From the rep perspective...we were very busy last week. Even with most of the top 7 bike manus out of the show, foot traffic at our show was plentiful. And from what I could see it wasn't overflow from the Health and Fitness Expo being in the same building, just straight up enthusiasts for the brand.
We have a terrific 12 page ad this month in Road Bike Action magazine; covering our road line up of HoC, B4P and C2C bikes. That and 2010 is our 125th Anniversary, makes for an tasty cocktail at the Vegas expo.
Last year's interests at the booth surrounded our new steel bikes-- the Via Condotti and the Via Brera. Let's not forget the matte black Super Pista frameset which drew a lot of attention. The Brera and Condotti are still available for 2011 but now we have new B4P and HoC bikes.
The 2011 B4P Sempre has been filling the shoes, since July, as our new weekend racer/on the rivet road bike. The Nano-Tech frame, BB 30 bottom bracket and hand masked paint job have won over the hearts of many Bianchistas in need a stable, quick and great looking road bike. You have four options with the Sempre. You can order it up with either Shimano 105(red/wht/blk), Shimano Ultergra(azzuro) or Campanolo Veloce(celeste paint) or a frame set.
The Oltre is now the flagship of the Bianchi range.Its features are topped with Ultra High Modulus carbon laced with Nano-Tech and Nano-Tubes, tapered head tube/1.5" bottom bearing, X-Tex head tube construction, aero seat post, BB30 bottom bracket, internal cable routing, aero fork(designed after the Pico Crono) and aero seat post...phew! This looks like a bike that is the spawn of what Jenson Button is driving on the F1 circuit for the season.
This is a pre-production sample, cross section of the Oltre head tube featuring X-Tex. The slight internal ribs are the strengthening element of the X-Tex design. We're talking about a front end design that's stronger with steering capabilities bordering on the edge of telepathic. Combined with a 1.5" bottom bearing size should yield stability beyond most cyclists expectations.The Bianchi eagle crest on the Oltre down tube is the icing on the cake for this Pro-Tour level bike. It will be available with either a Dura-Ace or Super Record 11 build. The frame set has two options as well; either standard frame or routing ready for Shimano Dura-Ace Di2.
The Infinito will be dressed in the new Shimano 105 5700 build kit. The black and white paint scheme threw me at first. Once up close, I noticed the black portion of the frame, which is nude carbon, has a matte finish on the top of the frame and a gloss clear coat on the bottom half of the bike. Italy has done a terrific job with the designs and paint on all the bikes for 2011.
The Volpe enters the 2011 MY with a beefier fork; since the rack mounts are back on. The coffee cream paint scheme along with the classic Bianchi panel down tube graphic firmly defines the Volpe within the Gran Fondo category. Most of the Gran Fondo bikes come with a triple ring set up since loads of miles and hilly terrain will be tackled with these models. However the new white Vigorelli comes with a compact crank, with the understand that this type of customer doesn't mind spinning a 50/34t ring combination and may not be carry panniers or bags of such.
The Campione is a tribute to the Coppi days and the current Bianchi urban fan base we all love. Not everyone is cut out to pedal a Pista, yet they want a minimalistic, toned down classic bike. You really have to see this bike in person. I was impressed by the gold leaf paint and the way it pops off the frame. Down tube shifters keep the package simple with easy for potential bar end shifter conversions if you feel like a randonneur set up.
The ladies line-- The Dama Bianca frame design has been rolled into the Coast to Coast line. It's still women specific cockpit bits, only now C2C geometry is providing a comfortable platform for the ladies to spin upon. The Infinito has a Dama Bianca version and echos that old commercial tag line...strong enough for a man but made for a woman. I know, that was corny, but it's true! Built with Shimano 5700, Infinito geometry, high modulus UM40 carbon featuring Nano-Tech for $2600 makes this a girls best friend starting with a 47cm frame size. On the entry level we have the C2C Via Nirone Dama Sora and 105 with our new Reparto Corsa branded wheel set. Many dealers commented positively about the contrasting colored spokes on the R/C hoops.
Upland Sports Group/Capo Clothing gave us some love at their booth. Err, well, lots of love now that I think about it. The entire perimeter of their booth was covered with huge images of Capo clothed riders upon Bianchi Infinitos.
I've heard Edge wheel sets are bombproof...
I have a Capo Team kit from my shop days and still enjoy riding in it. Not just because it looks fabulous but the padding in the bib short is extremely comfortable and doesn't seem to suck in all the Assos creme as soon as you pull the shorts on.
It's cyclo cross season and if you work for Bianchi, you're a lover of Campagnolo's fine components. They have a new groupo for CX bikes. The chain rings and seals for the hubs are designed for optimal performance under cyclo cross conditions. Beefier chain pick up ramps and pining along with burlier seals at the hubs separate this kit from its road counterparts. It definitely has my attention!Sorry this is short and maybe not sweet enough; had I taken more photos. But when you're swamped, you're swamped.
Big thanks to Reed and Leroy for pulling off another excellent booth!
How about the new colored carpet at the booth guys?
Friedrichshafen is a small German town located on the shores of Lake Constance and is probably best known as the home of the Graf Zeppelin dirigible. In less historical terms, the town is also known as the home of the annual EuroBike bicycle show – the hands down winner for the claim of world's biggest bike show. This year marks the 19th annual running of the event, and yes, as impossible as it seems, it is even bigger than last year with 14 exhibition halls providing over 100,000 square meters of floor space. That's room for a lot of bike stuff.