Review: The Bianchi Specialissima Pro is Avant-Garde at Its Best

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If you want a fast, responsive, fun to ride bike, it’s easy to find in our list of bike reviews. The number of brands offering a high-quality frame with great ride characteristics is almost too long to list. It’s overwhelming enough that it leads to a more important question. Why choose one bike over another?

The answer is the story being told. Sometimes that story is lightweight or aero performance but even that doesn’t narrow the field that much. Performance can only take you so far before it’s going to come down to style and passion. What does the brand mean to you and does the bike connect with your style? Does it excite you?

Bianchi lives in the world of passion and excitement. The brand has existed so long that there’s a connection to the history of not only bikes but also the world. Then there’s the Bianchi Specialissima that stands out even among Bianchi’s. I’ve spent a summer riding a dream bike and now I’m ready to talk about it.

The Bianchi Specialissima Pro isn’t the top model but there’s a reason I chose this one. If you are looking for a bike that has more to say than purely performance, this might be the one for you.

Quick hits: Standout details of the Bianchi Specialissima Pro

• Although the RC frame and fork is 60 grams lighter, the Pro frame offers Countervail technology and more Celeste
• Bianchi includes matching bottle cage bolts
• The Specialissima has a beak instead of a sniffer on the headtube. It serves the same purpose but lacks the controversy.
• Although this is a climbing bike gearing comes as 52/36 and 11-30 in the Ultegra Di2 12-speed build
• The one piece bar and stem has a high quality outfront mount that fits a Garmin 1050 and includes a GoPro mount on the underside
• When riding at 250 watts the Bianchi Specialissima is faster than the Bianchi Oltre on gradients beyond just over 4 percent
• For more info and purchase visit the Bianchi website

Bianchi Specialissima Pro frame details

Bianchi released the brand new Bianchi Specialissima about this time last year. The Specialissima followed nearly a year after the Oltre came to market and set a new design direction. To say that the look of the Oltre was controversial is an understatement and the Bianchi Specialismo followed that same design language.

Despite that, the Specialissima isn’t specifically an aero bike. Even though the family resemblance is there, much of the controversy surrounding the Oltre never makes it to the Specialissima. This is the brand’s storied and celebrated all-around race bike as well as, sometimes, the Bianchi climber’s bike.

I say sometimes because for much of the history covering the Specialissima name plate, there was no concept of a climber’s bike. The name first showed up in 1958 with a mandate for light and stiff. That’s a good description for a climber’s bike but it’s also the only description of a race bike at the time. It wasn’t until 2011 that the Oltre came to market with a focus on aerodynamics at the expense of weight. As I write this in 2024, it leaves the question of what is the purpose of today’s Bianchi Specialissima?

Bianchi is one of the few brands that still carries a dedicated aero bike and a dedicated all-around bike. That’s right, the Specialissima isn’t the climber’s bike anymore. Today it’s an aero-optimized race bike that’s as light as possible. The Oltre still exists as a dedicated aero focused bike but the Specialissima is the frame that most people will want for most rides.

Part of what changed with this latest generation of the Specialissima is the crossover point where the more aero Oltre loses its edge. Previously Bianchi reported that pro athletes needed gradients of greater than 8.8 percent before it made sense to choose the lighter Specialissima. For this generation, the crossover is now 6.2 percent for pro athletes and just over 4 percent for skilled amateurs. Compared to the previous Specialissima the numbers are even more impressive with the new bike gaining 8.7 seconds over 10km on a 6 percent climb at 200 watts and 31.19 seconds over 10km at 200 watts on a flat road.

To make those impressive gains, Bianchi takes what the brand learned from the Oltre and applies it to the Specialissima. This is especially true at the front of the bike where you see a lot of attention paid to the interaction between the fork and the headtube. There are angles in the fork blades and the line continues into the lower portion of the headtube effectively integrating the two into one piece.

Above that interaction you’ll also find a speed sn… nope, that’s a different brand, this one is a beak. Joking aside, the narrow headtube extends ahead of the fork slightly to further channel air. Although this came to market at almost exactly the same time as the Specialized Tarmac SL8 with a similar concept in the headtube, this one somehow seemed to escape controversy.

The detailing in the fork and headtube is then paired with a one-piece bar and stem depending on build level. The RC and the Pro level builds both get the internally routed Reparto Corse (Bianchi’s in-house brand) integrated handlebar and stem. Reach is 80mm with a 125mm drop and it’s 330 grams when sized at 110x38mm.

Given that this is fairly standard at this point, it’s also no surprise to see other standard aero details at the rear of the bike. There are impossibly narrow dropped seatstays, a seattube that hugs the rear tire, a D-shaped seat post, and narrow chainstays that trend towards flat. The top tube is completely unique from a visual standpoint but Bianchi gives no indication that’s owed to aero advantages.

Bianchi Specialissima Pro Build Details

From this basic design mold, Bianchi offers three levels. If you look at the media landscape, most reviewers consider the Bianchi Specialissima RC as the top model. It’s true in a way as it’s the most expensive and technically the lightest. It also comes with the best build kit if purchased as a complete bike.

At the other end of the spectrum is the Bianchi Specialissima Comp. The carbon layup is heavier without a high modulus description and the one piece Reparto Corse integrated handlebar is compatible but not supplied. Groupset choices are Ultegra Di2, Rival AXS, and 105 Di2. There’s no mechanical choice even at the lower level as the frame doesn’t support cable routing. The Velomann Palladium 33mm deep wheels are shared with all models at both the Comp and Pro level. This is also the only model with a familiar shade of Celeste on offer.

The bike I’ve looked at and, arguably, the most interesting is the Pro level frame. The Bianchi Specialissima Pro moniker includes a Force AXS or Ultegra Di2 build as well as the frame only. Choose either SRAM or Shimano and you get the same wheels as the comp with their 33mm deep profile and quoted 1450 gram weight. You also get the Reparto Corse integrated handlebar on all three Pro level frame choices.

Where things take the turn for interesting is in the frame construction at the Pro level. The quoted weight for a complete build is 7kg but the frame itself is only 40 grams heavier than the RC frame with an extra 20 grams in the fork. Bianchi doesn’t specifically call out what that comes from but the paint on the RC saves a quoted 40 grams on the frame. Those numbers seem to line up quite nicely and for the cost of 40 grams you gain a beautiful shade of Celeste in a matte finish that fades to black as you move down the bike.

More importantly, the Pro level frame adds Bianchi CV technology into the carbon layup. Actually, more accurately, this level of frame benefits from a partnership with Countervail Technologies. Countervail is not a Bianchi invention, Bianchi is just the only company to integrate the viscoelastic material into a bike frame. It’s actually a technology that comes from sonar arrays on military vessels but it’s seen widespread use in sports as a way to reduce vibration in carbon layup. The fact that the Pro frame adds CV without weight is what makes it such an interesting option.

I also want to mention that Bianchi uses a 160mm rotor at both ends of the Specialissima. That’s highly unusual for a road bike from the factory. There’s no downside to it, and it can only help with better braking, but it’s rare and nice to see.

Bianchi Specialissima Geometry

As is typical for an Italian brand, a Bianchi is long and low. That said, the reach is less extreme than you might expect. Sizing for a 55 is only 5 mm longer than a 54 Enve Melee. The integrated handlebar does have a 80mm reach though so if you are comparing it to something else you might need to take that into account. Many brands use a 76mm reach. Also, it is low and stack is lower than a Melle, Tarmac SL8, and Dogma F.

Builds and pricing

Frame: Specialissima RC carbon HM, only electronic groupsets, fully internal cable routing, headset Acros ICR, direct mount brakes,

Fork: Specialissima RC full Carbon HM aero, integrated head, disc, 1.5″ head, 12x100mm thru axle

Shared with every build option: BBPressFit 86,5×41 standard, Specialissima Full Carbon Aero seatpost with 20mm offset, 32 mm max tyre clearance

Frame: Specialissima PRO carbon HM with Bianchi CV, only electronic groupsets, fully internal cable routing, headset Acros ICR, direct mount brakes,

Fork: Specialissima RC full Carbon HM with Bianchi CV aero, integrated head, disc, 1.5″ head, 12x100mm thru axle

Shared with every build option: BBPressFit 86,5×41 standard, Specialissima Full Carbon Aero seatpost with 20mm offset, 32 mm max tyre clearance

Frame: Specialissima Comp carbon, only electronic groupsets, fully internal cable routing, headset Acros ICR, direct mount brakes,

Fork: Specialissima Comp carbon aero, integrated head, disc, 1.5″ head, 12x100mm thru axle

Shared with every build option: BBPressFit 86,5×41 standard, Specialissima Full Carbon Aero seatpost with 20mm offset, 32mm max tyre clearance

Ride experience

A Bianchi Specialissima is something special. Not only is the brand old and storied but the Specialissima name plate is the same. There are few bikes and bike brands that hold this kind of cultural anchor in the minds of cyclists and it means there’s an intangible part of riding a Bianchi Specialissima that needs discussion.

This is also an important talking point because I can’t just ignore the way the bike looks and pretend everyone loves it. The comment section on most articles focuses far more on the looks than anything else. Personally, I am a huge fan. I asked to review this bike because it’s iconic and beautiful in a way that nothing else matches.

One thing I see missed in most discussions of the looks is an understanding of art and design in history. To say the latest Bianchi design language ignores the past is to show a blind spot to how art and design evolves. The concept of Italian design as the pinnacle didn’t happen because Italian design was safe and comfortable.

The design of the Specialissima actually reaches back through history to the Italian Futurism movement. The Art Story describes Futurism as “focusing on progress and modernity” and goes on to say “a key focus of the Futurists was the depiction of movement, or dynamism.” To me, that’s the Specialissima. Not everyone will love the look of it but that’s the point. It’s bold, different, and unique. That is also the nature of Italian art and design. The current Bianchi design language isn’t a rejection of the brand’s history, it’s an embrace and I love it.

I’m also clearly not alone. I ride all kinds of incredible bikes and no one yells the name while driving past me. I’ve had that happen about once a month with this bike. I chose Celeste, because why would you not, and everyone who sees it is fascinated with both the Celeste and the design.

Unfortunately there are a couple of things that people tend to notice when they lean close and inspect it. Without fail the first thing is a question about the steerer tube bolt cover. It’s a small bit of rubber that seems designed to smooth the airflow as it comes off the one-piece bar and stem. Instead it flaps in the wind because it’s undersized and doesn’t sit flush.

Then they look towards the back and notice that the cover for the seat post binder is missing. It’s missing because I managed to rip it hoping to stretch it a bit too much during my first build of the bike. Both are small details but details matter and it’s frustrating to see them missed. The seat binder cover itself is also a detail that needs attention as it angles the bolt and it’s difficult to get a torque wrench positioned in a way that doesn’t scratch the seatpost while also not stripping the bolt.

So, after seven paragraphs, let’s talk about the actual ride experience. The look is a big part of owning this bike but love it or not, it all disappears when you start riding. The first thing you’ll notice from the top of the bike is that it’s low. American bikes are getting taller, European bikes are not. Compared to a Look 795 Blade RS, the Bianchi is relatively tall. Compared to most other bikes, it’s low. Unless you want to run a stack of spacers, be prepared for this.

The advantage of that low position is that it feels very fast. The Bianchi Specialissima Pro is a modern all-around race bike and it rides like one. On the flats it’s a joy to ride almost flattened out across the top of the bike. My knees touch my chest occasionally but the balance seems perfect so that there’s very little weight on my hands.

The Countervail technology turns vibrations into thuds. It’s impossible to test back to back without it but my experience of it is something akin to what people imagine carbon fiber does on its own. It doesn’t dull the experience, it merely stops resonance. I’ll say again that this is a stiff bike but it doesn’t clang or vibrate. Bumps in the road surface come through but die off immediately. I chose the Pro level frame not only for the extra Celeste but also for the CV technology and it’s a decision I’d recommend.

You’ll also want to immediately play with the tires. The wheels themselves are 21mm internal width and at 1450 grams for a 33mm depth. Not exactly light but not unmanageable either. These are perfectly adequate wheels that won’t take away anything from the ride but also add little to the conversation. I’m often asked about wheels like these and I would never say they are an immediate swap. They may dull the bike by a small amount but if you can feel that, you probably already have a favorite wheelset. For everyone else, stick to the wheels provided and instead change the tires to at least a 28mm then set them up tubeless at appropriate pressure. Tubes, and the pressure required, do this frame no favors.

Given this is a climbers bike, you want to know how it climbs but the answer is above. Even with a Pro level build, this is an exceptionally light bike. Bianchi quotes it as 7kg for this build but ready to ride with a Nago R4 PAS 3DMSS saddle, Garmin Rally pedals, Elite Vico Carbon cages, the included outfront mount, and the Bianchi bar tape (quite good actually) I measured 7.59 kg (subtract 320g for the pedals if you want to compare). That’s still UCI legal but for a bike that’s aero optimized with an Ultegra build and stock wheels, that’s impressive. It’s not the story of how it climbs though.

I climb at somewhere between 180 and 250 watts. I can’t feel a pound lighter bike except when I pick it up. What I can feel is a stiff and responsive bike and that’s what you get with the Bianchi Specialissima. If you want to know how it climbs, it’s like a dream but it’s because it’s so stiff when you stand. I love it.

I also find it to be quite stable. My first impression would have been that it has a longer wheelbase but at 988 that’s not what the numbers say. The wheelbase is inline with other bikes like this and while short, it’s not exceptionally short. More importantly, there’s a  balanced feel that not only keeps the weight off your hands but also handles descending and sitting up quite well.

Usability 

This subhead might change in the future but the idea is to start bringing in a discussion of useability in a frame. The Bianchi Specialissima is an electronic only frameset with internal routing. If that’s not what you are looking for, this isn’t the right frame for you. Swapping handlebars will require an afternoon of work but isn’t especially difficult compared to any other internally routed frame. I bled the brakes after cutting the steerer tube and there’s no gotchas. Electronic shifting is fast and precise and you’ll never have to access the wires. This is a set it and forget it frame.

It is a press fit BB though. I haven’t had issues but T47 exists. T47 solves the problems of pressfit without downsides. Sticking to a pressfit system feels dated.

The last detail I look for in useability is the quality of the outtfront mount. Although I don’t love the detailing on this piece, I’ve got no issue with a one piece bar and stem speaking generally. However, if a company goes that direction the outfront mount has to be perfect and Bianchi delivers. There’s a GoPro mount underneath for lights or cameras, a Garmin 1050 fits, and it’s solid even with weight on it.

There is also one detail worth considering that’s specific to Bianchi. At least in the U.S., Bianchi can be tough to work with. I mentioned that I ripped the little gasket that goes around the seatpost but that was months ago. The replacement piece is coming to the U.S. on a container ship and there’s no timeline given. I’m hardly alone in dealing with that kind of thing either. Bianchi has a very small U.S. presence and that sometimes presents challenges.

Conclusion

The Bianchi Specialissima Pro is an aero optimized all-around frame. It competes in the most contested spot for any brand and it makes its mark with a distinctive design and a compelling brand story. There are at least 10 other bikes that are every bit as good but few will have the panache and the recognition of this one. If that’s important to you then the competition tightens considerably. The Specialissima is one of the stiffer modern bikes I can remember riding and none of the American brands are nearly as low. If that all appeals to you then this is a good choice.

Bianchi does have one extra trick though. The Bianchi Specialissima Pro is a less expensive model but it’s the one you should buy. The RC is, very slightly, lower weight but it does so by using less paint. You’re buying a Bianchi, enjoy the Celeste even if it’s heavier. The pro model also has CV technology to help minimize vibration.

If you follow that advice, there’s no wrong groupset choice at the Pro level. SRAM Force AXS and Shimano Ultegra Di2 are both incredible. I didn’t talk about Ultegra in the review because it’s a known quantity at this point. The only reason you might want Dura Ace or RED is for a number on the scale or the style. If either appeals to you, nothing wrong with that, but perhaps choose the Pro level frameset and build the bike you want from there.

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