bianchi electric gravel bike Bianchi E-Oltre 105 Bike - ZQ

The road cycling world has long been skeptical of e-road bikes for legitimate reasons — added mass, altered handling, and motors that interfere with the natural rhythm of pedaling. The Bianchi E-Oltre 105 Bike is built to address those objections directly. Derived from the Oltre platform that Bianchi developed for its elite race lineup, the E-Oltre carries a full carbon frame, the same aero road geometry, and integrates the Mahle X30 motor inside the rear hub where it contributes nothing to the silhouette and little to the weight. At just over 12 kilograms fully assembled, this is an e-road bike that handles like a road bike and reads as one at a glance — finished in Bianchi's signature Celeste Metallic colorway with Graphite accents.

The Mahle X30 is a 250W rear hub motor, and its placement is deliberate. Mid-drive systems alter the chainline and redistribute weight in ways that can compromise both handling and aesthetics — neither of which Bianchi was willing to sacrifice. The rear hub approach keeps the front triangle completely clean, the bottom bracket area conventional, and the geometry behaving exactly as it would without a motor. What makes the assistance feel natural is the torque sensor mounted at the bottom bracket: it reads your pedaling effort in real time and scales the motor output proportionally, so you're always driving the bike rather than being pushed by it. Three assistance levels are selectable through the Mahle iWoc ONE display or via ANT/BLE-compatible remote shifters, giving you control over how much help you draw — from a light tailwind effect on the flat to meaningful assistance when the gradient turns serious.

The 250Wh Mahle iX2 battery offers up to 90 kilometers of range under mixed conditions — sufficient for most training rides and gran fondo distances. An optional range extender can add up to 55 additional kilometers for particularly ambitious routes. Quick-charge capability keeps turnaround time short if you're riding the E-Oltre daily rather than saving it for weekends.

Shifting is handled by Shimano 105 R7100 12-speed derailleurs, electronically actuated via the Mahle e-shifter system. The 50/34 chainring and 11-34 cassette span a wide enough range to climb steadily under load or sustain pace on flat terrain without spinning out. Shimano 105 R7170 hydraulic disc calipers deliver consistent, modulated braking in all conditions, backed by a Shimano MT800 Centerlock 160mm rotor up front and an RT86 6-bolt 160mm rotor at the rear. The wheel specification is one of the more notable aspects of the build at this price: Velomann Plutonium Carbon 50mm tubeless-ready wheels deliver aero-grade performance and reduced rotational weight without the weight penalty of a deep alloy section. Vittoria Rubino V G2.0 TLR 700x28 tires complete the setup in tubeless-ready configuration, giving you the option to run lower pressures for improved grip and comfort on rougher pavement.

Design Benefits

1. Rear hub motor integration keeps the frame's front triangle uncluttered and the weight distribution close to a conventional road bike — none of the mid-drive bulk, none of the altered chainline dynamics.
2. Mahle torque sensor delivers assistance that responds to effort rather than running at a fixed level, so the motor feels like a natural extension of your legs rather than an override.
3. 250Wh battery with optional range extender gives you a flexible range window: up to 90km standard, up to 145km with the extender — enough to plan ambitious routes without managing your output.
4. Velomann Plutonium Carbon 50mm wheels deliver aero performance and low rotational weight typically found at significantly higher price points, in a tubeless-ready format that accommodates a flexible tire setup.
5. Wide-range 11-34 cassette ensures you have the gearing to use the motor assistance effectively on steep terrain while still pedaling efficiently on the flat.

Final Take

The E-Oltre 105 is the entry point into the E-Oltre range, and it delivers the core of what the platform is: a full carbon aero frame, a discreet Mahle rear hub system, and 50mm carbon wheels — all the fundamentals, with the 105 groupset handling shifting duties rather than Ultegra or Dura-Ace. For riders who want to go further, climb harder, or keep pace with faster company without sacrificing what makes road riding worth doing, this bike earns its place. The motor doesn't ask you to ride differently. It just makes more of the riding possible.