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1. Intro & Test Context
The Bianchi Impulso Pro isn’t your typical gravel bike. I’ve ridden it on long tours starting from Freiburg into the Black Forest and Kaiserstuhl — 120 km rides with around 1,800 meters of climbing, mixing tarmac, smooth gravel, and some rougher paths. I’ve built this bike up with a 52/36 crank and an 11–36 cassette, which gives me enough range to climb everything in the region despite my higher body weight. The tires were 45 mm Schwalbe G-One (with tubes), which made a noticeable difference in comfort and grip.
2. Ride Feel & Handling
My first impression of the Impulso Pro was: this bike wants to go fast — on any surface. It doesn’t feel like a typical gravel bike; it’s stiffer, sharper, more reactive. The geometry is tight and aggressive for a gravel frame. On paved roads, it feels surprisingly close to a road bike. I found myself riding it more like a race bike than a touring machine — pushing out of the saddle, attacking climbs, cutting corners.
It’s not as twitchy as a pure road bike, but it’s far more nimble than most gravel bikes. That said, it demands a bit more attention on looser surfaces. Compared to the Bianchi Oltre XR4, the handling is actually similar in terms of responsiveness, but the wider tires and different geometry make the Impulso feel a bit more planted when things get rough. It feels playful and aggressive, like a bike that wants to be pushed.
3. Climbing Performance
Climbing on the Impulso is surprisingly efficient. It’s a stiff frame, and even with the large tires and slightly higher overall weight, I didn’t feel like I was dragging anything uphill. The 52/36 front and 11–36 rear combination was a great match. I could spin up the steeper climbs near St. Peter or Ehrenkircher without grinding.
It doesn’t quite match the agility of the Oltre XR4 on tight switchbacks or steep out-of-saddle efforts — the Oltre feels like it leaps forward. The Impulso is more planted and deliberate. But for a gravel bike with 45 mm tires, the climbing performance was truly impressive.
4. Descending & High-Speed Stability
This is where the Impulso really surprised me. With those big tires, I expected some squishiness or instability at higher speeds. But the bike tracks incredibly well downhill. On long descents like the switchbacks into Münstertal or rolling sections through the Kaiserstuhl vineyards, the Impulso stayed stable and confident — even when I was pushing 60 km/h.
Compared to the Oltre XR4, it doesn’t feel as sharp or low-slung in fast curves, but it’s more forgiving. On rougher descents, I found myself relaxing more, knowing the tires would absorb the hits and the bike wouldn’t get shaken off line. The disc brakes also added to that confidence — solid stopping power, well modulated even after hours in the saddle.
5. Comfort Over Long Rides
Here’s where the Impulso Pro really shone. The 45 mm G-One tires, even with tubes, made the ride noticeably smoother than both the Canyon and the Oltre XR4. Gravel sections around Tuniberg or the fire roads above Schauinsland were no problem — the vibrations were muted, and I could ride longer without fatigue setting in.
That said, the frame is stiff. You don’t get a plush ride, but rather a muted one. It filters shocks well, but the ride still feels “athletic,” not “comfortable.” Compared to the Oltre XR4, which relies on Countervail tech for vibration damping, the Impulso feels more supple via its tire volume rather than frame compliance. I’d say the Oltre is smoother on rough asphalt, the Impulso better on real gravel.
6. Technical Setup & Component Notes
- Drivetrain: Shimano Ultegra Di2, with 52/36 front and 11–36 rear cassette. As with the Aeroad, the 36T wasn’t officially supported but worked flawlessly. Gear spacing is wider in the middle, which I noticed on rolling terrain but accepted for the climbing benefit.
- Wheels & Tires: Alloy wheels with 45 mm Schwalbe G-One tires. These were a revelation — fast-rolling on pavement, grippy on gravel, and forgiving on everything in between. Tubeless might be even better, but I ran them with tubes.
- Brakes: Shimano hydraulic disc brakes. Very reliable and confidence-inspiring, especially on wet gravel descents.
- Frame: Carbon, with traditional Bianchi styling and a surprisingly stiff bottom bracket area. No fancy damping systems — the comfort comes from tire volume.
7. Comparison with the Oltre XR4
The Oltre XR4 is still the king of speed on smooth roads. It’s lighter, racier, and climbs with more snap. On alpine switchbacks, it feels quicker to accelerate and more precise. But the Impulso isn’t far off — and brings much more versatility to the table.
On rough tarmac or gravel, I far preferred the Impulso. I could ride longer, push harder into imperfect corners, and stay relaxed. The Oltre is more refined, but also more limited in terrain. The Impulso lets you explore — and still feel fast.
If the Oltre XR4 is an Italian race car for perfect roads, the Impulso is a gravel rally car: fast, wild, and ready for anything.
8. Conclusion & Ideal Use Case
The Bianchi Impulso Pro is ideal for riders who want a gravel bike that rides like a road bike. It’s not a touring rig — it’s for fast off-road loops, mixed-terrain training rides, and anyone who wants one bike that can handle tarmac and trails without switching modes.
It handles long, mountainous rides with ease, especially if you value traction and confidence over raw top-end speed. It’s less refined than a pure road bike but makes up for it in stability and adventure-readiness. If you like to take the scenic route — even when it’s unpaved — this is your machine.
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