gravel bikes with grx Bianchi Arcadex Pro GRX 820/822 1x - AF

The gravel category has divided cleanly into two camps: bikes optimized for speed on mixed terrain, and bikes built for the rider who wants to go somewhere they've never been. The Bianchi Arcadex Pro GRX 820/822 1x is the latter. Bianchi has been building bicycles since 1885, and the Arcadex sits at the exploratory end of their current lineup — distinct from the Impulso range, which handles their race-oriented gravel work. The Arcadex Pro is built for riders planning multi-day routes, overnight bikepacking trips, and long days spent figuring out what's past the point where the gravel turns to dirt.

The frame is SM Carbon Fiber Composite built around an endurance geometry — higher stack and longer front-center than a competition-focused gravel bike, calibrated for day-after-day comfort without sacrificing handling on rough surfaces. The frame is rated for ASTM 2 off-road usage and is designed to accept a compatible suspension fork if you want more capability on rougher terrain down the road. Fully internal cable routing is standard on the Pro, managed through a Bianchi Custom Acros ICR headset that keeps housing clean and the frame lines uncluttered. Tire clearance reaches 700c x 50mm, with fender and mudguard mounts incorporated for all-season riding. Two bottle cage bosses sit within the main triangle. Integrated into the downtube is the Internal Frame Storage module — a sealed compartment accessible from outside the frame, fitted with a fabric pouch to hold CO2 canisters, tire levers, energy bars, or a small multi-tool without rattling against the carbon shell. Hidden inside the rear thru-axle is a 4, 5, and 6mm hex key, providing field-ready tools without adding weight to your kit. The rear dropout is SRAM UDH-compatible for broad derailleur compatibility and straightforward hanger replacement.

Shimano GRX 820/822 handles the drivetrain in a 1x, 12-speed configuration. The front derailleur is absent by design — fewer moving parts to maintain when you're far from a shop, and a cleaner setup for technical riding where hand position changes frequently. The GRX 822 rear derailleur handles cassettes up to 51T and works here with a 10-51T cassette that covers steep climbs with a loaded frame bag and moves efficiently on longer flat stretches. The GRX 820 hydraulic lever manages both braking and shifting at each hand. Shimano BR-RX820 hydraulic calipers run Shimano RT70 IceTech Centerlock rotors at 160mm front and rear. Crankarm length is size-specific: 170mm on XS and S, 172.5mm on M and L, 175mm on XL.

Wheels are Velomann Terbium carbon clinchers — 30mm rim profile, 25mm internal channel, and tubeless-ready. The wide internal width supports the stock 700x45 Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M Classic at lower pressures, and going tubeless on this bike is the right call: lower psi improves traction and compliance on loose terrain without the pinch flat risk. The Cinturato M Classic has a tan sidewall and a tread pattern suited to loose gravel, packed dirt, and mixed surfaces — a tire choice that reflects what the Arcadex is actually for, rather than what looks fast in a spec sheet. The cockpit is all Velomann alloy: a Gravel ICR handlebar with 16-degree flare, 70mm reach, 130mm drop, and internal cable routing through the bar itself. Bar width scales by frame size — 400mm on XS and S, 420mm on M and L, 440mm on XL. The 16-degree flare widens your grip in the drops for better control on rough terrain and technical descents. The Velomann Mitora 149 H1 saddle is 149mm wide with an open-channel design, foam padding, and AISI steel rails — dimensioned for all-day comfort rather than minimum weight. La Spirale Ribbon Cork bar tape finishes the cockpit.

The Arcadex Pro comes in two colorways — CK16/Green Water Matte, with Bianchi's iconic Celeste, and Forest Green/Graphite Matte — in five sizes from XS through XL. A dedicated line of Bianchi ORMA bikepacking bags is available separately, designed specifically for the Arcadex's frame mounting points. At $4,600, the bike arrives ready to ride. Pedals are not included.