Monday, May 11, 2009

D2 Super Pista Update.

Ok. It's fair to say that this bike is quick-the D2 SP. It's been a ball to ride and is a regular town bike since the end of winter. The funny thing with riding this frame is that it's actually opened up a new yearning for ANOTHER Bianchi bike to be in my stable...the 1885.

The tubeset of the SP is similar in shape and construction to the 2009 1885. Knowing what I know about riding the SP, it has to be on another level when you mix up those ingredients and bake up a B4P geometry, race frame.


2009 Bianchi 1885 Alu Frame

Looking into the pedigree of the 1885 you'll find a unique manufacturing process that not many bike manufacturers are using-Super Plastic Forming or SPF for short. In a nut shell you have Hyrdroforming aluminum tubes and you have SPF. The shaping concept of SPF is similiar to Hydroforming but instead of a high pressure hydraulic fluid inside of the tube/die, the aluminum is almost heated up to 1000 deg. F in the die, then slowly injected with a gas instead of a fluid. This will allow the tubing to expand and reshape itself to a much greater size and shape. All the while maintaining a high level of strength and becoming heat treated in the process. 2009 also marks for a first time since it's introduction in 2005, an 1885 frame in all aluminum- no rear carbon fiber seat stay.

With 9 frame sizes ranging from 46cm - 63cm/+2cm, there's a frame for every cyclist...unless you're Zinn. That guy makes me look small! The B4P geometry that I have been riding for over a year now is solid. On my T-Cube and Mono-Q, the handling is predictable and inspires confidence to push the handling limits of the bike. If you build this frame up with SRAM Red and carbon 50s, you're looking at a sub-17lbs crit bike that will withstand the g-forces of a 35mph_outside pedal down on the corner_crappy DC road surface_local race. Phew, really!

Now if we could only get a 63cm in stock...
--------------------------------------------------

Will Mahler



Saturday, May 2, 2009

On the Rivet- Cambridge, MD.

Along RT50 in the area known as Dorchester County is a bike shop unlike a lot of bikes shops. OTR is starting their second year and has experienced great growth since the doors opened in 2008.

Matt is the store manager and buyer of On the Rivet Cycle Sport and his dad Bob, is the evil genius behind OTR. Bob, a self proclaimed Campagnolo officianado, has had his hands and mind on Bianchi long before starting the bike shop. Bianchi to him back in the day was the balistic/holster company that he worked for decades.

Bob has crafted the art of handling leather; shaping it into highly desireable firearm holsters. In addition to the leather craft, Bob has had an illness for vintage bicycles. Amoung the American and Italian vintage bikes that he restores to period, are Bianchi Bicycles.



Circa 70's Bianchi.


And a classic pump too.

OTR also supports the Body Scanning system for bicycle fitting, custom builds, bicycle restorations(vintage) and all types of repairs.

--------------------------------------------------

Will Mahler

Friday, May 1, 2009

Athens Twilight Crit April 25, 2009

The Bianchi's were out in full force at the Athens Twilight Crit.

Great effort ladies, wish I could have been there to yell from the curbs!

-------------------------------------------------

Will Mahler