso model for this year’s Ronde van VlaanderenJames Huang/BikeRadar
The aluminum dropouts on Vacansoleil-DCM’s Impulso provides lots of weld surface area for the adjoining stays. Note the Gore Ride-On ‘grub’ seal on the Campagnolo cable and housingJames Huang/BikeRadar
Sunday’s Ronde van Vlaanderen was completely dry but had it been muddy, there would have been plenty of room behind the bottom bracket for muck to pass throughJames Huang/BikeRadar
Bianchi’s Infinito endurance bike receives a major overhaul for the 2014 model year, as revealed by Vacansoleil-DCM riders who used the new bike during Sunday’s Ronde van Vlaanderen (The Tour of Flanders). We expect the Infinito to retain its long distance demeanor but it looks to have gained a healthy dose of extra performance, too.
Advertisement
The current Infinito is nearly four years old now and while it’s comfortable, it isn’t exactly considered to be on the cutting edge in terms of performance. This new version is fully modernized with an hourglass-profile tapered front end to replace the original version’s straight 1 1/8″ steerer, a lighter PressFit 30 bottom (possibly with a carbon fiber sleeve) to replace the old threaded aluminum one, and convertible internal cable routing with a dedicated battery mount located underneath the down tube.
Unique seat stay shaping on bianchi’s new infinito: unique seat stay shaping on bianchi’s new infinitoJames Huang/BikeRadar
Unique seat stay shaping on the new Infinito
The changes should make the Infinito more competitive in terms of efficiency and weight but Bianchi appears to have made it more comfortable as well.
Shaping out back is more radical than before with the chain stays adopting a much taller and fatter profile up front before being flattened for flex through its midsection. The seat stays look slightly slimmer throughout their length, too, and the old wishbone layout has been replaced by a more unusual fully split configuration that blends into a wider top tube at the seat cluster.
Once again, Bianchi has incorporated its K-VID feature into the fork with layers of Kevlar aramid fiber that supposedly increase vibration damping.
Advertisement
Bianchi has an official event planned for early June so stay tuned for more official details then.
Hourglass-profile head tubes like this are becoming more commonplace: hourglass-profile head tubes like this are becoming more commonplaceJames Huang/BikeRadar
Bianchi added an hourglass profile to the head tube of the new Infinito
