Since the 1940’s the female rider has been on Bianchi’s radar with the famous Lady in White or “la dama bianca”. For 2011 Binachi is updating this equipment with 3 women’s specific bikes, the Infinito Dama and two Dama versions of the Via Nirone 7, a Shimano 105 build and a Sora build.
Beginning with Bianchi’s endurance platform geometry, C2C, the Dama line offers a more relaxed position with a shorter reach to the bars and a slightly longer wheel base. What’s important about the C2C geometry is much of the longer wheelbase comes from lengthening the chain stays. This allows the rider's more upright weight distribution to still fall between the wheels for confident handling.
Bianchi uses two other technologies to smooth out the ride, K-Vid vibration dampening and BAT, or Bianchi Active Technology, in the rear stays to give the rear end pothole compliance.
The Infinito Dama is a carbon frame with K-Vid Kevlar inserts and includes women’s specific saddle, bars and a compact Shimano 105 drive train. Available in sizes 47cm to 55cm the Infinito Dama retails for $2699.00.
The Via Nirone 7 Dama is a hydro-formed aluminum platform that still benefits from Bianchi’s BAT system of rear end compliance with the K-Vid vibration dampening up front in the aluminum/carbon fork. The Via Nirone7 Dama is available in both a Shimano 105 build and a Sora build for $1299.00 and $924.00 respectively. Bianchi offers 4 sizes, 44cm to 53cm.
Both the Infinfito and the Via Nirone 7 Dama bikes are well equipped to offer the female rider a very enjoyable riding experience. From the entry level rider to the avid century campaigner the bikes are a great choice. Female riders looking for a more race oriented bike, with steep angles and an aggressive position, will most likely want to look at Bianchi's Hor Categorie line. We’d also love to see an Infinito Dama with a Campagnolo Veloce build to keep the Italian flavor consistent.