Aquila RC

Name: Bianchi Aquila RC
Brand: Bianchi

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Origin

The Aquila (“eagle” in Italian) has been Bianchi’s flagship time-trial machine since the Countervail-era CV frameset. The current Aquila RC (Reparto Corse) was revealed in 2024 as a ground-up redesign: Bianchi’s aerodynamicists found that kammtail tube sections generate a “sailing effect” — yaw-angle side forces that translate into forward drive — saving 16.1 W at 50 km/h and making the bike 37 seconds faster over a 40.7 km TT course compared to its predecessor.

Specifications

Frame: Full carbon monocoque Aquila RC; flat-mount disc, PressFit BB 86.5×41, 12×142 mm rear thru-axle, 12×100 mm front thru-axle; tyre clearance up to 28 mm; sizes S/M/L; frame weight 1.3 kg
Weight: kg
Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 2×11sp: FC-R9200 crankset 52×36T + 4iiii Precision 3+ dual-side power meter; Dura-Ace Di2 front and rear derailleurs; Dura-Ace 11-30T cassette; with sprint shifter lever
Brakes: Shimano BR-R9270 hydraulic disc; Shimano RT-CL900 CenterLock rotors 160 mm front and rear
Wheels: Bianchi Reparto Corse RC50R (front, 50 mm deep) + RC65R (rear, 65 mm deep) full-carbon disc wheels; tubeless-ready

The verdict

+Strengths

Best-in-class aero gains from the sailing-effect tube shaping, measurable in wind-tunnel and real-world TT data
Integrated Reparto Corse cockpit keeps an aero clean front end without sacrificing triathlon/TT extension compatibility
Steep 77.5° seat angle positions riders in a biomechanically efficient triathlon position out of the box

−Weaknesses

Only sold as a frame kit with no ready-to-ride complete option; buyers must spec components separately
Three sizes (S/M/L) is a narrow range — riders at extremes may struggle to find ideal fit
At €13,390 for the frameset it is reserved for serious competitors; cost of full build is considerable