When Ernesto Colnago presented the C40 28 years ago, he astonished the racing bike world. A carbon racing bike should survive the Paris-Roubaix ordeal? Very few people believed it. Even the now 90-year-old had his doubts. "The night before the race, team boss Giorgio Squinzi called me and predicted that the bikes would fly apart. I didn't sleep all night and watched the race on TV in a cold sweat," Colnago once confessed in an interview with TOUR. But the courage of the enterprising company founder paid off. The C40 won the toughest one-day classic in the world straight away and went on to win countless other victories in the years that followed. Five years earlier, in 1989, Colnago had already developed its first carbon frame, the C35, together with car manufacturer Ferrari, but it was never used in races. Nevertheless, the experience with the material paid off. In short: a legend was born.
The frame of the C68 is made by hand
The C68 is the latest addition to the C-series. Then as now, it is one of the most spectacular racing bikes in the world; the frame alone, handmade in Cambiago, is a work of art in its own right. As with its predecessors, the individual carbon components are glued together, although the tubes are no longer inserted into classic sleeves at the junctions. Instead, the frame is broken down into smaller components which, according to Colnago, are easier to control during production than a monocoque frame.
However, the nodes are visually less prominent than on the predecessor model C64. This design also allows more freedom in the size range. The C68 is available in seven frame sizes as standard. The frame is also said to be lighter and stiffer, with Colnago quoting a frame weight of around 930 grams in size 51. The C68Ti offers even more exclusivity, with a titanium sleeve from the 3D printer being used on the head tube. This trick allows the Italians to continue to offer customised frames on request.
Minitool in the head tube
Unlike the carbon frame, the new CC.01 cockpit is made from a single piece, which should make it lighter and stiffer. The integrated handlebar/stem unit can be configured in four widths and seven lengths, giving a total of 16 combinations to choose from. Practical: A mini tool weighing just under 70 grams is hidden in the head tube. Futuristic: An NFT sticker on the down tube serves as a kind of digital ID card, in which information about production and ownership is stored - this is what theft protection looks like in the 21st century.
First ride impression of the new Colnago racer
We had the opportunity to test the C68 extensively before its official launch - and the new bike left hardly anything to be desired. Above all, the riding stability is remarkable, the Colnago doesn't move off track so quickly. When it comes to the riding position, the Italians have opted for a successful mix of sportiness and comfort (STR: 1.52). The flattened seatpost - the same model as on Tadej Pogacar's V3Rs - absorbs vibrations well in combination with the 28 millimetre wide Pirelli tyres, although a little more flex would be desirable on longer rides. The tight gearing (52/36, 11-30 teeth) is reminiscent of the racing genes of the C-series.
Exclusive bike, exclusive prices
However, the fact that the C68 is not an off-the-peg bike is also reflected in the price. The "cheapest" model with SRAM Red eTap and Zipp wheels starts at 13,260 euros. Our test bike with gears (Dura-Ace Di2 2x12) and wheels (Dura-Ace C50) from Shimano is priced at €14,065. A version with Campagnolo components (Super Record, Bora Ultra WTO 45) is also available for €15,770. The limited edition C68Ti models range from 14,205 to 16,780 euros. The framesets cost between 5,650 and 6,600 euros, depending on the model. If you still have money left over for a customised paint job, you will have to factor in an additional 1,200 euros. A version with rim brakes is still to come.
From autumn, the C68 will also be available as an all-road version with space for tyres up to 35 millimetres wide. A gravel version with a maximum tyre clearance of 45 millimetres is planned for a little later.
