The addition completes the Italian builder’s range of performance drop bar bikes in the series.
Four aces and a wild card – The C68 Rim Brake
The C series family of bikes represents the most diverse collection of performance drop bar frames in Colnago’s 70 year history. The C68 Rim Brake is positioned alongside the Road, Allroad, Ti and Gravel bikes that share the same C68 moniker.
Being part of the C68 family, the C68 Rim Brake is also a modular frame, entirely built in Italy, hand-assembled in Cambiago using the handcrafted process of the C series.
A treat for the rim brakes aficionados
Presenting a rim brakes bike in 2024 is a choice that could be perceived as “unconventional” considering the current trends in the market. Even more so because it is made by Colnago – the brand that first introduced hydraulic disc brakes on a road bikeback in 2013, before any of the big manufacturers: the model was Colnago C59 Disc.
This bike, however, was designed and put into production specifically for those cyclists still fond of the traditional rim brake system.
For these people it is now almost impossible to find a modern frame with traditional brakes. Colnago wants to be there for these dedicated and passionate cyclists and does so with its most prestigious bike: the C68.
C68 Rim Brake | revised frame and titanium dropouts
Various novelties have been introduced in the C68 platform to make it rim-brakes-ready.
- The fork has been modified to host a direct mount, double-pivot brake system.
- The seat stays have been structurally engineered to accept direct mount rim brakes.
- The frame dropouts are 3D printed Titanium, a metal that perfectly bonds with carbon fiber without any risk of oxidation or damage of the structure.
At the heart of the C68 family of frames lies the manner in which they are constructed. The compliant and responsive ride quality of the C68 comes from the multi-part, modular construction of the frame. Individual sections of the frame are engineered in both shape and carbon composition to serve a specific purpose. They are then expertly bonded together to create the final product. This purpose built method of frame construction combines the individual tube sections of the frame into a frame that is truly unique and 100% Colnago.
This feature allows us to customize the frame as much as possible, even for really small production lots. The rim brake version is possible thanks to this modular construction methodology.
A product for people with a sophisticated cycling culture.
The Colnago Rim Brake is a product born out of passion and love for cycling. It is a frame that transcends time and trends. Because of its special and niche nature, very few people will be able to boast of owning one.
Because the C68 is a handcrafted, handmade, modular product, it is possible to create frames like the C68 Rim Brake in an economically sustainable manner.
This is in line with the history of Colnago, which has always – in pursuit of the extraordinary – never been afraid to throw itself into almost tailor-made projects that are limited in numbers.
Groupset compatibility
C68 Rim Brake is compatible with direct-mount, dual-pivot calipers and provides clearance for 28c tires.
The C68 Rim brake is only compatible with electronic groupsets.
For instance, C68 Rim Brake is compatible with:
- Campagnolo Super Record EPS Groupset 2×12 – Mechanical Rim Brakes
- Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9250 2x12v Rim Brake
- Sram Force eTap AXS 2X Rim Brake Groupset
