Bianchi Reimagines Infinito for Gravel
Italian bike manufacturer Bianchi has released a redesigned Infinito model with a new gravel-focused makeover. The update caters to the growing endurance and adventure cycling market, offering versatility for both road and mixed-terrain riding. This signals a convergence of traditional road cycling with the booming gravel scene.
The Infinito's pivot to gravel is a significant evolution for a model that has been a cornerstone of Bianchi's endurance road lineup since its introduction in 2009. Historically, it was designed for long-distance comfort on pavement and even proved its mettle on the cobbled classics of the professional racing circuit. The previous generation, last updated in 2024, maintained a conservative 32mm tire clearance. At the core of the Infinito's identity has been Bianchi's Countervail technology, a viscoelastic material integrated into the carbon layup to cancel road vibrations. For the 2026 redesign, this technology has been updated to be 20% lighter while being integrated into a new sculpted seatpost designed to flex and further dampen vibrations. The most significant change is the leap in tire clearance, now accommodating up to 40mm tires, which firmly pushes the bike into "gravel-ready" territory. This allows for the use of both road and gravel-specific groupsets, with a limited-edition launch model even offering a SRAM Force XPLR 1x13 gravel setup. To complement the wider tires, the bike's geometry has been adjusted with a higher stack for a more comfortable, upright riding position and longer chainstays to increase stability on varied terrain. The new frame and fork are designed as an integrated system, which Bianchi claims results in a 12-watt aerodynamic improvement over the prior generation. Aligning with current trends in the endurance and all-road categories, the new Infinito also incorporates internal storage within the down tube for tools or small items. Bianchi has also released two new proprietary wheelsets, the RC 49R and B 49R, which feature a 49mm depth and a modern 25mm internal width to better support wider tires.
