Bianchi Oltre XR4 / Super Record / Record EPS

timdanaher

Frame: Bianchi Oltre XR4
Forks: " "
Bars: AliExpresss carbon integrated compact 420mm (£40)
Stem: " "
Headset: Oltre XR4
Bar Tape: Dunno

Brake Levers: Super Record EPS
Calipers: Record direct-mount

Front Mech: Super Record EPS
Rear Mech: Record EPS (with 2x ceramic-bearing jockey wheels)

Saddle: AliExpress all-carbon with padding (£23)
Seat Post: Oltre XR4
Seat Post Clamp: integrated

Cranks: Super Record compact 34 / 50 x 175mm
Chain: Record 11s
Cassette: Super Record 12-27 (to be replaced by Dura-Ace so I can afford to replace it regularly.)
Pedals: Record Pro-Fit Titanium
Bottom Bracket: Super Record Titanium / BB 360 EVO cups

Wheels: AliExpress 50mm carbon Clinchers with basalt brake track (~£250)
Spokes: bladed
Hubs: PowerWay R36 straight-pull ceramic bearings
Tyres: TUFO 25mm tubular clinchers C Hi-Composite

(PM me if you want links to the AliExpress stuff)

Other: Campagnolo EPS V. 3 battery and DTi interface

Accessories: 2 x Super Record bottle cages

Weight: 7 kg

EPS has completely transformed my riding: since I lost my right arm in a cycling accident, shifting has always been a bit of a kludge for me: with EPS, I can control both front and rear derailleur with the left Ergopower. First time I've been able to shift properly in 38 years. Buying AliExpress stuff allowed me to have enough money to afford the EPS. Didn't go for a Super Record rear mech, since not enough difference for the extra money (with the ceramic jockeys installed, I think the only difference is the hole in the SR body). Now just need to sort out the braking: I think 3D printing might offer some opportunities here.

I'm now waiting for the eagle-eyed amongst you to point out the one detail that I've left out... ;0)

imposter2.0

Congrats Tim - looks awesome.

Can I be the first to guess - you say you lost an arm - but both brake levers still in place?

shirley_basso

I would have said that one-handed braking would be an argument for discs.

Does look bloody super though!

keef66

Chain on the big ring?

That looks superb!

Matthewfalle

pukka lush - top effort.

timdanaher

Thanks, all... no, I actually ride with a false arm, so can use the RH hoods to get out of the saddle. Have been thinking of discs, but would require a new frame / hubs set-up. Need to do a bit more research on that. Whatever I do, I think it'll have to be mechanical rather than hydraulic.

So, no-one's spotted it yet?

imposter2.0

It'll probably be obvious when pointed out, but I can't see anything amiss...

shirley_basso

Shimano pedals?

mfin

How did you mod the lever to do both brakes?

timdanaher

I actually use a cable splitter: one cable in, two cables out. Not an ideal solution though... if single cable goes, I lose both brakes.

timdanaher

Shirley Basso wrote:

Shimano pedals?

Nope. Campagnolo Record Titanium ProFits...

thespanishadam

Bottle holder upside down?

Ben6899

What an absolute weapon! I commented to a mate the other day that if I returned to carbon, it'd be an XR4 (not a souped up Ford Sierra) and this cements that opinion.

Good work.

SJH76

Gorgeous bike. The colour and groupset that God intended. I hope you're happy with the pedal system as that's one thing I wouldn't compromise on just to keep it 100% Italian. I swear by Look Keo Blades. Nice work

But lose the dust caps. Argh. Can't stand them
They do nothing on presta valves. Nothing. Just adding extra weight

timdanaher

Yeah, I love ProFits... I've stockpiled several pairs of them now that Campag have stopped making them.

Now, it's confession time: that's not a Bianchi Oltre XR4. It's a Chinese copy (a Chianchi, if you will). Slightly heavier overall than a real Bianchi, with all of the extra weight being in the forks, due to it having a 1-1/2" crown race and beefier blades rather that the Oltre's 1-1/4" crown race with noticeably slenderer fork blades. Seatpost is 200g, Frame 1050g (57cm). Forks 420g. I can't imagine how good a real Bianchi must be, because this is the best frame I've ever ridden: light, stiff, yet supremely comfortable. The frame cost £420 delivered. Didn't even have to pay import duty.

arlowood

TimDanaher wrote:

Yeah, I love ProFits... I've stockpiled several pairs of them now that Campag have stopped making them.

Now, it's confession time: that's not a Bianchi Oltre XR4. It's a Chinese copy (a Chianchi, if you will). Slightly heavier overall than a real Bianchi, with all of the extra weight being in the forks, due to it having a 1-1/2" crown race and beefier blades rather that the Oltre's 1-1/4" crown race with noticeably slenderer fork blades. Seatpost is 200g, Frame 1050g (57cm). Forks 420g. I can't imagine how good a real Bianchi must be, because this is the best frame I've ever ridden: light, stiff, yet supremely comfortable. The frame cost £420 delivered. Didn't even have to pay import duty.

Holy gobsmack time!!

Obviously had many fooled with your Chianci import. I'm guessing a genuine Oltr XR4 with Super Record would probably set you back north of £7000 ( the Chorus version on Epic Cycles is £5400). Any rough idea of your total build cost?

timdanaher

About £2500 off the top of my head... frameset and wheelset were £770 combined (wheels were £350, not £250 as I stated above). I really scoured the web to get the best prices on the EPS.. rear mech £199, front £299, Ergopwers £225, brakes £300 (ouch!), chainset I already had, but paid about £350 for it.

pnev

Nice, I bet that thing fly's

7KG... I reckon you're being a bit generous there

giantcannon

I did wonder why you’d be putting Ali express stuff on that frame. Still, it looks mega and it’s great to know it rides well. I quite fancy buying a Chinese Cipollini and building it up!

SJH76

If it's not a real Bianchi it's just a green chunk of plastic. :roll:

Matthewfalle

TimDanaher wrote:

Yeah, I love ProFits... I've stockpiled several pairs of them now that Campag have stopped making them.

Now, it's confession time: that's not a Bianchi Oltre XR4. It's a Chinese copy (a Chianchi, if you will). Slightly heavier overall than a real Bianchi, with all of the extra weight being in the forks, due to it having a 1-1/2" crown race and beefier blades rather that the Oltre's 1-1/4" crown race with noticeably slenderer fork blades. Seatpost is 200g, Frame 1050g (57cm). Forks 420g. I can't imagine how good a real Bianchi must be, because this is the best frame I've ever ridden: light, stiff, yet supremely comfortable. The frame cost £420 delivered. Didn't even have to pay import duty.

link please! the MFs all need one and at that price it would be rude not to.

b.bodegraven

Great bike of course!!! But the major problem for most Europeans is that the biggest size in Chinese frames is only 57. I think it is even Italian size (c-c measured). I don't get it. Why don't they offer a size bigger as well?!

Do the Chinese maybe offer an Aria in 59??