Scorching off the presses, Colnago launched its first ‘C’ Collection gravel bike, the C68 Gravel. This bike is barely Colnago’s second devoted gravel bike, but it surely’s a positive shot. The bike isn’t a delicate lob at “all issues gravel.” It’s a quick, opinionated, and beautiful piece of handmade Italian craftsmanship, and much more importantly, it rides like a dream.
Colnago Depth in Drop Bar Filth
Colnago has such depth within the sport of biking that it’s straightforward to neglect what number of legendary riders as soon as known as their frames house. It’s not simply highway using, although it’s onerous to miss Pogačars’ expertise and tie it to the model. Years in the past, Wout and Mathieu had been using Colnago; earlier than that, Sven, earlier than him Adri van der Poel (MVDPs’ Dad), and earlier than all of them, Roger De Vlaeminck.
There are too many to call (I do know a few of you possibly can so depart these within the feedback in case you’d like), however the level I’m making right here is that Colnago is aware of drop-bar grime. So when the long-lasting Italian model stated they had been making a C Collection gravel bike, we knew it might be distinctive.
Try our information piece right here to be taught extra in regards to the C68 Gravel’s development, ethos, and general tech specs.
Colnago C Collection Remedy
The C sequence bikes within the Colnago line are the highest; by that, we imply the very high. The UAE Group Emirates rides the V sequence, one beneath C within the lineup. Sure, the bikes are painted in Italy however aren’t hand-assembled within the Colnago plant just like the C variations.
How A lot?
This consideration to element and expectation of the shopper makes the C sequence frames one thing greater than a carbon body; it feels customized in a approach. However, with top-of-the-line therapy comes top-of-the-line pricing, and the C68 doesn’t shrink back from a hefty price ticket; the frameset is $7,100. Sure — you will get the C68 in Shimano GRX for $7,999, with alloy wheels, however if you would like the dentist particular, you’ll pay upwards of $14K to your experience.
The large query of the C68 Gravel “Is it well worth the value?” I feel we will reply that…
First Impressions
I first noticed the C68 Gravel at a press launch in San Deigo with the Colnago USA/Italy crew. The design/engineering workforce behind the C68 Gravel was current and laid down a transparent idea and efficiency expectation for the brand new machine.
In a nutshell, the C68 is supposed for velocity and efficiency, not adventuring or bike packing. The body is modular, and every tube is tailor-made to the bike’s dimension and handmade in Combiago, Italy. The experience will really feel refined, responsive, and controllable on a single monitor. It would really feel like a robust, balanced endurance highway machine, with muted highway chatter on the gravel and pavement.
Once I initially noticed the C68 Gravel, I believed, “Take a look at that paint,” after which, ” Take a look at the top tube.” However apart from that, the bike may be very subdued. It has no screaming paint job with Italian flags on each tube; it’s somewhat understated, elegant, and sculpted.
Trip Impressions — Colnago C68 Gravel
Did you ever get on a motorcycle, make one minor adjustment, and really feel like, “that is it”. Effectively, that’s what occurred with me and the C68 Gravel. The bar and stem on the C68 Gravel are the Colnago CC.01 Vast one-piece bar/stem with no adjustability. Fortunately, it suits me very nicely. For body dimension. I rode the 48s (54cm) body with a 100mm stem and felt pleasantly in command of the entrance finish whereas nonetheless being low sufficient to be aerodynamic within the wind. I often experience a 40c bar with a 120mm stem on my gravel bike, and this combo feels very acquainted. The slight adjustment I made was the seat publish top. Coming off of cyclocross season, my seat publish was barely decrease for on/off the bike efforts. That top didn’t really feel proper on the C68 Gravel, and I raised it to my highway saddle top, which locked every part in place off the beginning.
My using consisted of two days of gravel and path using with the Colnago crew, pushing the C68 Gravel from enjoyable group using to race tempo and “this must be OK?” territory.
Street Sensations
We began our rides by the seaside roads of coastal San Deigo, then off to the pastures and gravel to check the bike, free from motorized distractions. On the highway, the C68 Gravel might transfer. The feeling was that of a highway bike with a predictable geometry you’re feeling assured piloting. My bike was geared up with 40mm Pirelli gravel tires: a Pirelli Gravel M within the entrance with some further chunk and a Gravel H within the rear for velocity.
Our rides had been a mixture of pebbled gravel climbing, techy bits, and plenty of twisty new-to-me San Deigo single monitor. I began the experience with 35psi within the rear and 33psi within the entrance. At 158lbs, that felt stable for acquainted territory and to chase away flats. I used to be pleased with my tire stress once we entered the one monitor. The bike might slice by the turns with out washing out and climb punchy sections with out slipping. I discovered the climbing steadiness level of the bike shortly and felt assured climbing free terrain.
Cyclocross Quickness
Within the cyclocross type on/off sections of the paths, the C68 was a tick above different gravel bikes I’ve ridden. The dealing with and driving in close-quarters trails was like being on a shorter ‘cross bike. The consolation of the experience, nonetheless, was completely different. Coming from my ‘cross machine, I’m used to some knocking round and a few stiffness. The C68 felt calm; the experience was clear and predictable. This may very well be attributed to the bigger tires, but it surely wasn’t solely that — It’s onerous to place a finger on it. All the weather labored collectively very nicely, and the geometry is correct the place I desire a gravel bike — a close to ‘cross bike. (coming from a CX racer).
Now, I’ll be the primary to confess I like using my ‘cross bike for principally every part. The C68 Gravel seems like that however extra normalized. As an alternative of feeling under-biked however having enjoyable on the gnarly trails, I felt like I used to be on the right bike. The sturdy body felt rock stable whereas pushing by the berm and pump monitor sections.
On the longer steep climbs, the C68 rode predictably and had a pleasant kick from a push towards the pedals. The sensation is like when on a steep climb with a sturdy highway body, and you may actually dig into the trouble.
Is that this Cool?
There comes a time in each experience if you push the boundaries, and on the C68 Gravel, these occasions had been flying down some techy single monitor and rocky/washboard-style descents. Taking a $14K bike down this terrain might be nerve-racking (enjoyable), however the bike carried out excellently. The shorter stem permits for a playful entrance finish and helps you pull out of a tailspin in case your dealing with is barely off. For instance; whereas descending some unfamiliar cracked earth options (the sort the place the path can eat your wheel as much as the hub). I discovered myself off the road and bouncing in direction of doom, in a last-ditch effort I pulled to leap again on the road however prepped for a fall. The bike reacted shortly, and I used to be protected from the dreaded press camp crash.
Colnago C68 Gravel — Lasting Impressions
Having spent two days of mixed-surface using on the Colnago C68 Gravel, I’ve sturdy impressions of the bike. First off, I appreciated the experience (not simply the paths). The client for the C68 Gravel may very well be (is) a extra road-focused gravel rider who likes to go quick, not essentially slogging by miles of roots and rocks. That stated, the bike can deal with it, and gravel is exclusive as a result of everybody defines it in a different way. Colnagos definition of gravel with the C68 Gravel is snug, quick, elegant, and highly effective.
The C68 Gravel is a incredible experience, but it surely may not be for everybody. Colnago is cool with that. Nonetheless, in case you’re searching for a motorcycle that handles fantastically, like a motorcycle you’ve ridden for years, it’s value checking one out.
Is it well worth the value? Effectively, that’s as much as the client, but when you should purchase a C68 Gravel and recognize the highway really feel and class — that is your gravel bike — this may very well be your solely bike. For those who’re searching for one thing to race ‘cross on and do some endurance gravel occasions, the G-3X may be a greater match. Both approach, Colnago has entered gravel full pressure, and the C68 is a transparent assertion of intent. This bike challenges what a road-focused, “classically styled” gravel bike might be. One thing extra refined than ultra-wide bars, mountain bike tires, and dropper posts.
