Once I attended the launch of the brand new Colnago V4Rs, a motorcycle that has since gone on to win Flanders and loads of different races beneath Tadej Pogacar, I felt it was a bit lacklustre for the ‘common shopper’, if such a factor exists for a 15 thousand euro bicycle. I put this to Colnago, and the response was somewhat up entrance: The V4Rs isn’t for customers; it’s for professional racers. They’ve completely different requests and prerequisites than the patron. The buyer, I used to be informed, should purchase the C68, as “It makes the easiest emotions”. No matter how it’s positioned inside the Colnago hierarchy, it nonetheless claims, culturally or explicitly, to be one of many finest street bikes you should purchase.
Colnago has a spot within the biking psyche like no different model. A heritage and historical past muddled along with well-known race wins beneath the most important names the game has ever, and maybe will ever see. The C68 is a captivating bike on paper. It purports to be the most effective street bikes you should purchase, however in contrast to the opposite contenders for the title, it’s by no means seen on the races. You’d by no means purchase one to race it; that’s not what it’s for. It’s comparable in that regard to the Specialised Aethos I suppose; a motorcycle constructed for the expertise, somewhat than race wins. It’s maybe the closest factor you will get in biking to proudly owning a automobile for Sunday driving.
Lately I spent a while reviewing the brand new Campagnolo Hyperon Extremely wheels, which got here hooked up to a Colnago C68, totally kitted out with Campagnolo Tremendous Document EPS. It’s about as top-end as bicycles get, and I totally respect that this isn’t realistically going to be a consumer-facing piece for the overwhelming majority of you, however regardless I’ll try to seize what it’s wish to trip, and the standard execs and cons in case you are pondering of dropping many 1000’s on certainly one of your personal.
Design and aesthetics
The entire foundation of this bike is one thing of a throwback. Lugs had been prevalent within the days of metal bikes and continued to seek out favour as a technique to be a part of carbon tubes by way of using alloy or titanium lugs too. Carbon lugs bonding carbon tubes, although? You don’t see that basically exterior of the C68 (sure, I’m counting the brand new C68 Allroad too). It creates a definite look that units the tone, particularly on the head tube, and on the high of the seat tube, with noticeable bulges the place the lugs stay. Elsewhere the lug profiles are smoothed to create a seamless transition, so the very fact the lugs stay seen in locations is clearly an aesthetic selection; I’m completely different from the others, it says.
The tubes, too, stand other than a crowd of clean natural shapes. Boxy on the lug junctions, they broadcast fairly clearly that this isn’t a motorcycle that’s frolicked within the wind tunnel. If you happen to’re not making a race bike although, does that matter? If you happen to’re making a motorcycle that’s modus operandi is to create the easiest emotions, do just a few watts trimmed off on the expense of a particular aesthetic make any distinction in any respect? I’d wager not. I’d really argue the alternative, that in case you’re spending this a lot on a motorcycle simply to get pleasure from driving that it’s best to like the best way it seems.
The look is distinct to the C68, with the crimson accentuating the lugs, and whereas the V4Rs seems a bit plain this has a bit extra of a sure one thing about it. It’s not delicate, and it’s bought Italian vibes, but it surely’s not as madcap as Colnagos of days passed by, with neons and skeletons. The spark is there, visually, but it surely’s rather less vibrant than it has been. Take Nathan Haas’s Colnago gravel bike from Unbound in 2022, that’s the aesthetic that Colnago has been well-known for up to now, and is partially chargeable for the popularity the model dines out on to this present day. You’ll be able to in fact choose your personal colors on the level of buy, however I might like to see some extra loony choices out there.
As a related diversion, Colnago was purchased out in 2020 by a UAE funding agency, and I think that the marginally extra muted aesthetic packages on provide is so as to cater to trendy tastes somewhat than dictating them. Savvy enterprise maybe, however a bit unhappy nonetheless.
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Efficiency
A top-spec Colnago C68, kitted out with Tremendous Document and brand-new Hyperon Extremely wheels isn’t going to be unhealthy, so in case you’re hoping that is the place I slate it then I’m going to disappoint you. It’s beautiful, actually beautiful to trip. The dealing with is mellow, however it’s noticeably extra gratifying to trip than the V4Rs (or is it?). The Hyperon wheels positively assist, as they’ve a responsiveness and dealing with that convey a little bit of an edge to the bundle that maybe is perhaps missing with heavier, or deeper, or much less stiff wheels.
Dealing with is a really exhausting factor to quantify because it’s not likely one thing you may measure, however the C68 sits on the extra pleasurable finish of the spectrum. It’s starkly completely different to one thing just like the Canyon Final, which feels alive and agile at low speeds and may really feel somewhat twitchy at warp velocity. At no level will the C68 ever really feel prefer it’s going to chew your head off. You’ll by no means really feel out of your depth, and it gives you extra confidence at velocity than one thing extra attuned to the wants of the professional peloton. You could not really be quicker, however you probably have a greater time I ask once more, does it matter?
Leaping between bikes you may discover the distinction extra starkly. Hopping from my Fairlight Strael to the C68 makes you actually discover the extra setback, raked-out setup you get right here. That’s what delivers the cornering confidence, or, relying in your viewpoint, a barely boring driving expertise. I did need to swap the Pirelli P Zero Race SL tyres out although after blowing the sidewall of the rear to bits over some cobbles, and the brand new Specialised Turbo tyres I fitted had been positively an improve in grip.
The perceived variations between this bike and the Colnago V4Rs had been noticeable (perceived being a really key phrase right here). Earlier than testing, I hadn’t checked geo charts, simply ridden the bike based mostly on what I already knew of the 2 bikes; that being the V4Rs was for racers, and the C68 is for having enjoyable. Hand on coronary heart I had extra enjoyable on the C68 than the V4Rs, which could be very shocking given the variations in geometry are negligible. It’s bought simply 6mm longer chainstays and is 6mm longer on the entrance. A 12mm distinction, with the entire different key figures being equivalent. On paper, the C68 needs to be a slower, doubtlessly duller trip, but it surely didn’t really feel as such. The explanation I didn’t benefit from the V4Rs is as a result of I anticipated a race bike, and as a shopper which means vigorous, nimble, and agile. Right here I bought basically the identical trip feeling, however I wasn’t anticipating a race bike. I used to be prepared for a extra mellow time, and since my expectations had been met I used to be happier.
Geometry and dealing with issues apart this bike continues to be a high-performance machine. Stiff, however not harsh. The shortage of aero issues will maintain you again, however that’s not what this bike is about. It was comfortable sufficient to place 170km days in, on some very tough roads and on the extraordinarily stiff Hyperon wheels too so it’s not going to try to kill you in case you take it off something clean.
As I alluded to at the beginning of this I feel this bike actually wants a set of wheels just like the Hyperons to return alive. One thing with extremely speedy dealing with traits to counterbalance the mellow nature of the dealing with, in the identical method, that I discovered the Canyon Final to be higher behaved and extra gratifying with deeper wheels, however for the precise reverse causes; they add a soupçon of stability to a extra jittery equation. If you happen to’re forking out for a motorcycle this costly I’d be inclined to not slap costly deep sections on. It’s not an aero bike for one factor, and it’ll doubtlessly boring the trip. I’d like to see the way it fared with one thing superlight and really shallow just like the DT Swiss Mon Chasseral, although these are somewhat slender internally by immediately’s requirements… I digress.
As for the construct, it does really feel befitting of a motorcycle that’s as a lot a fascinating object as it’s a mode of transport or a method of facilitating leisure cardio. Tremendous Document, and the excessive gloss Hyperon wheels have a bling issue that can’t actually be matched by the choices from the united statesA or Japan. I’m very upset that Campagnolo seems like it should ditch the thumb buttons for shifting, as I like them regardless of them being awkwardly accessible from the drops. The one factor I didn’t like a lot was the bars or the 40cm bar width extra particularly, however you may request narrower ones. Bikes in my dimension are at all times delivery with too-wide bars for my tastes (and for my match), and whereas on some bikes it doesn’t kill the temper as a lot, on a slower dealing with bike it accentuates these traits at sluggish speeds, or on technical tight turns.
There are a few particulars I’d like to focus on lastly. The multi-tool hidden beneath the steerer cap is magnificent. It’s positive as a multi-tool, however as a really forgetful individual, it’s been a godsend. Then again, the recessed cowl association on the high of the headtube is, as it’s on many different bikes, a recipe for rubbing. It is a take a look at bike and it’s completed the media rounds earlier than me, and the paint inside it has been worn away. With even a touch of dust beneath it it creaks softly while you flip the bars, and as a mucky pup that does my head in a bit. What’s heartening to see is using CeramicSpeed SLT bearings within the headset although, which utilise a strong lubricant instead of grease for elevated longevity, and due to this fact longer between troublesome and/or costly headset service intervals.
Worth
Come on, what do you count on me to say right here? It’s fifteen grand or thereabouts, and it doesn’t have the efficiency pedigree of the equally priced V4Rs to justify that price ticket. It’s ludicrously costly, and from any goal standpoint, it is unnecessary. However that’s not likely what this bike is about, is it? I’m going to mark it as I might another shopper product for worth, however in case you’re contemplating shopping for one then I think about you’re most likely going to disregard this. It is also costlier, by a grand and a bit than the sum of its constituent elements
Does an Omega Seamaster inform the time any higher than a Casio G-Shock? No, however one is taken into account extra fascinating than the opposite. I respect this can be a barely reductive metaphor but it surely principally works, roughly. To a few of you there’s an unquantifiable worth wrapped up within the model heritage, and the Realizzato a mano in Italia written on the seat tube, which I fully perceive. A C68 is about as shut as you will get to purchasing a convertible Italian sports activities automobile; one which perhaps handles worse and is slower than one thing extra tweaked and German. Let me ask you this although… what would you somewhat cruise down the Riveria in?
Additionally, if it is advisable to impress your mates then it’s wonderful for that. I did rock as much as a small occasion on it one weekend, and having a small crowd collect round your bike feels good, and anybody who says it does not is a liar. It doesn’t make it any higher worth, but it surely’ll most likely salve the monetary anxiousness to a slight diploma each now and again.
Verdict
I beloved driving the C68, however I can’t fake it rode higher than bikes considerably cheaper although. That isn’t the purpose of this bike, nevertheless: It transcends judgements of efficiency as a result of proudly owning one (even quickly) genuinely feels extra particular than it does with different top-end bikes. It is lovely, the mellow trip is significantly better suited to this than it’s on the V4Rs, and the all-Italian construct package was elegant.
Do I like to recommend you purchase one? If you happen to’re racing, looking KOMs, or aiming to dodge the guillotine when the inevitable revolution comes then no, most likely not. If you need one although, and you’ll afford it, then purchase it. I promise you It’ll make you content. When my Grandpa handed away he left me a pair of Gucci loafers. I’ve solely had event to put on them as soon as, and I used to be laughably overdressed, however they had been nonetheless the perfect footwear I’ve ever worn.
| Attributes | Notes | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Design and aesthetics | It is a very fascinating object, although the headset cowl winds me up | 9/10 |
| Construct | It does not get higher than Tremendous Document and Hyperon Wheels, for a motorcycle like this a minimum of | 10/10 |
| Efficiency | The dealing with is mellow, however confidence inspiring | 8/10 |
| Weight | It is feathery, provided that roughly every part is made from carbon | 9/10 |
| Worth | It nearly will get factors for the nice and cozy fuzzy emotions it will probably garner within the hearts of all biking followers | 4/10 |
| Total ranking | Row 5 – Cell 1 | 74% |
