New Bike - Bianchi Specialissima
Discussion
Took the plunge today on a bike I wasn’t expecting to buy, but it’s fair to say I’m made up!
I’ve been toying with the idea of a new bike for probably a year but never felt the need. To be frank, there isn’t a need as my current (outgoing) bike is more than adequate (Fuji Transonic). Like anyone though, it’s nice to treat yourself once in a while and I’ve worked my nuts off recently so thought why not!
I had my heart set on another aero bike and the Bianchi Oltre XR4 in Celeste was high on the list. However stock in my size, in the right spec was hard to come by. So after sizing up the Bianchi Aria, Infinito, Look 795 RS and a couple of others I finally settled on the most costly option. It was however in the sale and broadly the spec I wanted.
Did I want Celeste? Deep down yes, however I think Celeste looks much better on the Oltre where there are more black accents to break it up. After seeing this in person I fell in love. It’s more of a carbon look rather than deep black, and if I read correctly this colour choice is a smidge lighter (I could be talking BS).
Only thing on the agenda will be some new carbon wheels at some stage but they can wait.
The Specialissima is hopefully going to be a better long term option for me. Right now I’m really just riding level terrain but no doubt it’ll make a few trips to Europe with me where it’ll be properly put through it’s paces.
Anyway a couple of snaps and an old one of my Fuji for good measure!
I’ve been toying with the idea of a new bike for probably a year but never felt the need. To be frank, there isn’t a need as my current (outgoing) bike is more than adequate (Fuji Transonic). Like anyone though, it’s nice to treat yourself once in a while and I’ve worked my nuts off recently so thought why not!
I had my heart set on another aero bike and the Bianchi Oltre XR4 in Celeste was high on the list. However stock in my size, in the right spec was hard to come by. So after sizing up the Bianchi Aria, Infinito, Look 795 RS and a couple of others I finally settled on the most costly option. It was however in the sale and broadly the spec I wanted.
Did I want Celeste? Deep down yes, however I think Celeste looks much better on the Oltre where there are more black accents to break it up. After seeing this in person I fell in love. It’s more of a carbon look rather than deep black, and if I read correctly this colour choice is a smidge lighter (I could be talking BS).
Only thing on the agenda will be some new carbon wheels at some stage but they can wait.
The Specialissima is hopefully going to be a better long term option for me. Right now I’m really just riding level terrain but no doubt it’ll make a few trips to Europe with me where it’ll be properly put through it’s paces.
Anyway a couple of snaps and an old one of my Fuji for good measure!
Thanks for the kind comments.
It's going to be a day or two before I can ride it and I'm chomping at the bit.
Until then it's just sitting looking pretty in my office!
What's people's opinions on carbon rims. It almost feels a injustice to have a bike like this and to not have them. With loads of options on the market I wouldn't know where to start.
It's going to be a day or two before I can ride it and I'm chomping at the bit.
Until then it's just sitting looking pretty in my office!
What's people's opinions on carbon rims. It almost feels a injustice to have a bike like this and to not have them. With loads of options on the market I wouldn't know where to start.
MTK1919 said:
What's people's opinions on carbon rims. It almost feels a injustice to have a bike like this and to not have them. With loads of options on the market I wouldn't know where to start.
I’ve got 55mm Carbon hoops on mine. They look brilliant, they are a handful in a cross wind though. Maximus_Meridius101 said:
MTK1919 said:
What's people's opinions on carbon rims. It almost feels a injustice to have a bike like this and to not have them. With loads of options on the market I wouldn't know where to start.
I’ve got 55mm Carbon hoops on mine. They look brilliant, they are a handful in a cross wind though. BoRED S2upid said:
Definitely carbon but as above size v wind needs to be considered. I settled for 30mm in the end as live on the coast and there is always a wind blowing and I can’t be bothered swapping wheels for windy conditions 50mm would be lively down here.
30mm sounds like a good compromise. What did you go for ?MTK1919 said:
BoRED S2upid said:
Definitely carbon but as above size v wind needs to be considered. I settled for 30mm in the end as live on the coast and there is always a wind blowing and I can’t be bothered swapping wheels for windy conditions 50mm would be lively down here.
30mm sounds like a good compromise. What did you go for ?MTK1919 said:
What's people's opinions on carbon rims. It almost feels a injustice to have a bike like this and to not have them. With loads of options on the market I wouldn't know where to start.
I've been riding on 60mm rims for the last five years without being unduly bothered by crosswinds. On the odd really blowy day I need to anticipate gateways and breaks in the hedges but very seldom: if in doubt eat more pies!I'm torn.
On one hand, its a lovely looking bike.
On the other hand, it's not Celeste and it doesn't have Campag gearing on it, so its blasphemous.
As for the carbon wheels, yes, of course, don't be silly.
I'm 6ft and 70kg wet and ride 50mm wheels - it never gets particularly hairy - get it done.
On one hand, its a lovely looking bike.
On the other hand, it's not Celeste and it doesn't have Campag gearing on it, so its blasphemous.
As for the carbon wheels, yes, of course, don't be silly.
I'm 6ft and 70kg wet and ride 50mm wheels - it never gets particularly hairy - get it done.
Parsnip said:
I'm torn.
On one hand, its a lovely looking bike.
On the other hand, it's not Celeste and it doesn't have Campag gearing on it, so its blasphemous.
As for the carbon wheels, yes, of course, don't be silly.
I'm 6ft and 70kg wet and ride 50mm wheels - it never gets particularly hairy - get it done.
I'm going to say this but the more I look at it the more I'm content of the color choice. I do love Celeste, always have but that makes no difference when I'm using it. The bike was 15% off retail too, so it's a nice enough saving to soften that blow. On one hand, its a lovely looking bike.
On the other hand, it's not Celeste and it doesn't have Campag gearing on it, so its blasphemous.
As for the carbon wheels, yes, of course, don't be silly.
I'm 6ft and 70kg wet and ride 50mm wheels - it never gets particularly hairy - get it done.
I'm not too concerned about components. Nice to have, yes but not a deal breaker.
You could do worse than contact a specialist wheel builder for carbon rims. Get a set made to your own specification.
I went through DCR Wheels when I last needed a set of new road bike wheels. Nothing fancy, nor aero, for me because my budget was restricted, but you can discuss you requirements with the folk who will build your wheels, and tweak components like spokes and hubs to best match your riding style and budget.
https://dcrwheels.co.uk/products/dcr-components/dc...
I've no interest in the company, just a happy customer. I ended up with a "standard suggested" all season build with aluminium rims, so no experience of their carbon/aero offerings. But I was very pleased that the wheels I bought were both cheaper AND lighter than any of the off-the-shelf factory built wheels available from the usual suspects online.
Lovely bike too. I ended up with a Trek Emonda back in 2015, but I do have a slight regret that I didn't go up to Wimbledon to look at a Bianchi that a bike shop was selling via it's eBay shop site.
I went through DCR Wheels when I last needed a set of new road bike wheels. Nothing fancy, nor aero, for me because my budget was restricted, but you can discuss you requirements with the folk who will build your wheels, and tweak components like spokes and hubs to best match your riding style and budget.
https://dcrwheels.co.uk/products/dcr-components/dc...
I've no interest in the company, just a happy customer. I ended up with a "standard suggested" all season build with aluminium rims, so no experience of their carbon/aero offerings. But I was very pleased that the wheels I bought were both cheaper AND lighter than any of the off-the-shelf factory built wheels available from the usual suspects online.
Lovely bike too. I ended up with a Trek Emonda back in 2015, but I do have a slight regret that I didn't go up to Wimbledon to look at a Bianchi that a bike shop was selling via it's eBay shop site.
Lovely bike! (I’m biased as a die-hard bianchisti, admittedly).
‘Interestingly’; I had the exact same dilemma and went the other way. I was replacing a Felt AR aero bike and really wanted a specialissima (it’s bloody hilly round here..) but I also wanted di2 and discs (said hills are steep, and it’s always hot, plus I’m not featherweight).
So I ended up going for the XR4 as there was no specialissima disc option at the time.
Would still love to add one to the fleet but I just don’t need one. Nor do I have the space!
‘Interestingly’; I had the exact same dilemma and went the other way. I was replacing a Felt AR aero bike and really wanted a specialissima (it’s bloody hilly round here..) but I also wanted di2 and discs (said hills are steep, and it’s always hot, plus I’m not featherweight).
So I ended up going for the XR4 as there was no specialissima disc option at the time.
Would still love to add one to the fleet but I just don’t need one. Nor do I have the space!
keith2.2 said:
Lovely bike! (I’m biased as a die-hard bianchisti, admittedly).
‘Interestingly’; I had the exact same dilemma and went the other way. I was replacing a Felt AR aero bike and really wanted a specialissima (it’s bloody hilly round here..) but I also wanted di2 and discs (said hills are steep, and it’s always hot, plus I’m not featherweight).
So I ended up going for the XR4 as there was no specialissima disc option at the time.
Would still love to add one to the fleet but I just don’t need one. Nor do I have the space!
The XR4 dispatches hills at least as well as the Specialissima. It’s one big reason why I haven’t gone for a specialissima ( the other one being that I think they’ve jumped the shark with the current Specialissima). It’s still a machine worthy of the moniker, but just far too heavy (for my liking) with the disc only option.‘Interestingly’; I had the exact same dilemma and went the other way. I was replacing a Felt AR aero bike and really wanted a specialissima (it’s bloody hilly round here..) but I also wanted di2 and discs (said hills are steep, and it’s always hot, plus I’m not featherweight).
So I ended up going for the XR4 as there was no specialissima disc option at the time.
Would still love to add one to the fleet but I just don’t need one. Nor do I have the space!
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