Bianchi Road Cyclocross Bikes

Since 1885 the Italian company Bianchi have been making bikes, and recently celebrated their 120 year anniversary. They are the oldest active bike manufacturing company in the world.

Perhaps a little less 'mainstream' than some of the major manufacturers, Bianchi have a large following of enthusiasts who wouldn't ride anything else. (I have to confess at this point, my own bike is a Bianchi.)

Not concerned with going against the trend - for example Bianchi bikes are almost always fitted with Campagnola equipment rather than Shimano - they have had many spectacular victories during their long history and have played a significant role in shaping cycling as we now know it, both in the world of racing bikes and mountain bikes.

The well known Bianchi trademark colour - called celeste - Bianchi bikes still have a reputation as being some of the best available, and the company has a score of successes under its belt to explain why.

If you are looking for a bike, I highly recommend checking out the Bianchi range - they have a fine reputation and a very active research and development department to keep them at the top.

For 2007 their main ranges are : HoC (Hors Categorie), the top range; B4P (born for performance); and C2C (Coast to Coast).

Note: it is the Reparto Corse range of Bianchi bikes that are produced in Italy. Other Bianchi models are available in the US that are manufactured elsewhere.

The company bears the name of the 21 year old Edoardo Bianchi, who started making bikes in his workshop in Milan in 1885. Not one to sit still, Bianchi invented the 'safety' bicycle in 1885 and the first bicycle to have tyres in 1888. In 1895 he created the first ladies bicycle, for Queen Margaret. Then in 1899 Bianchi won their first competition, the Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris.

In 1913 he devised the first front brakes for a bicycle, and then in 1915 a bike for the army, the predecessor of the modern mountain bike.

The company grew at an extraordinary pace during the following decades, and the sporting accolades continued, reaching a peak with Fausto Coppi. Coppi won the Giro d'Italia in 1940, and again in 1947. In 1947 he also won the World Record Hour title. In 1949 he made an extraordinary comeback from an early crash to win the Tour de France, and also won the Giro d'Italia again in the same year. An incredible feat that he repeated in 1952, and then also won the Giro d'Italia again in 1953, his fifth success in the race, and the World Championship.

It was not until 1973 that Bianchi, with Felice Gimondi, won their second World Championship, followed by Moreno Argentin in 1986 and Gianni Bugno in 1992.

Bianchi launched the BMX across Europe in 1982, and an early 'city bike' in 1990.

In the 1990's Bianchi success revolved rather around the mountain bike side of the company. Then in 1998 a spectacular performance by Marco Pantani saw him winning both the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia in the same year.

Credit to Road Bike UK