Bianchi Oltre Comp on test: Extravagant Italo racer at a favourable price
The Bianchi Oltre is visually one of the most spectacular racing bikes on the market. The pointed nose on the head tube, the flat tear-off edge on the rear triangle and the integrated air deflectors on the fork blades create a unique selling point and associate the Italian bike with a Formula 1 racing car. The traditional manufacturer itself even proclaimed an "aerovolution" at the launch two and a half years ago and promised significantly more speed for the top model than its predecessor.
However, as the high-end version exceeds the upper price limit of € 7,000 set by us for this test by almost twice as much, Bianchi sent the Oltre Comp across the Alps to our editorial office; this, in turn, is nowhere near the budget and is one of the cheapest competition bikes in the comparison. However, the Lombard company's pricing policy did not allow any other model from the Pro (from €7449) or RC (from €13,199) lines access to the test.
Saving weight
Compared to the more expensive versions, the Oltre Comp is based on a chassis in a simpler carbon fibre quality. According to the manufacturer, the frame is 80 grams heavier than that of the Oltre RC, which is ridden by the Arkéa-B&B Hotels team in the World Tour. The fork, on the other hand, is said to be 30 grams lighter. Bianchi is also cutting back on components, and the savings are particularly noticeable in the wheels. Although the Velomann brand wheels are based on carbon rims, they are significantly heavier than those of the competition. The unusual choice of tyres plays a major part in this, as Bianchi has fitted a robust, comparatively heavy tyre from Pirelli, which you would not be likely to ride in a race. This adds up to a total weight of over eight kilograms, which makes the Oltre Comp less agile and could spoil your mood on long climbs.
Lots of wind resistance
As we have not yet been able to test the top model Oltre RC, which is even more extravagant thanks to the removable "wings" on the headset, in the wind tunnel, it is not yet possible to conclusively assess the success of the "Aerovolution". However, the full-bodied announcement does not apply to the test bike. In fact, the 218 watts that the racer needs to overcome its own air resistance at 45 km/h are rather disappointing for an aerodynamically optimised racing bike. There is a gap of more than ten watts to the fastest bike in this first episode of our big comparison test, the Canyon Aeroad. With faster wheels, the Oltre Comp catches up, but still lags behind the majority of the competition and only performs three watts better than the emphatically light Bianchi Specialissima.
Gentle and sporty, is that possible?
The Bianchi scores points with its unagitated steering behaviour, the stoic straight-line stability is sometimes reminiscent of a marathon bike. The geometry, on the other hand, is decidedly sporty; the frame is comparatively long and stretches the riding position. The bike rides relatively harshly, and with tyres no wider than 30 millimetres, the suspension comfort can only be improved within narrow limits. Nevertheless, we would recommend slightly wider and higher-quality tyres.
The relatively favourable price leaves room for an investment in lighter wheels within our set framework. This would leave a large gap between the Oltre Comp and the design award-winning Oltre RC, which is said to be almost three pounds lighter. Nevertheless, the Oltre Comp would be more agile in its acceleration and catch up with one or two competitors in the price range below 7000 euros. Not entirely unimportant for Bianchi fans: the Italians naturally also offer the Oltre Comp in Celeste.
Bianchi Oltre Comp: Info & test grade
- Price: 5799 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 8.3 kilos
- Frame sizes: 47, 50, 53, 55, 57, 59 (test size bolded)
- TOUR grade: 2,5
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 536/570/119 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 531/394 millimetres/1.35
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 617/580 millimetres/1.06
- Wheelbase/caster: 990/63 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Ultegra (2x12; 50/34, 11-30 t.) | Shimano Ultegra (2x12; 50/34, 11-30 t.) Grade: 1.0
- Brakes: Shimano Ultegra (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Tyres: Pirelli P7 Sport 28 mm (eff.: 29 mm) | Grade: 2.5
- Impellers: Velomann Plutonium 50
- Impeller weights: 1,361/1,778 grams (f./h.)
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 8,250 grammes | Grade: 3.3
- Aerodynamics: 218 Watt | Grade: 2.7
- Driving stability: 7.6 N/mm | Grade: 2.0
- Rear comfort: 179 N/mm| Grade: 2.7
- Comfort front: 93 N/mm | Grade: 2.7
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 58 N/mm | Grade: 1.3
Advantages and disadvantages of the Bianchi Oltre Comp
- Plus: inexpensive, independent design
- Minus: Relatively heavy, heavy wheels, slow tyres
How TOUR tests
Weight (25 per cent of the overall grade): The weighed complete wheel weight in the standardised test wheel size of 56-57 centimetres counts for the evaluation. However, we also show the wheel weights for orientation purposes. The grading scale is designed so that the physical effect of weight and aerodynamics on the average speed is comparable for an average route profile of 1,000 metres in altitude per 100 kilometres. For orientation: the aerodynamic optimisation of the bike can compensate for up to almost four kilograms of weight on such a route. Simultaneous top marks in weight AND aerodynamics are mutually exclusive, but there are racing bikes that find a very good compromise. If the route is more hilly than our reference route, weight becomes more important; if the route is flatter, aerodynamics become more important.
Air resistance (25 per cent of the total score): Dynamically measured in the wind tunnel, with TOUR dummy, rotating wheels, moving legs and over a wide range of flow angles. Summarised to an aerodynamic grade for typical environmental conditions.
Front stiffness (10 per cent of the total score): Important parameter for steering precision and confidence in the bike at high speeds, determined in the TOUR laboratory. The overall stiffness is determined on the fully assembled frame set, i.e. including the fork. The stiffness values are capped. The aim is not an infinitely stiff frame, but one that is sufficiently stable to ride.
Bottom bracket stiffness (10 per cent of the total score): Reveals how much the frame yields under hard pedalling, for example when sprinting. This measurement also takes place in the TOUR laboratory, with realistic clamping, in which the frame can deform as it would when riding.
Rear comfort (10 per cent of the overall score): A measure of compliance in the event of road shocks, measured in the TOUR laboratory. A suspension travel is measured when the seatpost is loaded. The measured value correlates very well with the riding impressions and the feeling of comfort. Good marks also mean decent riding dynamics, which have a positive effect on speed on poor roads.
Comfort front (5 per cent of the overall score): The deformation of the handlebars under load is determined in the same way as the rear. A good score means a lot of suspension comfort, which takes the strain off your hands on long rides. However, strong sprinters who want a lot of stiffness should look for stiff handlebars.
Switching (5 per cent of the total score): The shifting characteristics are determined in the driving test. It is not the price or the quality impression of individual components that is assessed, but exclusively the function of the entire gearbox. For example, the cable routing, the quality of the cables and the mounted chain also play a role.
Brakes (5 per cent of the overall score): As with shifting, the test on the road also counts here, and the experience from our countless tests of brakes is also incorporated into the assessment. It is not the component itself that is assessed, but the function of the interaction between the brake body, pads and discs: How well can the brakes be modulated? How durable are the brakes, how long are the braking distances?
tyres (5 percent of the overall score): Rolling resistance and grip are evaluated - if known from one of our independent tyre tests or based on driving impressions. The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the differently weighted individual scores (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporty qualities of the tyre.
The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the individual scores weighted differently (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporting qualities of the bike.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
