Cyclocross Magazine was in Sin City for the last Las Vegas edition of Interbike. During the next few weeks, we will highlight the products that caught our eye.
Bianchi is the oldest bike manufacturer still in existence, and despite its 100+ years, the iconic celeste green bikes adapted nicely as cycling moved off the road. Bianchi has some of the deepest history in making dirt capable drop-bar bikes, dating back to the early 29er line of Project 3, 5, and 7 bikes and the versatile Volpe.
The company has a rich history in cyclocross as well, with its Cross Concept scandium frames and then one of the earlier carbon production frames in the D2 Cross Concept. It then moved on to the Cavaria and most recently the Zolder, raced by Lars Boom.
We first saw the Bianchi Zolder at Interbike in 2014. It is still the company’s flagship cyclocross bike. Interbike 2014 © Cyclocross Magazine
This year at Interbike we looked at several builds from Bianchi, starting with the Impulso Allroad. We also saw the new steel Orso replacing the Volpe Disc and the company’s two kids’ bike models. There was also a little eye candy Interbike displays are known for.
Bianchi Allroad Gets an Impulso Makeover
We first looked at the Bianchi Allroad two years ago. It has now been redesigned and released as the new Impulso Allroad line with two different builds.
2018 Bianchi Impulso Allroad Shimano 105 bike, with hydraulic flat mount brakes, thru axles and a new alloy frame with clearance for 40mm tires. Interbike 2017. © Cyclocross Magazine
The Impulso Allroad checks all the boxes for a modern gravel bike, with flat-mount disc brakes, thru axles and clearance for 40mm tires.
2018 Bianchi Impulso Allroad Shimano 105 bike, with hydraulic flat mount brakes, thru axles and a new alloy frame with clearance for 40mm tires. Interbike 2017. © Cyclocross Magazine
The hydroformed aluminum frame is paired with a carbon fork, compact gearing and tubeless tires on both builds.
The 2018 Bianchi Impulso Allroad comes with compact gearing and an alloy frame. Interbike 2017. © Cyclocross Magazine
One build is the Shimano 105 version with hydraulic disc brakes and Kenda Flintridge tires. Riders looking for the iconic celeste green look are in luck with the new Impulso Allroad. The retail price is $2,100.
The Impulso Allroad comes in iconic celeste green. 2018 Bianchi Impulso Allroad Shimano 105 bike, with hydraulic flat mount brakes, thru axles and a new alloy frame with clearance for 40mm tires. Interbike 2017. © Cyclocross Magazine
The other build features a 10-speed Tiagra drivetrain with Shimano mechanical disc brakes. The Tiagra build drops $400 off the price tag, but it also loses the iconic celeste color for a more subdued black.
The Tiagra build comes with a 10-speed Shimano Tiagra drivetrain. 2018 Bianchi Impulso Allroad bike has a Tiagra build with flat mount mechanical disc brakes, thru axles and the same alloy frame as the 105 build. Interbike 2017. © Cyclocross Magazine
Both models should be available from retailers soon.
Bear Down for Adventure with the New Orso
Bianchi also used Interbike to unveil its new steel Orso—which is Italian for bear— a do-it-all machine replacing the Volpe Disc.
2018 Bianchi disc brake Orso is the company’s affordable do-it-all bike and replaces the Volpe Disc. Interbike 2017. © Cyclocross Magazine
The Orso loses the Volpe’s triple setup in the front and adds a Shimano Sora 9-speed drivetrain with 50/34t compact gearing up front. Like the Impulso Allroad, the stock tires will be the Kenda Flintridge gravel tires.
The Orso comes with Kenda Flintridge tires. 2018 Bianchi disc brake Orso is the company’s affordable do-it-all bike and replaces the Volpe Disc. Interbike 2017. © Cyclocross Magazine
The Orso will be on the market in the Spring.
The Oldest Bikes for the Youngest Riders
Bianchi offers two bikes on its Kids’ line. The Duel is aimed at older riders and comes in 20 and 24-inch models for both girls and boys. Both sizes come with a 6-speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain with a 14-28t rear cassette and 36t front chain ring.
The Bianchi Duel Kids’ bike comes in 20 and 24-inch versions. Interbike 2017. © Cyclocross Magazine
The bikes come with v-brakes, a front suspension fork and 1.95-inch tires, so they are ready for young riders to get a taste of off-road riding. The 20-inch models retail for $280 and the 24-models are $330.
The other Kids’ model is the XR, which comes in 12 and 16-inch sizes for both girls and boys. The XR has coaster brakes and retails for $180 for the 12-inch version and $200 for the 16-inch version.
The Bianchi XR Kids’ bike comes in 12 and 16-inch versions with coaster brakes. Interbike 2017. © Cyclocross Magazine
Interbike Special – Marco Pantani Tribute
Interbike allows vendors to display their latest and greatest products, but it also gives them the opportunity to show off special bikes to grab folks’ attention. Bianchi had Marco Pantani tribute painted to honor Il Pirata.
For Marco Pantani fans, Bianchi has a tribute bike that celebrates Il Pirata’s legacy. 2018 Bianchi bikes. Interbike 2017. © Cyclocross Magazine
More info: bianchiusa.com
Stay tuned for much more from the 2017 Interbike trade show.
Interbike Photo Gallery: Bianchi Impulso Road, Orso, Kids’ Bikes
2018 Bianchi Impulso Allroad Shimano 105 bike, with hydraulic flat mount brakes, thru axles and a new alloy frame with clearance for 40mm tires. Interbike 2017. © Cyclocross Magazine
