Best of Test 2023: Most exclusive road bike - Cinelli XCr 75th
The Cinelli earns its place in our Best of Test 2023 thanks to its high level of exclusivity. According to the traditional Italian manufacturer, there were only 20 examples of the special model worldwide, which was produced to celebrate Cinelli's 75th anniversary. TOUR had the opportunity to test the anniversary racer based on a strikingly decorated and lightweight stainless steel frame.
Dazzling company history of Cinelli
If there was such a thing as a hall of fame for legendary racing bikes, at least one Cinelli would certainly be in it. Founded in 1948 near Milan, the company was one of the most influential brands in racing for decades with its racing bike frames and components; an early Supercorsa or the futuristic-looking Laser from the 1980s are now coveted and expensive collector's items. The brand's importance in professional sport has steadily declined in recent decades; in the age of aluminium and carbon, Cinelli has not been able to build on its former successes. However, the bikes and components still enjoy cult status among fans today.
In 2023, the brand celebrated its 75th anniversary and marked the occasion with a special model that is something special in many respects. This is signalled by the shiny stainless steel frame, the geometry and the extravagant equipment - but more on that later. The centrepiece is a frame made of XCr steel from Columbus. Compared to classic steel frames, the tube diameters are generous, but the wall thicknesses are exceptionally thin - a patent recipe for combining high rigidity and low weight.
Lightest steel frame in the TOUR test
The welded frame weighs just under 1800 grams and is the lightest steel frame in the TOUR test since the beginning of the disc brake era. It is not stingy with pretty details: the cables are routed internally, while the inputs and outputs are neatly soldered in. The forged dropouts feature the Cinelli logo, while a titanium badge on the headset rounds off the elegant appearance. The seat post clamp integrated into the seat stays is also unmistakable, reminiscent of the legendary Supercorsa. As stainless steel does not rust, there is no need to paint it. Instead, the frame is polished by hand to a mirror finish and decorated with various company logos from the company's history.
Racing tradition is palpable
According to the manufacturer, the geometry is influenced by the Supercorsa models of the 1950s, which became famous among riders such as Fausto Coppi. The angles are slightly flatter, the wheelbase longer and the tyre clearance greater than that of modern racing bikes - with current bikes trimmed for versatility, the geometry of the Supercorsa is more compact. Allroad bikes this is modern again. The bike is by no means unsportsmanlike, and the riding position in particular is significantly more stretched compared to bikes of a similar design. On the road, the racing tradition is noticeable despite the modifications: the bike rolls with good directional stability and predictability, but is by no means boring; only the high weight compared to modern carbon bikes puts a slight damper on sporting ambitions.
The design of the special model is original, and the drivetrain is particularly eye-catching. The Italians combine an electronic SRAM Red drivetrain with a two-speed hub from Classified in the rear wheel, which replaces the front derailleur. Striking, milled aluminium cranks from the Italian custom forge Ingrid transmit the pedal power. The ensemble works flawlessly; only the position of the shifter for the hub in the handlebar arch is debatable, but it could be positioned anywhere. The bike is completed with parts that are as classy as they are classic: The fork rotates in a Chris King headset, the delicate tyres from René Herse roll particularly smoothly and offer plenty of comfort with a width of 32 millimetres, the colour-matching Brooks saddle with carbon frame is an exclusive design for the anniversary bike. The handlebars, stem and seat post are supplied by Cinelli itself.
The 14900 euro special edition was quickly sold out. By the end of the year, only standard equipment variants of the XCr were still available to order via the Cinelli website. Incidentally, the collector's item did not win the "prize" for the most expensive road bike in the 2023 TOUR test. The Trek Madone SLR9 AXS was another 800 euros more expensive.
Cinelli XCr 75th at a glance
- TOUR grade: 2,3
- Price: 14900 Euro
- Weight: 8.9 kilogrammes
Weights & geometry
- Frame/fork/steering bearing weight: 1795/498/109 grammes
- Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL (test size greased)
- Seat/top/head tube: 485/550/138 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 556/366 millimetres/1.52
- Wheelbase/caster: 990/59 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Red AXS/Classified (2x12, 46, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes: SRAM Red HRD (160/160 mm)
- Wheels/tyres (weights): Classified CF G30/René Herse Stampede Pass 32 mm (1352/2090 grams)
Measured values & individual scores
- Weight of complete wheel: 8.9 kilogrammes | Grade: 4.0
- Steering head stiffness: 81 Nm/° | Note: 2.7
- Lateral stiffness fork: 39 N/mm | Grade: 3.3
- Bottom bracket stiffness: 56 N/mm | Grade: 1.7
- Seatpost spring stiffness: 101 N/mm | grade: 1.7
- Spring rate fork: 92 N/mm | Grade: 4.3
Best of Test 2023: The best road bikes of the year by individual category
Jens Klötzer
Editor
