Bike Radar publiceerde onlangs een test van de Bianchi Oltre Vacansoleil Ultegra Di2. Ik zette de rij-eigenschappen van die fiets daaruit voor je op een rijtje.

“While the bar is relatively short in reach and drop, the Oltre itself is a proper performance-shaped frame. It’s not massively stretched or dropped at the front end, but it’s certainly business-like rather than a scenery spotter. While the wheelbase is slightly shorter than most, the handling is obviously a well-honed performance balance suited to confident speed.

A more relaxed head angle syncs with the reinforced head tube for a totally drama-free steering setup. Even when wooded descents turned wet and leafy, flood wash threw gravel across the roads or we just tucked and dropped down eye-watering descents, the Oltre never got nervy.

The compact bar encourages you to drop your elbows down and really go for the gap, making the Oltre one of the most confident bikes we’ve ridden. The wheel depth is enough to reduce headwind effect without being obviously gusty or slow to turn either.

While some bikes handle well but throw it all away in terms of ride quality, the Bianchi feels as well sorted through shorts, mitts and shoes as it does when banked hard into a tightening corner with a wall waiting eagerly at the exit.

The Italian company’s more sportive-oriented bikes have always had a distinctive buoyancy and playfulness about them. While it’s been tightened up for racing, there’s definitely still an element of that in the Oltre.

Unsurprisingly, given the heavy wheels, it doesn’t have the instant snap of stiffer bikes, but any metres lost are soon sucked back in within a few crank turns. The Bianchi applies its power smoothly, but with a quiet purpose that carries on building where more dragster, firecracker bikes start to get chattery and choppy. This trait becomes particularly obvious on rougher or steeper roads, where tenacious traction is at a premium.

Its ability to iron out momentum and morale-sapping creases becomes more obvious – and advantageous – the further you ride. The need for a decent punch when you put the power down means it’s not as bouncy as Bianchi’s Infinito cruiser, but there’s definitely more butterfly float in the bee-sting mix than most race bikes. Add the ultra-composed character, quietly confident speed gain and sustain and it’s a fantastic bike for fast solo miles or gradually thinning down the group on a pack ride or race.”

De volledige test vind je hier.

Meer fietstests? Kijk in het overzicht.