Tested: Bianchi Oltre Pro

It’s lucky they give me a word count. Otherwise this review could well take up the entire magazine, because from radical aero design features and polarising aesthetics to some decidedly unusual geometry, there are many things to talk about with the Bianchi Oltre Pro. It’s actually a little hard to know where to start. But here goes…

Background

With origins dating back to 1885, Bianchi may be the oldest active bike manufacturer in the world. But there’s absolutely zero hint of nostalgia in the current Oltre aero platform, save perhaps for the Edoardo Bianchi crest printed on the top tube. When it was first revealed back in late 2022, the top-of-the-range Oltre RC ‘hyperbike’ replaced the Oltre XR4 as the flagship Bianchi racing frame and is currently being used by Team Arkéa-B&B Hotels on the UCI WorldTour. The subject of this review, the Oltre Pro, sits one rung down in the Bianchi aero stable. While the frame shape and geometry is identical to the RC, there are some important differences, not least the price-tag which – whilst still very comfortably in five figures – is significantly lower. The Pro also features Bianchi’s much-lauded Countervail anti-vibration technology, something absent from the RC.

Styling

Beauty is always subjective and, as became abundantly clear during this review, the appearance of the Oltre Pro certainly generates a reaction. Personally? I like it, especially the fact it’s not just another cookie cutter road bike. In the matt black/celeste colourway reviewed it looks menacing, a sculpted athletic beast that seems ready to explode forward at any moment. With aggressive and asymmetrical tube shaping, integrated aero cockpit, rear wheel cut out, bladed seat post and a seriously hefty bottom bracket, it’s certainly far from the most refined bicycle Bianchi has ever gifted to the world. But nor is it intended to be.

The most curious design features are undoubtedly the Formula One inspired air deflectors on each side of the head tube, something I’ve never seen before on a road bike of any flavour. A small vortex-generating hole at the bar/stem junction is another talking point, albeit nowhere near as pronounced as the gaping chasm in the V-stem system of the Cervelo S5. Something else I couldn’t stop noticing – because it was staring me in the face every time I rode – was the tiny fleck of celeste in the ‘Reparto Corse’ logo. Located smack bang in the centre of the stem it really triggered me for some reason and I kept trying to wipe it away with my hand. Alas, it’s still there.

Frame & geometry

The Oltre Pro is surely one of the most distinctive frames in the modern peloton. The tube shaping is remarkably complex; indeed, run your hand along pretty much any surface and you’ll find a network of bespoke channels and ridges configured to help reduce drag and maximise power from every turn of the pedals. As already mentioned, the most visually obvious features are the air deflection vents, essentially small fairings that channel airflow around the head tube. The theory is awesome, however, there is a slight problem. They aren’t currently UCI legal which, for all their drag cheating properties, makes them relatively pointless given this is very much a bike oriented for racing. Should you intend to pin on a number you’ll need to take the lead of Team Arkéa-B&B Hotels and remove them, or at least hope the commissaries aren’t paying attention. The air deflectors also somewhat muddy what are otherwise impressive aero claims from Bianchi’s testing for the RC model. This includes delivering a 30 per cent advantage over the ‘best aero bikes on the market’ in variable wind conditions, as well as saving 17 watts at 50kph when compared to the Oltre XR4.

While most of the key geometry markers on the Oltre Pro are similar enough to its peers, there are two rather peculiar measurements. At 520mm the stack is extremely low for a 55cm frame, whilst the headtube is also very short at just 118mm. On paper both numbers actually seem like mistakes. But when you look more closely, all becomes clear. The stem/steerer junction on the Oltre Pro integrates deep down into the top of the headtube, placing it roughly 25mm lower than it would be on a more conventional frame. This is then compensated by a positive angle stem that rises up steeply (roughly 80mm on the review build) to the aero bars above, thus increasing the bike’s effective stack. With or without spacers, the end result is still a low and aggressive front end, but it’s not quite as low as you might first think.

Unlike the top-of-the-range RC, the Oltre Pro frame also includes Bianchi’s Countervail(CV) vibration cancelling technology which weaves a viscoelastic material directly into the carbon layup. CV has been used across several models during the past decade or so – including the XR4, XR3, Specialissima and Infinito CV – and Bianchi claims it cancels 80 per cent of road vibrations, preventing fatigue and allowing riders to hold aerodynamic positions for longer. Of course whilst smoother to ride, the addition of CV also makes the Oltre Pro frame a little heavier than the RC equivalent, but we’re only talking around 50 grams in a size 55cm.

Weight

Bianchi says the claimed weight for the Oltre Pro is a very tidy 7.3kg (+/-5 per cent), but I can’t for the life of me work out how they’ve arrived at that number. After multiple weighings on my home scales, the lightest the 55cm review bike came in at was 8.2kg – even before adding bottle cages and pedals. Whilst weight isn’t everything, especially when assessing an aero build, 900 grams is not an insignificant number. The Oltre Pro is clearly a bike designed to optimise watts, efficiency and performance through aerodynamic innovation, not being put on a diet.

Wheels & components

Front and back, the Oltre Pro comes with Bianchi’s excellent in-house Reparto Corse 50mm carbon racing wheels with 21mm internal width, SPB precision bearings and 28mm Pirelli PZero Race SL TLR tyres (maximum clearance is 32mm.) The 3K and UD high strength carbon rim construction with black gloss finish certainly looks the business too. The review build was fitted with SRAM Force AXS 12-Speed, a wonderfully versatile groupset I’ve ridden quite a bit recently and continue to be very impressed with. Unlike the higher-spec RC, there’s no power meter as standard on the Oltre Pro, which is perhaps a little disappointing considering the RRP is still upwards of $13,000. Perched atop the carbon aero seat post is a lightweight Velomann Mitora 139 Hyper saddle with nylon carbon shell and carbon rails. At the other end of the contact points is a one-piece Reparto Corse aero carbon cockpit with an integrated head unit/light mount. The 55cm review frame arrived with a 110mm stem 420mm bar combination, but I’d strongly recommend checking the Bianchi website to see which size ships with your preferred frame to make sure it’s suitable. There were a few other little quirks with the Oltre Pro. For one thing, the front thru axle has a lever, but the rear doesn’t. There were also no bespoke bottle cages, something that feels like a missed opportunity for an aero build.

The ride

Straight up, the Oltre Pro begs to be ridden hard and fast. It has sharp, race-oriented handling which I really enjoyed. The rear end is stiff and the power transfer is top shelf. You really do surge forward when you put the power down with little flex, in or out of the saddle. Consistently during the review my most enjoyable moments came when I was working h-a-r-d. On the flip side, however, I found it quite unforgiving when just cruising along. Yes, this is a bike that rewards effort and punishes laziness. Even with its positive rise stem the ride position is low, compact and certainly at the more aggressive end of the scale – something that warrants a professional bike fit to ensure you derive maximum power and enjoyment, especially when you’re pushing big watts and gears for extended periods. The addition of CV clearly aids with vibration dispersement, the ride quality is still pretty firm. The Oltre Pro holds its momentum fantastically at higher speeds and I found myself frequently rolling up to the wheels in front and needing to ease off a touch in bunches. It descends like an absolute bullet and crushes false flats and rollers. Alas, longer ascents and steeper gradients are less enjoyable, especially for someone like me who prefers cadence over power. Whilst the Oltre Pro climbs okay, it certainly felt a little uncomfortable and sluggish at times with its aggressive geometry and extra weight. It reminded me more of an older style aero build rather than some of the more versatile, lightweight aero offerings we’re increasingly seeing. Then again, the top-spec Oltre RC no doubt fills this space if your budget can stretch that far.

Summing Up

At a time when many manufacturers are trending towards more versatile ‘aero all-rounders’ the Oltre Pro is defiantly contrary both in looks and performance. Even with the inclusion of Countervail, it’s still very much a power bike for power riders. Put in the work, sweat and watts and you’ll be handsomely rewarded. But it really does need to be muscled around to show its best and that was my biggest single takeaway. If you’re more of a chicken leg cadence rider like me, there are probably better options out there, not least the sublime Bianchi Specialissima. But if you’re in your element when laying down and then sustaining big power numbers, especially on flatter parcours, it’s an absolute rocket. You’ll love it.