1,411 euros below the recommended retail price: the 2026 model year Bianchi Impulso Pro GRX 820 is currently available with up to 33 per cent off. It comes with a carbon frame and carbon wheelsets, fitted with a mechanical double-speed gear system. An enticing offer for anyone who values brand image and wants to pick up speed on tarmac and firm gravel.

Let’s get straight to the point: is this offer worth it?

Yes, the Impulso Pro is a great choice for fast rides on tarmac and gravel. Compared to the stated Compared to the RRP of 4,250 euros, you save 1,411 euros – around 33 per cent. The spec isn’t luxurious: the frame is made of aluminium and the gear system is mechanical. However, carbon wheels are included in the package. Above all, though, the bike is built for one specific purpose: speed on rideable routes. Anyone expecting a relaxed riding position, plenty of tyre clearance and space for heavy luggage should not be put off by the discount. The Impulso Pro is a race gravel bike, not an all-rounder.

Impulso RC: What the more expensive version has to offer

Price pressure is not limited to Bianchi. Following the boom years, manufacturers and retailers had to reduce their high stock levels. Discounts help to free up storage space and capital for new stock. At the same time, different model years are often sold side by side in shops, competing for the same customers.

The basic concept behind the Impulso is also nothing new. Bianchi unveiled the revamped Race Gravel platform at the end of 2023. However, this does not mean that the Impulso is technically outdated: A sporty carbon frame, a 12-speed drivetrain and good wheels do not lose their value simply because the year has changed. Those looking primarily for the latest frame design might want to look elsewhere. The Impulso does not feature the UDH standard or an integrated frame compartment.

Impulso RC: What the more expensive version offers in addition

The higher-spec version, featuring GRX Di2 electronic gear changes and a fully integrated cockpit, is also currently on offer at a reduced price. We have found this model at various online retailers such as e.g. found here for 4,819 instead of 6,390 euros. That’s a discount of just under 25 per cent. The Impulso RC GRX Di2 isn’t simply an Impulso Pro with electronic gear changes. It has a lighter frame, an integrated carbon cockpit, different carbon wheels and a power metre. In terms of gear ratios, geometry and tyre clearance, however, the two models are very similar. Incidentally, in 2025 the manufacturer issued a recall for the RC model due to a potential risk of the integrated cockpit breaking. It’s hard to imagine that there are still bikes in circulation whose cockpits haven’t been replaced – but it can’t hurt to check with your dealer just to be on the safe side.

Sporty geometry, limited tyre clearance: Why the GRX mechanical double-chainring set is a good match for this bike

The Impulso Pro brings road bike character to firm gravel tracks. Its carbon frame is aerodynamically designed, the cables are routed internally and the riding position is sporty. In frame size L, the stack measures 580 millimetres and the reach 401 millimetres. This suggests a comparatively low, stretched riding position. However, the standard cockpit is slightly more comfortable than on the RC model.

The tyre clearance also shows where Bianchi’s priorities lie. A maximum of 42 millimetres is permitted; 40-millimetre-wide Pirelli tyres are fitted as standard. This is suitable for tarmac, firm forest tracks and fast gravel tracks – wider tyres for rough terrain simply won’t fit on the Bianchi frame.

Bianchi Impulso Pro GRX 820: An overview of the spec

A mechanical gear system is definitely not a mistake on this race gravel bike. If you mainly ride on fast gravel tracks, you won’t necessarily benefit from the fractions of a second that electronic gear systems save when changing gears. Even the simpler shifting logic of a single-speed system makes only limited sense on a bike like this – it can be more crucial to find a suitable gear ratio, even when your pace varies and on gentle inclines, and to maintain your preferred cadence.

This is where the dual-drive system really comes into its own: two chainrings combined with twelve sprockets allow for a wide range of gear ratios and, in sportier riding conditions, comparatively small steps between gears. Instead of suddenly having to pedal much faster or slower after a gear change, you can adjust your cadence more precisely. This is a particularly useful advantage on long, fast-paced stretches. The mechanical GRX 820 requires a traditional shift cable rather than electronic control. Whether you miss the latter is ultimately a matter of personal preference, not the bike’s suitability for gravel racing.

Bianchi Impulso Pro GRX 820: An overview of the spec

• Frame and fork: Carbon frame with internally routed cables and a maximum tyre clearance of 42 millimetres.
• Circuit: Shimano GRX 820 mechanical groupset with two chainrings and twelve sprockets: 48/31 teeth at the front and an 11–36 cassette at the rear.
• Brakes: Hydraulic Shimano GRX disc brakes with 160-millimetre brake discs.
• Wheels: Velomann Terbium Carbon, with 30-millimetre-high rims, tubeless-ready.
• Tyres and cockpit: Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H tyres, 40 millimetres wide, and a separate aluminium handlebar with an aluminium stem.

Who the Impulso is suitable for, and who it isn’t

The Impulso Pro is ideal for cyclists who want to ride fast: from road cyclists looking for a bike for mixed terrain to gravel riders who train mainly on firm tracks. Those who like to maintain a steady cadence are likely to particularly appreciate the fine gear ratios of the double chainring setup. The bike is less suitable for anyone who prefers to sit as upright as possible, regularly rides challenging trails or is planning heavily laden bikepacking tours. Even a 33 per cent discount does nothing to alter this sporty focus.

To buy or not to buy?

It’s not often that you get the chance to snap up an iconic Italian motorbike for under 3,000 euros. Usually, you have to accept a modest level of specification in exchange for the bike’s reputation. With the heavily discounted Impulso Pro, however, both the image and the specification are spot on. For 2,839 euros (> available here) I’ve got myself a well-rounded bike for fast gravel rides. The carbon frame and carbon wheels form the sporty foundation, and the mechanical GRX double-chainring groupset is a good match. Here’s what you’ll have to do without: greater tyre clearance for more comfort, UDH standard, a frame storage compartment, and mounts for bikepacking accessories.