Weight: 17.04 lbs

Issue: Nov 2009

MSRP: $4499

model infinito was one eye-catching bike, with clean lines provided by internally routed cables,

Bianchi’s signature celeste-green paint accented in white and black, whitewall tires and snow-white bar tape. The Bianchi name alone generates interest. Campagnolo has revived Athena as its lowest-priced 11-speeed gruppo, rendered in aluminum with carbon-wrapped levers. Its performance is nearly on par with Chorus, with the same quick, reliable shifts and the ability to dump a lot of gears with one hearty push of your thumb.

The Infinito is built for racing, with a lightweight carbon frame and fork, and in fact, Robbie Hunter, then of Team Barloworld-Bianchi, rode it in the 2009 Giro d’Italia. The frame’s stiffness-to-weight ratio was increased 19 percent over Bianchi’s similar-level C2C model, and the geometry encourages a more aggro, down-in-the-drops position. But at the same time, Bianchi designed the bike for long-distance riding, with a taller head tube, slightly longer chainstays and a longer wheelbase to help with positioning and stability over many hours in the saddle. As David Reed, Bianchi USA’s vice president of marketing, says, the Infinito is targeted at riders who “want the handling of a high-performance bike, but can’t be comfortably fitted on pro-race geometry.” Kevlar K-Vid inserts at key areas, such as the stays and fork, are claimed to help absorb shock; even so, over rough roads you’ll feel the rattle. A Giro stage epitomizes the kind of ride Infinito is built for—long and fast, over a variety of terrains. Fulcrum wheels and an FSA bar and stem round out the package. If you need a more vibrant color, the Infinito also comes in red and blue; if you don’t want Athena, choose from Campagnolo Record or Shimano Ultegra. No matter what you pick, the Infinito will have you catching not only eyes but also any rider in front of you.