Russell Stevenson's Bianchi Cross Concept

	Photo ©: Hyun Lee

Go Russ, Go!

By Anthony Tan

FSA's Carbon Pro crankset Photo ©: Hyun Lee

Shimano Ultegra derailleurs Photo ©: Hyun Lee

Shimano's XT cantilever brakes Photo ©: Hyun Lee

Michelin's 'cross-specific Photo ©: Hyun Lee

Reminiscent of Maggie Bäckstedt's winning ride at the 2004 Paris-Roubaix, Benaroya Research Institute rider Russell Stevenson took a second consecutive Washington State 'cross championship aboard his Bianchi Cross Concept just over a week ago in the style of the Swedish strongman.

A aluminium/carbon composite, Stevenson's Bianchi uses Easton's top-shelf Scandium 7000 series aluminium for the main triangle, bonded to a carbon rear and joined with a 1' 1/8" carbon fork (alloy steerer) up front. Available in six frame sizes, Russ' mostly celeste coloured frame measures 57cm centre-to-top and has an effective top tube dimension of the same length, but measured centre-to-centre to keep things confusing.

Also interesting - and thoughtful - is the shape of the top tube. Ovalised at the head tube before morphing to a square at the seat tube join, Bianchi have done this specifically for shouldering one's steed over the barriers... or anytime you feel like carrying rather than riding your bike!

The group is mostly Shimano, but quite a mixture. Beginning at the cockpit with Dura-Ace 9 speed levers, moving our way down to the Ultegra front and rear derailleurs and 12-25 cassette that runs on a Sachs chain, and ending with a touch of MTB; Shimano's XT cantilever brakes both front and rear, swapped with Cool Stop pads. The rest is equally eclectic: from the Salsa Poco anatomic bar to the Profile Hammer stem; to FSA's carbon team issue cranks with Crank Brothers' Egg Beaters Triple Ti pedals; to the Bianchi carbon post clamped to Fizik's Aliante saddle.

Consistent with the rest of his tried but true accessories, Stevenson's stuck with an oldie but a goodie for his race hoops: a pair of hand-built Mavic Open Pro CD Ceramic 28-hole rims on Shimano's no-nonsense Dura-Ace hubs. Rubber is courtesy of Michelin, with Russ favouring the French firm's Mud2 tyres both front and rear.

Should Russ ever get sick of the mud, Bianchi claim the Cross Concept to be road ready in an instant: a quick tyre-swap and away you go!

Photography

Images by Hyun Lee

• A man and his dog - Russell Stevenson and his Bianchi Cross Concept.
• FSA's Carbon Pro crankset runs on 39/46 chainrings and are coupled with Crank Brothers' Egg Beaters Triple Ti pedals.
• Shimano Ultegra derailleurs grace both front and rear.
• Shimano's XT cantilever brakes make stopping a cinch, whatever the conditions.
• Michelin's 'cross-specific Mud2 clinchers.
• A closer look at the carbon rear stays and Scandium downtube.

Full specification

Frame: 2005 Bianchi Cross Concept, 57 cm model
Fork: Bianchi carbon with alloy steerer tube
Colour: Celeste/navy blue/red
Geometry:
Seat tube: 570 mm (C-C)
Top tube actual: 565 mm (effective horizontal)
Top tube effective: 570 mm (effective horizontal)
Chainstay: 425 mm
Fork rake: 50 mm
Head tube angle: 72.5°
Seat tube angle: 73°
Wheelbase: 1026 mm
Standover height: 32 mm

Cranks: FSA Carbon Team Issue 172.5, 172.5mm, 39/46T
Bottom bracket: FSA ISIS Pro
Chain: Sachs
Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 7700 9 speed
Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 7700 9 speed
Brakes: Shimano XT cantilever
Levers: Shimano Dura-Ace 7701 9 speed
Rear sprockets: Shimano Ultegra 12-25

Rim: Mavic Open Pro CD Ceramic 28H clincher
Hubs: Shimano Dura-Ace
Tyres: Michelin Mud2

Stem: Profile Hammer, 10 cm
Bars: Salsa Poco, 42cm
Headset: FSA Integrated, 1' 1/8"

Pedals: Crank Brothers Egg Beaters Triple Ti
Seat post: Bianchi carbon
Saddle: Fizik Aliante
Other: Cool Stop brake pads