BIANCHI INFINITO CV DISC, RRP: $5,500
According to Bianchi: “The Infinito was designed for the rider who wants to mix it up on Saturday’s fast tempo group ride yet still remain comfortable logging a century on Sunday.”
That has been achieved by something they call Countervail technology, which was developed by aerospace engineers to incorporate viscoelastic, vibration cancelling properties into the carbon fibre layup process. The result, it is claimed, is dramatically reduced road vibration offering a number of benefits such as improved handling, increased peak power output and less rider fatigue over long distances.
Stiffness is not really compromised, but once again weight rears its head when it comes to a disc-brake machine. A 55cm frame with Shimano Ultegra Di2, but minus pedals, tips the scales at around 8.2kg which will be noticeable when going uphill. Around half a kilo of that weight is due to the Shimano BR-R785 hydraulic disc brakes themselves. The relaxed geometry of the Infinito CV disc puts it firmly in the sights of sportive riders.
BMC ROADMACHINE, RRP: $6,999 (for 02 Ultegra Di2 version)
The Roadmachine is slightly unusual in the disc brake category in that it never existed previously as a rim brake version. Instead it was created from scratch taking inspiration from all the best aspects of the company’s existing stable of endurance, race and aero bikes.
Therefore the Roadmachine stands alone without comparison to a previous non-disc version, which perhaps ensures judgement is not clouded by past performance. It is available in 01 (Dura Ace Di2), 02 (Ultegra Di2) and 03 (105) versions, with the frame of the top-of-the-range 01 version weighing in at just 920 grams.
Although the Roadmachine is hailed as an ‘all-rounder’, BMC Racing were scheduled to use this bike in the Tour de Suisse in 2016 before the UCI changed the rules on disc-brakes in pro events. The fact that there is room for up to 30mm tyres also offers something different from many of the other disc-brake road bikes on offer.
CANNONDALE CAAD12 DISC ULTEGRA, RRP: $4,199
The rim-braked 105 version of this bike was highly regarded, perhaps putting the pressure on to live up to expectations. Despite the wide availability in the market of carbon fibre machines, Cannondale continue to stick to their guns with a high quality aluminium offering.
In fact they claim that the CAAD12 Disc is ‘simply the most sophisticated, highest performing aluminum race bike ever made’. With weight always an issue on disc-brake bikes, the company have utilised the so-called SmartForm process to smoothly taper the tube ends to reduce stress points and also shave off as many grams as possible.
As well as that the company have patented the design for their minimalist flat-mount braze-on disc mounts which are ultra light and also incredibly strong. The CAAD12 Disc is available with three drivetrain options; SRAM Force 1, Shimano Ultegra and 105 – and uses Shimano BR785/505 hydraulic disc brakes with quick release skewers front and rear.