Bicycles

Bianchi's Countervail tech designed to make road riding a little smoother

Bianchi's Countervail tech designed to make road riding a little smoother
Countervail was recently introduced in Bianchi’s Infinito CV road bike
Countervail was recently introduced in Bianchi’s Infinito CV road bike
View 19 Images
Countervail was recently introduced in Bianchi’s Infinito CV road bike
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Countervail was recently introduced in Bianchi’s Infinito CV road bike
Countervail was recently introduced in Bianchi’s Infinito CV road bike
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Countervail was recently introduced in Bianchi’s Infinito CV road bike
Countervail was recently introduced in Bianchi’s Infinito CV road bike
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Countervail was recently introduced in Bianchi’s Infinito CV road bike
A Countervail display at Eurobike
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A Countervail display at Eurobike
In select areas of the bike’s frame and fork, a layer of a proprietary “viscoelastic material” is sandwiched between the usual layers of carbon fiber
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In select areas of the bike’s frame and fork, a layer of a proprietary “viscoelastic material” is sandwiched between the usual layers of carbon fiber
In select areas of the bike’s frame and fork, a layer of a proprietary “viscoelastic material” is sandwiched between the usual layers of carbon fiber
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In select areas of the bike’s frame and fork, a layer of a proprietary “viscoelastic material” is sandwiched between the usual layers of carbon fiber
In select areas of the bike’s frame and fork, a layer of a proprietary “viscoelastic material” is sandwiched between the usual layers of carbon fiber
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In select areas of the bike’s frame and fork, a layer of a proprietary “viscoelastic material” is sandwiched between the usual layers of carbon fiber
A test of stays made using Countervail and traditional carbon fiber
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A test of stays made using Countervail and traditional carbon fiber
According to Bianchi, the use of Countervail results in up to 75 percent less road vibrations than would be experienced on a traditional carbon frame, while increasing the frame’s stiffness and strength
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According to Bianchi, the use of Countervail results in up to 75 percent less road vibrations than would be experienced on a traditional carbon frame, while increasing the frame’s stiffness and strength
A Counteervail frame being tested
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A Counteervail frame being tested
Setting up for a road test of a Countervail frame
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Setting up for a road test of a Countervail frame
Setting up for a road test of a Countervail frame
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Setting up for a road test of a Countervail frame
Setting up for a road test of a Countervail frame
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Setting up for a road test of a Countervail frame
Countervail was recently introduced in Bianchi’s Infinito CV road bike
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Countervail was recently introduced in Bianchi’s Infinito CV road bike
Countervail was recently introduced in Bianchi’s Infinito CV road bike
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Countervail was recently introduced in Bianchi’s Infinito CV road bike
Road testing a Countervail frame
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Road testing a Countervail frame
Countervail was recently introduced in Bianchi’s Infinito CV road bike
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Countervail was recently introduced in Bianchi’s Infinito CV road bike
In select areas of the bike’s frame and fork, a layer of a proprietary “viscoelastic material” is sandwiched between the usual layers of carbon fiber
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In select areas of the bike’s frame and fork, a layer of a proprietary “viscoelastic material” is sandwiched between the usual layers of carbon fiber
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View gallery - 19 images

High-end road bikes may offer a crisp, responsive ride, but they also have a way of transmitting every little vibration from the asphalt up into the rider’s hands, feet and butt. As we recently saw at Eurobike 2013, however, Bianchi is now offering a solution in the form of its Countervail integrated vibration canceling system.

Bianchi’s American rival Specialized already utilizes its own Zertz system, in which elastomer inserts absorb vibrations from within the carbon fiber fork and seat stays. What makes Countervail different is the fact that it’s built right into the carbon fiber matrix.

In select areas of the bike’s frame and fork, a layer of a proprietary “viscoelastic material” is sandwiched between the usual layers of carbon fiber. According to Bianchi, this results in up to 75 percent less road vibrations than would be experienced on a traditional carbon frame, while increasing the frame’s stiffness and strength.

Countervail has already seen use by NASA in aerospace applications, and was adapted for use in bicycles through a collaboration between Bianchi and Material Sciences Corporation. It was recently introduced in Bianchi’s Infinito CV road bike.

More information is available in the video below.

Source: Bianchi

BIANCHI INFINITO CV PRESENTATION

View gallery - 19 images
3 comments
3 comments
NZRalphy
Or you could go back to Titanium frames for that magic smooth ride. Nothing is new.
Bob Stuart
Listening very carefully, Bianchi says that the elastomer dampens vibration, not impact, while their expertise on the carbon improves the stiffness, which increases the impact. It's main advantage may be avoiding harmonic vibrations on cobblestones for racers. A geometry that produces a rising-rate spring effect would also serve there.
Larry English
and it weighs .. what? it costs .. what? wle