Bianchi

Specialissima Disc Road Frameset - 2021

The Specialissimia has long been Bianchi's award-winning road bike, snagging podiums ever since its first iteration back in the '50s. Bathed in the brand's iconic Celeste color, for over half a century we've witnessed various incarnations of this celebrated steed brave races and roads around the world. For those that have ridden a Specialissima before, the news that it received an update may come with worry and distress. After all, the saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" can be applied to the cycling industry time and again. But we're pleased to announce that you need not fear the loss of refined handling and snappy acceleration, for the redesigned Specialissima holds true to its natural abilities, now with a lower curb weight and disc brakes for good measure.

The previous version of the Specialissimia employed rim brakes, but Bianchi decided it was time for a hefty upgrade. We say "hefty" because disc brake frames are commonly heavier than frames of the rim brake variety, but Bianchi used magic and trickery to decrease the overall weight by a staggering 30 grams, ensuring this bike will remain a joy to ride uphill. The carbon layup hasn't lost an ounce of the rigidity and power transfer in spite of the weight loss, and our riders have found that it handles much the same as its predecessors.

Though the Specialissima is undoubtedly a climber's dream bike, the biggest changes to the frame can be found when examining the tube shapes, all of which have been aero enhanced. The bike is now refined for open flats as much as for climbing days, drawing from Bianchi's Oltre line for a sleeker profile without compromising weight. The Italian brand has also invested in internal cable routing as well as integrating the seatpost clamp and the cockpit to deliver a refined appearance on the road. Balancing rigidity and durability remains at the heart of the Specialissima line, and Bianchi has taken the design a step further to keep it as light as possible, ensuring it remains a ride to enjoy for years to come.