BIANCHI OLTRE XR1 105

If you’re in the market for a bike more race than relaxed this pushes all the right buttons, bringing with it professional racing heritage, aero technology and great looks – in an extrovert Italian sort of way. It has the sort of speed that builds and maintains, not Usain Bolt-off-theblocks explosiveness. It is absolutely in its element over rolling terrain, giving you the extra oomph when you need it most, helped by a relatively low weight, decent wheels and the 11-28 cassette. The result is a rare beast – a smooth, rapid, mile-eater even when ridden by decidedly non-pro pilots.