The Colnago C68 carbon bike with a Shimano Dura-Ace 9250 group and C50 wheels.
"Rumour has it that the Mapeil Director Sportif phoned Ernesto Colnago the night before the race and made him promise the technology was sound and the bikes wouldn't fall apart!"
Introducing the long-awaited Colnago C68...
Colnago, more than most, deserve their place at the head of the carbon table. Other brands dabbled, but Ernesto provided proof of concept to the industry and peloton, when the Colnago C40 won Paris-Roubaix in 1995. It was the beginning of the end for steel and aluminium in professional racing and for the high-end consumer. Rumour has it that the Mapeil Director Sportif phoned Ernesto Colnago the night before the race and made him promise the technology was sound and the bikes wouldn't fall apart!
I went out to the Milan factory to see how the frames were made and met Ernesto - I was incredibly impressed at the technology and artisanship. The Colnago C-range has always been manufactured in Milan and the new C68 is exactly the same. Still handmade at the Colnago factory.
Franco Ballerini flies the original C40 to success, riding alone, in the 1995 Paris Roubaix (picture G. Watson)
The main features of the new C68 frameset are as followed;
- Heavily streamlined lugged shape - Colnago says this gives better control of the carbon fabrication process and tuning of the ride per each geometry and size
- Handmade in Italy
- Updated geometry - slightly lower stack and longer reach across sizes
- New CC01 integrated bar/stem (Including multi-tool housed in the steerer)
- 930g frame weight (unpainted, 51 size)
- T47 bottom bracket
- 32 mm tyre clearance on the Road version - up to 35 mm on the All Road frameset
"HRWP" - 1 of 5 colourways the C68 is available in
Fabrication and custom sizing
Colnago builds the C68 by joining multiple carbon parts, instead of using a monocoque process. These virtual lugs allow for more sizes and customisable options. Building with an assemblage of smaller components allows better quality control and microscopic build tolerances.
An added advantage of bonding multiple carbon sections, Colnago claims, is fine-tuning the relative angles of the joined tubes, as well as creating a custom stack and reach fit for each individual by changing where the tubes intersect.
A carbon lug joins the top tube, seat tube, and stays.
Head tubes and bottom brackets
The head tube now features a CeramicSpeed SLT (Solid Lubrication Technology) headset, which is guaranteed by both CeramicSpeed and Colnago for the life of the bike. CeramicSpeed’s SLT tech offers a solid lubricating system that promises no way to damage the bearings.
The fork is more rigid and lighter than the one used in the C64 and features internal cable routing.
The unpainted carbon frame and fork are claimed to weigh 925g for a size 485mm. The carbon and titanium edition sheds an additional 50g for a claimed weight of 935g.
The new Colnago C68 accepts a T47 bottom bracket.
Colnago C68 Geometry
The Colnago C68 is currently available in 18 sizes. There are seven stock sizes available in the carbon road edition.
Colourways
HRBK
HRRD
HRWH
HRWP
HTBK