Bianchi ImpulsovsCervelo Aspero
Stop looking at these bikes if you want to carry camping gear or ride through rock gardens. These are road bikes with dirt habits, designed specifically for the sharp end of a gravel race where aerodynamics and power transfer matter more than plushness.
Overview
Bianchi and Cerv lo are chasing the same high-speed target with these 2024 updates. The Impulso remains a stiff, unapologetic racer that looks like it belongs in a wind tunnel, maintaining a modest 42mm tire clearance that signals its preference for groomed paths over technical singletrack. It leans into a traditional Italian racing feel—stiff, direct, and aesthetically striking with its integrated cable routing even on the entry-level Comp build. Cerv lo has taken a more corrective approach with the new spero. The previous generation was notoriously harsh, so the brand dropped the seatstays and thinned the tubes to fight rider fatigue without slowing the bike down. With a 45mm tire clearance and a move to a threaded bottom bracket, the spero feels slightly more modern and practical, though it remains just as allergic to cargo mounts as the Bianchi.
Ride and handling
Bianchi’s Impulso handles with a stability that favors rolling terrain and long, fast straights. The frame is "beefy" and stiff, transmitting a fair amount of trail chatter directly to the rider when the gravel turns into washboard. It feels planted on descents, especially in the Comp trim where the extra weight helps the bike hold its line rather than bouncing around. It's a bike for the rider who wants a solid, immovable platform under them when they are putting out high watts in a paceline. Cerv lo feels more like a caffeinated road bike. The 72-degree head angle is steep for gravel, resulting in steering that is quick and requires more attention on loose corners. It tends to skip over bumps rather than soak them up, though the frame compliance is vastly improved over the original model. The Trail Mixer flip-chip in the fork is a genuine standout, allowing you to keep that sharp handling consistent even if you swap between road-slick tires and 45mm gravel rubber. Power transfer on the spero is immediate. Every pedal stroke feels like it goes into forward motion, particularly with the Zipp ZR1 hubs found on upper builds that engage with only 5 degrees of play. The Impulso matches this efficiency in the frame, but the heavier alloy wheels on the Comp and Pro builds can make it feel a bit more sluggish when you're trying to punch up a steep climb. On the road sections between trails, the spero is noticeably faster, blurring the line between a gravel bike and a dedicated endurance road machine.
Specifications
Mechanical simplicity is where these bikes diverge. Cerv lo uses a threaded T47a bottom bracket, a massive win for home mechanics who want to avoid the creaks and specialized tools associated with press-fit systems. Bianchi stays with a PressFit 86.5 standard, which keeps the frame area sleek but may require more maintenance over time. However, Bianchi deserves credit for hiding the hoses and cables entirely within the frame across the whole range, whereas the standard spero leaves them semi-exposed under the stem for easier servicing. The wheel choice on the Impulso Comp build is a clear weak point. The metal Fulcrum wheels are durable and nearly "bomb proof," but at over 21 pounds for the complete bike, they hold back a frame that is clearly designed to go fast. Cerv lo is more generous with carbon at similar price points, often including Reserve 40/44 carbon wheels that weigh under 1,450g and feature higher-end hub internals. Both bikes use the SRAM UDH hanger, which is a smart, future-proof addition that makes finding replacement parts at a local shop much easier. Cockpit ergonomics on the Cerv lo are superior for long days. The AB09 carbon bars have a wide, flat top that provides a comfortable resting place for your palms, whereas the Bianchi Velomann alloy bars are a bit more traditional and less forgiving. Bianchi includes high-quality Pirelli Cinturato tires that offer great grip in loose dirt, while Cerv lo opts for WTB Vulpines, which are incredibly fast on hard-pack but can feel a bit out of their depth if the terrain gets muddy.
| Impulso | Aspero | |
|---|---|---|
| FRAMESET | ||
| Frame | Bianchi Impulso carbon fiber frame (Flat Mount disc 140/160, PressFit 86.5 x 41, 12x142mm thru-axle, SRAM UDH hanger, max chainring 46-52T, tire clearance ETRTO 622-42mm) | |
| Fork | Bianchi Impulso Integrated Fork, carbon fiber composite (Flat Mount disc 140/160, 12x100mm thru-axle, tire clearance ETRTO 622-42mm, 1 1/8" steerer) | Cervélo All-Carbon, Tapered Aspero Fork |
| Rear shock | — | — |
| GROUPSET | ||
| Shift levers | Shimano GRX 610 ST-RX610 | Shimano GRX, RX610 |
| Front derailleur | Shimano GRX 820 FD-RX820 | Shimano GRX, RX820 |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano GRX 820 RD-RX820 (max cassette sprocket 36T) | Shimano GRX, RX820 |
| Cassette | Shimano CS-HG710, 12-speed, 11-36T (HG11 freehub body) | Shimano HG710, 11-36T, 12-Speed |
| Chain | Shimano CN-M7100 | Shimano M7100 |
| Crankset | Shimano GRX 610 FC-RX610, 46-30T (Crank Length: 170mm-XS(47)-SM(51), 172.5mm-MD(55)-LG(58), 175mm-XL(61)) | Shimano GRX, RX610, 46/30T |
| Bottom bracket | Shimano SM-BB72-41B, press fit | FSA, T47 BBright for 24mm spindle |
| Front brake | Shimano hydraulic disc brake, BR-RX400 | |
| Rear brake | Shimano hydraulic disc brake, BR-RX400 | |
| WHEELSET | ||
| Front wheel | V24G wheel, aluminium rim 622x24c, 24h | Alexrims GX7, 12x100mm, 24H, 25mm IW, 6 bolt, tubeless compatible |
| Rear wheel | V24G wheel, aluminium rim 622x24c, 24h | Alexrims GX7, 12x142mm, 24H, 25mm IW, HG freehub, 6 bolt, tubeless compatible |
| Front tire | Pirelli Cinturato GRAVEL M Classic, 40-622 (tan sidewall) | WTB Vulpine TCS Light Fast Rolling Dual DNA 60tpi 700x45c |
| Rear tire | Pirelli Cinturato GRAVEL M Classic, 40-622 (tan sidewall) | WTB Vulpine TCS Light Fast Rolling Dual DNA 60tpi 700x45c |
| COCKPIT | ||
| Stem | Velomann AICR Alloy, -2° rise (1-1/8" steerer; 31.8mm bar clamp; lengths: 80mm XS(47), 90mm SM(51), 100mm MD(55), 110mm LG(58), 120mm XL(61)) | Cervélo ST36 Alloy |
| Handlebars | Velomann Gravel ICR Alloy, 16° flare (Drop 130mm, Reach 70mm, 31.8mm clamp; widths: 400mm XS(47)/SM(51), 420mm MD(55)/LG(58), 440mm XL(61)) | Zipp Service Course 70 XPLR Alloy, 31.8mm clamp, 5 degree flare, 11 degree outsweep |
| Saddle | Velomann MITORA 149 H1 (250mm length, 149mm width) | Cervélo Saddle |
| Seatpost | Bianchi Custom D-Shape, 20mm offset (lengths: 300mm XS(47), 350mm SM(51)/MD(55), 380mm LG(58)/XL(61); carbon fiber composite) | Cervélo Alloy 27.2 |
| Grips/Tape | La Spirale Ribbon cork | — |
Geometry and fit comparison
These are aggressive, low-slung machines that demand a fair bit of flexibility. The Cerv lo spero in size 56 has a 580mm stack and a 397mm reach, putting the rider in a stretched-out, aerodynamic position. The 76mm bottom bracket drop is quite low for a gravel bike, lowering the center of gravity and helping the bike feel stable through corners despite the twitchy steering geometry. Bianchi uses a similarly competitive fit. On the Comp model, the 554mm stack and 391mm reach (Medium size) favor a low front end. The 425mm chainstays on the Impulso are short for the category, which helps the bike feel snappy when you stand up to sprint, but it means you have less room for mud and debris compared to bikes with longer rear ends. Both bikes use a 73-degree seat tube angle (on a size 56), which keeps you positioned right over the cranks for maximum pedaling efficiency. Riders with shorter torsos may find the reach on the spero a bit long, though Cerv lo compensates for this by spec’ing shorter 90mm stems. Bianchi’s layout feels slightly more traditional and centered. If you want a bike that feels like a pure road racer that just happens to fit 42mm tires, the Bianchi is the closer match. If you want a bike that experiments more with trail and fork offset to manage different terrain, the Cerv lo is the more technically interesting option.
| FIT GEO | Impulso | Aspero | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stack | 580 | 505 | -75 |
| Reach | 401 | 370 | -31 |
| Top tube | 572 | 512 | -60 |
| Headtube length | 162 | 83 | -79 |
| Standover height | — | 681 | — |
| Seat tube length | 520 | — | — |
| HANDLING | Impulso | Aspero | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headtube angle | 71.5 | 71 | -0.5 |
| Seat tube angle | 73.5 | 74.5 | +1 |
| BB height | — | — | — |
| BB drop | 70 | 78.5 | +8.5 |
| Trail | — | 62 | — |
| Offset | 50 | — | — |
| Front center | 628 | — | — |
| Wheelbase | 1045 | — | — |
| Chainstay length | 426 | 425 | -1 |
Who each one is for
Bianchi Impulso
For the rider who wants a carbon race bike with Italian flair and doesn't mind upgrading components over time. If you spend your weekends at local gravel grinds and want a frame that looks incredibly clean and fast, the Impulso is a great foundation. It's the right choice if you prioritize a stiff, responsive frame for power-climbing and sprint finishes over long-distance comfort.
Cervelo Aspero
For the road racer looking for a "one-bike" solution that can handle mixed-surface centuries and fast gravel events. If you value a threaded bottom bracket and a slightly more compliant ride for eight-hour days in the saddle, the spero is better equipped. It's the pick for riders who want high-end carbon wheels and a road-like handling experience without the bone-shaking stiffness of a pure aero rig.
