Paul Taylor’s Bianchi Oltre XR1 : Super Record EPS
Paul just returned from Canadian Road Masters in Saint-Calixte, Quebec, where he nabbed an impressive top 15 finish. A result anyone would be happy with, but all the more impressive considering he was hit by a truck less than two weeks before the event. While Paul was lucky to come away in good enough shape to race, his bike was completely totaled. We put together this Bianchi Oltre XR1 at the last minute, including some minor alterations to accommodate Campagnolo’s Super Record EPS electronic shifting. With Paul back from Saint-calixte, we thought we’d borrow the Oltre to take a closer look.
Paul has all sorts of awesome goodness going on with his Oltre. It’s hard to decide what we’re more excited about: the full Super Record EPS grouppo, or those ENVE hoops. Not that there’s really any weak points on this bike, head to tail this is one snappy looking build. So, let’s get into details the details.
Campy’s Record EPS is hiding more tricks than just the wires. Little details have been added to every part of the system to make it worthy of Capagnolo’s Super Record designation. The angular pattern of carbon weave catches the light any place it can, and several we thought it couldn’t, from the shift levers, the cranks, and throughout both front and rear derailleur. Even the EPS motor on the front derailleur is housed in carbon!
Paul’s rolling on EVNE’s SES 7.8 rims, the boutique American manufacturer’s aero carbon offering. ENVE wheels are always eye-catching, but they work particularly well here with the matte black finish Bianchi’s given the Oltre XR-1 and Capagnolo’s carbon-laden Super Record bits. Oh, and the ENVE’s are probably pretty fast too.
Eduardo Bianchi’s name, emblazoned on the Oltre XR 1’s aero shaped head tube
ENVE’s SES 7.8’s are a deep 80mm out back
And slightly shorter 71mm height out front. Both designed around a 25mm tire
Campy’s Super Record is supported by a full 3T components cockpit
Campagnolo’s Super Record 11-Speed drivetrain
Not just the full carbon crank arm from Campagnolo for the Super Record, but a titanium axle too
Even the front mech cage is half carbon, with an aluminum internal cage for strength
Super Record EPS 11 speed rear derailleur looks to be mostly carbon bits
Dual Pivot action on the Super Record brakes
All of which is controlled by the carbon levered Super Record EPS levers
Campagnolo’s EPS unit tucked in under the stem there
Paul’s ENVE’s are rolling on Continental Grand Prix 4000s II’s, in the 23mm version
Bianchi’s heritage displayed next to the reparto corse: Italian tricolour + celeste
Campagnolo, down to the smallest details – like stamped chainring bolts
Powertap’s P1 pedals, for both left and right pedal power data
Fi:zi’k’s svelte Arione 00 saddle somehow manages to even look fast
And sticks to the Oltre’s theme, with Fi:zi’k’s carbon rails
Bianchi branded stem cap and Celeste bolt from tiny bits specialists Carbon-Ti
Campagnolo bottle cages don’t just look good: they’re one of the few parts to survive the crash
