Bianchi Specialissima

thehighroad
thehighroad Posts: 57
edited June 2016 in Your road bikes
Picked up a new bike last week and thought I might as well show it off :)

It's a Bianchi Specialissima in a size 53 and kitted out with:

Deda Superleggero Finishing kit
Zipp 202 Clincher Wheels
Veloflex Master 25c tyres
Dura Ace 52/36 Crankset & 11/28 Cassette
Dura Ace everything else
Bontrager Saddle, soon to be changed to a Selle Italia SLR

Weight as pictured 6.7 kg.

I had originally decided on an Oltre XR2 but seeing one of these in the flesh in the shop I soon changed my mind. i really like the classic look and preferred the black to the fluro celeste which is a bit bright for my taste.

It rides superbly, the cv technology definitely smoothens the ride and as you would expect it climbs and responds really well. A real joy to ride.


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Comments

  • lawman
    lawman Posts: 6,868
    Racy, Italian bikes aren't normally my thing, but that is absolutely gorgeous!
  • nickbotfield
    nickbotfield Posts: 68
    Bloody hellfire, that's not a cheap thing! A non-celeste Bianchi usually makes me sad but that is properly nice and suitably jealousy-inducing.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    I'm not normally a Bianchi fan, but that does look good. Aesthetically, the hoods are set a bit low for me, but I'm not the one riding it...
  • mamba80
    mamba80 Posts: 5,032
    that is one nice looking bike but needs a lay back post, esp you ve the saddle back on its rails.
  • antlaff
    antlaff Posts: 583
    love it, but without getting into a groupset argument, the chainset distracts from the bike...perfect otherwise!
    Work
    Ride
    Play
    Sunny Days
    Fun
  • thehighroad
    thehighroad Posts: 57
    Cheers for the comments :)

    Yep the seat post was a weird one, on my focus I was fit and needed an inline post with the saddle pretty much all the way forward so common sense says the Bianchi would be the same. Nope. Will likely replace for a setback post.

    The groupset was a tough choice Super Record would have taken the bike over budget so settled for the Dura Ace.

    Hoods do need to go up. Aesthetically and for comfort.
  • bristolpete
    bristolpete Posts: 2,255
    Rat up a drain pipe no doubt. Beautiful bike. Enjoy.
  • johnnymcg259
    johnnymcg259 Posts: 569
    Ooooph! That's a beauty......
  • mekong_velo
    mekong_velo Posts: 102
    Stunning bike, well done that man.


    Regards
    Cervelo R3
    Tarmac Elite
  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    thehighroad wrote:
    Cheers for the comments :)

    Yep the seat post was a weird one, on my focus I was fit and needed an inline post with the saddle pretty much all the way forward so common sense says the Bianchi would be the same. Nope. Will likely replace for a setback post.

    The groupset was a tough choice Super Record would have taken the bike over budget so settled for the Dura Ace.

    Hoods do need to go up. Aesthetically and for comfort.

    The post/saddle only depends on how heavy you are. If you're a light rider there's nowt in it and you see plenty of saddles on Pro bikes far back on the rails. TBH if you run a straight line up the centre of the post it's really not that far back at all.

    Best bike on here for a very long time OP. Even without a Campagnolo groupset ;-) I've been eyeing the Specialissima up for my next bike and this bad boy is reaffirming the need...
  • 3Pio
    3Pio Posts: 42
    @HighRoad What is ur body proportion? Im still in buying process and had a chance to try Oltre in 55 cm, and with 100mm stem and handlebar with 80mm reach, i had to rotate handlebar a bit up to shorten the reach. Using the 90mm stem handling (specaly climbing), was not good at all.

    Im 175cm, 82.5cm inseam (ill post other dimensions later), so im interested what are ur proportion to be able to ride 53cm?


    Thanks
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    thehighroad wrote:
    The groupset was a tough choice Super Record would have taken the bike over budget so settled for the Dura Ace.

    Ahhh, but in Campag terms, the discerning purchaser always favours Chorus. :wink:
    Faster than a tent.......
  • thehighroad
    thehighroad Posts: 57
    3Pio. I'm not too dissimilar, 175cm with an 81 inseam (no idea on other measurements) so I would think a 53 would be right. Best to test ride it first. I have a 100mm stem.
  • 3Pio
    3Pio Posts: 42
    edited May 2016
    thehighroad wrote:
    3Pio. I'm not too dissimilar, 175cm with an 81 inseam (no idea on other measurements) so I would think a 53 would be right. Best to test ride it first. I have a 100mm stem.

    The problem is that i spend two months trying to test 53 cm Oltre (or 50s Colnago or 51.5 Dogma), and all i found were 55 cm Oltre which i tested, and Dogma 53 cm, but not one size smaller then this :(

    Bianchi represantive send me to put my numbers in the excel sheet, but no reply from them after i send that :)

    Can i ask u to provide ur detailed numbers? (including thigh, arms, lower leg as much as u can :) ), and ur numbers of ur position if u have? (saddle setback, saddle heigh, handlebar drop....)

    And how is Specialissima for longer rides? (let's say 6-10 hours of riding, and distance of 120-200 km?)

    Thanks
  • 3Pio
    3Pio Posts: 42
    Please delete this post. It's by mistaken
  • Devastazione2
    Devastazione2 Posts: 98
    Probably the only Italian frame I would consider,even with the Celeste color. Beautiful indeed,let us know how it goes please .
  • Wirral_paul
    Wirral_paul Posts: 2,476
    Gorgeous bikes arent they!! 8)

    I was so torn between the black and the CK16 Celeste myself - i've gone with the CK16 in the end though. Cant wait to get my own bike in a week or two's time - so for the time being i'll have to drool all over yours!! :D:D:lol:

    I'm 1m78 and have gone for a 55cm frame with an 11cm stem - i've had a professional fitting previously and those figures were used to specify the frame size and allowed Epic Cycles to set up a test ride. Their own fitting session confirmed the size was right for me
  • REDUTOPIA
    REDUTOPIA Posts: 71
    Beautiful bike! Congratulation!!
  • letap73
    letap73 Posts: 1,608
    Any chance of giving an extended ride report. If reviewers are to be believed then it is genuinely one of the best bikes in the world. I would be interested in the comparison with your previous bike(s).
  • thehighroad
    thehighroad Posts: 57
    New pic with layback post and new Selle Italia Flite saddle :)

    Had long enough now to offer an update on how it rides. I have had a couple of Focus's and a Canyon to compare against and it is definitely a step above. The ride quality is simply outstanding. The Countervail technology significantly reduces road buzz and it feels like it glides over surfaces which definitely helps maintain speed with less effort.

    When it comes to the hills it climbs superbly. You know the only thing holding it back is you :) It is responsive, fast and comfortable all at once. No regrets at all.

    Was a bit apprehensive about moving to mid compact from a compact but not noticed any loss really and have definitely gained in the mid-range.

    IMG_1119.jpg
  • johnnymcg259
    johnnymcg259 Posts: 569
    (I've already said so once before but worth another shout)........God that is superb!
  • mamba80
    mamba80 Posts: 5,032
    Ah i see you ve taken on my earlier criticism but there are still 2 small failings
    A: its not in my size and B: its not in my bedroom, otherwise totally perfect :)
  • REDUTOPIA
    REDUTOPIA Posts: 71
    right upgrades!
  • Mr Stamp
    Mr Stamp Posts: 58
    I couldn't ride with you, the bikes too beautiful.

    Congratulations - looks a fine ride.
  • 3Pio
    3Pio Posts: 42
    Does someone know what is stack height of the headset of Specialissima?

    And i can see in tech specification:

    "HEADSET Fsa NO.44/CF-R, 1-1/8” to 1-1/4” Btm with Alloy bearing, w/8.7mm Carbon custom cone spacer option for 47mm/52mm head tube"

    And Can someone please explain to me what that mean:

    "w/8.7mm Carbon custom cone spacer option for 47mm/52mm head tube"

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