Bianchi Oltre XR4 Disc Ult Di2 2019

The Bianchi Oltre XR4 Disc is a fabulous race bike, offering speed and agility, aero features and an excellent ride quality alongside the power and consistency of hydraulic disc brakes. This bike is a real star!

• Pros: Stiff frame, smooth ride, agile performance
• Cons: Others beat it on value for money

The Oltre XR4 Disc is a bike that you'll always find yourself looking for an excuse to ride. Even when the weather is damp and dreary, as it has been for a lot of the winter test period... sod it! Let's just head out into the hills to check how it gets on with slippy climbs and wet descents.

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We've reviewed the rim brake version of the Oltre XR4 previously, and we loved it. This version picks up where that one left off, providing the same pro-level performance with the addition of disc brakes.

What's new?

Loads of brands have added disc brake versions of existing rim brake models over the past few years, and it's always more complicated than just adding some extra mounts to the frame and fork.

Whereas the rim brake version of the Oltre XR4 has a 1 1/8in upper headset bearing and a 1 1/4in lower bearing, the disc brake version is 1 1/2in top and bottom. This is because Bianchi uses FSA/Vision's new ACR System.

ACR stands for Aerodynamic Cable Routing and it involves an integrated cockpit (a one-piece handlebar and stem) and a specific (although standard sized) headset.

According to Vision, "By using standard headset dimensions, the system maintains frame strength and, by routing cables through the headset, it also safely preserves a round steering column that is free of drilling. Additionally, brands have the flexibility to utilise a single frame design at a variety of spec levels simply by adjusting cockpit and headset selection."

Here's a quick video to show you how it works. 

The gear wires and the brake hoses run internally through both the handlebar and stem sections. Then there's a little channel at the front of the spacers and top cover of the headset through which the rear brake hose and the wires (if you go for a Di2 spec) can travel down into the frame. Those spacers are split – each one is made up of two separate parts that lock together around the fork's steerer tube for ease of adjustment. The spacers and the headset cap, like the FSA 1 1/2in headset, are custom, designed specifically for the XR4 Disc.

The front brake hose slithers into the top of the steerer tube and drops down to the fork leg. As well as keeping everything out of the airflow, this results in a really clean appearance.

If you choose a mechanical groupset, Bianchi runs the cables externally between the centre of the bar and ports at the top of the down tube.

In use, the handlebar/stem is excellent. It feels stiff when you're on the drops and the top sections, flattened for aerodynamics, make for comfortable handholds when you're climbing.

Bianchi hasn't had to change the geometry much to accommodate the disc brakes. I usually take a 57cm bike but in Bianchi's unusual stated sizes it's a 59cm. The 59cm Oltre XR4 Disc comes with a 540mm seat tube, a 575mm top tube, a 175mm head tube and 73-degree frame angles. Those figures are identical to those of the rim brake model. The stack height is 575mm and the reach is 398mm – again, virtually the same.

The only real difference is out back where the chainstays are a touch longer – 412mm versus 409mm on the 59cm model – leading to a slight increase in the wheelbase: 1,005mm rather than 1,002.5mm. In use, you won't notice such a subtle difference. I certainly didn't (and I've ridden the rim brake Oltre XR4 loads).

The geometry is race-focused, of course. Our review bike came with 35mm of headset spacers to bring the front end up, giving a slightly more upright riding position than I'd ideally have. If this was your bike you could ditch at least some of those spacers and cut down the steerer tube for a more aggressive setup.

The Oltre XR4 Disc uses 12mm thru-axles front and rear and, like the vast majority of new models, it takes flat mount disc brakes. Bianchi claims a frame weight of 990g (+/-5%, 55cm version) and a fork weight of 420g. That compares with claimed weights of 980g (+/-5%) and 370g for the rim brake model – so the disc frameset is 60g heavier.

Our Oltre XR4 Disc hit the road.cc Scales of Truth at 7.8kg (17lb 3oz). That's considerably more than the 6.53kg (14lb 6oz) of the rim brake model that we reviewed, of course, but we're not comparing like with like. That bike came fitted with a top tier Campagnolo Super Record groupset and Campag Bora Ultra 50 Dark tubular wheels, whereas this review bike is built up with Shimano's second level Ultegra Di2 groupset and Fulcrum Racing Quattro DB clincher wheels.

Ride

Like the rim brake model, the Oltre XR4 Disc is a lovely, lovely bike, jumping into action with no fuss whatsoever.

First, there's the frame stiffness. The central part of this frame is solid. Get out of the saddle and slam those pedals with everything you've got in a quad-busting sprint and it's still solid.

The front end is equally impressive. Lean the XR4 over as hard as you dare, the tyres scrabbling to grip the road surface, and the steering is spot on. You'll have a lot of fun chucking the bike around on sinuous descents too, the easy-to-control brakes getting you out of bother if you do overcook it in a tight turn.

The Oltre XR4 Disc is just as good on the ups. We've certainly reviewed disc brake bikes that are considerably lighter but a couple of pounds really doesn't make the difference to climbing prowess that some people would have you believe. Stand up on the pedals and everything feels very efficient.

One feature that has definitely grown on me is the forward sweep of the Vision Metron 5D ACR Disc Integrated Aero bar/stem (that reminds me, I should try to negotiate payment by the letter). From the centre point of the stem section, the flattened tops curve forward 10 degrees. This means that when you rest your hands up there for climbing, your elbows stick out slightly, as if you've only taken up road cycling in the last fortnight. Vision claims that this makes for easier breathing. I'm not 100 per cent sure about that but I definitely find this position a little less cramped than usual, and a little more comfortable on the arms and shoulders.

Bianchi's CV

The other big feature of the Oltre XR4 is its smoothness. Bianchi will tell you that this is down its Countervail (CV) technology. For those who haven't been paying attention, Countervail is something that Bianchi has introduced to several models over the past few years. I've explained it many times previously so I'll let Bianchi do the honours here:

"Bianchi collaborated with Materials Sciences Corporation to develop our innovative and exclusive application of the patented Countervail integrated vibration cancelling system for cycling. Scientific studies prove that long term exposure to vibration, typically absorbed by the rider, causes muscle fatigue and discomfort, resulting in reduced performance.

"With its patented carbon fibre architecture, Countervail carbon material, embedded within our unique Specialissima, Oltre XR4, Infinito CV, Aquila CV and Methanol CV carbon lay-up, immediately cancels vibration while increasing the stiffness and strength of the entire frame."

Of course, there are a whole load of factors that affect a bike's feel, from frame geometry and layup to fairly simple things like tyre pressure and the type of handlebar tape used, and my backside isn't so finely tuned that it can discern the exact role that a particular 'carbon fibre architecture' plays in the feel of a bike, but I do find the Oltre XR4, in both its rim brake and disc brake versions, to be among the most buzz-free race bikes out there.

This is, though, still very much an aggressive race bike with sharp reflexes so don't expect the deep, soft comfort that you get with some endurance road bikes.

You get a full Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset right down to the cassette, without anything swapped out to make way for something cheaper, and it's excellent stuff. I'm fortunate enough to ride both top-level Dura-Ace Di2 and second-tier Ultegra Di2 on a regular basis and there's nothing between them in terms of function, Dura-Ace just coming in a little lighter.

The Oltre XR4 is available in four different builds, the other three being based around Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (£10,000), Shimano Dura-Ace mechanical (£8,000) and Campagnolo Super Record (£9,400) groupsets. They all have 52/36T chainsets, the only difference in gearing being that the Campag model has an 11-29T cassette whereas it's 11-28T with the Shimano options.

Different wheels are also available, depending on the option you choose. Fulcrum Racing Quattros came fitted to our Ultegra Di2 model. These have 40mm-deep carbon rims to offer an aero advantage without being so deep that they become a handful in blustery conditions. They're great wheels: strong, stiff, and a reasonable weight considering their medium depth and 24.5mm outer width. They do add £1,000 to the price over the Fulcrum Racing 418s, the other wheels you could opt for if you wanted to save some cash or if you already have a bling set of wheels you'd like to use (we had the 418s on the Oltre XR3 Disc that we reviewed). 

The only part of the build that I really couldn't get on with was Bianchi's own bottle cage! It might be superlight but I found getting a bottle out of it way more difficult than it should be, to the point that I would question whether I was really thirsty before committing to the job. Small point, I know! I'll move on...

Rivals

Priced at £7,700, this version of the Oltre XR4 Disc is among the more expensive Shimano Ultegra Di2-equipped disc brake road bikes out there, although you can get the same bike with Fulcrum Racing 418 wheels instead of Fulcrum Racing Quattros over £1,000 cheaper at £6,650.

The Vitus ZX1 CRi Aero Disc Ultegra Di2 that we reviewed last year was just £3,199.99, although that's an unusually low price for a bike with this level of componentry.

> road.cc Road Superbike of the Year

Giant's Ultegra Di2-equipped Propel Advanced Pro Disc is £4,899, Specialized's Tarmac Disc Pro is £6,000 and Cannondale's new SystemSix Hi-Mod Ultegra Di2 is £6,500. The Trek Madone SLR 7 Disc Project One is £7,550, although you have a degree of customisation there.

Conclusion

This really is a great race bike. You'll find lighter bikes and you'll find bikes that beat it on price, but the Oltre XR4 Disc offers a sparkling ride. It's quick, agile and very smooth. Add in an excellent electronic groupset and hydraulic disc brakes and this is a fabulous proposition.

Verdict

Pro-level race bike with fast reactions, a smooth ride and excellent braking