How do you approach a bike with a price tag equivalent to that of a small car? Either you dismiss the racer as an unnecessary fad that the average earner can't afford anyway. Or you can be open-minded about the Luxury model and explores the engineering skills behind the masterpiece. Of course, we at TOUR can't help ourselves and have opted for the latter option.
This is the Colnago C68
The new flagship from the traditional Italian manufacturer Colnago is the seventh model in the iconic C-series, which the company patron Ernesto Colnago 1989 together with sports car manufacturer Ferrari. As spectacular as the original C35 model with its curved monocoque frame was, it was its successor that achieved worldwide fame in 1995: the C40 was the first carbon racing bike in the world to win the Roubaix cobblestone tour, followed by numerous triumphs there, at the Giro and in world championships. A legend on narrow tyres was born.
Realizzato a mano in Italia - handmade in Italy
The new C68 is not intended for racing, but Colnago has opted for the lighter and more aerodynamic Race model V3Rswhich is set to guide Tadej Pogacar to his third consecutive Tour victory in July. But as in the early years, the new bike is once again one of the most spectacular racers in the world. The frame alone, handmade at the company headquarters in Cambiago, is a work of art in itself. Anyone who does not appreciate this special feature will be reminded of the "Realizzato a mano in Italia" on the seat tube and chainstays.
More importantly, however, the carbon frame is still made up of individual parts; according to Colnago, a C68 consists of the same number of elements as a C64. However, individual tubes are no longer inserted into classic sleeves, but separately manufactured modules - the bottom bracket and seat tube, for example, form a single unit - are glued together at new junctions.
The new design suits the C68 extremely well. The frame is more delicate than its lugged predecessors, but does not forget its roots and remains recognisable as an unusual design thanks to details such as the angular head tube and accentuated heels. However, the designers gave up one advantage of the C series with the new design: almost limitless freedom in terms of geometry and size design. The C68 is now "only" available in seven standard sizes, whereas its predecessor had twice the choice and a customised frame option.
Colnago C68: customised frame thanks to titanium sleeve
After all, the latter is also available on the C68. The limited edition C68Ti models have a customised titanium sleeve from the 3D printer on the head tube. This trick allows the Italians to continue offering customised frames. Surcharge: around 1000 euros. You can also order a customised paint finish (plus 1200 euros) and an exclusive, personal delivery service (plus 1000 euros). If you pull out all the stops, a racing bike purchase can land you at a dizzying 20,000 euros.
Certainly not when viewed soberly. The Individualist doesn't have to shy away from a technical comparison with the monocoque frames of Asian origin that are common today. Despite the modular design, which requires more material, especially at the gluing points, the Italians reduced the frame weight in our test size to an impressive 1060 grams, while the predecessors weighed considerably more. The stiffness values of the bottom bracket, steering head and fork are at the top level. Only the comfort of the seatpost, which is also found in the V3Rs race model, shows slight deficits. But who would ride such a collector's item on rough pothole tracks?
Work of art with a futuristic digital world of experience
The C68 wants to be Gesamtkunstwerk whose stimuli are transmitted via a "Realizzato a mano in Italia" and a futuristic digital world of experience rounds off the presentation: for the first time, the high-end racers can be configured and ordered online. Among other things, registered buyers will be able to follow the creation of their bike in short films. The Italians use the blockchain technology familiar from cryptocurrencies for this purpose. This is also the basis for a kind of digital bike passport, which proves authenticity and ownership in the form of a small sticker on the down tube. Colnago's endeavours are innovative to say the least and provide a glimpse of where the 21st century road bike market may be heading. The traditional name and forward-looking approach will find solvent enthusiasts.
Prices of the Colnago C68
The C68 is available with SRAM Red AXS from 13,260 euros, the frame set from 5650 euros. A version with rim brakes is still to come, and wider-tyred all-road and gravel versions of the C68 are also in the starting blocks.
Data on the Colnago C68
- Price: 14,065 Euro
- Weight Complete wheel: 7.3 kilos
- Weight frame/fork/steering bearing*: 1,060/454/70 grammes
- Frame sizes**: 42/45,5/48,5/51/53/55/57
- Seat/top/head tube: 525/565/165 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR***: 584/384 millimetres/1.52
- Wheelbase/caster: 1005/69 millimetres
Features of the Colnago C68
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (2x12, 52/36, 11-30 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace (160/140 mm)
- Wheels/tyres: Shimano Dura-Ace C50/Pirelli P Zero Race 28 mm (f./h. 1176/1497 g)
*Weighed weights.
**Manufacturer's test size bold.
***Stack/reach projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube; STR (stack to reach) 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright riding position.
Julian Schultz
Editor
