Colnago. Few brands awaken the emotions of road cycling aficionados more than the artisan bike brand that rose out of Cambiago, Italy. The trademark clover logo elicits admiration and respect for the craftsmanship and heritage that spans 70 years, from lugged steel to carbon fiber. And Colnago bikes have claimed victories as far back as the 1957 Giro d’Italia and as recently as this year’s Tour de France.
Since I was 14, I’ve always wanted a Colnago. But the bikes were never within reach of my meager finances, so like Ferraris and Lamborghinis, they were strictly to admire. When I got the email stating a C68 Gravel was heading my way, I actually got nervous, just like I would if a Ferrari was coming.
But when I looked up the price, it doused me with the reality that this bike would be difficult to review. With a frameset-only price of $6,750, a bike build could easily run north of $14,000. It’s hard to justify a price like that, especially for a bike that Colnago stresses is not a race bike.
I rode the bike for a month around my home in Central Texas on mostly hardpacked dirt roads littered with embedded limestone rocks. Chip-seal roads that desperately need maintenance connect these dusty tracks. I was a little miffed at the price tag. So, I flogged the C68 Gravel hard over the countless punchy hills and rutted-out descents on a mission to squeeze out justification for a bike few can afford.
In short: The Colnago C68 Gravel is an amazing bike for gravel aficionados who want to ride fast yet remain comfortable. It is stiff in the right places and compliant where it matters. The handling characteristics are spot-on for higher-speed gravel-riding terrain. But … the price. In the end, the C68 Gravel is for the cyclist who is willing to pay for more than pure performance. For a customer who values aesthetics, tradition, craftsmanship, history, and the intangibles that only a brand like Colnago can deliver, the bike makes sense.
- Frame material: Carbon fiber
- Fork material: Carbon Fiber
- Drivetrain: SRAM Red XPLR AXS
- Wheelset: Zipp 303 S
Pros
- Excellent ride quality on faster gravel
- Great blend of efficiency and springiness while climbing
- Excellent cornering manners and balance
- Stunning aesthetics
Cons
- Expensive
- Not super light
- Not aero
The Colnago C68 Gravel Specifications
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Colnago Bicycle Hierarchy
C-Series Gravel vs. C-Series Road
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Colnago C68 Gravel Details
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Uncommon Carbon Construction
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Colnago C68 Gravel Ride Characteristics
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Fit and Ride Impressions on the Flats
Climbing Performance
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Into the Rough
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The Final Say on the Colnago C68 Gravel
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