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The Bianchi Camaleonte is extensive, and can appear confusing at first sight. Where to start?The Italian design influence is unmistakeable - they have great flair.
The quality and standard of the components varies, depending on the type of riding they are aimed at. The more you have to spend, the better will be the gears, forks and brakes, slicker gear changes, superior stopping power and a smoother ride being the outcome.
All have the identical frame. The tubing is triple-butted, tapered and hydroformed. All have fittings for mudguards and racks if you want. The range uses Shimano gears, the type and quality selected depending on model.
The basic Camaleonte 1 is a superb bike for the money. Shimano supplies the entry-level 24-speed derailleurs. The alloy V brakes and rather thicker 32mm tyres should mean that the bike would function just as well off-road as on the tarmac.
The next two models in the Bianchi Camaleonte hybrid range, the 2 and 3 would suit the off-road user rather better. While these are not pure mountain bikes, they do have that appearance.
Both models have disc brakes, those on the 2 being mechanical while the 3 has a hydraulic system. The benefit of disc brakes when going off-road is that they maintain the braking surfaces dry and clean. This boosts braking power as well as reducing expensive wear and tear.
The gear mechs are from Shimano's mountain bike range, but the 3 is fitted with rather enhanced LX components in contrast to the 2. The 3 also has fatter tyres and spd-compatible pedals.
The Camaleonte 4 & Camaleonte 5 are definitely hybrid bikes, but intended more at road riding. They have the feel more of flat-bar road bikes though.
The carbon/aluminium forks and rather narrower 28mm tyres, together with drivetrain components from Shimano's road range will mean that they will certainly perform on the tarmac. The 5 features the better Tiagra components. Both are fitted with V-brakes, the greater mud-avoiding ability of discs not being so necessary here. There are bar ends on both models, which give you a better range of hand position and so reducing fatigue on extended rides. they are often said to help with hill climbing as well. Both are excellent looking bikes, so again the choice will in all probability depend on budget. I’d be very pleased with either.
Any Bianchi Camaleonte appraisal therefore must make it clear that the range is not aimed at just one type of rider - different models are going to suit different types of riding. The adaptable entry-level Camaleonte 1 is great value, the rather more specialised 2 & 3 fitted more to off-road riding, while the 4 & 5 are going to be capable of remarkable speed on the road.