Bianchi introduced their NASA-approved (and used) Countervail vibration damping technology on the Infinito endurance road bike all the way back in 2013. Then they added it to their Aquila TT/triathlon bike and the Specialissima ultralight climbing road bike.
Now it comes to the dirt on the 2017 Bianchi Methanol CV hardtail race mountain bike. They call it “After Shock Control”, lending the rider more control and comfort by isolating him or her from trail buzz and small impacts. Here’s how it works…
The Countervail’s viscoelastic material is layered between carbon fiber layers and effectively mutes vibrations, preventing them from spreading throughout the frame. We’ve seen several studies from multiple brands that show how vibrations can fatigue a rider faster than their effort would otherwise do, so any reduction in those wiggles reaching you means you can go harder, for longer.
On the Methanol, the CV material is used throughout the entire frame. That’s combined with shaped and flattened seatstays to help mitigate impacts, too.
Being their top level race hardtail, the bike uses a wide BB92, oversized headtube area and short (429mm), strong chainstays to direct all efforts into forward movement.
That headtube gains additional torsional stiffness from ridged tube shaping. All cables and hoses run internally…
…and there are ports for mechanical and electronic drivetrains, plus standard and sideswing front derailleur accommodations. There’s even a port for a stealth dropper seatpost. When the FD’s not used, a small plate covers the mount.
The rest of the frame sees a few big changes from what we saw at Eurobike last year. The ISP (integrated seat post, aka seat mast) is replaced with a standard 27.2 seatpost, making it easier to travel with even if it does add a few grams. That should also make it a bit more comfortable.
The other big change is the switch to Boost axle spacing.
Four sizes will be available – 15, 17, 19 and 21. For now, the CV version is 29er only. We’ve reached out for specs, pricing and availability on complete bikes and whether they’ll continue offering the SL version with ISP, or if this is the new top model. Updates as we get them.
“There is even a port for a stealth dropper” that will go perfectly with the 27.2 seat post
Specialised Command Post XCP.
so is it just me or does the seat angle apparently shift from 74 to 72 degrees? (G and G2 both look like seat angle to me….)
One is the effective seat tube angle and one is the actual seat tube angle. The line they are referencing is slightly different.
I think you’re right; but there are two lines there given that the seat post does not “point” directly at the bottom bracket center. G is the seat angle at 74, but it’s the “effective” seat angle, based on where that virtual-seat-line meets the top tube. “Real” seat angle is 72 and probably gives better seat-height-versus-top-tube-reach adjustment.
The real seat tube is slacker to allow more space to fit the rear wheel in as tight as possible
Looks nice! I would love a – b it and see how it feels
Don’t you mean steeper? If it was slacker, it’s be more aft and push the wheel further back. Steeper, pushes it forward more, allowing the wheel to tuck in. Of course steeper/slacker could be just semantics 🙂
Is that a formula 35 on the bike? I wasn’t aware formula made any XC forks.
Could be but those stanchions look pretty slim to me. It could be a big frame doing that or its just something new that hasn’t been released. I can’t imagine anyone stocking an expensive and heavy fork that’s definitely overkill for a XC hardtail that’s probably supposed to be pretty light.
It’s the Formula 33 XC fork. They have made it for a couple of years now. Weighs about 1550-1600 grams. Nice to see them with an OEM deal again.
They have the 32 even sooner than the 35. It´s been quite a while with that fork around, but maybe the didn´t sell overseas.
Crank brothers wheels and pedals, why not steatpost stem bars and grips?
I was thinking why CB at all! The wheels and seatpost haven’t been the best. The rest of their stuff has just been a little above average.
You mean to tell me I can “go harder for longer” … Sweet
I’ve been tempted to wrap my road bars in thin sorbothane before putting bar tape on. Has anyone else tried something like this?
I can think of very few other polymers Bianchi would want to use in their frame.
I never want to ride an XC race rig again, but 1990s-me thinks they still look cool.