Bianchi History From Paris Roubaix

Take a look back in time at Bianchi's history at the Queen of the Classics

On the eve of the 113th Paris-Roubaix, and in the year of its 130th anniversary, Bianchi looks back to its history, and particularly to the special bikes created for the cobbles Classics, and for the ‘Hell of the North’ in first place.

It is a very long way Bianchi’s Reparto Corse went through, constantly supported by the company’s investments in technology, and one that contributed significantly to the evolution of road racing bikes. Particularly for cobbled races, where bikes and athletes are under significant stress and fatigue, Bianchi was a pioneer in introducing solutions – first mechanical, then related to composite materials – to reduce road vibration, finally arriving to a real invention, the development of the only materials’ technology to actually cancel and dissipate vibrations: Countervail Vibration Cancelling Composite Technology.

Since its inception, Bianchi has always invested on research and development and material technology, resulting not only in innovative solutions, but actual inventions. Here are some of the most innovative steps in 130 years of history.

Bersagliere 1913

While not being projected for racing, the first full-suspension bike in the World was realized by Bianchi in the early 20th century. It was back in 1913, and this was the bike equipped to the Italian rifle regiment.

Franco Ballerini 1993

This was the year that American suspension brand Allsop/Softride teamed with Bianchi with both their suspension stem and wild suspension beam “seatpost” (which you can see on our FaceBook page).

Unforgotten Franco Ballerini tackles Paris-Roubaix with a Bianchi featuring a special suspension stem on a steel frame.

Johan Museeuw 1994

Rock Shox were still the most utilized suspension fork at Roubaix. Although there was no link at the rear dropout, note the chainstay pivot for active suspension.

Another cobbles’ phenom, Belgian Johan Museeuw, brought his assault to the most famous stones in cycling with a special aluminum frame with a rear and front suspension system.

1994-1995 Frame

Interestingly, this bike borrowed from the HeadShok design (with the suspension above the fork crown) that was popularized by Cannondale.

Bianchi brings another solution for Roubaix’ cobbles: a steel frame featuring a shock-absorber in its front fork.

Bottaro 1996

Note the box section chainstays and remote reservoir shock along with the Rock Shox forks.

Some athletes from the Gewiss-Playbus team raced Paris-Roubaix with a full-suspension Bianchi frame entirely made in titanium.

Magnus Backstedt 2004

Swede Magnus Backstedt wins Paris-Roubaix with a titanium frame, specifically designed for the Hell of the North by Bianchi Reparto Corse. The frame has no suspension, but its geometry and tubes were specifically realized for this race.

Flecha 2013

2013 – Bianchi launches the first Infinito CV model, introducing the innovative invention that is revolutionizing road cycling: the Countervail viscoelastic carbon material, that cancels up to 80% of the road vibration. The bike was used at Paris-Roubaix by Juan Antonio Flecha, who called Infinito CV ‘my best bike ever’.

Infinito CV 2014

After finishing third at Ronde Van Vlaanderen, cobbles specialist Sep Vanmarcke takes fourth at Paris-Roubaix. In the same year, Lars Boom dominates Tour de France stage 5, on the same cobblestones sectors that made Paris-Roubaix’ history.

And Then Came Countervail Carbon

Bianchi collaborated with Materials Sciences Corporation to develop innovative and exclusive application of the patented Countervail integrated vibration cancelling system for cycling. Scientific studies prove that long term exposure to vibration, typically absorbed by the rider, causes muscle fatigue and discomfort, resulting in reduced performance.

Traditional passive damping of the frame using superficial rubber inserts and isolators are only marginally effective compared to the integrated carbon Countervail® system developed by Bianchi and proven in the extreme conditions of NASA aerospace operations. With its patented carbon fiber architecture and viscoelastic material, Countervail carbon material, embedded within our unique Infinito CV and Aquila CV carbon lay-up, immediately cancels vibration while increasing the stiffness and strength of the entire frame.

Assets provided by Bianchi