Bike Rumor: Bianchi Unveils Oltre XR – Lighter, Stiffer Racing Road Bike, July 17, 2012

2013 Bianchi Oltre XR Super Record, courtesy of Bike Rumor

"Bianchi has just announced their next level racing road bike, the 2013 Oltre XR.

 We have the “standard” Oltre in on review, and it’s no slouch in terms of stiffness and weight, but the XR claims to be stiffer and lighter, coming in just under 900g for a 55.

Visually, it’s very similar to the Oltre, which includes the aerodynamically shaped tubes, ultra thin seatstays and angles on the head- and down tubes. The key difference is the combination of UMS40and CN60 Ultra High Modulus carbon fibers, which dropped 30g from the frame while increasing frame rigidity by 20%. Bianchi says this gives it the best stiffness to weight ratio of any bike they’ve ever made."

Read more at Bike Rumor

Bike Radar: Bianchi Oltre XR Unveiled, July 18, 2012

2013 Oltre XR Ultegra Di2

"The current Oltre is being raced by the Vacansoleil-DCM pro team, and carried Thomas De Gendt to third place in this year’s Giro d’Italia. But although it’s an undoubtedly excellent bike, feedback from professional riders and Bianchi’s own development team led to the creation of the Oltre XR. 

Present at the launch was Felice Gimondi, who won the Tour in 1965, was noticed by Fausto Coppi and brought in to ride for Bianchi. He spent the second half of his career with the team. He’s now a Bianchi ambassador and is said to have the company’s famed celeste green running through his veins."

 Read more at Bike Radar (including extra pics)

Road Bike Action: First Look: Bianchi Oltre XR, July 17, 2012

2013 Oltre XR in matte black (offered in US in Dura Ace Di2), courtesy of Road Bike Action

"Oltre XR is a monocoque carbon frame designed for extreme performance. Its increased rigidity and Bianchi’s unique racing geometry are combined to provide fast acceleration, maximum power transmission and enhanced handling.

Watch the Bianchi Oltre XR video.

PID graphics (Pure Italian Design) and performance merge in a technique-oriented design. Oltre XR’s increased lightness results in optimal climbing performance, and aerodynamics were focused in order to assure the highest speeds in both flat and downhill sections.

Bianchi Oltre XR’s most exclusive new feature is the combination of UMS40 and CN60 Ultra High Modulus carbon fibers, allowing a 30-gr weight reduction while also increasing the frame rigidity by 20% compared to the original Bianchi Oltre model, that was also optimized to achieve the most efficient power transmission and the best rigidity-to-weight ratio. 

Featuring X-TEX, Carbon Nano Tech, Carbon Nano Tube Tech, WMP and UTTS technologies, Oltre is the top model of the Bianchi Road range, and is widely regarded as one of the best racing bikes ever made by Bianchi."

See more at Road Bike Action here
 

Italian Cycling Journal: Bianchi "Oltre XR" Launched in Pau, July 17, 2012

2013 Bianchi Oltre XR Super Record EPS, image courtesy of Italian Cycling Journal

"Bianchi launched the HoC (Hors Category) new Oltre XR frame at the Palais Beaumont in Pau today on the Tour de France's second rest day in the presence of 1965 Tour de France winner Felice Gimondi, testimonial and legend of Bianchi brand."

" Oltre XR is a monocoque carbon frame designed for extreme performance. Its increased rigidity and Bianchi’s unique racing geometry are combined to provide fast acceleration, maximum power transmission and enhanced handling. Pure Italian Design and performance merge in a technique-oriented design. Oltre XR’s increased lightness results in optimal climbing performance, and aerodynamics were focused in order to assure the highest speeds in both flat and downhill sections."

 Read more

Outside Magazine: The 7 Best Road Bikes of Summer 2012; Bianchi Impulso Ultegra, June 01, 2012

2012 Bianchi Impulso as featured in Outside Magazine

"BEST FOR: Budget-conscious riders who don’t want to look like it.

 THE TEST: Show up at a group ride on this pretty entry-level racer and you’ll likely raise eyebrows along with the pace. The Impulso is emblematic of a new breed of hydroformed aluminum bikes—the tubes have been rigorously shaped to fine-tune the ride, including a flattened and tapered top tube to add compliance—with the kind of blazing acceleration and hard-edge kick you just can’t get with carbon fiber. With choice bits of Shimano Ultegra where it counts (shifters, rear derailleur), the Impulso packs a lot of value. Unfortunately, it also packs on the weight, especially in those shiny but stout wheels.

 THE VERDICT: Only Italians could make a Fiat-priced bike that looks and performs like a Ferrari. 20.7 lbs

HANDLING: 4
RESPONSIVENESS: 3

 Aluminum bikes are getting lighter and more comfortable through hydroforming, a process that uses injected hydraulic fluid to make thinner tubing that is as stiff and compliant as traditionally formed, thicker tubes."

See full write-up at Outside Magazine

Peloton: Reviewed; Oltre Super Record 11, March 2012

2012 Oltre Super Record 11

"While a pure road racer, Bianchi wanted to do more than deliver a bike that would perform on the climbs or during a sprint. They wanted a well-rounded bike, a bike that would take care of the climber on the long flat days and give the lead out man an extra few watts.

The bike has been tuned to perfection. Each part, from fork to rear triangle, from cockpit to seat post, has just the right level of stiffness to compliment the other features. Under power the bike is a real drag racer of a sprint bike. It lays down big power with incredible stability and predictability, the rear stays planted even when sprinting really low and forward to stay out of the wind. While climbing the bike again displays excellent credentials. It is flawless while seated."

Read full review here

Coming Soon - Oltre Review in Peloton Magazine

Bianchi is proud to be part of Peloton Magazine's latest issue focusing on all things Italian.  

We anxiously await its availability on newsstands April 3, 2012 so we can share with you the wonderful review of our flagship racing bike, the Oltre.  

Until then, enjoy Peloton's preview video and try to wait patiently for your chance to peruse the three-page layout devoted to the bicycle of choice for professional racing's Vacansoleil-DCM and Androni-Giocattoli teams.

BTW, did we forget to mention Peloton's drawing for a 2012 Sempre Veloce similar to the model raced by the Colombia-Coldeportes team?  You should definitely pickup a copy for more details...