So far, the efforts of the traditional brand Bianchi to gain a foothold in the e-mountainbike market have been rather timid. In 2019, the Italians had a E-SUV presented. Since then, there has been nothing more to see from Lombardy in terms of e-MTBs. In 2023, however, Bianchi wants to really step on the gas in the e-bike sector, including on sporty terrain. The company is launching three new model lines on the market, but the bikes will not be available until 2023 and prices are not yet known.
At the top of the travel scale is the Bianchi Enduro FX-Type Pro with 160 millimetres of travel, full carbon chassis, Bosch CX and 750 Wh Powertube battery. The FX-Type from Bianchi is one step below: the trail bike has the same geometry as its enduro counterpart, but has to make do with two centimetres less travel at the front and rear and an aluminium frame. The FX-Type also rolls on 29-inch wheels and is powered by a Bosch CX motor with a 750 Powertube battery.
Bianchi's X-Type is aimed at beginners and occasional off-roaders. 100 millimetres of suspension travel at the front, however, does not invite extensive excursions into overly rough terrain. All three e-bike lines are characterised by a striking design language with a massive rear triangle and the connecting strut between the top tube and down tube.
Carbon Enduro: Bianchi E-Vertic FX-Type Pro
The flagship of the new Bianchi e-bike platform is the carbon e-enduro FX-Type Pro. The geometry data suggests a playful trail companion rather than a baller enduro bike for rough terrain. With a steep 66 degree head angle, 445 millimetre short chainstays and a rather compact reach, the 160 millimetre enduro bike resists the trend towards longer and slacker geometries and is likely to be more playful.
The bulky, upwardly offset chainstay and the strut that runs from the top tube to the down tube are visually style-defining. It not only serves as suspension for the shock, but is also intended to provide greater stiffness in the front frame. Like Cannondale, for example, with the new Moterra or Ghost on the older hybrid ASX Bianchi turned the motor slightly upwards - this gave the long 750 Wh Bosch battery space in the down tube in front of the motor. The effect: a lower centre of gravity for more riding safety and better handling. Bianchi offers three model versions for the carbon enduro bike: The top version of the E-MTB comes with Sram AXS Eagle wireless shifting, Fox Factory shock and Fox Performance fork.
The facts about the Bianchi E-Vertic FX-Type Pro
- 160 / 160 mm suspension travel
- 29er wheels
- Fox 38 eBike optimised Performance fork
- Fox Float X2 Factory damper
- Sram GX AXS Eagle 1x12 drivetrain
- Magura MT7
- Bosch Performance CX Smart
- 750 Wh Powertube battery
- Sizes: 43, 48, 53 cm
- 3 equipment variants
- available from 2023
Bianchi E-Vertic FX-Type: aluminium trail bike with 140 mm suspension travel
In terms of geometry and design language, the E-Trailbike is clearly related to its big Enduro brother, but it only has 140 millimetres of suspension travel. The FX-Type should also be equipped for rides in sporty terrain - with 29er wheels, 2.6 inch wide tyres, four-piston brakes and 200 mm brake discs. The Italians are offering two model versions, three colour variants and three sizes for the FX-Type e-mountainbike, each with Bosch Performance CX and 750 Wh Powertube battery. The top version comes with a 34 mm Fox Float Rhythm, Fox Float DPS shock and Sram GX Eagle.
The facts about the Bianchi E-Vertic FX-Type
- Aluminium frame
- 140 / 140 mm suspension travel
- 29er wheels
- Fox 34 Float Rhythm
- Fox Float DPS
- Sram GX Eagle 1x12 drivetrain
- Magura MT Thirty
- Bosch Performance CX Smart
- 750 Wh Powertube battery
- Sizes: 43, 48, 53 cm
- available from 2023
Bianchi E-Vertic X-Type: Hardtail with 100 mm suspension travel
Same soul, different body - this is how Bianchi wants to position the E-Vertic X-Type. However, the off-road temperament of the chic aluminium hardtail is not really apparent, as the suspension travel is too short and the tread pattern of the tyres is too weak. However, you can take the X-Type on long tours on forest tracks and cycle paths without hesitation - not least thanks to the Bosch Performance CX and 625 Wh battery. Two equipment and three colour variants are available.
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
