BianchiAquila RC
Bianchi's disc-brake time trial bike from its Reparto Corse race department, unveiled in February 2025 to replace the rim-brake Aquila CV. Developed over 20 months with WorldTour time triallists including Kévin Vauquelin, it has a steeper 77.5° seat angle, longer reach and an integrated Vision-made cockpit, and Bianchi claims 16.1 W less drag than its predecessor at 50 km/h. Sold as a frameset or in three complete builds.
- From
- €13,390€13,390€13,390
- Builds
- 4
- Sizes
- 3
- Frame weight
- 1,300 g2.87 lb
Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo
Our verdict
Overall
out of 100, average of 6 categories
A new-generation UCI time trial bike with a claimed large aero gain over the old Aquila, a light frame and an integrated Vision-made cockpit. It is a pure TT bike: bottles only, just three sizes and a proprietary front end, and only the top build gets a power meter.
Scored Oct 2026
- + Aero-first design
- + Premium frame
AI-drafted from the specs on this page and reviewed before publishing. Scores are relative to every bike in the catalog when they were given, so they drop as newer bikes and parts raise the bar.
- Aero
- 88/100
- Frame
- 86/100
- Components
- 72/100
- Hydration & storage
- 45/100
- Fit
- 66/100
- Practicality
- 60/100
- Price
- 75/100
Aero claims and front-end integration
Carbon grade, weight and warranty
Groupset, wheels and power meter
Not counted in the overall score for time-trial bikes: UCI rules limit integrated hydration and storage. Hydration and storage in the frame
Sizes and adjustment range
Travel, standard parts, servicing
From the cheapest complete-bike MSRP
Bike duel
Frame & platform
Frame & fork
- Frame material
- Carbon
- Fork material
- Carbon
- Frame weight
- 1,300 g2.87 lb
- Fork weight
- 400 g14.1 oz
- Weight measured on
- Frame size M (BikeRadar launch report); Bianchi's page gives 1.3 kg frame and 400 g fork
- Frame sizes
- S, M, L
- Colours
- AD - White / Petrol Green - Mint; ZY - Metallic Celeste / Black UD Carbon
- UCI frame approval
- On the UCI list as 'AQUILA' (frame and fork), sizes S-L (3), approved 19.07.2024, code BIANCHI-038 (UCI list version 2026.10.02)
Compatibility & standards
- Brake type
- Hydraulic disc, flat mount 140/160
- Max rotor size
- 160 mm
- Wheel size
- 700c
- Max tire width
- 28 mm
- Bottom bracket standard
- PressFit 86.5x41
- Front axle
- 12x100 thru-axle
- Rear axle
- 12x142 thru-axle
- 1x compatible
- Yes
- Max chainring
- 62T
Fit & adjustability
- Aerobar system
- Integrated Bianchi Reparto Corse cockpit by Vision with Vision JS-bend extensions; compatible with Vision TFE extensions
- Pad stack adjustment range
- Supplied with 75 mm of spacers (3 x 20 mm, 1 x 10 mm, 1 x 5 mm); pad stack 624/639/662 mm (S/M/L) with the 75 mm of spacers
- Pad reach adjustment range
- Pad reach 473/491/511 mm (S/M/L) as listed in Bianchi's geometry table
- Seatpost type
- Bianchi custom airfoil seatpost with Ritchey head
Aerodynamics
- Manufacturer aero claims
- Bianchi claims 16.1 W less drag than the previous Aquila at 50 km/h, 37 seconds faster over a 40.7 km time trial, and lower drag than the previous Aquila and the best competitor it tested across yaw angles from -20° to 20°.
- Testing method
- Sketches, CAD, CFD simulation, prototypes and road testing with Bianchi's WorldTour riders
Travel, maintenance & warranty
- Proprietary parts
- Integrated Reparto Corse/Vision bar-stem, custom airfoil seatpost and clamp, FSA custom headset
- Sold via
- Bianchi dealers
Photos
Design sketches
Builds & components
Highlighted rows differ between builds. Green marks the best value.
Aquila RC Dura-Ace Di2 4iiii Power Meter | Aquila RC Force AXS E1 | Aquila RC Rival AXS E1 | Aquila RC Frameset | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||||
| Price (MSRP) | €13,390€13,390€13,390 | €8,790€8,790€8,790 | €6,800€6,800€6,800 | €5,690€5,690€5,690 |
| Type | Complete bike | Complete bike | Complete bike | Frameset |
| Notes | Bianchi code YUB56. Bianchi's site shows €13,390 in its product data and on the other Aquila RC pages, but €13,290 in the main price on this English product page. | Bianchi code YUB57. One related-products card on Bianchi's site shows €8,750; the product page and product data show €8,790. | Bianchi code YUB58. Bianchi's product data shows €6,800, but this English product page shows €6,650 and other pages €6,750. | Bianchi code XUB56: frame, fork, headset and seatpost (product images also show the cockpit). At launch BikeRadar reported the frameset at £4,799 / €5,449; Bianchi's Italian landing page still shows €5,590. |
| Drivetrain | ||||
| Groupset | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 | SRAM Force AXS E1 | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | — |
| Launched | 2021 · current generation | 2025 · current generation | 2025 · current generation | — |
| Speeds | 12-speed | 12-speed | 12-speed | — |
| Electronic | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| Wireless | — | Yes | Yes | — |
| Drivetrain | 2x12 | 2x12 | 2x12 | — |
| Shifters | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 ST-R9270 with SW-R9160 | SRAM S-900 Aero HRD | SRAM S-900 Aero HRD | — |
| Notes | Listed as shifter lever ST-R9270 and sprint shifter SW-R9160 | With remote switch | With remote switch | — |
| Crankset | Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 + 4iiii Precision 3+ | SRAM Force AXS E1 | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | — |
| Chainrings | 52/36 | 50/37 | 48/35 | — |
| Crank length | 170 (S) / 172.5 (M-L) | 165 (S) / 170 (M) / 172.5 (L) | 165 (S) / 170 (M) / 172.5 (L) | — |
| Power meter | 4iiii Precision 3+ | — | — | — |
| Launched | 2024 · current generation | — | — | — |
| Measurement | Dual-sided | — | — | — |
| Bottom bracket | Shimano SM-BB92-41B | SRAM DUB PF 86.5 Road | SRAM DUB PF 86.5 Road | — |
| Front derailleur | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9250 | SRAM Force AXS E1 | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | — |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9250 | SRAM Force AXS E1 | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | — |
| Cassette | Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 | SRAM Force XG-1270 E1 | SRAM Rival XG-1250 D1 | — |
| Range | 11-30 | 10-33 | 10-36 | — |
| Speeds | 12-speed | 12-speed | 12-speed | — |
| Chain | Shimano CN-M9100 | SRAM Force E1 | SRAM Rival E1 | — |
| Brakes | ||||
| Brake levers | — | SRAM S-900 Aero HRD | SRAM S-900 Aero HRD | — |
| Brake calipers | Shimano Dura-Ace BR-R9270 | SRAM Force E1 | SRAM Rival E1 | — |
| Type | Hydraulic disc | Hydraulic disc | Hydraulic disc | — |
| Rotors | Shimano RT-CL900 | SRAM Paceline | SRAM CenterLine | — |
| Front rotor | 160 mm | 160 mm | 160 mm | — |
| Rear rotor | 160 mm | 160 mm | 160 mm | — |
| Mount | Center Lock | Center Lock | Center Lock | — |
| Wheels & tires | ||||
| Wheelset | Bianchi Reparto Corse RC50R/RC65R SPBTech | Velomann Plutonium | Velomann V30R | — |
| Front rim depth | 50 mm | 50 mm | 30 mm | — |
| Rear rim depth | 65 mm | 50 mm | 30 mm | — |
| Rear disc wheel | No | — | — | — |
| Internal rim width | — | — | 23 mm | — |
| Material | Carbon | Carbon | Aluminium | — |
| Spokes | 24h | 24h | — | — |
| Freehub options | — | XDR | XDR | — |
| Weight | 1,520 g3.35 lb | — | 1,790 g3.95 lb | — |
| Tires | Pirelli P Zero Race SL TLR | Pirelli P Zero Race SL TLR | Pirelli P Zero Race SL TLR | — |
| Tire width | 28 mm | 28 mm | 28 mm | — |
| Casing | 120 TPI | 120 TPI | 120 TPI | — |
| Cockpit | ||||
| Basebar | Bianchi Reparto Corse by Vision | Bianchi Reparto Corse by Vision | Bianchi Reparto Corse by Vision | — |
| Notes | Integrated bar/stem, 110 mm / 400 mm (S-L) | Integrated bar/stem, 110 mm / 400 mm (S-L) | Integrated bar/stem, 110 mm / 400 mm (S-L) | — |
| Extensions | Vision JS bend carbon | Vision JS bend carbon | Vision JS bend carbon | — |
| Material | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | — |
| Notes | Compatible with Vision TFE extensions (not included; TFE bridge not included) | Compatible with Vision TFE extensions (not included; TFE bridge not included) | Compatible with Vision TFE extensions (not included; TFE bridge not included) | — |
| Headset | FSA Custom | FSA Custom | FSA Custom | FSA Custom |
| Saddle & seatpost | ||||
| Saddle | Selle Italia Watt 3D | Selle Italia Watt 3D | Selle Italia Watt 3D | — |
| Rails | Carbon | Manganese | Manganese | — |
| Seatpost | Bianchi Custom Airfoil Shape | Bianchi Custom Airfoil Shape | Bianchi Custom Airfoil Shape | Bianchi Custom Airfoil Shape |
| Notes | Ritchey head; length 280 mm (S), 300 mm (M), 350 mm (L) | Ritchey head; length 280 mm (S), 300 mm (M), 350 mm (L) | Ritchey head; length 280 mm (S), 300 mm (M), 350 mm (L) | Ritchey head; length 280 mm (S), 300 mm (M), 350 mm (L) |
Aquila RC price & value
Building up the Aquila RC Frameset
Included: Headset, Seatpost.
Still to buy: Groupset, Crankset, Cassette, Chain, Brake calipers, Wheelset, Tires, Aerobar system, Saddle, Pedals.
Ownership checklist
1 of 2 known checks pass, 5 not published by Bianchi. Why these checks
- ✕
Threaded bottom bracket
PressFit 86.5x41
- ?
UDH derailleur hanger
- ✓
Standard 12×142 mm rear axle
12x142 thru-axle
- ?
Works with mechanical shifting
- ?
Fits third-party aerobars
Integrated Bianchi Reparto Corse cockpit by Vision with Vision JS-bend extensions; compatible with Vision TFE extensions
- ?
Rear disc wheel compatible
- ?
Fit kept when packed
Aquila RC geometry
| S | M | L | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rider height min | 155 cm5′1″ | 171 cm5′7″ | 183 cm6′0″ |
| Rider height max | 171 cm5′7″ | 183 cm6′0″ | 197 cm6′6″ |
| Stack | 486 mm19.1″ | 500 mm19.7″ | 524 mm20.6″ |
| Reach | 402 mm15.8″ | 420 mm16.5″ | 440 mm17.3″ |
| Pad stack max | 624 mm24.6″ | 639 mm25.2″ | 662 mm26.1″ |
| Seat angle min | 77.5° | 77.5° | 77.5° |
| Seat angle max | 77.5° | 77.5° | 77.5° |
| Head tube angle | 72° | 72° | 72° |
| Head tube length | 75 mm3″ | 90 mm3.5″ | 115 mm4.5″ |
| Effective top tube | 510 mm20.1″ | 535 mm21.1″ | 556 mm21.9″ |
| Seat tube length | 510 mm20.1″ | 530 mm20.9″ | 560 mm22″ |
| Chainstay | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ |
| Wheelbase | 986 mm38.8″ | 1,008.5 mm39.7″ | 1,036 mm40.8″ |
| BB drop | 75 mm3″ | 75 mm3″ | 75 mm3″ |
| Fork length | 370.5 mm14.6″ | 370.5 mm14.6″ | 370.5 mm14.6″ |
| Fork offset | 45 mm1.8″ | 45 mm1.8″ | 45 mm1.8″ |
| Front centre | 588 mm23.1″ | 610 mm24″ | 638 mm25.1″ |
| Wheel size | 700c | 700c | 700c |
Side view & pad range
Drawn to scale (how to read it).
How the geometry rides
The Aquila RC in size M against the middle size of 16 other bikes: tendencies from geometry, not a ride review (how to read this).
- Wheelbase1,008.5 mm39.7″
shortestlonger than 75% of 16 bikeslongest
Long wheelbase: tends to track straight and feel calm at speed.
- Chainstay410 mm16.1″
shortestlonger than 70% of 20 bikeslongest
Good to know
Design
Bianchi kept the top tube length of the previous Aquila but increased reach and steepened the seat angle to 77.5°, and chose tube sections for a strong 'sail effect' in crosswinds.
SourceFit
Rider heights are read from Bianchi's July 2026 size guide, which lists the TT bike as 'Aquila Disc MY25': S 155-171 cm, M 171-183 cm, L 183-197 cm (the bands overlap at the boundaries). Pad stack and reach are columns M and L of Bianchi's geometry table, measured with 75 mm of spacers (column N).
SourceRacing
The Aquila RC made its race debut at the 2025 Étoile de Bessèges with the Arkéa-B&B Hotels team.
SourceVersions
Bianchi's site lists the bike in four versions: frameset, Rival AXS E1, Force AXS E1 and Dura-Ace Di2 with a 4iiii power meter, each in white/petrol green or metallic Celeste/black.
Source
Aquila RC FAQ
Is the Bianchi Aquila RC UCI legal?+
Yes. The Bianchi Aquila RC is UCI legal, so it can be raced in draft-illegal triathlon as well as UCI time trials.
How much does the Bianchi Aquila RC cost?+
Manufacturer prices (MSRP): €5,690–€13,390 across 4 listed builds and framesets: Aquila RC Dura-Ace Di2 4iiii Power Meter, Aquila RC Force AXS E1, Aquila RC Rival AXS E1 and Aquila RC Frameset.
How much does the Bianchi Aquila RC weigh?+
The frame weighs 1,300 g (2.87 lb) (Frame size M (BikeRadar launch report); Bianchi's page gives 1.3 kg frame and 400 g fork).
What sizes does the Bianchi Aquila RC come in?+
3 sizes: S, M and L. The manufacturer recommends them for riders from 155 cm (5′1″) to 197 cm (6′6″).
What seat angle does the Bianchi Aquila RC have?+
77.5° effective seat tube angle.
What is the tire clearance of the Bianchi Aquila RC?+
Up to 28 mm tires on 700c wheels.
Which groupsets are compatible with the Bianchi Aquila RC?+
1x drivetrains are supported. The largest chainring that fits is 62T. Bottom bracket: PressFit 86.5x41.
What builds of the Bianchi Aquila RC are available?+
Aquila RC Dura-Ace Di2 4iiii Power Meter: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200; Aquila RC Force AXS E1: SRAM Force AXS E1; Aquila RC Rival AXS E1: SRAM Rival AXS E1.
Is the Bianchi Aquila RC aerodynamic?+
Bianchi claims 16.1 W less drag than the previous Aquila at 50 km/h, 37 seconds faster over a 40.7 km time trial, and lower drag than the previous Aquila and the best competitor it tested across yaw angles from -20° to 20°. (Sketches, CAD, CFD simulation, prototypes and road testing with Bianchi's WorldTour riders)
Sources
- https://www.bianchi.com/en/shop/bikes/road/tt-triathlon/aquila/aquila-rc/tt-triathlon-aquila-aquila-rc-aquila-rc/
- https://www.bianchi.com/en/shop/bikes/road/tt-triathlon/aquila/aquila-rc/tt-triathlon-aquila-aquila-rc-aquila-rc-2/
- https://www.bianchi.com/en/shop/bikes/road/tt-triathlon/aquila/aquila-rc/tt-triathlon-aquila-aquila-rc-aquila-rc-3/
- https://www.bianchi.com/en/shop/bikes/road/tt-triathlon/aquila/aquila-rc/aquila-rc-frameset/
- https://www.bianchi.com/aquila-rc/
- https://www.bianchi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/GuidaAlleTaglie_SizeGuides_July2026.pdf
- https://www.bikeradar.com/news/new-bianchi-aquila-rc
- https://assets.ctfassets.net/761l7gh5x5an/7jA9krKzzy3lRXPzlm4uyn/7982d7114b9d62978cb87876ea476535/58780c70-6247-4448-8384-b145fa30aba9.pdf
Bianchi Aquila RC data last updated · How the data is checked ·