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Bianchi Impulso e-road

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ebiketips's picture

Dave Atkinson

Dave lives at the top of a big hill and his office is at the bottom, so he's all in favour of a helping hand. Plus, e-bikes are fun! He's the editor of ebiketips and one of the founders of EBT's road cycling sister site, road.cc. He used to work on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike back in the day, and he's a former mountain bike bog snorkelling World Champion. Really.

Jez Ash's picture

Jez Ash

Jez spends his days making robots that drive cars but is happiest when on two wheels.  His roots are in mountain biking but he spends more time nowadays on the road, occasionally racing but more often just riding. 

7 comments

ebiketips's picture
4 years 4 months ago

> With all the new lighter ebikes coming on the market would you still rate the Impulso e-road if you wanted s high assist road bike?

yes. it depends on your needs. if you're after a bike for leisure road rides then it's still a great bike. the lighter bikes are less powerful, and good if you're riding with a group that tends to leave you on the climbs. If you're more leisure-oriented, or you mostly ride alone, the extra weight isn't a penalty 

4 years 4 months ago

Hi, 

With all the new lighter ebikes coming on the market would you still rate the Impulso e-road if you wanted s high assist road bike?

Roy Jennen's picture
4 years 6 months ago

I bought my E-impulso in March of this year. Now, after a thousand miles, I think that I add another decent comment here. 

After having ridden and enjoyed my Flyer Upstreet 5, last year, I wanted something faster and more sporty. After testing the Cube SL and after having checked this website thoroughly, I chose this Bianchi.

The way it handles (very stable and comfortable), the powerful yet very smooth power from the motor (rarely use levels 4 or 5), the battery’s stamina (computer shows 130 miles range), the powerful brakes and the beautiful Italian design provide lots of satisfaction and positive reactions.

Very, very happy with this E-racer!

Best regards, Roy

5 years 1 month ago

after 5000 miles the bottom bracket broke be careful take it to your dealer because Bianchi e Polini admitted that there is a big problem.I hope that they are going to solve the problem because the bike is going really well.Tomorrow it will be ready so next week i'm going to let you know if it is ok.Teodoro ps I'm italian in I live in 

5 years 4 months ago

Hi, That's a very fair review of the bike.  I bought one two weeks and 300 miles ago, and, as the days go by, I am becoming more and more impressed with it.  

Like many older riders (70+) I wanted an e-bike to keep up with the younger bloods in the pack but I also wanted something with road credentials, plenty of power, the range for anxiety-free 50+ mile day rides and the ability to go on five day tours with panniers.  This Bianchi seems perfectly to meet these requirements.  

As the review says, it can take a rack and mudguards but, unlike some other e-road bikes, the battery is detachable for charging in an hotel room when the bike is perhaps safely locked away far from a plug.  Although the charger is large and, when touring, will take up valuable pannier space, it’s  surprisingly light. 

I changed the original tyres for Schwalbe DD's 28mm and, in my view, the bike handles and rolls better as a result.  It is heavy but once underway you don't notice it.  Of course the ride is not as springy and responsive as a carbon lightweight - being more like that of a high quality steel tourer.  

I find I’m normally riding with the power on level 2 (from 5) and, using the gears, that's enough to give a good boost on the hills and ensure battery life of at least 80miles.  Towards the end of a 50 miler, moving the power setting to Level 3 flattens the final inclines and means you arrive home with a smile on your face.  Levels 4 and 5 mean I can cycle up a local half mile 1 in 12 gradient just as if I were riding on a level road with a following wind!  

I like the way the software works.  At 25kph there's no 'cliff edge' loss of assistance - it declines so gradually that in undulating country I can keep the bike on 26/28kph with 120/150watts of personal effort (measured by the system) and just a whiff of battery power.  Indeed, rider only, using the gears and keeping to Level 2 power in country like Hampshire, Surrey or Sussex I think a 100 mile range from the 500W battery would be possible.  

How long the battery will last, how reliable will be the Polini motor and associated electronics and what after sales support there will be for these items is an unknown compared to established brands like Bosch or Shimano - but at present I’m very pleased with this bike.

ebiketips's picture
5 years 5 months ago

Good to hear you're enjoying e-biking! The Bianchi will certainly take a rack and you can fit mudguards too. The wheels aren't touring spec, for sure, but i wouldn't have any particular worries about them surviving rides with a rear rack and a couple of day's worth of gear. If you were planning a lot of fully loaded touring then you might want to switch them for something a bit more burly, but that wouldn't need to be an expensive upgrade, just go for a handbuilt 36-spoke wheelset from a reputable builder. 

5 years 5 months ago

Hi just found ebiketips and spent all afternnon reading!  I had one knee replaced in 2015 and now the other is going, as a result of which I can sadly no longer really consider conventional bikes for cycling - I still have four.  Notwithstanding, and with the prospect of giving upon cycling I converted my old Trek 830 MTB to front wheel 250W electric assistance and bingo, I'm back on the road and loving it. 

Prior to my problems my main bike was a Dawes Audax, which I also used for camping cycle touring in the UK and Europe as well as most of my local rides.  No longer able to use that + having discovered the delight of an eBike, I now what to find something of an equivale nt in the eBike stable and came across this review for the Bianchi e-road and e-allroad which looks very intetresting and me thinks might do the job - I especially like the battery range.

I would be interested in your thoughts on it's use for this pupose i.e. local riades + touring?  I'm concerned whether it will take a rack and the load as the wheels look a bit flimsy e.g. my current Audax has 36 spoke wheels. Also will it take mudguards? + any other relevant comments.

Many thanks, Graham 

  

      

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