Bianchi Oltre XR4 Disc
To get the bike I wanted I went down the self-build route and also decided to go with disc brakes. I have a 55cm Specialissima which is now set up just right. Turns out the geometry of the XR4 is similar so was a no brainer to go with the same size frame. Also went with the Vison Metron bars as they look nice and undertood about the lack of adjustment. Did make one tiny error here went with 42cm, 110mm set up I have but forgot about the 10mm rake these bars have but it turned out OK in the end.
Groupset is Campag Record 12 speed disc with mechanical shifters, an electronic system was a step to far. Ideally would have liked Super Record but is very expensive also thought about Chorus as it good value but in the end split the difference with Record. I know I should have gone with a Shimano groupset to match the Dolan, so minimising the number of tools, spares etc but I have always ran Campag on my best bikes, so my heart ruled my head and stayed Itallian.
Bianchi Oltre XR4 2021 55cm disc frame, seat post and fork.
Vision Metron Bars, 110mm, 42cm with Bianchi tape.
Campag Record 12 speed, mechanical groupset, with disc brakes (160mm rotors front and back). 50-34, 172.5mm cranks and 11-32 at the back.
CERO RC50 carbon clinchers.
Vittoria G2 TLR tyres, 25mm.
San Marco Aspid saddle with carbon rails.
Time XPro 10 pedals.
Ali Express carbon bottle cages.
Bianchi Water bottles, make you go faster!
3D printed adapter for my Wahoo Bolt as Vision out front mount is Garmin.
Took a few weeks for the frame to arrive and then built the bike up over the Christmas holidays. Bit of a steep learing curve installing disc brakes and the pressfit bottom bracket. The intergrated Vision bars are a bit of a pig to fit with the internal routing. Also a bit scary cutting the steerer tube but got there in the end. The thru-axels have a nice touch with the folding lever that slide inside the axel. Brakes fairly straight forward to bleed and set up but I am still rubbish at putting on bar tape and the frame protectors!
Here are a couple of photos:
To a bit of a risk with the CERO wheels but the supplier has lots of postive reviews. They did forget one of the lock rings but were excellent in their response and sent one out the next day. All going well so far but time will tell if they are durable. Also venturing into the world of tubeless tyres for the first time again see how we go but I can always switch back to inner tubes if needs be.
Fantastic bike to ride, very stiff seems to be no flex in the frame and bars at all but that said I am not a powerful rider. Is a tiny bit heavier than the Specialissima but it still cilmbs just well and seems to zip along on the flat roads. This could just be psychological and in my head but I am putting it down to the bling areo frame
. The extra 10mm rake on the bar is fine as I just tweeked the saddle to gets things just right and so far feels really comfortable. Varia radar does spoil the look a bit but it is staying on the bike. Mind you would was no use the other day as some nutter in an Audi was on the wrong side of the road overtaking another car at high speed on a corner nearly wiping me out head on!! Looking forward to the better weather and getting in some longer rides.
Cheers and happy to answer any questions you may have.
Comments
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That is beautiful. I am in awe of you building it. Well done. I have just placed an order for a similar Oltre XR4 and may well pick your brains for tips relating to set up etc.
Do you know if the standard Wahoo GPS holder works on the integrated bars (shape seems different)?
Looking at water bottles now....0 -
The standard Wahoo holder doesn't fit and Vision provide a Garmin holder so you need to get a custom made one. I'd recommend Raceware Direct online.0
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Thanks for the tip @drexel1975drexel1975 said:The standard Wahoo holder doesn't fit and Vision provide a Garmin holder so you need to get a custom made one. I'd recommend Raceware Direct online.
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Very good choice there. I know it’s just nitpicking, but what you’ve done is assemble a bike, not build it ( strictly speaking). Building it involves starting at a selection of tubing, and doing the filing, welding and brazing ( or the equivalent voodoo with lugged Carbon tubing) to get a bespoke fitted frame, then building the wheels, from scratch, using your own selection of rim, hub, and spokes, and doing the tensioning trueing and any dishing required. I’d let you off with off the shelf groupset components and finishing kit though. I know it’s a ‘sign of the times’ yadda yadda yadda, and the term “building a bike” rarely means what I consider it to mean anymore, but anyway, you’ve assembled a very nice bike, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.0
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@ Oxoman, yes nice to build your own bike but when you are flying down a descent you hope you have screwed it all together properly!!
@ therobertscollection, many thanks. I have built a couple of bikes in the in the past so have a bit of experience. It is rewarding you just need some tools and a bit of confidence. I would recommend getting a 2-20nm torque wrench as it is really useful in setting things up especially for carbon fibre components. Things are much better now as there are loads of how to videos on YouTube if you are not sure of anything. I am old and the internet was not a thing when I first started riding and doing my own maintenance.
Only done 650 miles on the XR4 but initial impressions are very good and glad I got one! I hope you enjoy your bike when it arrives and I am more than happy to offer you any help or advice.
If you are getting the Metron bars they are an aero shape and the Wahoo mounts are only for round bars. They do come with a bespoke out front mount with a Garmin fitting, so I bought an 3D printed adapter off Ebay, was about £15. I got my water bottles from Slane Cycles if that helps.
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Nice one! Think it looks awesome 👏tonybanham said:I had just ordered my new winter bike (Dolan ADX) and then my circumstanced changed so it meant that I was in a position to get a new summer/best road bike. I have a Specialissima but part of me always wanted the XR4 so I thought s*d it I have the money and you only live once so I bought one.
To get the bike I wanted I went down the self-build route and also decided to go with disc brakes. I have a 55cm Specialissima which is now set up just right. Turns out the geometry of the XR4 is similar so was a no brainer to go with the same size frame. Also went with the Vison Metron bars as they look nice and undertood about the lack of adjustment. Did make one tiny error here went with 42cm, 110mm set up I have but forgot about the 10mm rake these bars have but it turned out OK in the end.
Groupset is Campag Record 12 speed disc with mechanical shifters, an electronic system was a step to far. Ideally would have liked Super Record but is very expensive also thought about Chorus as it good value but in the end split the difference with Record. I know I should have gone with a Shimano groupset to match the Dolan, so minimising the number of tools, spares etc but I have always ran Campag on my best bikes, so my heart ruled my head and stayed Itallian.
Bianchi Oltre XR4 2021 55cm disc frame, seat post and fork.
Vision Metron Bars, 110mm, 42cm with Bianchi tape.
Campag Record 12 speed, mechanical groupset, with disc brakes (160mm rotors front and back). 50-34, 172.5mm cranks and 11-32 at the back.
CERO RC50 carbon clinchers.
Vittoria G2 TLR tyres, 25mm.
San Marco Aspid saddle with carbon rails.
Time XPro 10 pedals.
Ali Express carbon bottle cages.
Bianchi Water bottles, make you go faster!
3D printed adapter for my Wahoo Bolt as Vision out front mount is Garmin.
Took a few weeks for the frame to arrive and then built the bike up over the Christmas holidays. Bit of a steep learing curve installing disc brakes and the pressfit bottom bracket. The intergrated Vision bars are a bit of a pig to fit with the internal routing. Also a bit scary cutting the steerer tube but got there in the end. The thru-axels have a nice touch with the folding lever that slide inside the axel. Brakes fairly straight forward to bleed and set up but I am still rubbish at putting on bar tape and the frame protectors!
Here are a couple of photos:
To a bit of a risk with the CERO wheels but the supplier has lots of postive reviews. They did forget one of the lock rings but were excellent in their response and sent one out the next day. All going well so far but time will tell if they are durable. Also venturing into the world of tubeless tyres for the first time again see how we go but I can always switch back to inner tubes if needs be.
Fantastic bike to ride, very stiff seems to be no flex in the frame and bars at all but that said I am not a powerful rider. Is a tiny bit heavier than the Specialissima but it still cilmbs just well and seems to zip along on the flat roads. This could just be psychological and in my head but I am putting it down to the bling areo frame . The extra 10mm rake on the bar is fine as I just tweeked the saddle to gets things just right and so far feels really comfortable. Varia radar does spoil the look a bit but it is staying on the bike. Mind you would was no use the other day as some nutter in an Audi was on the wrong side of the road overtaking another car at high speed on a corner nearly wiping me out head on!!
Looking forward to the better weather and getting in some longer rides.
Cheers and happy to answer any questions you may have.0 -
Yay! Of course it helps. Thank you so muchtonybanham said:@ Oxoman, yes nice to build your own bike but when you are flying down a descent you hope you have screwed it all together properly!!
@ therobertscollection, many thanks. I have built a couple of bikes in the in the past so have a bit of experience. It is rewarding you just need some tools and a bit of confidence. I would recommend getting a 2-20nm torque wrench as it is really useful in setting things up especially for carbon fibre components. Things are much better now as there are loads of how to videos on YouTube if you are not sure of anything. I am old and the internet was not a thing when I first started riding and doing my own maintenance.
Only done 650 miles on the XR4 but initial impressions are very good and glad I got one! I hope you enjoy your bike when it arrives and I am more than happy to offer you any help or advice.
If you are getting the Metron bars they are an aero shape and the Wahoo mounts are only for round bars. They do come with a bespoke out front mount with a Garmin fitting, so I bought an 3D printed adapter off Ebay, was about £15. I got my water bottles from Slane Cycles if that helps.
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Nice build. And when I say build - I mean build
Cero has a good rep, so I'd say they are a good choice..0
