Between history and new models, Bianchi bicycles go back 140 years
A museum dedicated to a legendary brand, a limited edition Specialissima in memory of Pantani, a workshop for customised models and special series: these are the initiatives with which the historic brand looks to regain its place in the industry. The entire range of models has been renewed, from racing to gravel, from traditional to electric
3' min read
3' min read
A Specialissima dedicated to Marco Pantani that reproduces the yellow and sky-blue livery of the bike of the historic Giro d'Italia-Tour de France one-two in 1998, in a limited edition of 101 pieces, because that was the Pirate's race number at the Giro. A museum dedicated to the history of one of the most iconic brands of Italian industry, synonymous with heroic cycling, but also a past for cars and aeroplanes, in the heart of Casa Bianchi, in the futuristic factory in Treviglio, flanked by a cafeteria and a new flagship store.
But, above all, the Officina Edoardo Bianchi, the space named after the founder that projects a future inspired by customisation that will revolve around a threefold dimension: a restoration workshop for restoring vintage Bianchi bikes with original parts, a place for creating customised special series based on existing products, and a craft boutique for designing unique products, with the aim of arriving at the 'made-to-measure' bicycle.
With these three extraordinary initiatives, which play out between a legendary past ranging from Fausto Coppi to the Pirata, and a future to be invented to counter the dominance of the eastern giants, Bianchi wanted to celebrate its 140th anniversary with the aim of reclaiming a leading role in the global cycling industry. "The goal is one and the same: to become the best bicycle company in the world that produces the best bicycles in the world," said president and patron Salvatore Grimaldi during the evening celebrating the anniversary. "Bianchi has all the ingredients to take back the role it deserves. It is an industrial boutique: a place where innovation meets craftsmanship, where every product is designed around the customer," echoed Alberto Cavaggioni, Bianchi's CEO and general manager since last March, who has been called upon to relaunch a brand that has made cycling history.
President and CEO spoke in the middle of the new industrial plant in Treviglio, inaugurated a year ago, the result of a 40 million euro investment, aimed at bringing production back to Italy, in what was designed to be a 'handcrafted' factory, where each employee follows a single bicycle in assembly, controlling all stages of the process. Today, 240 pieces per day leave the plant, but the goal is to gradually reach the full capacity of 500 bicycles, between traditional and pedal-assisted. "After the disposal of stocks, 2026 will be the year of recovery for the two-wheel sector and we want to be ready, also by opening up to new products, starting with urban ebikes, which represent the future," adds Cavaggioni.
It is precisely the 140th anniversary celebrations, ambitiously entitled 'Cycling Beyond', that have provided the occasion for the launch of a series of novelties that confirm Bianchi as a brand capable of spanning all segments, from sporty to gravel, from muscular to electric, from off-road to commuting, with the relaunch of the Infinito and Aquila range and gravel models. Other new products will arrive in the autumn for a relaunch that 'betrays' the traditional light blue colour for which, from Coppi onwards, Bianchi is known and recognised throughout the world: the choice of changing colours, the possibility of choosing and customising between futuristic and undoubtedly pleasing shades, represents a real gamble, which looks to a younger public that is less tied to the history of the brand.
