Colnago has released a rim brake C68 frameset with a claimed weight of 1,080g, costing £6,299.99 / $7,750 / €6,750.
The C68 Rim Brake is a modular, carbon frameset handmade in Italy and compatible only with electronic groupsets.
The premium Italian brand says the addition of a rim brake frameset completes the C68 range, which already includes a disc brake road bike and an all-road bike.
Colnago had a rim brake bike in its range until 2022, when the disc brake only V4Rs replaced the V3Rs.
Indeed, Tadej Pogaçar rode the rim-brake V3Rs on mountain stages during his 2020 and 2021 Tour de France wins.
Now the three-time Yellow Jersey winner races exclusively on the VR4s all-rounder, which we weighed at 7.71kg at the Grand Départ.
Pogačar could save weight by riding rim brakes. However, we suspect a combination of cajoling from Colnago and the promise of watt savings converted him to the more aerodynamically optimised V4Rs.
As ever, there is tech the pros can’t have but you can. And by launching the C68 Rim Brake, Colnago hopes to appeal to cyclists in search of a high-end, modern rim-brake frameset.
The widespread adoption of road disc brakes has almost wiped out this kind of bike. Most of the rim brake bikes you can still buy are more affordable.
For example, Pinarello used to offer the Dogma F race bike in rim-brake form, but the latest version is disc-brake only.
The C68 Rim Brake is nearly identical to the disc brake version, apart from a couple of modifications to enable rim brakes to be fitted.
Colnago has altered the fork and seatstays, so you can attach direct-mount rim brake calipers.
In place of thru-axles, the C68 has 3D-printed titanium quick-release dropouts. Colnago says titanium is one of the few metals to “bond perfectly with carbon”.
In terms of electronic groupsets, Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 is your only option if you want the latest version in rim brake form.
Otherwise, you’ll have to go back a generation, for example to Campagnolo Super Record EPS. The Italian groupset maker’s latest version (Super Record Wireless) is not available with rim brakes.
Modern rim brake road bike wheels won’t be easy to find either.
Included in the C68 Rim Brake’s £6,299.99 / $7,750 / €6,750 asking price are the frame, fork, headset and seatpost.
