Bianchi has launched the latest version of its popular Infinito endurance bike, with the emphasis on blurring the lines between road bike and gravel bike.
The Infinito was always designed to be about comfort over long distances, and that remit hasn’t changed, but now it has adopted a number of gravel bike elements that make it suitable for off-road jaunts while still remaining at heart a road bike.
Tyre clearance has increased from 32mm maximum up to 40mm, allowing for the use of gravel tyres, and the frame is set up to accept either 2x or 1x groupsets depending on the rider’s preference.
The down tube now sports a storage compartment behind a hatch beneath the bottle cage. Bianchi calls it an ‘embedded toolbox’ and it can hold tools, a pump or a wind jacket without compromising the aerodynamics of the frame.
Perhaps most significantly, the new Infinito has reintroduced Bianchi’s Countervail vibration damping tech to the carbon layup – something that was missing from the previous model.
Countervail is a viscoelastic material that combines with the carbon fibre in the frame to absorb vibrations to make for a smoother ride and reduce fatigue during long days in the saddle. It’s something that Bianchi has incorporated into its bikes for a number of years, but the new Infinito showcases the latest version of Countervail, which Bianchi claims is 20% lighter than before and more shock-absorbing.
The new Countervail has also found its way into the seatpost, which has been shaped to allow for more compliance without having to resort to external damping systems that might add weight or unnecessary complexity.
Those comfort-inducing elements are balanced by a stiffer-than-before frame and fork, which were developed as a fully integrated system to ensure precise handling under load, and which Bianchi claims provides a 12 watt improvement over the last Infinito.
There have also been changes to the geometry of the Infinito. Compared to the previous model, the new version has a slightly higher stack and shorter reach, making for a more upright position that prioritises comfort and stability over raciness. The chainstays are also 7mm longer than before (422mm on most sizes, except for the largest frames which are 424mm). This not only helps to accommodate those larger tyres but makes for a more stable ride at speed on rougher ground.
A zero-offset seatpost puts the rider a little further forward over the pedals, the idea being to open the hip angle to improve breathing and pedalling efficiency. The trail is also marginally longer than before by a millimetre, which will make for slightly more predictable handling.
To complement the frame, Bianchi has introduced new RC 49R carbon wheels, engineered by Bianchi’s Reparto Corse, which feature an aerodynamic 49mm rim depth for suitably sporty performance on the road, and a 25mm internal rim width to suit wider tyres.
In terms of looks, the new Infinito is noticeably more fluid than the last model. Where it was previously all straight lines and sharp angles, the new bike is gently curved and softer in appearance. There also appears to be a wider range of colours with more lustrous, shimmering paintjobs on offer (don’t worry, celeste is still an option).
A special colourway of glossy white and purple fade will be available on a limited run of 200 numbered Infinitos as part of the launch celebrations. These bikes will also come with a personalised welcome kit and premium spec.
The new Infinito will be available in seven frame sizes, ranging from 47cm to 61cm, which should provide a good fit for the majority of riders, however short or tall.
At present, European pricing for the new standard Infinito models starts at €2,790 for a Shimano 105 spec and goes up to €7,790 for the Custom Infinito Pro build and exclusive finish, although we’ve yet to establish prices for the UK.
Bianchi CEO Alberto Cavaggioni says, ‘With the new Infinito, we wanted to honour our high-performance racing DNA while fully embracing modern cycling, where a single ride might transition from pristine asphalt to unpredictable light gravel. This is a bike that empowers cyclists to ignore the surface altogether and focus entirely on the pure joy of the ride, allowing them to go further, faster and with more control.’
At the time of writing, Cyclist is at the launch event for the new Bianchi Infinito, so we’ll report back with our first impressions in a future article. Watch this space.
For more information and to find your nearest dealer go to bianchi.com