Competitive Cyclist

BIANCHI INFINITO/SRAM RIVAL COMPLETE BIKE

We'll admit that getting our meager minds around the concept of infinity has mystified us since we learned about Zeno in Philosophy 101, but in that hyperbolic Italian way Bianchi feels no compunctions about summoning eternity to make a point about their Infinito. As the top model in Bianchi's C2C (Coast 2 Coast) line-up, the Infinito was designed to cover endless very long distances with maximum performance and minimum fatigue.

The entire C2C range represents Bianchi's foray into a category of recent frame design which arguably started with the Cervelo RS and includes the likes of Scott's latest CR1 and Cannondale's Synapse. These pro-quality framesets rethink traditional assumptions about what it means to be a quote-unquote racing bike by focusing on a less stressed rider position and a more relaxed geometry. This is done by extending the frame's head-tube height (just more than 1.5cm on the Infinito) and lengthening the wheelbase but maintaining traditional head tube angles and fork rake. Bianchi's goal of creating a comfort-oriented, pro-quality race machine was clearly achieved as evidenced by the Infinito's use throughout the 2009 Giro d'Italia by Robbie Hunter (one of the hardmen of the pro peloton and a sprinter extraordinaire), who spent the month testing and proving its race-worthiness in every road stage and every conceivable condition.

The comfort factor of the Infinito is astonishing when one realizes that it still fits squarely within Bianchi's competition range of framesets. Certainly, its ride properties benefit from the strategic use of vibration damping Kevlar and an extended wheelbase which smooths out rough road surfaces. But Bianchi's Nano Power Technology -- identical to that used in the mother of all Bianchi race bikes, the 928 SL--allows them to tune the frame's ride and vibration absorption properties through unique tube shapes and the orientation of carbon fibers. In whole, Bianchi refers to this process as BAT (Bianchi Active Technology) which means the combination of materials and shapes maintain the frame's phenomenal torsional stiffness for full-blown power transfer and Grand Tour style handling characteristics, but at the same time allows for enough vertical compliance to fully enjoy this bike on a century, gran fondo, or your winter training rides. An added plus of Nano Power Technology is a reduction in so-called micro-cracking that can occur in the cohesion of resin and carbon fibers in the carbon matrix. This translates to greater reliability and durability for such a lightweight, high performance frameset.

We've paired up the Infinito with a 2010 SRAM Rival gruppo. Rival is globally recognized as providing unmatched performance-per-dollar in a race-minded component gruppo. Other details on this bike include a Fizik Pave saddle, Easton EA70 bar, stem, and seatpost, and Mavic Aksium wheels that make for a silky smooth ride on any road surface. You'll also get Michelin Pro 3 Race clinchers and Arundel cork ribbon on the handlebars. And one huge added bonus is FSA's best-selling carbon fiber crankset, the SL-K Light 34/50 crankset with a matching bottom bracket.

The Bianchi Infinito/SRAM Rival Complete Bike is available in Celeste/white, Blue/white, and Red/white and comes in six sizes (50, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61). It includes a full carbon, 356g Bianchi fork and an FSA headset. It uses a 34.9mm clamp-on front derailleur, 31.6mm seatpost, and an English threaded bottom bracket. Weight for a 55cm frame only is 1100 grams.

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Infinito/SRAM Rival Complete Bike Price:  $3299.00  

2010 Bianchi Infinito/SRAM Rival Complete Bike Geometry

Size	Seat Tube c-t	Actual Top Tube	Effective Top Tube	Head Tube	Seat Angle	Head Tube Angle
50	47.0	50.9	52.5	14.0	74.5	71.5
53	50.0	52.1	53.5	15.5	74.0	71.5
55	52.0	55.0	55.0	17.0	73.5	72.0
57	54.0	54.7	56.0	18.5	73.5	72.5
59	56.0	56.0	57.5	20.5	73.0	72.5
61	58.0	57.0	58.5	22.5	72.5	72.5