Tell us some more about the drivetrain. Having little time to acclimatize to the fitor the mile-high altitude in Colorado, coming from sea levelI set the saddle position and bar tilt, and then hit out for some time on the Oltre XR3. The Racing category includes extreme racing performance carbon frames, optimized to achieve the most efficient power transmission with the best rigidity to weight ratio. Bianchi Oltre XR3 Ultegra Disc. Bianchis implementation of a process and material for vibration dissipation had me wondering if its capabilities reached beyond simply sprinting on flat straightaways with rough tarmac beneath me. Oltre XR3 Disc frame and fork are designed to accommodate wider tires. For the rider, the new Bianchi Oltre XR3 Disc is a revelation on the road. If you're laying out just shy of four grand on a race machine you're probably a pretty decent rider and don't need the lowest of gears to get you up the hills. Full details are on Bianchi's website - https://www.bianchi.com/uk/bikes/bikes_detail.aspx?rangeIDMaster=385556& How was the bike in terms of height and reach? Oltre XR3 hydraulic disc brakes are impervious to adverse weather conditions. The fork comes in at 450g, which again is in the right ball park. They roll well and I was impressed with their grip levels, happy to take a risk or two with them on quick descents without any concerns. All the cabling and hosing is run internally for a clean look, and makes it compatible with both mechanical and electronic groupsets. 31.8mm, reach 126mm, drop 77,4mm, Size: 400mm-47/50cm , 420mm-53/57cm, 440mm-59/61cm, Seatpost Oltre Full Carbon Aero w/alloy clamp, adjustable and reversible head +/- 35mm, setback (25mm/+10mm) length: 250mm-47cm, 300mm-50/53cm, 350mm-55/59cm, 380-61cm, Saddle Selle San Marco Concor Startup, manganese rails, 278x134mm, Rotor Shimano SM-RT800 Center lock, diam. They have a 35mm-deep rim which is too shallow for any real aerodynamic gain, but they are pretty solid and I certainly didn't have any issues with them when it came to durability. Frame Oltre XR3 Disc carbon w/Countervail, mechanical/electronic shifting compatible, UTSS seat stays, HT with integrated fork, carbon dropout , BB PressFit 86,5x41mm, flat mount caliper, thru axle 12x142mm, sizes 47-50-53-55-57-59-61cm, Fork Bianchi Full Carbon Aero Disc w/Countervail, 1.5">1.1/8" integrated head , flat mount caliper, thru axle 12x100mm, Rear derailleur Shimano Ultegra RD-R8000 SS 11sp, Front derailleur Shimano Ultegra FD-R8000, Crankset Shimano Ultegra FC-R8000 52x36T, Hollowtech II, Crank Length: 170mm-47/54cm, 172.5mm-55/59cm, 175mm-61cm, Sprocket Shimano Ultegra CS-R8000 11sp, 11-12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25-28T, Tire Vittoria Rubino Pro G+ Isotech graphene 700 x 28, Stem Reparto Corse 3D Forged alloy 7050, rise +/- 7, 1.1/8", Ext: 70mm-47, 90mm-50cm, 100mm-53cm, 110mm-55/57cm, 120mm-59cm, 130mm-61cm, Handlebar Reparto Corse Compact Flat Top, Alloy 2014, diam. One thing that is a little odd is Bianchi's desire to hold onto the bolts for battery mounting under that down tube, when pretty much every manufacturer is now offering power sources inside the frame itself. I've ridden race bikes with sharper steering than the Oltre but it still gives you plenty of confidence to carry some speed through the bends unless things tighten up and become very twisty and technical. Weve noticed youre using an ad blocker. Any components which didn't work well together? You still feel the bumps in the road and the like, it just mutes the small stuff, which means that the frame and fork still offers loads of feedback without that constant rattling you'd normally get from a bike with this size of tubing and oversized junctions. Hmm depends on the deals going on. - High strength + medium modulus carbon fibers with Countervail material, - Tapered aero headtube 1.1/8 to 1.5, inspired by Oltre XR4 profiles, - Internal hydraulic cable guide housing. A fast bike that doesn't feel like a fast bike but its comfortable ride grows on even speed-loving cyclists, Best Cycling Website, BikeBiz Awards 2018, Giant's similarly designed and specced Propel Advanced Disc. Ive had this experience with other bikes to the point where the ride felt dead, however, this Bianchi was anything but. The new Oltre XR3 Disc enables to maintain a more consistent overall speed through the corners, with less effort from the rider. The shifting between gears is snappier and more precise than that of the previous 6800 series Ultegra, so you still get that lightest of touch but more reassurance that the chain has shifted a sprocket or chainring. The down tube changes profile throughout and flows through to the chunky chainstays for power transfer while incorporating the large PF86 bottom bracket for impressive stiffness. It's quite a beautiful design as each section of the frame transfers through to the next without awkward angles. I did a nice little 'battlefield' ride taking in Towton and Bramham Moor (a slightly earlier conflict). But when these improvements are integrated into an entire system, they should yield a greater difference than when considered individually. New Ah, cool. At this bikes price point, Id expect a full Shimano Ultegra R8000 group, with hydraulic disc brakes. The revenue from adverts helps to fund our site. an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value with value determined by how a product Reparto Corse is Bianchi's own component brand and it is always decent quality stuff. https://www.bianchi.com/uk/bikes/bikes_detail.aspx?rangeIDMaster=385556& in: Car crashes into building - please post your Local news stories, in: Cyclist dies - Woody Allen blamed for the lack of cycle lane, in: Kinesis Anti-Slip Handlebar Tape Jo Burt Series Reflective, in: Failed KMC chain - less than 100km indoor use, in: Anti-LTN protestors stop traffic in Oxford, in: TdY bites the dust but a new one-day event may replace it, in: NBA star LeBron James takes stake in Canyon Bicycles, in: SoulCycle offers free classes for Peloton Bike trade-in, in: Tipper lorry driver pleads guilty to killing Oxford cyclist. There is space for up to 28mm tyres, and 12mm thru-axles are used front and rear. With a more 'grand tourer' approach to my riding style, though, just backing the effort off a touch, especially under hard accelerations and climbing, I felt like I was getting 99 per cent of the performance for a lot less output. You could maybe expect a carbon bar for the price tag but it's not a deal breaker. Contact us or visit the 'Order Process' page for more details. Contact us or visit the 'Order Process' page for more details.Customisation: Contact us with your upgrade or component alterations, we will endeavour to create your desired specification at purchase whilst maintaining a competitive price. Its handling feels more endurance than race bike, even though the stack and reach ratio for this 55cm gives a nod to the latter. They do get bloody hot, though, so I'm not sure how this cooling technology works. With just a few rides on flats and hills, on asphalt and dirt and gravel, the Bianchi Oltre XR3 Disc Ultegra shows shows itself as a versatile, all-around road bike. With more time in the saddle, decoding how to descend on it should become more evident. It's the same when it comes to durability: I had no issues with punctures or cuts, and while they aren't the most performance-orientated tyre out there, they cover all bases. Fast race bike with excellent handing the price is high, but so is the performance Great looks, plenty of stiffness and a smattering of aero benefits, ruined by a cheap spec list and heavy wheels, Fantastically fast all-rounder that also delivers impressive amounts of comfort, Editorial, general: info [at] road.cc A great balance. Get the latest race news, results, commentary, and tech, delivered to your inbox. The XR3 comes with SM-RT800 Ice Tech Freeza 160mm rotors front and rear. The Oltre XR3 is one of those bikes where computer data and jig testing are one thing but a bike can feel completely different out on the road. By developing the new disc brake equipped Oltre XR3, Bianchi allows you to ride perfect lines at the optimum speed for every single corner, rain or shine. Tech, reviews: tech [at] road.cc The overall score is not just Like this site? As for tyres, the XR3 might have clearance for 28mm tyres but Bianchi has decided to spec 25mm Vittoria Rubino Pros as standard. Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork? Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Around 4x as many people are killed/head of population in road crashes in the US than in the UK. If so. But, I was able to pull a gap back on a heavier rider, when we were both coasting a long downhill. 160mm, Water bottle hanger Elite Paron Race composit, Bianchi says, " Ride beyond limits. Cervelo PX-Series & P-Series 2020 | First Look & Review, Cervelo S5 Disc 2019 | First Look & Technical Details, Focus Izalco Max Disc 2019 | First Look and Review, Focus Jam2 2020 | New Bosch Performance CX Gen4, Bianchi Oltre XR3 Disc Ultegra | XC | 2022 | 4780, Bianchi Oltre XR3 Disc Ultegra | XB | 2022 | 4780, Bianchi Oltre XR3 Disc Ultegra | XW | 2022 | 4780, Bianchi Oltre XR3 Disc Ultegra Di2 | XC | 2023 | 6349, Bianchi Oltre XR3 Disc Ultegra Di2 | XB | 2023 | 6349. Photo: Ben Delaney. How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size? Terms and conditions of use. Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's efficiency? When we descended on a hardpack dirt-and-gravel washboard, I could still feel the road underneath me without being punished, which was really great for maintaining control. |
State the frame and fork material and method of construction. For the rider, the new Bianchi Oltre XR3 Disc is a revelation on the road. Tell us some more about the handling. The Fulcrum 418 wheelset specced here basically looks to be the same as the 4 DBs with different graphics. They are a 300+ set of wheels, depending where you buy them, which is a little cheap for a bike of this price, but they work and I wouldn't be in a massive hurry to change them. CV is described as a viscoelastic material that's embedded within the layers of carbon fibre and is designed to cancel out high frequency road vibration. . The Ultegra hydraulic braking performance is literally awesome, and with this test bike coming direct from the Continent and therefore having the brake levers set up opposite to the UK style, you soon realise just how powerful they are until you adapt to applying more pressure to the front brake rather than the rear. One of the main benefits is the comfort, helped by Bianchi's Countervail (CV) system, and I've ridden enough of this brand's bikes to know that it isn't just a gimmick. The only noticeable pause from this bike was on technical descents. This frame felt plenty stiff which can be tough on anything but smooth roads, as a stiff bike may jump around a bit, instead of roll smoothly but compliance and traction were just not a concern. A fast bike that doesn't feel like a fastbike, but its comfortable ride grows on even speed-loving cyclists, If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website. The best smart bikes for Zwift a head-to-head group test, Review: Canyon Ultimate CF Evo Disc 10.0 LTD, How the pros prepare for a prologue at the Tour de Romandie, Strade Bianche tech: The tires and pressure the pros raced with over the white roads, Sea Otter gear test: Ventum NS1 with unreleased Enve wheels, CeramicSpeed upgrades and a dog in a backpack, Easton EA90 AX gravel dropper post and lever details and ride impressions, Technical FAQ: More bike fitting tips for masters cyclists. Bianchi Oltre XR3 Disc & Rim 2022 | Well balanced and fast road bike, with confidence and stability descending!Aero advantage meets control. We might not have started off as friends but we ended on a high. The flat-mount disc brake caliper mounts, wider tire clearance, and refined application of the vibration-dampening Countervail technology are minor upgrades, individually. Bianchi could save consumers a little bit of money by substituting lower-tier or off-brand components, however the system-as-a-whole integration offers smooth and crisp shifting. The Oltre XR3 Disc delivers comfort and speed but in a different way to what I was expecting. I've always felt that 140mm diameter discs are plenty when using hydraulics on a road bike, but I suppose you can never have too much braking power to play with, especially when you've got this much moderation. The US has a very poor record for road safety. If you like road.cc, but you dont like ads, please consider subscribing to the site to support us directly. Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? How would you describe the steering? If youve enjoyed this article, then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as 1.99. are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. Well provide a more in-depth review of the Bianchi Oltre XR3 in the coming months. Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? With its viscoelastic resin in the Countervail equipped frame and the consistent power, precision and modulation of disc brakes, the new Bianchi Oltre XR3 Disc the ideal handling fast aero road bike - on any road, in any weather. As a subscriber you can read road.cc ad-free, from as little as 1.99. On the Oltre you get an aluminium alloy stem and handlebar which work well enough, although for this kind of money I'd be expecting a bit of carbon fibre. The XR3 uses an aero seatpost which is secured by way of an expanding bung in the top tube. With 20 years of road cycling and over 150,000 miles in his legs it's safe to say Stu is happiest when on the bike whatever the weather. aero road bike that holds its own on off-road surfaces, minimal frame flex while also soaking harsh road vibrations, had to be coaxed into corners while descending. > Buyer's Guide: 12 of 2018s hottest disc brake-equipped race bikes. At a penny under 4,000, the XR3 Disc is right at the upper end of the price band. would you recommend any changes? It does have a 200g weight penalty but it comes with deep-section wheels which are never light. would you recommend any changes? The Oltre XR3 delivers the perfect combination of control, and the competitive advantage of advanced aerodynamics, and, now available with disc brakes. The intention of Bianchi with the 2022 Oltre XR3 is to extend the availability of the Oltre platform. Blurring the edges between race and endurance geometry-wise, but a decent build for the money. 2008present unless otherwise stated. If I owned it I'd happily ride it every day and not be disappointed, but that price is a bit of a fly in the ointment at nearly four grand. This is one of the reasons why I love how long our test periods are on road.cc; every bike is different and it gives you time to adapt. Thanks to the Countervail you can get away with quite stiff components. This 55cm model has a stack of 546mm and a reach of 388mm which is pretty much spot on for this style of bike. Northern Ride, 19 Saville Street, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 7LL, All about the best Bianchi road bikes of 2020, Bianchi Sprint & Sprint Disc 2020 | First Look & Review, Bianchi Infinito CV Disc 2019 | First Look & Review, Cervelo 2022 | Product Launch & Pre-Order, Cervelo FM151, the Soloist | Cervelo Soloist 2023, Cervelo Aspero First Look & Tecnhical Details. Sometimes you need that time to connect with a bike, for it to makesense. Would you change the wheels? Our mission is to bring you all the news thats relevant to you as a cyclist, independent reviews, impartial buying advice and more. And for even more fun, we went off-asphalt onto hardpack dirt. It is a very good bike but there is some serious competition out there for a lot less money, and that's what drops the XR3 Disc down to a 7. Was the bike comfortable to ride? Yes, the Oltre has a very good ride quality which I put down to the Countervail technology. The Vittoria Rubino tyres roll well and their grip allows you to push harder into the bends. The Bianchi does offer a very good ride quality, and there are some really clever design ideas behind it. The first few test rides I was running the 25mm tyres at 80psi, which if you read many of my reviews you'll know is quite low for me. If so. How would the controls work for larger or smaller riders? Even while cross-eyed from out of the saddle efforts and not being acclimatized to riding at mile-high elevation I never missed a shift, even when wearing lobster gloves. The extra clearance enhances comfort and grip. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. I felt like the Bianchi Oltre XR3 Disc Ultegra muted some road chatter, but did not remove me from road feedback. Plenty of grip and decent rolling resistance, a decent set of all-rounders. Tell us some more about the tyres. Four to five-hour jaunts into the hills or faster blasts across the flatlands became fun and I really enjoyed spending time on it. If you dont want to subscribe, please turn your ad blocker off. When our small group started up the first climb of the day, I stood up and was rewarded with a connected-to-the-road response no noticeable flex under my 164 pounds. The objective of Bianchi with the Oltre XR3 Disc is to offer superior bike control through added braking power and increased braking modulation. Our full review of this latest groupset is imminent so I won't go into massive details, but boy oh boy is it a good 'un. Terms, objective of Bianchi with the Oltre XR3 Disc is to offer superior bike control through added braking power and increased braking modulation. All Rights Reserved. Pumping them up to their 110psi minimum sidewall pressure, I could feel the ride had become firmer but that road buzz hadn't increased, it was still being cancelled out. If so. I reckon it looks good too. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed It just shows how strong perceptions can be when there is talk of aerodynamics and oversized this and integrated that. Tel 01225 588855. Overall, the finish is top notch quality. Help us to make it better. The new Oltre XR3 benefits from the same revolutionary frame-design developments proven at the highest level of racing on the acclaimed Bianchi Oltre XR4. I began thrashing around on it like a race bike after all, it is part of Bianchi's Racing range but I didn't really feel like I was being rewarded for my efforts, either from my own feedback or what showed on the Garmin screen. Frame: Oltre XR3 Disc carbon with Countervail technology, Fork: Bianchi Full Carbon Aero Disc with Countervail technology. The Oltre XR3 is, from initial appearance, an aero road racing bike with a pretty massive bottom bracket junction, non-round tube sections, and a flattened aero handlebar. Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork? List the components used to build up the bike. The new Oltre XR3 Disc enables to maintain a more consistent overall speed through the corners, with less effort from the rider. The wheels are plenty stiff enough for hard acceleration, as are the handlebar and stem. It's all decent enough stuff without being overly flash. The answer was an unequivocal yes. Saying that, though, BMC's TeamMachine SLR01 Disc Two comes with an Ultegra groupset and costs a cool 4,450 though it is half a kilo lighter. While the rim-braked version is available in a range of build options, the XR3 Disc comes in one build only for the time being. It's a good one, though: a Shimano Ultegra R8000 groupset and hydraulic disc brakes. The new Oltre XR3 benefits from the same revolutionary frame-design developments proven at the highest level of racing on the acclaimed Bianchi Oltre XR4. With its viscoelastic resin in the Countervail equipped frame and the consistent power, precision and modulation of disc brakes, the new Bianchi Oltre XR3 Disc the ideal handling fast aero road bike - on any road, in any weather, Oltre XR3 Disc frame and fork are designed t. We offer competitive pricing, complimentary bike fits and quality servicing. You can carve a smooth line through a long, curved downhill section with confidence and ease. All material FarrellyAtkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA11JB. It's only if things get really tight and technical that the Bianchi just doesn't quite have that precision to really nail the apex or, should there be some gravel or a pothole mid-bend, it doesn't change its line with definition. Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.