Bianchi e-ArcadeX Review: A Gravel e-Bike with Touring Spirit

9.1 One of my favorite e-bikes

- Excellent motor performance, especially in Turbo and Tourer modes
- Comfortable ride despite the lack of suspension
- Great touring features: triple bottle mounts, and accessories included
- Smooth pedaling even with no battery assistance
- The rear rack is underwhelming, with a 15kg limit

Good stuff

1. Fully equipped with all accessories
2. Reliable tech combo
3. Well positioned for city commuting and touring

Deal-Breakers?

1. The rear rack can only carry 15 kg (on the low scale)

• Motor assistance 10
• Battery range 9
• Weight 9
• Responsiveness & Comfort 9
• Accessories 8
• Technology combo 9.5
• User Ratings (0 Votes) 0

The Bianchi e-ArcadeX is a gravel electric bike designed for touring adventures and also brings the potential for city riding.

As mentioned in my video review, this Bianchi version has been my favorite to date – elegant, comfortable, and incredibly powerful (motor-wise).

Important information about my review: This e-bike was loaned by Bikes Dever for testing purposes, and all the words are my own. I have not been compensated to promote the bike store or the bike’s brand.

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e-ArcadeX Specs Summary (basic)

E-BIKE MODEL: 2023 PURPOSE: Touring and City Rides MOTOR & TOP SPEED Bosch tech, Performance Line CX Class 1 (pedal assist (PAS)) 250W mid-drive (learn about e-bike motors) Max speed for motor to cut down: 25 km/h (15 mph) Torque: 85Nm

BATTERY Removable waterproof integrated battery to low-tube frame 36v, 500wh, 13.8Ah Charging in ~4 hrs from drained (EBA tested), with 4-amp charger

RANGE (based on controller information) Max Range: Approx. 110 km (68 miles) – Eco ( in ideal conditions) Min Range: Approx. 55 km/h (34 miles) – Turbo (in ideal conditions) A battery extender range could be added

CONTROLLER, RIDING MODES, & DISPLAY Bosch Kiox. Four (4) PAS levels (also called Eco, Tour, Sport/e-MTB (if applicable), and Turbo). PAS selection can be customised Walk mode added The display can be replaced with a smartphone (with a special attachment) For PAS customisation, use the Flow App

FRAME High-step carbon 9R Sizes are suitable for people between 155 cm  (51″) and 190 cm ( 74″) Thru-axel (12 mm x 100 mm) Colours available: desert brown and glacier blue.

GEAR SYSTEM Shimano GRX 600, 11-speed, Chain: KCM 11-42 tooth cassette

BRAKING SYSTEM GRX series, 160mm rotor (front and rear), dual-piston, with lockring Hydraulic system 2-finger adjustable reach levers

Bianchi e ArcadeX WEIGHT ~19 kg (41 lbs). EBA tested

TYRES & SUSPENSION Tyres: Continental Terra Trail 28″ x 1.5″ front and rear tires (fitted). Enough room for 2.2″ for a better grip on gravel. Tubeless-ready, puncture resistant (Threads per Inch – TPI 30) Allow rims 40-60 psi max. pressure Schrader valve Suspension: none

SENSORS Torque, cadence, speed

FEATURES It comes with a branded rear rack and mudguards for touring Integrated front (100 lumens) and rear (20 lumens) lights Aluminum bell Grip tape La Spirale Ribbon cork Bianchi logo Proprietary embedded rear rack. Three places for adding water bottles, a battery extender, and enough space in the frame’s central part to fit a tool bag

PRICE In Australia: ~$7,000 – 9,000AUD

e-ArcadeX Review: My Findings

First impression & fit

– I rode the medium (M) size Bianchi e-ArcadeX, which matched my height per Bianchi’s recommendations. Despite being a high-step carbon frame, it was surprisingly easy to mount. The top tube’s gentle downward slope toward the seatpost made a real difference.

– One minor issue: the ground clearance felt slightly low for me. While I never scraped a pedal, I was cautious over speed bumps when pedaling with full leg extension.

Bianchi e-ArcadeX test ride: Real-world performance

To get a complete picture, I took it on a series of hill tests, one of which had a 20% incline on a paved road.

Test ride: No motor assistance

– What happens if the battery dies? Well, I tested it without any motor assistance, and despite weighing 19 kg, it felt impressively smooth and not heavy at all, like a lightweight standard bike.

Test ride: Eco mode

– Initially, I couldn’t tell if the CV Perfornace Line Bosch motor had kicked in. But a second later, the smooth boost arrived. I didn’t reach the maximum speed before the motor cut off; however, I built enough momentum to get myself up the hill without feeling exhausted.

Overall, I had to pedal harder than I would’ve wanted. Gearing played a key role here; switching to a lower gear helped ease the load and getting the most out of the eco mode.

Test ride: Turbo mode

– Wow. The Turbo mode surprised me. The sensors were highly responsive, and the mid-drive motor kicked in almost instantly.

– I reached the 25 km/h assist cutoff in about 3 seconds—climbing was effortless and honestly, a lot of fun

Overall, this mode could provide enough assistance to haul it when it is heavy.

Test ride: Tourer mode (key test)

– This setting delivered a perfect balance between Eco and Turbo modes. I think it could provide enough support to make climbs manageable while also preserving battery life—ideal for long-distance touring.

Test ride: e-ArcadeX comfort and ride feel

– Despite having no suspension (unlike the e-Omnia T-Type), the ride quality over speed bumps was surprisingly decent thanks to the frame design and the relatively small size  (28″ x 1.5″) of the Continental tires. Better yet, there’s room for wider 2″ tires if you want extra cushioning.

– Ergonomically, the flat bar setup worked well, though riders who prefer flared drop bars might need an adjustment. I personally found the reach and posture to be quite natural.

Tech and Controlls: Bosch Kiox

– Similar to what I have experienced in other e-bikes using Bosch tech, this one didn’t disappoint.

– As mentioned in my video review, I love the possibility of customizing the power each PAS could offer.

– With the options offered by the Kiox controller and based on what I experienced with the sheer punch of Turbo mode, I’d consider dialing it back a bit to extend battery life without losing performance.

Check my video on how to customise Bosch controller (for Bosch Kiox only)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etyz_4zyJWo

Features I Loved About the e-ArcadeX

1. Triple bottle mounts: Perfect for touring. Having three bottle bosses is a major plus.

2. Fully equipped: I’m a fan of e-bikes that come with all the accessories (mudguards, lights, rear rack) for a multiday adventure (city and touring).

3. Reliable tech combo: For a city commuter/tourer, I think Bianchi was thoughful to partner with Bosch and Shimano. I don’t want to disregard the quality of other brands, but I appreciate that Bianchi opted for tried-and-tested brands to power and control the e-ArcadeX.

The Potential Deal-Breaker?

I know the brand is working hard to offer riders a great e-bike fleet, and I think they have done a good job with this model. However, here’s my main gripe: the rear rack can only carry 15 kg.

For a touring or city-ready e-bike, that’s quite limiting. Most competitors offer racks rated for 25 kg or more. I’m unsure why Bianchi made this choice, but it’s worth noting for anyone planning to load up on gear.

Is the Bianchi e-ArcadeX Worth It? Verdict

If you’re looking for a premium gravel-style electric bike that performs well on steep hills and city streets, the Bianchi e-ArcadeX should be on your list.

Would I take the Bianchi e-ArcadeX on a touring adventure? It is my favorite of all the Bianchi e-bikes I have tested thus far.

Let me know in the comments if it’s a bike you’d consider, or if you’ve had a chance to ride it