News | Bianchi Presents New Ethanol FS Trail & Enduro Bikes

Bianchi – one of Italy’s classic road and cross country bike manufacturers – extends its lineup with the new Ethanol carbon frame, which is available as both a 130 mm trailbike, and 150 mm enduro. At the bike festival in Riva, we got the Ethanol 27.1 FSE, the top-end version of the 150 mm bike in front of our lenses.

At the heart of all four new models is the same frame, which has 130 or 150 mm of travel, depending on rear shock length. There’s a mounting point for each of both supported shock lengths to optimize the suspension and geometry of the frame to its intended use. It’s good to see the enduro version is more than just a lifted trailbike.

Beautifully crafted from carbon, the frame comes ready with internal cable-routings, and not only do brake hoses and shifting cables run internally, but there are also openings for a rear-shock remote and Shimanos new side-swing front derailleur. Seat and chainstays (435 mm) are made from aluminum.

With a steering angle of 67.5 degrees, 73.5 degrees seat angle and a reach of 405 mm (size M), the geometry of the Bianchi Ethanol 27.1 FSE is well balanced, aiming more at the everyday rider than the racer. The 130 mm variant (FST 27.1) comes with a steeper steering angle (68.5 degrees) and a reach of 414 mm (size M).

The pictured Ethanol 27.1 FSE is equipped with Fox suspension, SUNringle Charger wheels and SRAM X01/X1 groupset and costs 5849 €. According to Bianchi, the weight is around 13 kg.

More models:

• Bianchi Ethanol FST 27.1 – 4849 €
• Bianchi Ethanol FST 27.2 – 4095 €
• Bianchi Ethanol FSE 27.2 – 4995 €

Additional info: bianchi.com

Words: Aaron Steinke Photos: Klaus Kneist