The Bianchi Arcadex in CK16 Blue Note is a visually striking gravel bike that represents Bianchi’s shift toward a more aggressive, adventure-focused gravel geometry.
This model is famous for its "boxy" carbon silhouette and its distinctive colorway—Celeste CK16 Glossy with deep Blue Note (a rich navy/indigo) accents on the inner fork and rear stays. This model provides a stable, confidence-inspiring wheelbase for technical descents and fast fire roads.
Frameset & Geometry
Frame: Arcadex Carbon, 1.5" Headset, 12x142mm Thru-Axle, Flat Mount disc.
Fork: Bianchi Full Carbon Disc, 1.5" tapered, 12x100mm Thru-Axle.
Aero Design: The frame features oversized, sculpted tubes designed to be aerodynamic for high-speed gravel racing while remaining incredibly stiff for power transfer.
Mounts: Integrated mounts for mudguards and a rear rack (making it a fast commuter or light bikepacker).
Cockpit: Reparto Corse by FSA SMR (Smart Management Routing) stem, which partially hides cables for a clean look.
Drivetrain & Brakes
Groupset: Shimano GRX 600, 1x11-Speed (Mechanical).
Shifters: Shimano GRX 600 ST-RX600.
Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX 812
Crankset: Shimano GRX 600, 40T Single Chainring.
Cassette: Shimano SLX 11-42T
Brakes: Shimano BR-RX400 Hydraulic Disc.
Rotors: Shimano SM-RT70 CenterLock, 160mm.
Wheels & Tires
Wheelset: AlexRims GD24 Disc, 21mm internal width, Tubeless Ready.
Hubs: Shimano RS470 CenterLock.
Tires: WTB Riddler Comp, 700x37c
Max Tire Clearance: 42mm
Key Highlights for the Arcadex
Aggressive Aesthetics: The Arcadex doesn't look like a traditional road bike; its sharp angles and beefy fork give it a "mountain bike" inspired presence that handles extremely well on loose surfaces.
Stiffness: This is one of the stiffest gravel frames on the market. Every watt you put into the pedals goes directly into forward motion, making it a favorite for "gravel sprinters."
The "Blue Note" Paint: The combination of classic Celeste with the dark "Blue Note" navy is widely considered one of Bianchi's best modern paint schemes—it’s sophisticated and hides trail dirt better than a pure Celeste frame.