Bianchi

Zurigo

While Bianchi satisfies the carbon urge with their top-of-the-line Cavaria cyclocross frameset, the Zurigo has all the same performance details while being made from hydroformed 7000 series aluminum. Like the Cavaria, it's born and bred for CX racing while being no less appropriate as a commuter or foul-weather training bike. It fits up to 35c tires with clearance to spare for mud and debris to pass between the stays/fork and the tires. And with its slightly slacker head angle, the Zurigo is stable and comfortable in a variety of unnerving conditions from patchy grass to off camber, slick corners.

An important but easily overlooked detail with the Zurigo is its ovalized top tube. It's squashed in the vertical plane to create a broader cross section that makes shouldering the bike a bit more comfortable. And for all of cyclocross' intense suffering, any extra comfort is a luxury. The top tube cable routing is thoughtful as it helps keep mud and grime from coating the cables and shortening their service life.

The Bianchi Zurigo is Black with Celeste Green panels on the down and seat tubes. The panels are bordered with the world champion rainbow and Italian tricolor stripes on either end. It comes in five sizes -- 49, 52, 55, 58, 61cm. It has one bottle mount on the down tube and single eyelets on the front and rear dropouts for fenders. It requires a 31.6mm seatpost, a 34.9mm clamp-on front derailleur, and cantilever brakes. It has a 68mm English-threaded bottom bracket shell. The fork has carbon fiber blades with an aluminum steerer, and you'll get an FSA Orbit C-CX integrated 1-1/8" headset as well.