Bianchi Infinito CV Disc in review

Bianchi has had a reputation for making performance bikes for a long time. With the Bianchi Infinito CV Disc, comfort now forms part of the equation too. You can find out more about how this concept performed in our group test and what it’s all got to do with NASA here.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best road bike of 2020 – 13 high-carat road bikes in review

The Bianchi Infinito CV Disc has been designed with longer tours in mind where comfort has to play a more significant role. Like other Bianchi models, for example the Oltre XR4 Disc (click for review), the company’s Countervail technology comes to play here too. This is an intrinsic part of the frame, with a visco-elastic resin used in the carbon layup that absorbs high-frequency vibrations from the road. According to Bianchi, the same resin has seen applications with NASA and the aerospace industry. The full carbon fork is shaped aerodynamically and designed with a 12×100 mm thru axle and a tapered steerer. The fully integrated Flat Mount disc brakes are compatible with both 140 and 160 mm rotors and cables are routed internally in the frame.

The Bianchi Infinito CV Disc in detail

Our size 57 test bike weighs 7.52 kg, comes equipped with a Shimano DURA-ACE Di2 groupset and Fulcrum Racing 418 Disc wheels. Thanks to the tire clearances, you’ll be able to fit up to 32 mm rubber, leaving the Vittoria Rubino Pro 700 x 28C tires with plenty of room. Together with the Reparto Corse cockpit components and the 20 mm offset Infinito carbon seatpost, the total price for this Italian racer comes to € 8,490.

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The geometry of the Bianchi

Size	47	50	53	55	57	59	61
Seat tube	420 mm	450 mm	480 mm	500 mm	520 mm	540 mm	560 mm
Top tube	515 mm	525 mm	535 mm	550 mm	560 mm	575 mm	585 mm
Head tube	120 mm	135 mm	150 mm	165 mm	180 mm	195 mm	210 mm
Head angle	74.5°	74.5°	74.0°	73.5°	73.5°	73.0°	72.5°
Seat angle	70.5°	71.5°	71.5°	72.0°	72.5°	72.5°	72.5°
Chainstays	415 mm	415 mm	415 mm	415 mm	415 mm	420 mm	420 mm
BB Drop	68.0 mm	68.0 mm	68.0 mm	68.0 mm	68.0 mm	68.0 mm	68.0 mm
Wheelbase	986 mm	988 mm	993 mm	999 mm	1,004 mm	1,018 mm	1,023 mm
Reach	370 mm	375 mm	376 mm	381 mm	386 mm	392 mm	392 mm
Stack	521 mm	539 mm	553 mm	569 mm	585 mm	599 mm	614 mm

If this were a wine tasting, the Bianchi would be the kind of wine that doesn’t immediately blow your socks off, but reveals its potential with time.

The Bianchi Infinito CV Disc in review

In terms of power transfer, the Infinito CV proves to be direct and efficient. However, there are several bikes in the group test that are more sprightly to accelerate and more encouraging of you thrashing out short bursts of power. On the flats and the descents the Bianchi carries a lot of speed but it’s relatively sedate on the uphills. Conversely, its planted feel and stable handling means it always feels in control and maintains its composure even in strong side winds. Wide and open corners are no problem at high speeds, but when things get tighter and you’re riding at the limit, the Bianchi lacks some precision. Due to the traditional and slightly stretched riding position the bike is missing some pressure on the front wheel, meaning it tends to understeer when things get hectic. With its sporty position, the Infinito CV stays true to Bianchi’s heritage and we’re convinced it will find many fans because of this. However for the majority of riders, the 20 mm offset seatpost together with the 120 mm stem will result in too aggressive a position. In terms of comfort, while the Bianchi has a firm ride, it damps high-frequency vibrations and smaller impacts effectively. Thanks to the generous tire clearances, you also have the opportunity for an easy win in comfort. You’ll have the most fun aboard the Infinito riding gently undulating terrain with wide open corners and high speeds on the straights. This is where it plays fully to its strengths.

Tuning tips: Zero offset seatpost for more pressure on the front wheel and a more open hip angle

Conclusion

The Bianchi Infinito CV Disc’s Countervail technology offers good vibration damping and the bike convinced us with excellent straight-line stability and its planted feel on the road. In comparison with other bikes, on steep ramps and during explosive sprints, the Bianchi quickly reaches its limits. It’s the right bike for longer rides and people who will appreciate its Italian flair. For more performance-focussed riders, there are better bikes in our group test.

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For more info head to bianchi.com

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best road bike of 2020 – 13 high-carat road bikes in review

All bikes in test: Argon 18 Krypton Pro (Click for review) | Bianchi Infinito CV Disc | BMC Roadmachine 01 ONE (Click for review) | Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Disc Dura Ace (Click for review) | Cicli Bonanno Futomaki Disc (Click for review) | FOCUS IZALCO MAX DISC 9.9 (Click for review) | LOOK 795 BLADE RS DISC (Click for review) | OPEN U.P.P.E.R. (Click for review) | Pinarello Dogma F12 Team INEOS Edition (Click for review) | ROSE REVEAL SIX Dura Ace Di2 Custom (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Roubaix (Click for review) | Trek Domane SLR 9 eTap (Click for review) | VOTEC VRC PRO (Click for review)

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Words: Photos: Valentin Rühl