bianchi sempre pro or Intenso

[framtaff]

Hi Im just wondering if I can ask for some advice please ?

I have been riding my 2015 Giant Defy 3 aluminium , for two years and don't have any physical problems or suffer any aches or pains on this bike. I would like to upgrade and have set my heart on a Bianchi. I know there are other bikes that are cheaper and do just as good a job but I feel excited about a bianchi.

I have a friend who has an intenso and it looks as though it has a really similar geometry to my Defy. Perhaps because I have a M/L Defy and have the saddle quite high. So I know for sure a 57cms model would fit my 5 ft 11 height

However I really like the look of the Sempre Pro.

My question is how much of a difference would the race geometry on the sempre pro and would I be able to handle it (I am 51 years old)

My Defy has a 19 cms Head tube , the Sempre Pro has a 16 cms , the intenso has an 18.5

The sales patter says the inteso is a cross between an endurance bike with some race geometry, the Sempro a race with some comfort or reduce race aggressive geometry.

Im wondering if there are any other 50 year olds that ride the sempre pro that could give me their thoughts.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. BW Nick

 

[vickster]

@Apollonius is a Bianchi owner I think

 

[kingrollo]

Those are all pretty tall head tubes. However it also the angles not just the measurements - perhaps you could go back the geometry charts and check the measurement for 'reach' which would perhaps give you a better idea.

 

[T4tomo]

Get the Infinito CV

 

[kingrollo]

Get the Infinito CV

yep..im waiting for the 2019 version so i can have it on cycle to work !

 

[Viking]

I had a 2013 Sempre Pro and I know they’ve change a few things since then e.g internal cable routing changed to the other side of the head tube and although I like the bike, the frame was very tight for 25mm Conti GP 4Ks, especially on the rear. I also had to swap the rear brake over from an Athena to a Centaur that I had lying around to get safe clearance for the tyre.

 

[Apollonius]

Wellllll….. Firstly, at a mere 51 you are a baby compared to me. I am rapidly approaching 70. I think I can speak with authority regarding Bianchis as we do have 6 in the house, but my wife is a Bianchi nut too, and two of them are her's.
If you are feeling a bit ancient then the Infinito CV is the best choice by far. It has it all as an endurance racer: fast, smooth and comfortable. It is also a bit pricey compared to the Sempre which has always been Bianchi's best value race bike. Indeed, I am thinking right now of my friend Gary from up the road who has the full set of Bianchis (it does get you like that) including the £10,000 Specialissima and likes his Sempre best of all.
I do not think you will find the Sempre a challenging ride. You do not have to slam the head right down (mine has a lot of spacers) and you are not forced into a radical ride position unless the steerer has been cut. It is a lot more forgiving to ride than the XR4. The back end is not all that stiff (unlike the Pinarello Dogma, for example, which is a handful) and you can loaf about on it with no issues. What it is is taut and responsive. Nothing to be afraid of.
What makes it a race bike is tiny clearances. I tried 25mm tyres on mine and it just doesn't cope at all. With soft Vittoria tyres mud builds up in the spaces and you end up picking it out with a stick. You will do well to get more than 23s on it unless it is dry. Mudguards? No chance at all. Any weight at the back and you will struggle to keep the front wheel on the road.
If you are OK with a "lightweight" style of cycling then buy the Sempre. If you want to carry stuff, fit "cruising" tyres or are more interested in comfort than speed then avoid. The Sempre is a magnificent bike with 135+ years of top racing heritage and connects you to the stuff of legends. Every mile is a joy. It handles on rails and gives you back what you put in.

 

[Apollonius]

I suppose I had better comment on the Intenso, in the interests of balance. The Intenso is the old Infinito, before it went CV. A very nice bike indeed, and probably best described as an "endurance racer". I don't actually have one, but I do have an Infinito CV or two, and the geometry is exactly the same, so I can probably give a valid opinion.
Looking at it from the racing angle, the Sempre is still being raced at a high level by the Bianchi women's team in the UK, and until quite recently by Pro Continental teams in little dabbles like the Giro d'Italia. The CV made its name on the cobbles of Paris Roubaix where the vibration damping CV technology proved itself. Lotto Jumbo did not use it this year as the XR4 now has the CV technology too. Sepp van Marcke used the Infinito CV from choice as recently as 2016 in Paris Roubaix, so it is a tough contender.
What would you get from the Intenso? An easier softer ride. A friend of mine tried to fit mudguards to an Intenso, but it didn't work out. 25mm tyres are no problem as there is more clearance, so more comfort there. I would say it is just as fast as the Sempre, but smoother. You don't get the instant response feedback, but you are going just as quick. They handle (in terms of steering, road-holding, agility etc) exactly the same.
If you have the Bianchi bug (and I fear you do) then nothing else will do. All other machines seem ordinary, however good. Celeste for definite. Campagnolo, if you can run to it, though there is nothing at all wrong with a decent level of Shimano. Come and see the other addicts on the I-ride Bianchi area of Facebook. You will be welcome.

 

[framtaff]

Hi thank you for your kindness it taking time to reply. I got chance to look at both bikes side by side. I'm now sure I can cope with the riding position of the sempre. Bit worried about the tyre clearance as definately need 25 mm tyres here in Suffolk as roads can be a bit bumpy and broken and often lots of debris from agricultural working.

Still a bit unsure. My heart says sempro head says intenso. Sempro is a bit cheaper.

About 50 quid extra for campagnola and marick versus shimano 105 with clincher wheels.

Is it likely prices for bianchi will be Lower in September end of season off loads?

Many thanks for all replys

 

[vickster]

@JhnBssll is in your neck of the woods and recently bought a Bianchi of some flavour. Had a good experience with a local Bianchi retailer

Might be worth looking at his posts

 

[RegG]

I began cycling again 3 years ago on a Defy 0. Like you, I set my heart on a Bianchi and last year I splashed out on an Infinito CV (in Celeste of course!) and absolutely love it! I had a basic bike fit at the Bianchi dealer (Peak Cyclesport in Macclesfield) and have found the Infinito to be a lovely bike to ride. I still use the Defy occasionally and also during the wetter months but always feel better on the Bianchi.

I'm 64 and not particularly supple but I don't really get too many aches or pains. I would, however, recommend buying from a dealer who will make sure the bike is the right size/set-up for you with a bike fit.

Just noticed the OP is in Suffolk...... You could try Madgetts Cycles in Diss. They seem to come highly recommended by Mark Pritchard, aka Captain Century and author of "Passione Celeste" a great book about his cycling exploits on his Bianchi's!

 

[JhnBssll]

@JhnBssll is in your neck of the woods and recently bought a Bianchi of some flavour. Had a good experience with a local Bianchi retailer

Might be worth looking at his posts

My XR3 disc came from Elmy's Cycles in Ipswich, I would certainly pop in for a chat with Steve or Jo if you haven't already done so. They have a large range of Bianchi's in stock and are highly regarded within the Bianchi Owners Club I have also heard good things of Madgetts in Diss as mentioned above, I guess it will come down to which is closer to you although wouldn't hurt to check both I believe Elmy's are having a summer sale at present, although I don't know if any of their Bianchi stock is included in it...

 

[Apollonius]

Peak Cyclesport in Macclesfield)

Excellent dealer. Mrs A got her custom built CV from there.

 

[FlatSpinMan]

Reviving a dormant thread, but I had a variation on your problem. I’d been riding a Giant TCR (racing geometry) and longing after a Bianchi. In my case I have just received my endurance geometry Bianchi Intenso in Celeste (the colour just makes my heart sing) and was struck by how incredibly comfortable the fit was, despite it superficially looking about the same size as my TCR. I’m 42, so evidently somewhat of a spring chicken around this neck of the woods, and would consider myself fairly flexible, but I suspect I’m going to have a much more comfortable time on the Intenso. It just felt right straightaway.

Btw, my TCR is a Medium. My Intenso is a size 55cm. I’m 178cm (5’9?10?).

 

[Drago]

Hi Im just wondering if I can ask for some advice please ?

I have been riding my 2015 Giant Defy 3 aluminium , for two years and don't have any physical problems or suffer any aches or pains on this bike. I would like to upgrade and have set my heart on a Bianchi. I know there are other bikes that are cheaper and do just as good a job but I feel excited about a bianchi.

I have a friend who has an intenso and it looks as though it has a really similar geometry to my Defy. Perhaps because I have a M/L Defy and have the saddle quite high. So I know for sure a 57cms model would fit my 5 ft 11 height

However I really like the look of the Sempre Pro.

My question is how much of a difference would the race geometry on the sempre pro and would I be able to handle it (I am 51 years old)

My Defy has a 19 cms Head tube , the Sempre Pro has a 16 cms , the intenso has an 18.5

The sales patter says the inteso is a cross between an endurance bike with some race geometry, the Sempro a race with some comfort or reduce race aggressive geometry.

Im wondering if there are any other 50 year olds that ride the sempre pro that could give me their thoughts.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. BW Nick

Try them and see. The only person who knows what will suit you is you. What feels extreme and razor sharp to me might feel like a laid back cruiser to another 50 year old.

Good luck.