2018 Bianchi Aria opinions
05-15-18, 01:48 PM
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2018 Bianchi Aria opinions
Hey gang,
Just wanted to see if anyone has any experience with the new Bianchi Aria road bike? I'll hopefully be testing one out soon but wanted to know if anyone has first-hand riding results... The frame geometry is exactly like the Oltre but at a cheaper price point. I sure hope it rides as nice as it looks! I know it doesn't have the CV technology. Thanks in advance.
Just wanted to see if anyone has any experience with the new Bianchi Aria road bike? I'll hopefully be testing one out soon but wanted to know if anyone has first-hand riding results... The frame geometry is exactly like the Oltre but at a cheaper price point. I sure hope it rides as nice as it looks! I know it doesn't have the CV technology. Thanks in advance.
05-15-18, 11:30 PM
#2
Pizzaiolo Americano
Hey gang,
Just wanted to see if anyone has any experience with the new Bianchi Aria road bike? I'll hopefully be testing one out soon but wanted to know if anyone has first-hand riding results... The frame geometry is exactly like the Oltre but at a cheaper price point. I sure hope it rides as nice as it looks! I know it doesn't have the CV technology. Thanks in advance.
Just wanted to see if anyone has any experience with the new Bianchi Aria road bike? I'll hopefully be testing one out soon but wanted to know if anyone has first-hand riding results... The frame geometry is exactly like the Oltre but at a cheaper price point. I sure hope it rides as nice as it looks! I know it doesn't have the CV technology. Thanks in advance.
05-20-18, 09:06 AM
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I have ridden both the Infinito CV and the Intenso without it. The CV makes a difference in felt vibration. I didn't ride the two that you are looking at because I am looking for more on an endurance type geometry. Please post when you get to ride them both. I am curious if you have the same experience with the CV.
05-20-18, 04:23 PM
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Pizzaiolo Americano
05-21-18, 08:19 AM
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I also rode the Oltre XR1, which felt very similar to the Aria... as in, it was a very stiff and harsh ride. Both the Aria and XR1 are fine if you're racing, as the power transfer is amazing (especially with the Aria, whose rear end feels very stiff/responsive).
I then rode the Infinito CV and knew right off the bat that the geometry and smoothness were much better suited to my style of riding (long solo rides). So, I went ahead and ordered a 2018 rim brake version in black/celeste! I didn't ride the XR3 (CV) but heard it rides better than the XR1. However, I didn't need the pure race geometry (the Aria and Oltres all share the same exact geometry)...
I then rode the Infinito CV and knew right off the bat that the geometry and smoothness were much better suited to my style of riding (long solo rides). So, I went ahead and ordered a 2018 rim brake version in black/celeste! I didn't ride the XR3 (CV) but heard it rides better than the XR1. However, I didn't need the pure race geometry (the Aria and Oltres all share the same exact geometry)...
05-21-18, 11:11 AM
#6
Pizzaiolo Americano
I also rode the Oltre XR1, which felt very similar to the Aria... as in, it was a very stiff and harsh ride. Both the Aria and XR1 are fine if you're racing, as the power transfer is amazing (especially with the Aria, whose rear end feels very stiff/responsive).
I then rode the Infinito CV and knew right off the bat that the geometry and smoothness were much better suited to my style of riding (long solo rides). So, I went ahead and ordered a 2018 rim brake version in black/celeste! I didn't ride the XR3 (CV) but heard it rides better than the XR1. However, I didn't need the pure race geometry (the Aria and Oltres all share the same exact geometry)...
I then rode the Infinito CV and knew right off the bat that the geometry and smoothness were much better suited to my style of riding (long solo rides). So, I went ahead and ordered a 2018 rim brake version in black/celeste! I didn't ride the XR3 (CV) but heard it rides better than the XR1. However, I didn't need the pure race geometry (the Aria and Oltres all share the same exact geometry)...
07-26-18, 04:19 PM
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Infinito pic
OK, finally got a chance to take a decent pic (sorry for the chain not being on the big ring!). Finally set up my new Infinito with FFWD's new tubeless wide F4R wheelset. I didn't believe the Countervail hype, but I'm sold 100%. Compared to even steel, the ride is soooo smooth. That road buzzing/chatter is just eliminated. And I'm running the stock 25s at 100 PSI. I can't imagine how nice it would ride with 28s at around 70 PSI. I'm still experimenting with handlebar height and know I'll need a shorter stem. The stock Fizik saddle is actually pretty comfy too. Having now ridden a bike with CV technology, I'm not sure I'd buy a Bianchi that didn't have it... Bike weighs 16.75 lbs as pictured.
07-26-18, 04:44 PM
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OK, finally got a chance to take a decent pic (sorry for the chain not being on the big ring!). Finally set up my new Infinito with FFWD's new tubeless wide F4R wheelset. I didn't believe the Countervail hype, but I'm sold 100%. Compared to even steel, the ride is soooo smooth. That road buzzing/chatter is just eliminated. And I'm running the stock 25s at 100 PSI. I can't imagine how nice it would ride with 28s at around 70 PSI. I'm still experimenting with handlebar height and know I'll need a shorter stem. The stock Fizik saddle is actually pretty comfy too. Having now ridden a bike with CV technology, I'm not sure I'd buy a Bianchi that didn't have it... Bike weighs 16.75 lbs as pictured.
07-26-18, 07:19 PM
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What a beautiful bike. Grats on your new ride.
07-26-18, 08:18 PM
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Thanks for the compliments, guys. I'm just happy it rides as good as it looks... I'm glad I went with black instead of all celeste. A bit classier in my humble opinion, although the all-celeste looks pretty darn nice if dressed up with the right components...
07-26-18, 10:03 PM
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OK, finally got a chance to take a decent pic (sorry for the chain not being on the big ring!). Finally set up my new Infinito with FFWD's new tubeless wide F4R wheelset. I didn't believe the Countervail hype, but I'm sold 100%. Compared to even steel, the ride is soooo smooth. That road buzzing/chatter is just eliminated. And I'm running the stock 25s at 100 PSI. I can't imagine how nice it would ride with 28s at around 70 PSI. I'm still experimenting with handlebar height and know I'll need a shorter stem. The stock Fizik saddle is actually pretty comfy too. Having now ridden a bike with CV technology, I'm not sure I'd buy a Bianchi that didn't have it... Bike weighs 16.75 lbs as pictured.
Gorgeous bike! I have a celeste matte Oltre XR4 and plan on adding a black matte Specialissima next year. Bianchi's are gorgeous and ride exceptionally well. Congrats!
07-27-18, 08:42 AM
#14
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Looks great, I'd have done the same. I considered one of these as well but then I rode my Colnago at the Colnago/Bianchi dealer and my ass never made it onto a Bianchi saddle...maybe next time.
07-31-18, 11:28 AM
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Question for y'all... Would it be sacrilegious to throw Ritchey components on this bike? I have some Superlogic carbon stuff in matte carbon that I think would look good on there (seatpost, saddle, stem and bars). And would an integrated handlebar/stem look out of place (Ritchey makes a sweet-looking Solostreem)? I know, it's all subjective, but just trying to tap into the collective wisdom (or perhaps "wisecracks") that is bikeforums...
07-31-18, 12:57 PM
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Question for y'all... Would it be sacrilegious to throw Ritchey components on this bike? I have some Superlogic carbon stuff in matte carbon that I think would look good on there (seatpost, saddle, stem and bars). And would an integrated handlebar/stem look out of place (Ritchey makes a sweet-looking Solostreem)? I know, it's all subjective, but just trying to tap into the collective wisdom (or perhaps "wisecracks") that is bikeforums...
Do what you believe is good, not how others would view your bike and its components.
Last edited by tagaproject6; 07-31-18 at 01:19 PM.
07-31-18, 07:17 PM
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Thanks... thinking I'll keep the stock seat post and saddle and throw on some carbon bars/stem to get rid of the last remnants of road buzz...
07-31-18, 07:29 PM
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So after all the damping is done to kill ‘road buzz’, is there any ‘road feel’ left? The Trek 5200 series, many years back (not comparing new stuff to old stuff) was so damped it had a ‘dead wood’ feel.
I really liked the only Bianchi I ever owned.
I really liked the only Bianchi I ever owned.
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08-01-18, 03:58 PM
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I'll bite! Well, I have a few other bikes with plenty of road feel so this is my comfort bike. And the CV technology isn't even remotely close to what you had in that Trek. You'd have to ride it to believe it. Still feel all the big bumps but that buzz is gone.
08-01-18, 04:07 PM
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08-01-18, 09:06 PM
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I was a skeptic regarding the CV but I’m sold. Worth a test ride. Maybe even the Oltre CV since it’s more racy. You might like that better...
08-24-18, 09:47 AM
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OK, so I went with Zipp SL Sprint stem and Zipp SL 70 Ergo bars (both in the matte black color). I'm happy to report that the front end is even more quiet and the fat stem makes for excellent sprinting... Will post updated pics. And looking at tire clearances, it looks like you can easily fit 28s and possibly bigger in there...
