{"id":42405,"date":"2022-10-18T15:00:26","date_gmt":"2022-10-18T13:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=701132"},"modified":"2022-10-18T15:14:18","modified_gmt":"2022-10-18T13:14:18","slug":"bianchis-new-oltre-rc-aero-bike-has-f1-inspired-air-deflector-wings-on-the-head-tube","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/bianchis-new-oltre-rc-aero-bike-has-f1-inspired-air-deflector-wings-on-the-head-tube\/","title":{"rendered":"Bianchi\u2019s new Oltre RC aero bike has F1-inspired Air Deflector wings on the head tube"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Ashley Quinlan\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 18 October 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Bianchi has reasserted itself on the aero race bike scene with the launch of the new Oltre RC, Oltre Pro and Oltre road bikes.<\/p>\n

The new Oltre range headlines by showcasing Bianchi\u2019s new \u2018Air Deflector\u2019 technology, which is said to channel airflow around the head tube, creating a low-pressure zone behind to reduce drag.<\/p>\n

The 2023 Oltre also benefits from a new Reparto Corse aero cockpit, which features a central air channel to also create low-pressure airflow zones, this time around the rider\u2019s legs \u2013 again, to improve aero slipperiness.<\/p>\n

In all, the new Oltre RC is said to save 17 watts at 50km\/h (we know, that\u2019s fast\u2026) versus the previous range-topping Oltre XR4<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The second-tier Oltre Pro model features the addition of Bianchi\u2019s Countervail vibration reduction in the carbon layup, while the \u2018entry-level\u2019 Oltre misses out on the Air Deflector tech and Reparto Corse handlebar, but features broadly the same frame shape.<\/p>\n

All models will be available from November 2022, with complete build prices starting at \u20ac13,800 for the Oltre RC, \u20ac8,000 for the Oltre Pro and from \u20ac5,400 for the Oltre. Framesets of each Oltre model are also available.<\/p>\n

Global prices are still to be confirmed.<\/p>\n

Air Deflector technology<\/h2>\n
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Air Deflector tech sees slatted \u2018vents\u2019 appear on either side of the head tube.<\/span><\/figcaption> Bianchi<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The range-topping Bianchi Oltre RC (and mid-range Oltre Pro) both feature Bianchi\u2019s new Air Deflector technology, which is said to take inspiration from motor racing aerodynamics.<\/p>\n

It takes the form of two vertical, vent-like cutouts \u2013 one placed either side of the head tube \u2013 which serve to stall and channel airflow.<\/p>\n

This is said to allow the rider\u2019s legs, and the bike\u2019s tubes behind the head tube, to slip through the air more easily.<\/p>\n

The Air Deflectors appear as appendages to the head tube with two visible hex bolts, but are integrated into the head tube and extend beyond the frontal area of the fork crown to a point.<\/p>\n

Much like the front wing of an F1 car, as one of the first surfaces to interact with the airflow, the Air Deflectors play a pivotal role in dictating how the bike frame is shaped, according to Bianchi.<\/p>\n

The top tube sees a cross-like silhouette, which aligns to the top ridge of the Air Deflectors, with the tubes broadening out at the head tube and seat tube junctions.<\/p>\n

The down tube has a visible strafe that curves in a smooth line from the front point of the Air Deflector, over the fork crown, and along the down tube.<\/p>\n

Generous frame clearance<\/h2>\n
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The upper section of the down tube is cut away to increase space between the tyre and frame.<\/span><\/figcaption> Bianchi<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Plenty of clearance between the down tube and front tyre has also been built in, thanks to the cutout profiling of the upper down tube. Despite this, all three 2023 Oltre frames have official clearance for 700 x 30c tyres.<\/p>\n

Generous tyre clearance is now becoming a common sight on the best aero road bikes<\/a> \u2013 see the Scott Foil RC<\/a> and Cerv\u00e9lo S5<\/a> as two good examples. Lower turbulence and tidier airflow, compared to a tighter design, are recognised as benefits (in addition to being able to run wider tyres).<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the dropped seatstays feature a broad-shouldered design, with close shrouding around the rear wheel from the seat tube.<\/p>\n

The chainstays are also notably chunky \u2013 likely to provide efficient power transfer along the drivetrain \u2013 with a neatly shrouded thru-axle dropout on the drive side.<\/p>\n

<\/colgroup>
\ufeffFrame (cm)<\/th>47<\/th>50<\/th>53<\/th>55<\/th>57<\/th>59<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Head tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>70.5<\/td>71.5<\/td>72<\/td>72.5<\/td>73<\/td>73.5<\/td> <\/tr>
Effective seat tube angle <\/b>(degrees)<\/td>74.5<\/td>74<\/td>73.5<\/td>73.5<\/td>73<\/td>73.5<\/td> <\/tr>
Top tube length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>515<\/td>525<\/td>536<\/td>550<\/td>560<\/td>575<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>83<\/td>88<\/td>103<\/td>118<\/td>133<\/td>153<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>450<\/td>480<\/td>510<\/td>530<\/td>550<\/td>570<\/td> <\/tr>
Chainstay length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>410<\/td>410<\/td>410<\/td>410<\/td>412<\/td>412<\/td> <\/tr>
Wheelbase<\/b> (mm)<\/td>982<\/td>983<\/td>984<\/td>988<\/td>996<\/td>1,005<\/td> <\/tr>
Reach <\/b>(mm)<\/td>385<\/td>392<\/td>393<\/td>397<\/td>402<\/td>406<\/td> <\/tr>
Stack<\/b> (mm)<\/td>470<\/td>478<\/td>504<\/td>520<\/td>536<\/td>555<\/td> <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>