New Colnago C68 Gravel bike: ride impressions and details
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- Опубліковано 13 чер 2024
- Colnago has a new gravel bike, the made-in-Italy C68 Gravel. It’s very pretty, it’s very expensive, and it’s fun to ride. I had a chance to spend two full days on the bike with different wheels in San Diego, riding with Colnago’s longtime lead engineer Davide Fumagalli and others, and brought the bike home to spend some more time on it.
In this video, I tell you about what’s new with this bike - prices, weights, details - I’ll tell you how it compares to other gravel bikes on the market, what I like, and what bugs me. Also, I’ll share some Colnago stories involving a sense of place, from the Dolomites to Abu Dhabi to Taiwan to, yes, San Diego.
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The Ride is supported in 2024 by:
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0:00 intro
0:56 Italy to UAE
4:20 drop-bar offroad history
5:00 C68 details
7:50 prices
8:50 how it rides
15:45 conclusions - Спорт
I think something went wrong with the sound. For a moment I thought you said it was $7100 for the frame alone!
All under the guise of 'exclusivity'. A joke.
7000 for a complete bike over here. Still way overpriced, but the thumbnail is the MSRP, which is clickbait.
The new background with the wood shelving looks really nice! I also like how I can see you just as well as the bike behind you. Nice upgrades! Cheers
Thinking about getting one for my wife and for me. Just need to work on a receiver hitch rack set up for my Bentley Continental.
Make sure you get the rack plated in gold.
Excellent presentation with some of the finest tap dancing I've seen in years. Thanks for that.✌️
I have just bought an Aspero 5 with Sram Force with an almost 50% discount in price. I was doubting about the Colnago G3-X or the Aspero, but the deal I found for the Aspero was a no brainer. 1 week later Colnago announce this C68 Gravel. Know what?? I am in love with the Aspero 5, no matter how this new Colnago performs, the Aspero is hust terrific, really fast bike I love it
I’ve had my Aspero for almost 4 years and it’s a brilliant gravel race bike AND road training bike. + lots of fast riders on Aspero's in the gravel races around here. Excellent and fast bike. (My Aspero was less that 1/3 the price of this Colnago).
Pretty out of touch considering the overstock situation the bike industry is now facing. At that price I would take the homer route and go with Allied or Argonaut etc. and have a few thousand to spare. I have also seen the Time ADHX on sale at very reasonable prices - and Time has maybe the best build quality in the industry.
@@neilashton9459 No, Time is not the best build quality. Even considering it is not mainstream brand, you can find many cases about defects in their frames.
Thx you Ben! Great segment as per usual. Cheers!
Love how you presented this Ben, I've not always agreed with your reviews but here you've intelligently conveyed what this bike is about.
It's not for everyone, you are paying for where it comes from and it's provenance.
Yes its expensive, yes there's a reason for that and yes there will be buyers for it.
Absolutely love "Story Time with Ben"... Meraviglioso e grazie!
Fantastic work Ben! So cool to see these! 👊🏻👊🏻
Good job! It’s interesting to hear what these high dollar rigs are all about.
Also, your presentation skills are getting better and better with every video, Ben. Chapeau!
The Colnago adds some Italian class to those Lake Hodges trails!
Great to see you riding some of the trails im regularly plonking around on.
Garage is looking sharp!
Heck with the price, let’s talk about the style of the review. Thank you so much for asking us to look up all the specs and allowing you to tell the story. It made for a much more interesting review and you get a feel for the brand and the bike. Nice presentation! Shame they didn’t go for 44mm bar width and tire size - you might have made that wet, grassy corner!
Shop is looking good Ben!
I was watching on my TV and I just had to log in on my phone to comment $7100 😂 😂😂😂😂
Great report Ben 👌👌👌👌
So the new Campy Super Record is $1000+ more than comparable Dura Ace and this Colnago is nearly 2x as expensive as comparable framesets. Are we sure the Italians are ok?
Are we sure the Italians are ok? They're OK, trust me.
Colnago has not got the memo. Prices are now deflating.
Great that you got a chance to review the C68. At $7000+ I'm definitely not their target market. But even if it was less expensive or I had more money it wouldn't be on my radar. For me the whole package, from the ownership to the specs, is a complete turnoff.
Thanks ben!
Great video thanks
Take a 2015 bike (no tire clearance, no UDH) and add the worst part of today's bikes (integrated cockpit). LOL, but it's made in Italy.
Yep,take out a second mortgage on a bike you can barely adjust the fit.
You don't need all that stuff to make it to the caffe and back
Thanks Goodness, I was sitting down, with ECG leads on, and medical support nearby for that price! Great video!
A "new" Studio /Shop!👍
Getting there!
As always, your reviews are excellent - genuine, honest, and detailed. I appreciate your efforts. The garage is looking good!! Something to think about (if you haven't already) is to add some soft materials (search "sound absorbing panels") to minimize the reverb that makes it sound like you're in a box...even though you are in a box.
Thank you. Believe it or not, the entire garage door and the wall beside it is covered in eggshell foam. Going to need some shag carpet or something!
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Hmmm...A few acoustic panels on the ceiling might help a lot. Shag carpet on a shop floor is a great way to make sure you spend a lot of time on your hands and knees searching for the little screw that slipped out of your fingers - LOL. Keep up the great work!
My first thought - that looks like an upgraded studio. Big improvement from the OSB backgroinds of so many bike YT sites.
Davide has the kind of engineers mind I like hearing about. In short, attention to dynamics is so much better than typical pinpoint fixated technicians.
I googled him - he medalled at World Gravel Championships 2022.
Great vid Ben, we’ll colnalgo is trying, maybe in 2 years they’ll be there with the best frame n price??? I’m very happy with my 2018 diverge, a bit heavy but with carbon wheels and panaracer sk 38’s it’s perfect for my riding adventures
I love the almost traditional seat cluster. Nice bike!
I would buy the sweatshirt but not the colnago. I would cry after cracking a 7K frameset in a bad wreck. But ripping 55 dollar sweatshirt I can afford. Keep up the informative videos.
Good Video!
Damn that's a beautiful bike!
An old ad slogan comes to mind here, Ben: "Best of all, it's a Cadillac!" Super nice bike, gorgeous finish, someone will be happy to cruise the long gravel road on it, just don't scratch it, that'd be a crime against cycling. And I think the same when I see a parking lot full of giant pick-up trucks, each with graphics meant to convince all observers that the driver has serious chops in off-road racing. Just that, yeah, yikes if dust and dirt ever bathed that truck. 😀
It’s expensive but no one is forcing us to buy it.
People may equate the Italian bike brands with a Ferrari and on the relative price scale that may be a fair comparison. But at least with a Ferrari, you are guaranteed to have the ability to go faster. This bike would still make me the same average rider.
"..with a Ferrari, you are guaranteed to have the ability to go faster." Assuming you know how to DRIVE it. How many rich fat guys wouldn't go any faster other than just in a straight line? How is the bicycle vastly different?
I own and have ridden my Colnago G3-X since 2021 and does everything I need in a bike. The price point of the C-68 complete bike will be nearly 3 to 4 times more expensive than the G3-X by the time it is kitted out. Colnago is now owned by a finance group from the UAE so the pricing decisions are now subject to a whole new set of criteria outside of the boutique shop in Cambiago, Italy.
So Cool!
is inflation out of control in itlay ? I have never looked at a colnago, (they aren't special at all to me) but WOW - that much for a frame ? yikes.
Inflation is about the same here in Italy as most places while S-WORKS Diverge STR is $5K, made by Merida in Taiwan? Some will happily pay extra for something special made in far smaller quantities by people who live/work in Italy and get paid living wages, even if you won't.
Disclaimer: I know someone who works at Colnago but personally have never owned one.
Awesome Bike, Would love to hear your view in comparison to the MOG.
I’ll stick with my Lauf Seigla with True Grit fork. It’s a super comfortable ride and handles like a dream. Paid a premium but still less than the Colnago.
Hopefully you will be able to experience the proper reach set up. What a gorgeous craft. I would Ride Wrap that straight out of the box. Wanting it to live up to its heritage. Curious about 45mm tire fitment. Dream bike worthy?
To add, the tire clearance is great for race gravel tires; such as s-works, S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready!
Great vid as usual Ben. Now that they are starting to be made in the USA, would you consider checking out a Time bike? Please….
I finally reconnected with Mr. Tony Karklins just this past week, so yes, that one is finally happening. 👍
@@TheRidewithBenDelaneyoh! That is awesome! I can’t wait to see what you think. They are great looking bikes.
Nice frame .Will not change for my Topstone
The thing to do with Colnago's... is buy them second hand at a big discount a few years later. That's how I got my V1-R and it's great.
I'm a huge Colnago fan and have ridden their C series bikes since the C40, currently riding the C64. I'm glad they're still making some bikes in Italy and this does seem to be a very Italian view of a gravel bike. But to me, this is too close to road. A 42mm tyre limit is out-dated at inception - surely designing for max 50mm (40-50mm) would be more important than designing for min 32mm (32-42mm)? I also think the bike looks short (I'd be interested in the wheelbase) and frankly, integrated bars are ridiculous on a gravel bike not designed to race.
I know no one is forcing anyone to buy this, but $7k for a frame actually irritates me. The fact that Colnago thinks they can charge this and that some people will actually buy this irritates me.
Whatever you do, do not lookup the price of a Ferrari.
@@LotustroThe Ferrari of BIKES? Is this ALLOWWWWWED?!
so
much
butthurt
As someone who has owned Colnago’s in the past…. I agree with you! Fuck them!
I never bought campy after they left Italy for most production. I get it - you have to have a successful business. But in my case, campy lost the mystique of 100% Italian design, engineerimg and manufacturing. These high end brands have a real branding problem. If Ferrari built most of their cars in China but reserved their hypercars for Italy, the purist would revolt and Ferrari would suffer most likely unless they dropped prices for deeper market penetration.
It's not just the bike that looks slick and expensive... it's the garage, the video, the story. Everything except Ben's hat.
Nice video! You might point out that the price is basically the same as a Mosaic.
Not being snarky. I would really like to see how packing this goes.
For that price I would expect the review to be “That’s the best fastest bike I’ve ever ridden “ and it’ll wash and fold the laundry! 😆
This Colnago gravel C68 looks pretty and it might be a relatively smooth ride for the huge money ...but an observation, 40mm tyres are gravel race bike tyre size, yet it’s very clearly stated that this is not Colnago’s gravel race bike and is intended for more general gravel riding. ...My view is that if it’s not Colnago’s gravel race bike, it needs more tyre clearance. …it will be interesting to hear more …looking forward to your full review Ben.
I guess we've already reached peak gravel when there's race, comfort, aero, super-expensive...did I leave any categories out?
Buying a high end bike like this isn't an investment. It's an expense. An expensive expense. 16:02
As many modern gravel racers are going with wider and wider tires - 45mm might not be enough. The Felt Breed, for example, will take 50mm.
Ask Dylan Johnson!
@@bobfoster687 yes 🙌 indeed. I’m running 47mm Pathfinder Pros on my Revolt, in fact.
@petersouthernboy6327 I bet that combo feels great. I have not yet tried the Pathfinders in 47, but the 42s and 38s are money.
Its sad that the sport I love so much continues to make it less and less accessible for new people to get into it. Just make the frame $10,000.00! Price wont matter to the folks that can afford this bike.
C'mon, who is saying ya gotta have an expensive bike to have fun? And how many bike brands now offer their own $15K bling-mobile?
I just realized yet another badness of integrated cockpits. I modified my CX bike for road duty today, and that involved putting a longer stem. So this type of versatile bike, as described in this video, requires an adjustable cockpit depending on intended use and on time of year (fitness).
Ben, why have you never done one on right in the neighbourhood Rodeo labs trail donkey 4.0?
I have been asking Stephen literally for years! Hopefully this year I can crack the Donkey code.
I guarantee I will see someone all kitted out in clean Pas Normal, with a perfectly clean C68 at a coffee shop here in Boulder this year! Just because one does not want to spend this kind of money on a bike, there is certainly a market for it, so, no worries! No one is forced to buy this bike.
Thats a nice looking bike, essentially what a road bike should have been for 90% of people for the last few decades
At that price? For 90% of the people?
@@TD_Geake I didn't say anything about the price. That's irrelevant to the discussion here, we're just looking at the bike as it is.
It might just be me, however having the beagle in the garage may soften the trauma of the cost of the frame.
I'll take two
I love companies who design and build bikes for the people (not colnago)
I also think that you should sell a good product instead of a Brand (not colnago)
What tires did you have mounted on this bike?
Pirelli H - just the stock spec.
I have an aspero 5 i built up myself and love it no way but blessed those who would pay for this in the end if you want a boutique item just because well its all good
What is real tire clearance? One source tells it is 42, another - 45mm. Which is right one?
At the launch they initially said 45, then changed it later to 42.
Very informative review here, Ben...TY...but I'll be keeping my Cipollini AR (MSRP $11.5K)...LOL...
Used Crux all day
$7100 for a frame 😂😂😂 I'm just gonna laugh 💯
Yeah Colnagos are cool. I've owned one myself and it was great. But.. No (normal consumer available) frame is worth that much money.
The garage looks good! Beautiful bike but a little to expensive for my taste. There are too many great bikes for well under $10,000 that will satisfy. I hope Colnago isn’t expecting to sell a large volume of these bikes. It seems, like a Lamborghini, it’s a conspicuous consumption bike!
I bought my Mog with Ekart second hand for 4k last week. If you offered me to swap it for the one you are featuring I wouldn’t trade you. This is crazy. They should have learned from Pinarello. Gravel people are not stupid. Terrible mistake. -$7100 for frame, which means for a full set about 15k. As a bike builder I would be embarrass to offer it to a customer. Clearly, they’re trying to tap on the cult following colnogo has.
All you have to do is ride a Lauf Siegla and you realize that all the talk about how hard it is to make the geometry work around bigger tires is just noise.
I thought it was the Scott Addict Gravel at first
Col-No-Go
Right?
I want a Ride kit
Ride gear is coming!
you buy a Pagani because you love it, and it’s a work of art. if you want a Accura TSX, buy your Aspero/whatever pedestrian bike. Nothing wrong with either.
he gave you the frame??? Why would I buy it if they are giving them away!!?
Ha ha...no. Like all the test bikes I have, I borrow them and then return them. More info on my process here: ua-cam.com/video/7FJHIexf88Q/v-deo.html
Yes, the price of this frame set is extraordinary. It is a handmade piece of usable artwork. Take a minute and appreciate just how much time and effort goes into making just one frame. The craftsman and artists who build these frames are the very best in the world. Much like Parlee frames here in the US. That level of quality is costly. Question to those people complaining about the price on this channel: Do you comment on a video about a Ferrari or a Rolls Royce and complain that the price is too high? Do you expect that a luxury watch should be priced "competitively"? Stop. Just stop. It is a dream bike not a mass market one. Dream a bit. Dreams are indistinguishable from hope. I hope that someday I will be able to own a 7,000 dollar luxury frame set and a Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
but isn't that the case with nearly every pre-preg carbon frame!? Around 200 pieces of carbon mats which have been drowned in resin are arranged by hand in different directions and then heated up. The procedure of producing pre preg carbon frames is the same whether you do in China or Italy. Look does the same thing in Europe and their frames are of great quality but cost half the price. That price is only for the name and not the frame quality although the quality is good.
The bike was designed on a computer. Is an Italian crafstman any better at laying up the carbon than someone in Asia? The owner of the company is a country that is an oil rich Islamic monarchy so I doubt the price reflects it's true value or even an attempt at trying to produce a profit since with it's not crucial that they even produce a profit selling bikes.
Except you can see where the extra money for a Ferrari or Lamborghini goes. You may not think “hey this material and craftsmanship is worth 100 times this Honda civic” but you at least know “these leathers, woods, carbon fiber, engine, transmission, brakes, wheels, tyres, are all more expensive to not only get but to make things out of than what’s on the civic. It also drives like a civic never will.” On this bike all you get is it’s made by people in Italy when the proven expertise and skill resides in carbon bike production lies in Taiwan. This isn’t a good comparison to supercars, this should rather be compared to modern art where a person with more sense than money will pay more than what most people make in a year for a few paint splatters on a canvas because they think it’s art. Which both they and the people buying this bike are free to do. Pick the right comparison though and call it out for what it is. Absolute stupidity that only stupid people without the money, or people with “I can buy stupid things” money, or people with “f u” money are buying
$7100 just for the frame?! Jesus Christ!
If someone in the US gets me a Enve Mog build I can send a colnago build over in return.
We only get Mog frame sets in Europe but we do get colnago builds.
I'm ready for trading here
Never liked Italiano bikes , they are just slightly overkilled in terms of design design. Appreciate your great content tho
42mm tire clearance says it all. Almost nobody who buys it will ride it. Nobody who buys it will take it offroad-offroad.
To his Honour, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, please also purchase Campagnolo. Thank you.
I was wondering about the same thing. Mixed feelings about that idea.
@@larryt.atcycleitalia5786 My dream is someone with big money comes in, with no interest in turning a profit, keeps Campy privately owned, and makes groupsets that look like Record 9, shiny, 11-12 speed, with modern tolerances. They take EPS, make it semiwireless, and update it with a Record and Chorus version. They can stay steady on the wheel business. Finally they promise, there will always be a mechanical version, rim brakes, and thumb shifters.
Well.....its beautiful?
$7,100 US Mamma mia!
Sorry, but I thought you test usable gear.
This doesn't fit to the statement in, I think it was, December about you and your testing methods.
How is the bike not usable? I test bikes I think are interesting and/or that a lot of people might be interested in.
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney I think 99,999% cyn not afford such a frame so Tests like this might be good for clicks but in my opinion, it's wasted time. 👋🏻
Good luck selling that in the US. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I've owned 3 Colnagos. They're great, but I'm not going to pay that much for a gravel bike. #stupid
Carbon for off-road......YUK! ....& + that price.....that's an all-round dumb deal, no?
For that kind of money, rather have a titanium gravel bike.
Let’s all stop buying bikes for two years & get these prices down
Correction: the C series are still ASSEMBLED in Italy.
I hadn't considered that. Is it like the "made in Italy" eyeglasses where they put the screws in there?
@JamesRoth They buy the tube pre-cut, and then glue them together in Italy and paint it.
And your proof of this is....?@@rg807
No, Colnago makes the tubes and lugs for the C series: ua-cam.com/video/YSBqXB3Sybo/v-deo.html
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Hmm, maybe they moved it all to Italy for the C68, but my C60 was built the way I described.
What a silly price tag. Consumers don't be "brand fooled". As far as I can tell there's nothing special about this bike.
pass.
i dont have to watch a review 7100$ frameset, its just ridiculous.
Man, if there was only some way you could NOT watch it.
@@LifeCycle1978🤔
Great review always good to see what’s new in the gravel bike world even at this price point
No bikes are Italian.
$7000 for a carbon toy 🤣
Colnagos ♣️ made in China 🇨🇳, that is a *travesty* to Cycling 🚴🏻♂️!
Have to admit that oil fortunes buying up the bike business is hilarious. Talk about greenwashing...
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