waters60

Anyone here riding a Bianchi Infinito CV?
I was looking at a replacement for my '92 Merckx Century, which might be considered the endurance bike of its day. I was looking at a Merckx Mourenx and the Bianchi was suggested. It has excellent vibration reduction capability. I have a 3" drop from saddle to stem and would like to keep my same position, but don't know if bikes with tall head tubes allow such a drop.

Silvercivic27

3 inches ain't that much saddle-bar drop, timtak.

vinuneuro

Hard to see the merits of this bike in the presence of the current Roubaix and Domane SL/SLR, particularly given its price.

rpenmanparker 

If you buy the right size, you can get the drop you want. There are many tools to increase drop: smaller frame, low rise bearing cover, few or no spacers, stem flipped down, large angle stem flipped down. 3" is nothing.

rpenmanparker 

Also you don't measure drop to the stem, but rather to the bar tops. The stem can be in the same place, and still allow a wide range of bar heights.

WhyFi

You're asking a question while omitting every piece of information necessary to correctly answer that question - it's all going to depend on your size and proportions. I assume that you haven't yet compared the geometry charts for the Bianchi to the geometry of your Merckx? That'd be the place to start.

waters60

In the old days stem was bar tops but with angled stems it changes.

hueyhoolihan

looks like you could easily get 8-10 inches of drop to the tops of the handlebar with a 17degree stem.

Silvercivic27

Here you go. I googled it for you. These guys seem to have figured it out despite the huuuuuuuuuuge headtube.

fa63

You will be fine; either slam the stem (remove all spacers), or if that won't work, go down one size.

I used to ride a Bianchi Intenso (same geometry) with a 3" drop. I am 6' tall.

rpenmanparker 

And that's the point.

vicbastige

All I know is I have had to return my frame twice for warranty issues in less than two tears. $200 shipping each time to California...I would really reconsider and AVOID Bianchi. My Infinito has been a fantastic bike when it isn't cracked or the paint peeling.

WhyFi

They gave you a new frame when you complained of a paint fleck and then offered to repaint your new frame when you later complained of a hairline crack in the paint of a second frame - let's not be too uncharitable in Bianchi's handling of your complaints.

vicbastige

Look, its like this: you have your perspective and clearly disagree with mine, but I won't make an argument out of it.

For what it's worth, my LBS and Bianchi dealer strongly disagrees with the way they handled it....and if you are a 57cm I have a infinito CV for sale if you are interested. Yes, it had a hairline crack in a stress area, but trust me, it's ok.

Grunts

I'm not sure what prices you've seen, but in my area the Bianchi was the cheapest. I've ridden all 3 on reasonable long test rides including several moderately steep climbs. There was no contest for me, which bike I preferred. However, I admit, I've always had an affection for a Bianchi, since I had my Schwinn Varsity in the mid-'60's.

Order of preference for riding and climbing:

1.) Bianchi Infinito CV (Gorgeous paint job, great climber, excellent road chatter absorption, a bike to be passionate about). $3,870 Ultegra 11spd mechanical.
2.) Trek Domane 6 (Good climber and absorbed the bumps fairly well). $5,000 Ultra mechanical.
3.) Speicalized Expert Disc (Couldn't get over that Future Shock thingy on climbs, especially, unfathomably distasteful neon yellow/lime green paint job). $4,600 w/Di2+Disc.