Bianchi Specialissima RC: Ugly But BRILLIANT

[@bikeradar]

Is the Bianchi Specialissima ugly? Should we even care about its looks if it rides well? Let us know what you think, in the comments below!

[@nahuelise4055]

I have to agree with you on the looks departament,even if it rides amazing i wouldnt buy it

[@banjo7127]

Looks, as always, are subjective. SL8 is the king of hype, nothing else. It’s the most boring ugly looking frame in the peloton IMO. Specialissima was beautiful in the last gen but the current design is unique at least, wouldn’t go as far as to say ugly. Furthermore it’s a Bianchi, already massively more desirable than a Spesh.

[@truthseeker8483]

Looks nicer than the SWorks to me.......I like the aero shaped tubing.

[@respox2191]

It's ugly. Looks like an aluminum bike with a dented top tube.

[@edmorris5433]

I think it’s unique and stands out. The Pro with the Celeste looks ❤. The specialized, canyons, just look boring

[@455LT1]

It looks much nicer than the SL8, I'd take it in a heartbeat.

[@sherab2078]

Ok, the look of a bike is a big factor to me either, but I actually find this model appealing. Have no problems in this department. I can't afford it anyway, though.

[@AaronBhend]

Ugly? The bike is absolutely stunning!!! 😍 There are only two things I don't love. The overhanging head tube (aero purposes, I guess) and the glossy wheels. Other than that and this bike is absolutely perfect!

[@davidmclauchlan1794]

I picked up my 2024 Specialissima Pro a couple of weeks ago and it looks awesome, different, unique......and the iridescent mystic grey, featuring purple shades is a colour way no photo can do justice.

[@jed1mstr]

Not ugly, I like the new modern angled shapes versus the stodgy old Specailissima tubes. To each their own, but I think it's a beautiful bike, especially with the gradient RC colorway.

[@alanrichardson2560]

It looks gorgeous - love the lines!

[@narutodayo]

I saw it in person a week ago, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Looks sleek, modern, and sexy.

[@johnclement4781]

I am a bit perplexed with the hate on this bike..... I think its beautiful.... maybe not the same as the original, which the usual folks complained about being old fashioned etc, so they have developed something genuinely different, and guess what...... lol. The inability for the usual channels to talk about the likes of bianchi over the brands paying the money, and so they don't want to annoy the hand that feeds them..... sad

[@spokedonwrenching]

The tube shapes are more palatable than Pinarello's ungodly F series. Those Pinaforks were and are objectionable. Bianchi dropped the ball on the paint, however. I am forever puzzled at brands' unwillingness to utilize the real estate gained by modern/larger carbon forms to splash more colour. Dull gray, dull black, dull white. So appealing. Trek at the upper end at least has no compunction about glitter and hotter tones.

[@core2zero]

Aria's paint scheme, and the Oltre XR3 have pretty neat paint schemes, specially in their inverted forms

[@respox2191]

Even Trek's lower-end bikes are colorful. It's Specialized where you have to buy an S-Works frame just to get something that isn't black or some dull muted colorway.

[@JogBird]

they have to be conservative.. lbs dont want inventory of flashy coloured $14k bikes that wont sell

[@andrew30m]

If It’s so ugly, send me the bike and I will put it in my garage so you are no longer offended by it…you’re welcome.👍

[@chrisdavis8399]

😂😂

[@ngkimlengroger7513]

Cheapskate asking for free stuff

[@andriivaskovets5438]

Ugly? Depends on your level of taste

[@savagepro9060]

@@andriivaskovets5438 your level of taste depends on how much salt you use

[@mattrolls1765]

He is talking about Bianchi like a SPECIALIZED C.E.O. Remember man: ITALIANS DO IT BETTER !!!!!

[@alexk.5674]

First, taste is personal judgment. Second, this one if the most beautiful bike I saw, especially the bar. It looks like an F-35...

[@Bravoleader80]

This is a thing of beauty, love it ❤

[@jasondunlap9823]

I think it looks great. Great video. 😊

[@nutralizer01]

You say Bianchi ugly?? I totally disagree.. I mean most others will disagree. It's the Lamborghini of the bicycle world. The aero design, dark greey non-glossy surface, that iconic Celeste green touch, and the identity of it. Compared to Biachni high-level models, other models like SWORK looks much more plain to me, at least exterior design-wise. It should be more like "pretty thing" but a bit too expensive for its functionality Lol

[@seryozhasteve]

A beautiful bike. Glad to see lots of Bianchi Celeste Green. OK, so the head tube overhang looks a bit post modern and the wheels look like Chinese knock offs. I really like the top tube - very go faster, mashed up and gratuitous. Overall, i think it looks mad and why not - it’s fun. C’mon live a little. I sold my much loved Bianchi Oltre race bike last year - age, arthritis, beer belly, and a great deal on a (yawn) Trek Domane. But this thing looks fab. Great review, wish I was 21 again, (with my 62 year old finances!)

[@J03Y512]

I think it looks elegant

[@albandb9366]

Things of a beauty 🥰😍

[@Jakubescu]

Ugly? I was thinking the same until I saw it "live" its great looking bike a piece of italian art

[@davidpacker7994]

I recently bought the PRO in celeste/black. The colour is really eye catching, much better than in the pictures I've seen online....and think it looks better than the RC (although understand that RC paint is 40g lighter!). It rides amazingly well and it much faster than my existing gravel bike....and I was surprised that I can really feel the CV tech (only on the PRO version) which I was not expecting. Try one....I'm sure you'll like it!

[@DavidCasebeer-wf8by]

A few years back, I had Mercian Cycles redo my 1977 Professional. The frame cracked after 186 thousand miles and I took the Campagnolo Record 11 group off and put it on a 2019 61 cm Specilissima. 7kg with pedals and bottle cages. My brother, who provided the frame (not free) asked me for the color, Celeste. Wonderful ride. As good as my 853 steel.

[@rigobertogomez25]

i couldn't disagree more about the way this bike looks. To me it is a work of art and everything you mentioned is why i love it!😁 amazing review dude. keep up the good work!👏🏻

[@gabrielrak5087]

Not ugly at all. I think Oltre RC with that strange stem is ugly, but not the Specialissima. The ugliest bike imo is the Cervelo S5

[@Gufolicious]

i find the bike looks really good. and if i had not bought the sl8 this would have been in my inner circle.

[@patrickwong4824]

Why did you leave out the best-looking bike on the list, the Look 795 blade?

[@sventibold]

Ugly is really subjective Nice looking bike to me ❤

[@creative907]

Bike aesthetics is one of the major factors for me to own the bike (assuming it's within my budget). I actually find the sharp and angled lines appealing on the frame, it displays character versus the bland SL8. The colourway I'm ok on, not in love with it but I don't hate it either. I do wish specialissima was outfitted with deeper section wheels.

[@DrChronic_DirtyDishes]

I think it looks awesome 😎

[@slighter]

This with some deep section wheels and its the perfect batbike.

[@alanhill7965]

Great review lovely bike !

[@matteo.ceriotti]

Odd to kill it off right from the title as "ugly".

[@JFomo]

Looks 👍 👌

[@universe-juice]

I dont think its ugly. I like it. Ive seen these bikes build up well under 6.8. I dont understand the head tube lip. Reminds me of the F10. Wich i would call a hold over from rim brakes. Dont know about it these days?

[@osmo6207]

Very nice looking bike. Love it

[@bobbafett1971]

I like it a lot

[@marekbabal392]

I do not do road cycling, but regarding bike design I totally agree, much of a bike’s appeal is how it looks. These days is there any bike from a renowned brand that is really bad? No! As you say in your bike of the year conclusion for every category - it is more and more difficult each year to determine the winner. For most riders it is completely ok to choose a bike according to which one looks the best.

[@cdanrun1]

I also appreciate the honest review!

[@BTBikestore]

Best looking bike 2024 (and 2025)....

[@phoenixinthetrees1446]

"Chi stai chiamando brutto? Soprattutto con quella maglietta!" says the Bianchi (if Google Translate heard him properly... "Who are you calling ugly? Especially in that shirt!").

[@nickoutdoors8119]

Obviously got no taste 😂 That bike is stunning.

[@kaltonian]

personally i I love it... apart from the price, but for the price i would prefer this year's look bike

[@teuast]

I for one like it a little weird. That Colnago you showed is brilliant, but I *like* this. Take that with a grain of salt, though. I ride a red steel Masi gravel bike with a black State front fork and non-matching wheels, and while it rides wonderfully and easily handles anything I throw at it, visually it's a disgusting kludged-together mess, and I like it that way.

[@DaveCM]

I actually don't hate the way it looks. I'd ride it.

[@WN.Gaming.]

This is not ugly at all

[@Sweetskis]

It’s Italian. Where is the panache(fr)?! For $14k let’s have some fun with the paint or design.

[@luiscordero1539]

I agree with you looks does matter at the end it’s the driving force towards the bike not underestimating it’s true, mechanical value, but my personal opinion it Hass to be love at first sight

[@Sweetskis]

Where are these frames made? If Time can make too quality beautiful frames in the EU why can’t Bianchi?

[@patrickforde1203]

I'm thinking of buying one, I love the look and colour scheme, I want to know about the wheels are they good bad or what ,any help be great

[@Guilhermemuquem]

What’s the problem with the look ?! Beautiful design for me.

[@garyjones6519]

I have the ‘original’ Specialissima that you mention at the beginning (which is far from being the first Specialissima from Bianchi if you go back a few years) Mine is a custom build with Campag SR EPS and Mavic carbon wheels which are horrible depending in the wet. it’s a climbing setup and absolutely fabulous on the hills… and looks just fantastic…. This model, as much as I am a Bianchi fan having 4 of them, I would not buy

[@gabrieljohannson6777]

$14,000 which I’m assuming is USD$ is offensive and proof cycling is a rich man’s sport.

[@byrdmandan]

I ride a 2022 Specialized Allez Comp with the exposed welds. Love the bike so "ugly" is not an issue.

[@eto2352]

When Van Rysel and Joe's Giant TCR has more drip than the Specialissima, you know Bianchi has lost its way.

[@savagepro9060]

Calling the Bianchi Specialissima RC ugly is an insult to the word ugly itself!

[@McLovin38FFs]

I like it!

[@권용대-b5v]

Seriously, previous generations of Bianchi are far better in terms of design, and I believe the main appeal of Bianchi is the design (with celeste color). I’d rather ride old ones than this.

[@tolitsdterrible4785]

People who buy a race bike for purely its looks have something wrong with their heads. It looks good, BTW. 😊

[@Paisavision]

How is it ugly?

[@Gianniz27]

Not ugly.

[@derekh7441]

I think the question is, can one find an equally (or at least similarly) performing, less expensive AND more visually appealing bike elsewhere? I believe the answer is "yes".

[@royanderson3478]

SL8 is the bike i would buy. I'm not sure the S-works, but the next level down.

[@halfblood_drag0n]

i like the more modern looking stuff, really want a giant areoroad or a dogma f cause they look really good

[@vlain16]

Ugly? Far from it, it's a thing of beauty imo!

[@matthewsweat]

I could get used to that top tube but prefer more classic design. That paint scheme needs to go. Bring back traditional colors. Like all celeste with white lettering or even blue. Sure I could get it repainted but the main reason II'll never buy another Bianchi is the Pressfit bottom bracket. That just ruins it for me. Some say they never had a problem, some say they always have problems. Im not willing to flip that coin with a bike that cost that much.

[@Stealthwealth1001]

At least it doesn’t look like every other drop stay bike!

[@fiLthy_Rx]

A $14,000 bike with absolutely zero "Wow!" factor.

[@songofyesterday]

It looks better now. Contemporary

[@lorenzodestefano4043]

Sl8 is way uglier than Bianchi Specialissima. It is not ugly at all, you have poor aesthetic taste...

[@amjedhussain7954]

I need it please, I like it, I need it. So beautiful

[@JibbaJabber]

@0:42 Liam: 'Be a lamb'?? I'm already one of those subscription 'sheeple'. But I won't bleat on about it or you might lambast me😊

[@Sr.D]

No matter the way you put it, there's just not enough engineering or materials to justify the cost, this type of bikes are just like luxury watches, it's fine by me, but it needs to be said more frequently.

[@BearsDenRecords]

I completely agree with you. In my opinion, this new model looks ugly. Too many edges. For me, a huge part of Bianchi's appeal, aside from its history, is its looks (celeste color and all). Maybe their marketing should focus on this more; Capitalize on its heritage and classic looks much like the Colnago C68 did. Because anyway, most of the people who will pay to own this bike aren't pro cyclists. Most just want a nice looking bike, with weight and performance coming in a close second or third. If they want to focus on performance, they should leave it to the Oltre (which by the way is way more hideous. haha) P.S. I may be biased, I have the 2021 model. lo

[@simonalexandercritchley439]

Do Bianchi make any bikes in Italy anymore or are they like the rest made in China with 500% markup?

[@charliecook6909]

I mean the top tube isn't the best but it's a pretty good looking bike part from that , a dogma is the ugliest road bike i think iv ever seen 🤣

[@chrisball3412]

bike looks are very important. if your going to put ghat much $$ into it you want something you find beautiful you want to ride.

[@stevethegold]

looks better in Celeste. Save yourself 5k and buy the comp.

[@hubert12125]

Imagine how people who spend 10k on that bike feel when it was called a Ugly

[@riccardocimei7293]

I am still waiting the review of the Cipollini Dolomia...

[@dainiusvysniauskas2049]

How come you dog the Specialissima every time you get the chance, but practically never say the same thing about Tarmac SL8 and its ButtSniffer™, which is infinitely worse looking?

[@simonalexandercritchley439]

Looks are most important but I find the prices of bikes now most ugly. My '97 Bianchi steel with Columbus genius tubing in the proper colour Celeste with blue pearl is much nicer (even at 9.5 kg) could be 8kg with lighter wheels and components. I am sure the Specialissima rides very nice but will it last 27 years and counting?

[@antoinetran900]

Compared to the sl8 this looks great! The bulky sniffer and the pencil thin seat stays do not inspire me

[@hockysa]

I love the look of this bike but my back will be a hard no for this geometry.

[@Southerncyclist]

Looks so much cooler than a SL8 👎. Looks like a 2024 light areo bike should.

[@PKwong-xq9ze]

A bike that costs $14k is insane. I don’t care how fast this bike can go. I can buy a used car for that price😂

[@AutoCAD681]

why dont you test it with a deeper wheel ... ... i suspect ? You had the bike !

[@andresjlenis5007]

agree¡¡¡ good report ¡¡ dont look like an spelicalissima

[@tomedward8652]

I wonder how many of the people commenting could a actually afford this bike. For me bike prices are just stupid.

[@danbelden7354]

It definitely looks a little peculiar

[@BrunoStocovick]

This is the Hyundai Elantra of road bikes.

[@Fugitive_8]

Is it ugly? No Does it matter No Is it a bit overpriced Yes

[@johnnnewmex]

Says the man with white shoe covers😂

[@ditto1958]

For that price I’d buy a motorcycle, lol

[@brody5211]

I’ve an aethos and it’s rubbish outside of climbing sadly

[@noodles0101]

I haven't even read the title and already wanted to comment "ugly af"

[@rayc4543]

So sick of these overpriced bikes !!.......Joe Average can not afford them......more videos about reasonably priced entry level bikes please !

[@alfa156]

That ill-fitting overshirt-jacket-thing he is wearing is incontrovertibly ugly

[@TheCyclingCardio]

Bianchi has lost it’s way

[@andrewdeanenglish901]

Why do you mention the price in dollars? This is a UK channel.

[@Bonky-wonky]

Nicely shaped frame but in true bianchi style it looks like they’ve smeared a few different tunes of tooth paste all over it..

[@rg807]

Even Stevie Wonder cares about looks. Seriously.

[@savagepro9060]

FACT: Stevie Wonder is NOT blind