Just in: Bianchi Oltre XR1

Bianchi's race-ready Oltre XR was launched in 2012, followed up by the improved XR2 in 2014, and is this year joined by the new XR1, a more affordable version built using a slightly modified frame with a different carbon layup, and four builds starting with this Campagnolo Veloce model costing £2,700.

The new Oltre XR1 looks identical to the XR2. That’s because it essentially comes out of the same mould, but it uses a different grade of carbon fibre to keep the price a bit more affordable. There’s none of the reinforcing X-Tex in this frame, which is used around the head tube and bottom bracket of the XR2 to boost stiffness. The seatstays are typically skinny in an effort to provide some smoothness over bumpy roads.

The rear dropouts have been redesigned on this XR1, with one-piece carbon fibre moulded dropouts with an aluminium insert, replacing the bolted stays of the XR2. All cables are internally routed, the rear brake inside the top tube and the gear cables inside the down tube. The frame is Di2 and EPS compatible so it’s got plenty of upgrade potential. The fork is similar as well to the one used on the Oltre XR2, with a claimed weight of 355g.

The geometry is carried over from the top-end XR2 as well. This is a 55cm model (seven sizes are available from 47 to 61cm) and has a 550mm horizontal top tube, 495mm seat tube, 587mm reach, 388mm stack, 407mm chainstays, a 72.5 degree head angle and 73.5 degree seat angle.

It’s a good looking bike, with aero shaped fork blades and flared down tube at the the head tube/fork interface, a teardrop seat tube, with a cutaway for the rear wheel, and aero seatpost. The seat tube, while it looks the same as the XR2’s seat tube, has been redesigned to shed a bit of weight. The seatpost uses a single bolt clamp mechanism and is offered in four lengths, from 250 to 380mm, and is available to take saddles with round or oval rails.

Four builds are available in the XR1 range, this is the most affordable at £2,700. For that you get a Campagnolo Veloce 10-speed groupset with the updated ErgoPower shifters, with a down-turned shift lever that is far more ergonomic than the previous design. There’s an FSA Gossamer Pro chainset with a 52/36t chainring combination and out back is a 12-27t cassette, it's a good setup for racing and sportives.

The Oltre XR1 rolls on a pair of Vision Team 30 wheels with 25mm Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Slick tyres. Bianchi’s in-house brand Reparto Corse is used for the finishing kit, an aluminium handlebar and stem, carbon post and San Marco Era Dynamic Open saddle completes the spec details.

The Oltre XR1 does carry a slight weight penalty over the more expensive XR2, the frame reportedly weighs about 200g more than the XR2's 895g claimed frame weight (for a size 55). On the scales, this bike weighs 7.95kg (17.52 lb).

It’s available in your classic Celeste colour or, if you prefer, a modest modest black paint job. Some people of course feel that a true Bianchi must be painted in this colour and specced with a Campagnolo groupset. You may feel differently. 

There’s a fair amount of competition at this price point, so close to £3k, and the Eddy Merckx SanRemo76 immediately springs to mind. It too is a bike designed for racing and high performance cycling, where speed matters hugely. 

Mat was really impressed with the Oltre XR2, awarding it a 9/10 score, and summed it up by saying: “...the Oltre XR2 is outstandingly responsive. It accelerates super-fast, exactly as you'd expect of a bike that mixes it at the very highest level.”

It’ll be interesting to see how the XR1 compares and if, in the changes to meet a lower price, it has lost any of that character.

www.bianchi.com