Bianchi Specialissima RC review

Bianchi has a storied history in the world of cycling and, with the Specialissima RC, the brand has pushed the boundaries of road-bike innovation.

A collection of angular tube shapes combine to form a bike that will fly on any road. Bianchi has done a stellar job, providing exquisite handling along with enough compliance.

However, those same tube shapes sit like a modernist house in a quaint village. My eyes struggle to see past the elegant lines of the original Specialissima. That said, you could call this new bike attacking and purposeful.

The build results in a temptingly low weight, though some of the component choices may leave you wanting when compared to the best road race bikes.

While I remain conflicted on the aesthetics, there’s no denying the Specialissima RC is a lightweight race machine that delivers an excellent ride with the Italian flair many desire.

Bianchi Specialissima RC frameset

The Specialissima used to be about skinny tubes and low weight. Yet the previous two editions have seen it transform into the standard aero-meets-lightweight road racer.

Many of the tube shapes resemble those of Bianchi’s dedicated aero bike, the Oltre RC. But these have slimmed down and it's clear the intention here is an all-rounder.

Eyes are drawn instantly to some of these features – namely the top tube that flows down then up and the head tube that hangs awkwardly over the top of the fork.

Bianchi also eschews the norm, splitting the down tube decals to include the usual brand name on the driveside. ‘Reparto Corse’ – the name for the brand's racing department – is splashed in big letters down the non-driveside.

There is also an odd combination of a matt frame with glossy, shallow-section wheels.

Some will call this ‘Italian flair’, but it seems a discordant choice to me.

The frameset is constructed, Bianchi says, from high-modulus carbon fibre. No details, however, are given about the frameset’s makeup.

The outgoing model used a slightly sloping top tube that flowed directly into the seatstays. Now, the top tube weaves its way to the seat tube, where there is a drop before the angular seatstays connect.

There has been plenty of work done on the down tube too, with subtle aero channelling on the upper part of the fork.

Above this, Bianchi has moved from FSA’s ACR headset system to Acros’ IS52 ICR design. Complementing the new front end is Bianchi’s own Reparto Corse integrated carbon handlebar.

Bianchi claims this adds up to a UCI-illegal 6.6kg bike weight. It does, however, note a ＋/- 5 per cent tolerance to account for the range of frame sizes.

My 55cm test bike, complete with bottle cages and an out-front mount, came in at 6.75kg.

While the weight is impressive, the meat is in the ride-simulation data. Bianchi claims a rider putting out a monstrous 420 watts (or 6W/kg) is better off on the Specialissima RC than the Oltre RC on 6 per cent gradients and above.

For anyone able to hold 300 watts (or 4.3W/kg), the threshold is reached earlier, at a 4.9 per cent gradient. Meanwhile, at 250 watts (or 3.6W/kg), a rider will see benefits at 4.2 per cent gradients.

The old model, according to Bianchi, had to be on a 9 per cent gradient before it was faster than the Oltre RC. Bianchi doesn’t say what power output this is decided at, however.

The new Specialissima may, thus, be more useful to Bianchi’s pro racers and general riders alike.

Bianchi Specialissima RC geometry

The Bianchi Specialissima RC's geometry can be best described as long and low.

Designed for road racing, the Specialssima RC is now 2mm longer and 4mm lower than the outgoing model.

For this size 55, the stack and reach figures are 536mm and 391mm respectively. These are 7mm longer and 8mm lower than the Specialized Tarmac SL8 in a size 54cm.

The result embraces an aggressive racing stance, giving you the option of tucking low. Whether you can persuade your spine down into such a long and low position is another matter.

The effective top tube is an elongated 550mm and the chainstays are short, at 410mm. These contribute to the bike's nimble handling, enabling quick and precise handling.

72.5 and 73.5-degree head and seat tube angles respectively are on trend with modern design. The Tarmac SL8 is 0.5 degrees steeper on both fronts.

This race-oriented geometry doesn't compromise stability, though. The Specialissima RC remains composed and predictable, instilling confidence even at high speeds.

This is down to the 988mm wheelbase, which is identical to the old model. In contrast, the Tarmac SL8 gets a tighter, 978mm wheelbase.

Having a race bike that corners so confidently enabled me to have fun on descents. Even given the 26mm-wide tyres and winter testing conditions, chances to let loose were rare.

The geometry choices on the Specialissima RC enhance the bike's appeal, though, making it a top choice for riders with varied preferences and riding styles.

Bianchi Specialissima RC build

For £10,999 / $13,899 / €12,749, I’m expecting perfection when it comes to the build. The bike is adorned with a top-of-the-line Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 electronic groupset.

Should SRAM’s Red eTap AXS groupset be more to your liking, it’s available at the same price. Both builds come with the respective brand’s power meter included.

Italian purists may be disappointed there’s no build equipped with Campagnolo’s new Super Record Wireless groupset, however.

My preference is this Dura-Ace build. The shifting logic, the progression of the ServoWave braking and Shimano’s hood ergonomics are personal highlights.

SRAM’s Quarq power meters are well regarded and the eTap shift logic is preferred by many. The point is you’ll be well served either way.

This is, of course, a lot of money to spend on a bike. However, an equivalently specced Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 costs £12,000 / $14,000 / €14,000, while Cannondale’s SuperSix Evo Lab71 comes in at £12,500 / $15,000 / €14,999.

Viewed in that context, then, the Bianchi can be said to undercut its competition slightly.

Sat atop the frame-specific 20mm-offset carbon seatpost is Bianchi’s own RC139 saddle. It’s a full-carbon affair, with a comfortable gel covering. It measures 250mm long and 139mm wide.

A central cutout is a feature I always look for. With this and the saddle's shape, I wasn’t surprised I got on well with this stylish perch.

The Celeste Reparto Corse RC carbon wheels are paired with Pirelli’s 700x26c P Zero Race TT tyres.

A combination such as this helps to lower the bike’s weight. The wheelset comes with a claimed weight of 1,370g and ceramic bearings in quiet hubs.

The tyres feature a 127 threads per inch (TPI) casing and are clincher-only.

Critically, they have a feathery claimed weight of only 200g per tyre – 110g per tyre less than the P Zero Race TLR, Pirelli’s all-round tubeless racing tyre.

This combination is all about weight saving, then, but I felt it held the bike back. The lightweight package will feel snappy and reactive on the climbs. But speed seems a little harder to hold on to when riding on flat to rolling roads.

Likewise, a skinny TT tyre is an excellent way to make a bike feel rapid in a straight line. I don’t, however, think it’s the right choice for a consumer bike.

Many of us ride less than perfect road surfaces in questionable weather. Thin TT-specific treads will wear faster than standard road bike tyres and will be more prone to punctures, because they use a more delicate casing and eschew a puncture protection belt beneath the tread.

To get the most out of the bike on average roads, I would have liked to see tubeless-ready tyres fitted in at least a size 700x28c.

I’d also prefer these to be fitted to a deeper wheelset. The Tarmac SL8 uses Roval’s Rapide CLX II, featuring a 51mm-deep front rim and a 60mm-deep rear rim.

Something similar would, in my opinion, help the Specialissima RC hold speed on rolling roads.

Bianchi has introduced a new integrated cockpit for the Specialissima RC and I love the clean lines this creates.

A drop of 125mm and an 80mm reach are bang on trend, but the drop shape is the real highlight for me.

This feels excellent in the hands. It also allows for easy access to the brake levers, as well as a firm grip when sprinting.

It annoys me when brands go to so much effort designing an integrated front end, then limit the bar-width and stem-length sizes available.

Bike designers can save you a handful of watts with efficient tube shapes. But nothing compares to optimising your body position.

Thankfully, Bianchi has a whopping 17 options, with stem lengths from 90 to 130mm and bar widths from 380 to 420mm.

Bianchi Specialissima RC ride impressions

Bianchi has balanced speed, comfort and handling. As a result, the Specialissima RC is a delight to ride.

When you press on, it feels intoxicatingly keen to accelerate. But I never felt the ride to be too harsh, despite the skinny 700x26mm clincher tyres.

Climbing is this bike’s natural strength. Shallow gradients feel very fast, but the Specialissima RC shines as the gradient hits double digits.

The stiffness of the frame rewards these punchy efforts with a can-do attitude.

Time spent descending was fun too. Given the wet weather we’ve had and the TT tyres, opportunities to really bank the bike into a corner were fleeting.

I was never terrified by the Specialissima RC. With its assured nature at speed, I felt confident to descend aggressively on dry roads.

Ideally, I would change the tyres for a tubeless 700x28c option, such as the highly rated Continental GP5000 S TR.

The extra width and tubeless design would enable lower pressures for enhanced comfort. The GP5000’s grippier compound is also one I prefer in mixed conditions.

Steadier riding on flat terrain is good. I didn’t feel a noticeable difference over my (very un-aero) Specialized Aethos, though.

Similar bikes that use deeper wheels can feel more efficient. The Specialized Tarmac SL7, for example, excelled in crosswinds, with the wheel depth giving a sail effect.

However, 30km/h was a maintainable speed on the Specialissima when riding alone. If I got stuck into a few zone-3 efforts, the bike really started to sing.

Many of my rides use roads in the west of England that are best described as broken. Here, it was nice to find Bianchi has provided plenty of rear-end comfort. The bar, too, does a great job of isolating you from road buzz.

Larger cracks in the asphalt will be felt, though, as will worn sections of ‘chip-sealed’ road.

That said, I suspect the bike’s comfort could be further improved with a set of wider tyres.

I can’t stress enough how much I’ve enjoyed taking this bike on hilly rides in the Mendips. There I was, not sold on the looks and almost hoping it would be rubbish. Shame on me.

Bianchi Specialissima RC bottom line

I would look to swap in deeper wheels and wider tyres, but the Bianchi Specialissima RC is nevertheless fantastic to ride.

It’s clearly designed for the smooth tarmac of the Italian Alps, rather than the rutted back roads of South West England, but if any bike can make Cheddar Gorge feel like the Mortirolo it’s this one.

There's plenty of stiffness for out-of-the-saddle efforts and the geometry is excellent, creating assured handling that rewards you with confidence.

I still can’t get past the unusual looks, but if you see this design as purposeful, you’re looking at one of the best lightweight aero bikes in the world.