Rider Profile
Name : Peter V. Pancho
Origin : Philippines
Personal Info : Mechanical Engineer. 56-year-old, 177cm, 165lbs (75kg). Classica Royale Bike Club. Cycling and golf are my hobbies. Exercise and leisure riding, century rides during weekends, Audax 200, and 10,000kms per year.
Specifications
Bike
Frameset : Bianchi Infinito CV Endurance
Groupset : Shimano Dura-Ace/Ultegra
Handlebar : FSA K-Wing Carbon
Headset : FSA Orbit C40-ACB
Cycle Computer : Garmin 530
Seatpost : Bianchi Reparto Corse Carbon
Saddle : SQLab 612 Ergowave
Rotor : Shimano XTR 160/140mm
Pedal : Crankbrothers Eggbeater 11
Cassette : ZTTO Ultralight 11-32
Wheels
Rims : Light Bicycle AR35 Disc Flyweight Hookless No Access Holes W/ Drain Holes
Hubs : DT Swiss 180 EXP 24/24H Centerlock 12/100mm 12/142mm Shimano Road 11s
Spokes : Sapim CX Ray Straightpull
Nipples : Sapim Aluminum Green
Tires : Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SL 700x28C
I was having a hard time during long climbs on the Bianchi Infinito.
In early 2021, our cycling group shifted from riding gravel bikes to road bikes. For my age, I decided to find an endurance road bike which felt more comfortable during long rides for its relaxed geometry. There were so many bikes to choose from, and finally I chose to buy an Italian Bianchi Infinito CV from the US.
When the Bianchi bike arrived, I was so excited and rode it for a few thousand kilometers. However, I was experiencing a hard time during long climbs. That’s when I got an idea to transform my Infinito to a road climbing bike.
The complete bike weighed around 8kg with the Shimano Ultegra groupset and other stock components. With a few upgrades - some Dura-Ace groupset parts, extra-light cockpit parts, carbon compact stem-bar, light carbon ergo saddle, and titanium bolts, the weight was reduced to 7.4kg.
The next goal was a lighter wheelset. The stock wheelset was an aluminum Fulcrum Racing 518 which weighed about 1750 grams. It was too heavy to accelerate and the ride quality was not good as it was not tubeless.
The Light Bicycle team was very helpful with my queries and always gave the right suggestions.
With studies and researches on the latest developments of road wheels, I figured out what I needed: an internal rim width of 22mm to fit the tires of 700x28 or 700x30, a mid-depth of 35mm to 38mm, no center holes nor hooks for easy tubeless setup with no need for rim tape, carbon fiber rims, water drain holes, and the most reliable DT Swiss hubs with ceramic bearings for less rolling resistance.
I shortlisted five brands to choose from: Hunt 35 carbon wheelset, Zipp 303 Firecrest, Nextie, Light Bicycle, and Carbon Endurance Component. With careful comparison, the wheels that complied best with my custom-built climbing bike was the Light Bicycle AR35 Disc. To my knowledge, the Falcon Pro Flyweight rims use the highest quality materials, and the manufacturing process, wheel building, and quality inspection are excellent.
The Light Bicycle sales team was very helpful with my queries and always gave the right suggestions. They would inform you about the delivery schedule and send pictures of the products before shipping.
The whole bike weighs only 6.8kg after the transformation.
After a month I received my AR35 disc flyweight with DT Swiss 180 wheelset (weighs around 1250g) and I installed the Pirelli P Zero SL 700x28C tubeless tires. The transformation of my BIanchi Infinito CV to a climbing bike was complete and the whole bike weighs around 6.8kg.
After several rides of my new Light Bicycle wheelset, I find my bike easy to accelerate, spin and climb on the mountains. With the sweet ride of my Bianchi Infinito, I ride 40km almost everyday for my exercise, and once in a while make a century ride with our bike group. Before the year 2021 ended, I lost weight from 185lbs to 165lbs and I accomplished a 10,000km bike ride for a year. For 2022, I am planning to build a new road endurance bike with an electronic etap groupset and I'll definitely match it with a new Light Bicycle wheelset.
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February 17th, 2022 | Light Bicycle
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Ruel 2023/02/13
LightBicycle 2023/02/13
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