Oltre Series

road3000–12000 EUR

Origin

The Oltre is Bianchi's flagship aero-race platform. It launched as the Oltre in 2011, became the aero-profiled Oltre XR in 2012, then evolved through the XR1 (2015, cheaper layup from the same mould), XR2 (2013), and the long-running XR4 (2016-2018 onward), which added Countervail vibration-cancelling carbon and a claimed ~20W aero gain. In 2023 the all-new Oltre RC superseded the XR4 as the range-topper, introducing F1-inspired Air Deflector wings on the head tube and a Reparto Corse seagull-shaped aero cockpit — the first Oltre with frame, cockpit, wheels and hubs designed in-house. Across generations the Oltre targets elite racers chasing speed on flat and rolling terrain.

Specifications

Frame: Full carbon (Countervail vibration-cancelling carbon + viscoelastic resin, claimed -80% road vibration vs traditional carbon). XR1 used a heavier/cheaper layup (~200g heavier than XR2's claimed 895g) from the same mould.
Weight: kg
Drivetrain: High-end 2x electronic/mechanical groupsets across builds: Shimano Ultegra Di2, Dura-Ace Di2, SRAM Red eTap AXS, Campagnolo Super Record (EPS). Example XR4 Disc build: full Ultegra Di2 R8050/R8070, 52/36 crank, 11-28 cassette (11sp).
Brakes: Build-dependent: rim-brake on early XR/XR2/XR4 builds; later XR4 Disc and Oltre RC use hydraulic disc (e.g. Shimano BR-R8070, 160mm Center Lock rotors). Reviewers noted carbon-rim wet braking on rim-brake versions was weaker.
Wheels: Build-dependent: Fulcrum Racing Quattro DB (40mm carbon), Campagnolo/Fulcrum Bora 50, or alloy Fulcrum Racing on lower builds. Reviewers flagged alloy Fulcrum wheels as below-spec for the price.

The verdict

+Strengths

Countervail carbon layup genuinely smooths road buzz (Bianchi claims -80% vibration) without the softness of a comfort frame.
Stiff, efficient frame with sharp, lively handling and strong power transfer in sprints.
Proven pro-peloton aero pedigree; XR4 claimed a ~20W gain over its predecessor, Oltre RC a further ~17W at 50 km/h.
Clean fully-integrated cockpit and cable routing (ACR on XR4, Reparto Corse aero cockpit on RC).
Iconic Celeste finish and high build quality — a recognisable flagship superbike.

−Weaknesses

Premium pricing; even mid builds feel expensive versus rivals with comparable spec.
Lower builds spec'd with overweight alloy Fulcrum Racing wheels and durability-focused Vittoria Rubino tyres that undersell the frame.
Several testers found it sluggish from a standstill and when climbing — an aero bike biased to flat/rolling courses.
Carbon-rim wet braking on rim-brake versions is mediocre; deep wheels catch crosswinds.
Aggressive race geometry and tight integrated cockpit limit comfort/fit flexibility for non-racers.