Bianchi to offer pre-approved L'Eroica bike

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN) — Bianchi is introducing a new, old-style road bike for lovers of vintage bikes, including those who participate in L'Eroica events, which usually require participants to ride bikes manufactured before a specific date (related: L'Eroica regulations).

The new Bianchi L'Eroica bike, being introduced this week at Eurobike, features a lugged frame made with Columbus Zona tubing, with chrome stays and fork ends paired with Bianchi's trademark original Celeste paint. It has Dia-Compe downtube shift levers paired with Campagnolo Silver Vintage 10-speed derailleurs. Other vintage style bits include a three-arm spider crank embossed with the old Bianchi logo, Velo cotton bar tape, quill-type Bianchi stem, Brooks Team Pro Classic saddle and 32-hole Ambrosio Montreal tubular rims. 

The bike will go into manufacturing next month and will retail for $4,499.99, said David Reed, the VP of marketing and communications for Bianchi USA.

The first L'Eroica event was organized in 1997 in Italy as a spring event on the white gravel roads in Tuscany. Organizers now produce similar events in California, Japan, Spain and England, and and a fall event in Tuscany. Similar gatherings featuring vintage road bikes and gear have become increasingly popular in Italy and other countries in recent years.

Besides the L'Eroica bike, Bianchi will be showing its new Specialissima top-end road bike at Eurobike (which opens Tuesday with an outdoor demo and moves indoors on Wednesday). The Specialissima has a 780-gram frame that uses Bianchi's Countervail vibration canceling technology. It's the third top-end road model offered by Bianchi with Countervail, joining the Infinito CV endurance bike and Aquila CV time trial/triathlon models. The Specialissima will be offered in the U.S. market with a new fluorescent version of Celeste called Celeste Fluo, or in a matte black version with Celeste Fluo accents. In other markets, Bianchi is introducing a custom paint program called Tavolozza. Initially, Tavolozza will not be offered in the U.S. 

Bianchi USA will be offering a selection of mountain bikes again, for the first time in several years. The company also is continuing its popular Turismo line of urban cruisers, including the Milano.