Bianchi Sempre

pickled

Here's my new Bianchi Sempre.
It's not completely standard as I've had Centaur put on it instead of the standard Veloce.

Edit:
New picture of bike in Time Trial mode.
Now has Planet X 50mm carbon clinchers sourced from Bike Radar and a set of Deda TT bar extensions
Tyres will be Schwalbe Ultremo's soon.

Will probably replace the chainset for a better looking lighter one soon too.












Frame: Bianchi Sempre carbon, BB30, size 55
Bars: FSA
Stem: 100mm FSA Reparto Corse
Brakes: FSA Reparto Corse

Shifters:Campagnolo Centaur
Cables: Campagnolo
Front Mech: Campagnolo Centaur
Rear Mech: Campagnolo Centaur

Seat: Selle San Marco Ponza Power Arrowhead
Seat Post: FSA Reparto Corse

Crankset: FSA Gossamer Pro Compact 50/34
Cassette: Campagnolo Centaur 12/25
Pedals: Look Keo Classic

Wheels: Planet X superlight 50mm carbon clinchers
Tyres: Schwalbe Ultremo

Bottle cages: Elite custom race
Weight:About 8 kg

TMR

OMG! That bike almost makes celeste look good! :shock:

Enjoy it

seven7faces

always wanted a bianchi, stunning

heathy_76

Lovely bike!

As a Via Nirone owner I'd be interested to know the main differences you noticed with your Sempre.
Did you go for the same size? What is the position like OK the Sempre?

Apologies for the questions but I'd like to upgrade my Via Nirone at some point and a Sempre is on my list.

pickled

Cheers for the comments guys.
I got fitted by the guys at Epic bikes. To sum up, I'm on the cusp of the 53 or 55 size.
I've gone for the 55 which just felt better in back to back tests, plus it puts me into a much better position on the bike.
The bike soaks up all the bumps much better than my old via Nirone ever did, and it is also appreciably stiffer.
The gear change is MUCH improved over Veloce.
The position is quite a bit racier than the Nirone so it might not be quite as comfortable over longer distances, although I've not done any long rides yet.
I plan to time trial with it as well, so the much lower front end may help there as well.
Who knows? I forgot to upgrade my legs and lungs while I was at it.

pickled

Post updated with new pic of bike in Time Trial format.
It's working well, I can't afford a TT bike so it will have to do.
Planet X carbon clinchers and Schwalbe Ultremos have reduced weight by a useful 300g

noiseboyfeetman

I like the Planet X wheelset on it, they finish it off nicely.

heathy_76

noiseboyfeetman wrote:

I like the Planet X wheelset on it, they finish it off nicely.

+1

FransJacques

The new pic looks really pleasing to the eye. I can see you've moved your saddle forward a squidge to get into your TT position. If you have £$ to burn you could get an inline post, say a 150gram KCNC jobby but that's just window dressing.

Did you put the levels on the 'bars? I know i bang on about handlebar rotation a lot but asthetically your's are pefect - the drop section andle and the position of your brake levels is just as the bar manufacturer intended. There's been no ugly bastardization to compensate for too long/too short a TT.

I'm impressed how good the aero bars look, looks like a Giro up-hill TT bike. Do you find the extensions get you low enough?

pickled

Thanks,
I had a bike fit at Epic bikes and they set it up for me. So the bike is a perfect fit.
I'm a little bit inflexible at the moment, although I'm working on it. Which is why I've got a couple of small spacers.
I'd like to get a bit lower if I can although whether my TT position is any good or not I'm not sure anyway.
I might post a picture in the race forum to see what the 'experts' say.
It's all guess work at the moment!
I only started TT's this year and I've worked down to 25:30's so plenty of room for improvement.

Zoomer37

Looks ace mate. Those 50's really transform it

brakelever

what a stunning bit of kit - just love the colour

davelakers

seven7faces wrote:

always wanted a bianchi, stunning

I have a Bianchi Carbon T-Cube and its amazing. It looks and rides amazing.

ralasdair

Did you consider the Infinito?

I know it's meant to be less racy, more 'race-sportive', but I'm starting to think about the jump from a Via Nirone (probably to coincide with my next C2W upgrade), and I'm not sure which is a better choice...

noiseboyfeetman

ralasdair wrote:

Did you consider the Infinito?

I know it's meant to be less racy, more 'race-sportive', but I'm starting to think about the jump from a Via Nirone (probably to coincide with my next C2W upgrade), and I'm not sure which is a better choice...

If you see this Sempre, and the OP's i'd personally say they look nicer than the Infinito.

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TMR

noiseboyfeetman wrote:

If you see this Sempre, and the OP's i'd personally say they look nicer than the Infinito.

Whereas I'd argue the Infinito is a far more attractive frame. Good job we're all different eh?

noiseboyfeetman

The Mad Rapper wrote:

noiseboyfeetman wrote:

If you see this Sempre, and the OP's i'd personally say they look nicer than the Infinito.

Whereas I'd argue the Infinito is a far more attractive frame. Good job we're all different eh?

I always preferred the Infinito and very nearly bought one, but seeing these two Sempres I think has finally swayed me. Its a tough choice actually between the two, both are good looking frames.

pickled

No. I didn't consider the Infinito.
Firstly. It's too soft and sportive oriented for what I wanted it for.
Secondly. It's not as attractive. ;-)
Thirdly. It's too expensive.
I rode one and in all honesty I didn't like it at all.
YMMV though.

petemadoc

Please stop posting pictures of fancy Bianchi's ! I can't stop drooling on my keyboard.

miggillicuddy

That bike is shexay!

I fancy myself one of those babies. How racey is this bike considered? How do you get on on longer rides?

carbon337

oooo I need one of those. Lovely - congrats.

pickled

miggillicuddy wrote:

I fancy myself one of those babies. How racey is this bike considered? How do you get on on longer rides?

I did a 120 mile Manchester - Blackpool - Manchester with no problems at all comfort wise.
A week later I did my first 50 mile TT in 2:12:48

I reckon the bike covers both bases adequately!

Bianchi market it as a crit - racing bike. The infinito is for the pipe n slippers sportive brigade. ;-)

miggillicuddy

I'm sold.

JRooke

The infinito is not for the pipe n slippers sportive brigade LOL

I do like this frame though, but its not a patch on the oltre nero

pickled

I should think not too! It's a quater of the price!