Already revered in the Endurance road bike market, the Bianchi Infinito CV gets an overhaul for the 2019 season.
As tyre widths and disc brake standards settle, the now Disc only Infinito CV frameset confidently struts back into the busy endurance market with updated frame design, offering dedicated mile-eaters vastly improved aerodynamics, tyre clearance and enhanced braking control.
The most striking change to the Infinito is its appearance. The result of a fresh aerodynamic focus, the new Infinito looks lean and fast and borrows from its more race oriented stable mate, the XR4. Indeed, the Infinto CV and XR4 disc frames are identical in weight – 1340g for the frame and fork in a size 55cm.
Like the Oltre XR4, the Infinito uses truncated aerodynamic tube profiles and a frame-specific seatpost that utilises the now familiar integrated seat clamp for better aero around this critical area.
Bianchi have redesigned the Infinito CV fork with a similar shallow curved, bladed leg that not only enhances airflow but that – in conjunction with the disc-only build - also allows a massive 32mm tyre clearance. Larger tyres offer improved traction and comfort while keeping the ride fast and confident. Bianchi tout the frame as ‘smoother and faster’ than the predecessor and the extra tyre width certainly assists with the former with no detriment to the latter.
In addition, longer chainstays help to offer additional stability and further smooth the ride with Bianchi able to push the compliance aspect thanks to the employment of 12mm thru-axles in both fork and rear dropouts. The use of the thru-axles adds additional stiffness to the bike for improved handling and power transfer to keep the bike agile and racy, despite the incredible comfort - two elements that are often at odds with one another. In addition, braking is dramatically improved over a QR system that it subject to greater flex and consequently, less confident handling while slowing.
The Infinito CV Disc adopts the flat-mount standard for disc brakes – likely to be the only surviving standard at this rate – which allows riders to build the frame with the discreet looking 140mm rotors or, for those seeking more stopping power, 160mm rotors.
Despite the changes made to the Infinito CV Disc, it is the continued use of CounterVail technology that will again set it apart in the burgeoning Endurance Bike arena.
Bianchi have exclusive rights to Material Sciences Corporation’s CounterVail material. It is the material that has helped toward the success of Bianchi’s Infinito, Oltre XR4 and Specialissima frames. Originally developed for use by the US Military as a stealth technology and widely used in Helicopter and Aircraft cockpits, Countervail is a fibre reinforced visco-elastic material that substantially reduces vibrations. Countervail also helps to optimise the stiffness and weight of the Infinito. Traditional passive damping of the frame using superficial rubber inserts and isolators are only marginally effective compared to the integrated carbon Countervail system developed by Bianchi and proven in the extreme conditions of NASA aerospace operations.
With its patented carbon fiber architecture and viscoelastic material, Countervail carbon material is embedded within the unique Bianchi Infinito CV carbon layup to cancel vibration while increasing the stiffness and strength of the entire frame.
Scientific tests for single impulse force reaction has shown a 75% increased vibration cancelling capacity for a Bianchi Infinito CV over a traditional carbon frame.
The video below is a simple visualisation of the vibration cancelling properties of Countervail and goes a long way in demonstrating how valuable the material is when applied to lightweight, stiff road bikes. It is the reason that Bianchi can maintain the larger rear stays without punishing the rider in terms of comfort or handling.
Countervail not only lends comfort to the ride – it does something far more valuable. Because it is incredibly effective, it is possible for Bianchi’s engineers to dramatically stiffen the frame to yield a ride that remains engaging and racy. This ability to maintain high stiffness in a super-smooth platform is not only the key to the bike’s impressive handling, but also to the confidence it inspires in the rider - and it is the latter that helps you go faster.
The new carbon monocoque Infinito CV frame remains geometrically unchanged from its predecessor - designed with a taller top tube and a longer chain stay to give a more relaxed fit and stable ride. The head tube is tapered and features 11/8" to 11/2" bearings for superb handling and durability, while the down tube is optimized for each frame size to give consistent feel and ride characteristics across the range.
The redeveloped Infinito CV Disc frame does nothing but improve every aspect of an already excellent endurance bike; it is without question more comfortable but it is also much more engaging and lively - so if you didn’t think it possible to have it all – think again.