Bianchi’s mountain bikes have traditionally been short-travel stage racing frames, but the company’s latest release is very much at the opposite end of the of the off-road biking spectrum.
The e-SUV offering is a range of three new e-bike trims revealed by the Italian brand. An oversized carbon-fibre dual suspension frame is configured for 150mm of rear travel and Bianchi is clearly aiming its e-SUV range at riders who prioritise descending.
All Bianchi e-SUVs are powered by Shimano’s E8000 drive unit and receive energy from a 720Wh battery pack.
Conventional carbon fibre frame design wisdom has dictated that clean, organic shapes, are best. Edges are generally undesirable, as they comprise the fibres by creating unnecessarily sharp stress points.
The Bianchi e-SUV is a very sharp and edgy design, allegedly inspired by the profile of Italy’s Dolomites. Beyond the aggressively styled appearance, the e-SUV frame also features an asymmetric swingarm, cooling ducts which feed air to the battery pack, and an integrated cockpit.
A particularly clever design feature, and one which indicated that this Italian e-bike would perhaps often be used for off-road commuter duties, are the integrated light units.
Bianchi will market the e-SUV in three trim levels. The racer version features 29 x 2.6 tyres and a Shimano XTR 1x12 groupset. Bianchi rally version adds mudguards and integrated lights, with an illumination rating of 1100 lumen and beaming distance of 200m. The rally also exchanged the 29er rear wheels for 27.5-inch rim.
Headlining the Bianchi e-SUV range is its adventure derivative. It is similarly configured to the rally, with a ‘mullet’ mix of 29er front and 27.5-inch rear wheels. The adventure also adds additional side and rear lights, making it a true low- and night-riding e-bike. It shifts via a Sram GX Eagle drivetrain.
All Bianchi e-SUV models feature Fox suspension, with the brand’s stout 36 chassis up front, set to 160mm of travel. Rear suspension damping is courtesy of Fox’s X2 shock. With a 65-degree head angle and high-volume Fox enduro suspension bits, the e-SUV will certainly come into its own on steep, high-speed Alpine (or Dolomite) descents.
Bianchi’s e-SUV range is due to be dispersed into the market by March next year and will be available in three sizes: M, L and XL.
Pricing will start at €6790 for the adventure, increasing to €9490 for the rally and peaking at €10 490 for the racer.
