Looks, as always, are subjective. SL8 is the king of hype, nothing else. It’s the most boring ugly looking frame in the peloton IMO. Specialissima was beautiful in the last gen but the current design is unique at least, wouldn’t go as far as to say ugly. Furthermore it’s a Bianchi, already massively more desirable than a Spesh.
Ok, the look of a bike is a big factor to me either, but I actually find this model appealing. Have no problems in this department. I can't afford it anyway, though.
Ugly? The bike is absolutely stunning!!! 😍 There are only two things I don't love. The overhanging head tube (aero purposes, I guess) and the glossy wheels. Other than that and this bike is absolutely perfect!
Not ugly, I like the new modern angled shapes versus the stodgy old Specailissima tubes. To each their own, but I think it's a beautiful bike, especially with the gradient RC colorway.
I picked up my 2024 Specialissima Pro a couple of weeks ago and it looks awesome, different, unique......and the iridescent mystic grey, featuring purple shades is a colour way no photo can do justice.
The tube shapes are more palatable than Pinarello's ungodly F series. Those Pinaforks were and are objectionable. Bianchi dropped the ball on the paint, however. I am forever puzzled at brands' unwillingness to utilize the real estate gained by modern/larger carbon forms to splash more colour. Dull gray, dull black, dull white. So appealing. Trek at the upper end at least has no compunction about glitter and hotter tones.
Even Trek's lower-end bikes are colorful. It's Specialized where you have to buy an S-Works frame just to get something that isn't black or some dull muted colorway.
I am a bit perplexed with the hate on this bike..... I think its beautiful.... maybe not the same as the original, which the usual folks complained about being old fashioned etc, so they have developed something genuinely different, and guess what...... lol. The inability for the usual channels to talk about the likes of bianchi over the brands paying the money, and so they don't want to annoy the hand that feeds them..... sad
A beautiful bike. Glad to see lots of Bianchi Celeste Green. OK, so the head tube overhang looks a bit post modern and the wheels look like Chinese knock offs. I really like the top tube - very go faster, mashed up and gratuitous. Overall, i think it looks mad and why not - it’s fun. C’mon live a little. I sold my much loved Bianchi Oltre race bike last year - age, arthritis, beer belly, and a great deal on a (yawn) Trek Domane. But this thing looks fab. Great review, wish I was 21 again, (with my 62 year old finances!)
I recently bought the PRO in celeste/black. The colour is really eye catching, much better than in the pictures I've seen online....and think it looks better than the RC (although understand that RC paint is 40g lighter!). It rides amazingly well and it much faster than my existing gravel bike....and I was surprised that I can really feel the CV tech (only on the PRO version) which I was not expecting. Try one....I'm sure you'll like it!
I dont think its ugly. I like it. Ive seen these bikes build up well under 6.8. I dont understand the head tube lip. Reminds me of the F10. Wich i would call a hold over from rim brakes. Dont know about it these days?
A few years back, I had Mercian Cycles redo my 1977 Professional. The frame cracked after 186 thousand miles and I took the Campagnolo Record 11 group off and put it on a 2019 61 cm Specilissima. 7kg with pedals and bottle cages. My brother, who provided the frame (not free) asked me for the color, Celeste. Wonderful ride. As good as my 853 steel.
"Chi stai chiamando brutto? Soprattutto con quella maglietta!" says the Bianchi (if Google Translate heard him properly... "Who are you calling ugly? Especially in that shirt!").
I do not do road cycling, but regarding bike design I totally agree, much of a bike’s appeal is how it looks. These days is there any bike from a renowned brand that is really bad? No! As you say in your bike of the year conclusion for every category - it is more and more difficult each year to determine the winner. For most riders it is completely ok to choose a bike according to which one looks the best.
I for one like it a little weird. That Colnago you showed is brilliant, but I *like* this. Take that with a grain of salt, though. I ride a red steel Masi gravel bike with a black State front fork and non-matching wheels, and while it rides wonderfully and easily handles anything I throw at it, visually it's a disgusting kludged-together mess, and I like it that way.
Bike aesthetics is one of the major factors for me to own the bike (assuming it's within my budget). I actually find the sharp and angled lines appealing on the frame, it displays character versus the bland SL8. The colourway I'm ok on, not in love with it but I don't hate it either. I do wish specialissima was outfitted with deeper section wheels.
I could get used to that top tube but prefer more classic design. That paint scheme needs to go. Bring back traditional colors. Like all celeste with white lettering or even blue. Sure I could get it repainted but the main reason II'll never buy another Bianchi is the Pressfit bottom bracket. That just ruins it for me. Some say they never had a problem, some say they always have problems. Im not willing to flip that coin with a bike that cost that much.
I agree with you looks does matter at the end it’s the driving force towards the bike not underestimating it’s true, mechanical value, but my personal opinion it Hass to be love at first sight
Seriously, previous generations of Bianchi are far better in terms of design, and I believe the main appeal of Bianchi is the design (with celeste color). I’d rather ride old ones than this.
I have the ‘original’ Specialissima that you mention at the beginning (which is far from being the first Specialissima from Bianchi if you go back a few years) Mine is a custom build with Campag SR EPS and Mavic carbon wheels which are horrible depending in the wet. it’s a climbing setup and absolutely fabulous on the hills… and looks just fantastic…. This model, as much as I am a Bianchi fan having 4 of them, I would not buy
I think the question is, can one find an equally (or at least similarly) performing, less expensive AND more visually appealing bike elsewhere? I believe the answer is "yes".
No matter the way you put it, there's just not enough engineering or materials to justify the cost, this type of bikes are just like luxury watches, it's fine by me, but it needs to be said more frequently.
How come you dog the Specialissima every time you get the chance, but practically never say the same thing about Tarmac SL8 and its ButtSniffer™, which is infinitely worse looking?
Looks are most important but I find the prices of bikes now most ugly. My '97 Bianchi steel with Columbus genius tubing in the proper colour Celeste with blue pearl is much nicer (even at 9.5 kg) could be 8kg with lighter wheels and components. I am sure the Specialissima rides very nice but will it last 27 years and counting?
I completely agree with you. In my opinion, this new model looks ugly. Too many edges. For me, a huge part of Bianchi's appeal, aside from its history, is its looks (celeste color and all). Maybe their marketing should focus on this more; Capitalize on its heritage and classic looks much like the Colnago C68 did. Because anyway, most of the people who will pay to own this bike aren't pro cyclists. Most just want a nice looking bike, with weight and performance coming in a close second or third. If they want to focus on performance, they should leave it to the Oltre (which by the way is way more hideous. haha) P.S. I may be biased, I have the 2021 model. lo
