Bianchi reveals new Intrepida endurance bike

Italy’s Bianchi has revealed four new bikes in several different builds for 2016: the Intrepida carbon road bike, the Freccia Celeste alloy road bike, a disc-brake version of the existing Intenso, and the retro L’Eroica.

This is in addition to the new high-end, lightweight Specialissima that we first told you about back in June. 

Intrepida

The Intrepida is Bianchi’s new entry-level carbon monocoque road bike for 2016.

The frame features a tapered head tube (1 1/8in to 1 1/2in), a BSA (screw-in) bottom bracket, and internal cable routing. The Intrepida fits into Bianchi’s Endurance Racing range and comes with a taller head tube and a shorter top tube than a traditional race bike, so it offers you a more relaxed riding position.

Unlike many other brands, Bianchi hasn’t specced a skinny seatpost  in order to add comfort, going with a 31.6mm diameter.

Bianchi claims a frame weight of 1,230g (54cm size, +/-5%). That means each frame could weigh from 1,169g to 1,292g.

The Intrepida will come in four different builds: Campagnolo Veloce along with Shimano Tiagra, 105 and Ultegra. It’ll available in four sizes: 48, 51, 54, 57 and 60cm.

The 105 version will be £1,500 when it makes it to the UK in October.

Freccia Celeste

Bianchi has re-entered the high-end aluminium market with its new Freccia Celeste (Bianchi has had this as a model name in the past).

The frame is built to a racing geometry (as opposed to an endurance geometry) and comes with a diamond shaped top tube, a straight 1 1/8in head tube, and a BSA bottom bracket. The cable routing is external.

The frame weight isn’t down there with the likes of Trek’s Emonda ALR, but it’s respectable at a claimed 1,235g (55cm, +/-5%).

Bianchi says that frame rigidity is high (of course!), although a narrow 27.2mm seatpost should add some comfort.

The fork that plugs in at the front is full carbon.

The Freccia Celeste comes in eight sizes (44, 47, 50, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61cm) and three different builds in the UK, all with 52/39-tooth chainsets. Those builds are Campagnolo Athena, Shimano Ultegra, and a Shimano Dura-Ace mix.

The Ultegra version will be £1,700 when the bike is delivered to the UK in October.

Freccia, by the way, is the Italian word for arrow. And celeste, of course, refers to the Bianchi’s famous colour.

Intenso Disc

Bianchi is also adding a disc brake model to its Intenso endurance range. The Intenso Disc is built around a monocoque carbon-fibre frame with a tapered head tube (1 1/8in to 1 1/2in).

The frame uses 415mm chainstays, Shimano’s flat mount disc brake system (which is fast becoming the industry standard) and 12mm thru-axles to hold the wheels in place. Bianchi reckons the axle is very fast to use with a quick release system for removal.

Both the frame and fork feature internal hydraulic cable guiding.

The Intenso Disc will be available in eight sizes (47, 50, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63cm) and Bianchi claims a frame weight of 1,150g (55cm, +/-5%).

It’ll be built up with a Shimano 105 groupset and will be priced at £2,500.

Delivery into the UK will probably be December, although November is a possibility.

L’Eroica

You know all about L’Eroica, right? It’s a vintage bike event in Italy that has now spawned others around the world, including L’Eroica Britannia.

Bianchi has been a L’Eroica sponsor for the past few years and out of that association has come this new model that looks like an old fashioned design but with some modern touches.

L’Eroica’s frame is made in Italy from Columbus Zona lugged steel, and the fork is lugged steel too.

You get a 1in head tube – none of that oversized modern stuff here – and a traditional 27.2mm seatpost.

The Dia-Compe shifters are positioned on the down tube – naturally – and they operate Campagnolo Silver vintage derailleurs.

The polished chainset comes with three aluminum cold forged arms and an old-style Bianchi logo.

The chainrings are 48/36T while the 10-speed Campagnolo Veloce cassette is 13-29T.

The Dia-Compe centre-pull brakes are CNC-machined aluminium and the leather saddle is from Brooks.

This model “is certified by L'Eroica's commission to ride in all Eroica events”, according to Bianchi. You’re usually expected to ride an authentic vintage bike.

You’re looking at a price of £2,500.

www.bianchi.com