Bianchi Ethanol FS Bike Check
August 19th, 2016
By Andrew Dodd in Bikes,Features
Bianchi Ethanol FS Bike Check
Bianchi are well known in the road world for two things – making stunning road bikes; and their trademark turquoise colour – Celeste.
They also make mountain bikes, and although many of them are World Cup XC bikes – there are a few gems tucked away, like this carbon framed Bianchi Ethanol FS trail bike, which rolls on 27.5in wheels and has 130mm of fully active travel…
The Bianchi Ethanol FS with a back drop of Factory Jackson’s home town – Bath.
The Bianchi Ethanol FS is available in two guises – trail spec like this one, and Enduro spec running a longer shock and different componentry.
Here’s the lowdown:
- Bianchi Ethanol FS 27,5” FS 130 carbon fibre front triangle/alloy rear end
- Olive green with Celeste detail
- 190mm shock – 50mm stroke offers 130mm travel (supplied like this)
- 200mm shock – 57mm travel offers 150mm travel shock lengths
- Four Bar pivot design
- 1.5” tapered Head tube
- PF30 73mm BB area, with ISCG 05 mounts
- Internal cable routing
- 68deg head angle/ 73.5deg seat angle
- This build – £3300
Although Bianchi won’t be on the tips of most mountain biker’s tongues, the Bianchi Ethanol FS would definitely be a choice off roader for someone who has a Bianchi road bike in the garage – and something different for those that don’t.
If you get rid of the tiller up front and put a 50mm stem on board, the Ethanol is a good fun trail bike with a decent suspension platform. The 68degree head angle isn’t the slackest, but should make for a nimble ride.
We love the army olive green, with the Celeste logo against it – it looks tough but has a nice nod to the classic Bianchi colour way. They also do a lairy bright orange – but we love this option.
The Bianchi Ethanol FS trail comes with a 190mm shock, delivering a 50mm stroke – and 130mm at the rear wheel. The Enduro model of the same bike comes with a 200mm shock with a 57mm stroke, offering 150mm at the rear wheel. You can move the shock in to the lower mount to drop the BB and slacken the head angle slightly too.
Quality bearings in the pivots should keep the Ethanol on the trail in shoddy UK conditions and there is a decent amount of mud clearance too. There is routing for different front mech designs, and the front mech mount is removeable.
We also hear that Bianchi are working on some seriously exciting progressive mountain bikes for 2018 – sounds a way off, but with the way the industry keeps churning things out it won’t feel like long!
What do you think of the Bianchi Enthanol FS – is it a good #dirtroadie?
Let us know in the comments below…
