Tech Specs: Colnago C68 Gravel
Price: $13,199.95 / €12,010.00 / £11,099.99.99
Frame: Colnago C68 Gravel
Size: 480 (equal to a 54 or medium in different manufacturers)
Weight: 8661 grams able to trip together with Garmin Rally XC200 pedals (448g)
Wheels: Zipp 303s
Groupset: SRAM Red XPLR
Bar/stem: Colnago CC.01 Wide cockpit
Saddle: Selle San Marco Regal Short Dynamic
Max tyre dimension: 42mm
For anybody who begins caring about bikes, there are a couple of names that rapidly grow to be a dream bike. Are they the very best bikes? Who is aware of and who cares? I’ve by no means heard of a child with a motorcycle poster on the wall, truly, I do not suppose anybody has posters anymore, and in the event that they do they don’t seem to be bikes, however comply with me right here. If all that was a factor, Colnago could be a motorcycle on a child’s bed room poster. Colnago is heritage and aspiration became carbon and paint and the head of that’s the built-in Italy C sequence.
Although the V sequence is all about pace and efficiency, the C sequence is one thing extra. It’s born from efficiency nevertheless it’s meant to sacrifice a little bit of that within the identify of an intangible really feel. This yr the most recent technology C68 brings that very same feeling to extra than simply the highway. This yr there may be additionally a C68 Gravel with an eye fixed on the finest gravel bikes.
Along with introducing a brand new aspect into the C sequence, Colnago can be making the model’s presence within the North American market recognized. While Europe owns the heritage of highway racing, it is America that claims gravel racing. This yr, Colnago desires a bit of that and the play is the C68 Gravel.
What meaning is that the American obtained a shot at this evaluation and now I’m prepared to speak about it. Just such as you, Colnago means one thing particular to me and I’ve spent the previous few weeks working by way of the main points of using a C sequence. What’s it prefer to be on a Colnago C68 Gravel? What’s it prefer to take it on a favorite gravel route? If you have at all times puzzled, or possibly in case you are able to contemplate doing the identical, hold studying to see my ideas on the Colnago C68 Gravel.
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Design and aesthetics
More and extra I prefer to shift this a part of the dialogue to the design facet of issues however that does not make a ton of sense this time. The Colnago C68 Gravel is a labour of affection designed to evoke a sense somewhat than rely grams and ship the quickest bike doable. In some ways the precise engineering particulars are specs that different manufacturers will eclipse.
Instead, let’s begin by speaking a few selection between a colour-shifting matte inexperienced or a excessive gloss black to grace the tube profiles. Both are placing and what’s distinctive is a way of understatement. There’s a little bit of aptitude to every, with the sunshine catching the sharp edges of the tubes, nevertheless it’s the type of factor you may end up taking in first earlier than circling again to note the main points. There are not any garish logos, only a refined “Colnago” phrase mark on the higher a part of a single aspect of the downtube, a pair of C68 wordmarks on the fork legs, and the well-known silver headtube badge. What you can too discover on the headtube is the final visible illustration of the development that actually units the C sequence aside.
This yr you’ll be able to select between a C68 that focuses on highway, allroad, or this gravel variant however every of them nonetheless makes use of a lugged development constructed by hand in Italy. The headtube, distinctive to the gravel variant with a special form and bigger 1.5in Acros headset bearings, can be the one place the place the lugged development nonetheless pokes by way of. Unlike the plain lugs in a motorcycle just like the C64, this newest variant makes use of one thing extra akin to the development of a typical carbon bike.
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The factor Colnago would not point out is that the development of the C sequence is not drastically completely different from different bikes. It’s not distinctive for carbon fibre bikes to be handmade, virtually all carbon bike elements are. It’s additionally not distinctive to construct a motorcycle in items and bond them collectively. That’s how fashionable bikes get constructed and a technique that some frames add lightness is by utilizing fewer items. The distinction between a monocoque (what is often thought of a one-piece development) and a lugged development will be extremely refined. You can see an instance of that in the best way that Colnago sections the body within the C68.
Despite all that, what the model can legitimately declare is a stage of care and precision that’s considerably uncommon. There’s a bonus to having your manufacturing and design below the identical roof and the identical is true of coaching your personal workforce. The development of the C sequence won’t be drastically completely different nevertheless it’s executed by staff who’re skilled particularly to construct it and below the watchful eye of those that designed it.
The finish result’s a body that weighs in at a claimed 1150 grams for a dimension 480 body (much like a 54 or medium in different sizes and measured from the centre of the underside bracket to the highest of the seat tube) with a 480-gram uncut fork and a T47 backside bracket. There are choices for sizes 450 by way of 570 and all sizes use a 70.5 headtube angle paired with a shorter stem size. Compared to the opposite C sequence variants the geometry is shorter and taller, with an extended wheelbase and there may be room for as much as a 42mm tyre. Groupset choices are 1x groupsets in both mechanical or digital or 2x digital solely. Although the fork is inflexible the model does say {that a} suspension fork is an possibility relying on wants and there may be mounting for a bento field plus two bottles.
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The construct
Colnago affords the C68 gravel in three full builds plus the frameset. Price factors by no means get too low with the frameset alone priced at £5,269 / $7,100 / €5,935. The “finances” possibility from there runs £6,899.95 / $7,995.95 / €7,250 for Shimano GRX RX820 with Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 wheels and 700x40mm Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H tyres. Then the subsequent leap is £8,099.95 / $9,599.95 / €8,690 for a SRAM Force XPLR AXS construct with Fulcrum Rapid Red 500 wheels and the identical tyres.
The high-end possibility is what I frolicked with and it contains SRAM RED XPLR however with no energy meter included. Wheels are the third-tier Zipp 303s with the identical tyres which sit under the Firecrest and NSW choices. Rounding out the complete construct is the somewhat spectacular Sella San Marco Regal Short Dynamic saddle paired with the newly launched CC.01 Wide built-in handlebar. The CC.01 is a one-piece unit that in my body dimension is available in at 40cm width measured behind the controls with an equal 90mm stem. As is befitting a gravel bike, the Wide variant of the bar has a little bit of flare measuring roughly 47cm on the ends of the drops together with a 72.5mm attain, 120mm drop, and an 82-degree stem angle. I weighed the ultimate construct with Garmin pedals at 8661 grams together with the Colnago out entrance mount and Colnago carbon bottle cages.
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Performance
Long earlier than the Colnago C68 Gravel got here to me I used to be already occupied with the construct. On paper, there is not any logical cause to purchase a Colnago C sequence. It’s hundreds of {dollars} outdoors the norm for even high tier frames and there is not any efficiency equation that squares that up. You do not buy it as a result of it performs higher, you purchase it due to what it’s.
A Colnago C sequence is all about heritage and branding and it deserves the very best. When you present as much as a bunch trip on this bike it is making a press release and it is a very particular assertion. When tech author Will Jones wrote concerning the launch of this bike he talked about how the C sequence temper board would function “dusty roads, sunsets, convertible Ferraris, wooden, wealthy tans, pink fits, and above all, heritage.” Running with that psychological picture of the Colnago model, the much less premium Zipp 303s did not appear to match up, for me. So I had a variety of enjoyable ready for a delivery discover and dreaming about what wheels made conceptual sense for the body. Maybe one thing actually wild like an individually crafted Lavelle Fireroad 5-spoke wheel? Or maybe one thing from DT Swiss? I preferred the thought of the HED Emporia GC3 Pro I reviewed however possibly that is too American?
In the tip, the bike arrived and I took it out by myself with the Zipp wheels. They work, and on many bikes, they’re a superb selection. On one of the costly frames accessible, they make no sense, so I made a decision to swap them out. As it seems, you’ll be able to’t purchase one of many builds within the US anyway. American patrons must spend time pondering by way of the selection of wheels themselves however ultimately, I made a decision I wished to strive the Cadex AR wheels with the bike. For lots of people, this conceptually would not make sense on a motorcycle that is not a Giant. They occur to be certainly one of my favorite gravel wheels although and on high of that they’re the lightest I’ve and I occur to suppose the uncooked carbon and ultra-loud freehub match completely with the C68. The fact is I additionally wished to run a wheel I knew effectively so I might get an actual sense of the body and expertise.
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In phrases of the trip, there actually is one thing particular concerning the C68 Gravel. It’s precisely the type of gravel bike I like. With solely room for a 42, most individuals are most likely going to run a 40mm tyre and that is excellent for what is actually a highway bike that likes to social gathering. The geometry could be shorter and taller than a C68 highway nevertheless it by no means appears like you might be down within the bike the best way my Salsa Warbird does. Steep descents make you are feeling perched on high and this isn’t the bike I’d wish to have with me in Colombia.
Instead, that is the bike that finest matches my using proper now. When requested I at all times prefer to say I desire using roads, I simply do not care a lot if they’ve pavement anymore. Smooth gravel roads within the coastal mountains of Los Angeles, or practically wherever in California, are virtually made for this type of bike. You by no means must drive to the trip and if you end up in a quick group on pavement, no drawback. I confirmed as much as a quick group trip I knew that had about 150 metres of off-road using and combined it up on the pointy finish with no drawback.
When I took it for my regular 100-ish mile / 160-ish km gravel take a look at loop, I used to be in love. Half the route is highway together with some steep climbing. I’ve already talked about I benefit from the C68 on this setting nevertheless it’s simply nearly as good when the pavement ends. There are lengthy and comparatively mild gravel descents the place the C68 feels quick and enjoyable however there are additionally sections of logging highway double monitor that actually deliver the C68 Gravel into focus.
Road, gravel, no matter using you might be doing what units the C sequence aside is similar factor I really like about my Enve Melee highway bike, compliance. There are a lot stiffer bikes on the market however when a talented model completely tailors the compliance of a carbon layup it is a good looking factor. Colnago nails it by getting the compliance excellent and constructing in an virtually springy trip.
In my listing of constructive particulars, I stated it had “responsive, enjoyable, agile dealing with” however that is not fairly proper. The fact is regardless of my job being about discovering the best phrases, I couldn’t fairly do it. That’s simply what I got here up with as I struggled to maintain it concise. Instead, it is a type of bounce and spring that’s extremely enjoyable and in some way past phrases.
The solely factor I didn’t love was how brief the highest feels. At the tip of a variety of gravel races, there are sometimes lengthy sections of straight farm roads, sometimes into the wind after 80-ish miles, and that is actually my favorite a part of the race. I prefer to get lengthy and tucked in and I can not do it on the C68. I measured my Salsa Warbird with a Cadex AR bar and a 100mm stem and that bike is 2cm longer from the tip of the saddle to the centre of the bar and three.5cm longer from the tip of the saddle to the tops of the hoods. It’s doable I might play with completely different bars and stems to regulate this however the Colnago setup is a rigorously tuned a part of the general bike. If this was my bike, I would reserve it for lengthy days of journey with mates and seize a special bike for races. I believe that matches with the Colnago imaginative and prescient for the C sequence anyway.
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Value
There’s principally no worth proposition right here. No one asks if a Ferrari is an efficient worth and I can not think about questioning if a Colnago C sequence is an efficient worth. That actually solely works if the standard is there although. I respect there may be some value balancing occurring to make the spec work. But much less premium wheels on a motorcycle like this make completely no sense to me. You might in fact improve elements at a later date, one thing most of us most likely do.
The solely factor to contemplate is for those who’d be higher off with a customized bike. At these costs you possibly can go customized with carbon or metal and get a motorcycle constructed to your precise specs. The heritage would not be the identical however you would be getting one thing uniquely yours.
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Verdict
The Colnago C sequence stands for one thing particular. It’s not about racing however efficiency is central and so are ideas of refinement, heritage, and elegance. On the C68 Gravel what that appears like is ideal carbon layup and excellent compliance. There’s a bounce and responsiveness to the trip that feels unimaginable on gravel roads even after they get a bit tough. Riding a C sequence of any sort is a press release and nothing adjustments when it is the gravel model.
A product of this calibre is all concerning the particulars and the main points listed below are missing. The wheels Colnago contains on a motorcycle that retails for $13,199.95 / €12,010.00 / £11,099.99.99 are literally a step down from what Canyon contains on the Grail CF SLX 8 AXS which retails for $5,499 / €5,499 / £5,099.
If an organization chooses to fabricate a one-piece bar and stem it must be excellent in each means together with a high quality out entrance mount. It may sound like one thing that is no huge deal however you’ll be able to’t at all times get one thing completely different. It’s additionally the type of element I want to see an organization like Colnago obsessing over. If you might be asking clients to pay high greenback and purchase into heritage, each little element ought to matter. The Colnago out entrance mount is reasonable plastic, would not match a Garmin 1040, and solely attaches with a single bolt.
Now fortunately, all of that is fairly simple to repair. Start with a frameset solely then let your thoughts go wild with wheel decisions. The Colnago bar is definitely fairly snug however seize an honest high quality out entrance mount from FramesandGear. If you need a bit extra attain you may additionally search for a bar and stem from another person. It’s a disgrace you must undergo the trouble however when you get every thing dialled, you will have an unimaginable bike. The Colnago C68 Gravel body is among the finest I’ve ever ridden, simply thoughts the main points that Colnago overlooks.
Design and aesthetics | Gorgeous paint decisions, refined logos, and a head badge that nobody will ignore. | 10/10 |
Build | SRAM Red XPLR is nice as is the saddle however much less premium wheels and a handlebar system that hasn’t been thought by way of means it’s not value shopping for a constructed bike. | 6/10 |
Performance, dealing with and geometry | I dropped a single level off solely as a result of the C sequence isn’t speculated to be pinnacle efficiency and I had a tough time getting low and aero. That stated, that is the type of bike you wish to push laborious on a regular basis and the type of bike that rewards you for doing so. | 9/10 |
Weight | The specs say it shouldn’t be that aggressive however as a constructed bike, with gentle wheels, it’s one of many lighter gravel bikes I’ve been on. It additionally has an agile really feel that makes it really feel as gentle as scale says it’s. | 8/10 |
Value | No one buys a Colnago as a result of it’s nice worth however you ought to be getting a motorcycle worthy of the heritage. If Colnago revered the client base and solely offered a frameset, this could be a ten however one has to contemplate the construct choices as provided. | 7/10 |
Overall | Row 5 – Cell 1 | 80% |