Colnago C59 Disc (C for “Colnago”, and 59 for 59th anniversary of the Colnago frames) is the first road bike with disc brakes. Personally, I don’t think it is necessary for a road bike has disc brakes. But Colnago claims disc brakes are the way of the future, a generational improvement bound to evolve the road racing bicycle.

Colnago found the benefits of disc brakes so compelling, they engineered their top-of-the-line C59 Italia frame to deliver a comprehensive disc brake road platform. C59 is a full hydraulic disc brake specific road bike that using a Formula brake system developed specifically for them.

Colnago C59 Disc 2013 (Maserati Blue), Di2
Colnago C59 Disc 2013 (Maserati Blue), equipped with Dura-Ace Di2 2013 11-speed

Colnago did not simply add disc brake tabs to a normal road bike, the C59 Disc is comprehensively designed for disc brakes. Braking forces must be safely distributed through the fork and frame to ensure the highest level of safety. The frame and fork have been reinforced in key areas. Fork dropouts have been reversed to eliminate the possibility of wheel ejection.

The frame is available in both sloping and traditional geometries.

From Colnago’s web site:

The frame and fork are fully com­pat­i­ble with stan­dard PM calipers too.

With twin 140mm diam­e­ter discs the frame and fork have also been redesigned in the key areas where the brakes are mounted. The fork is com­pletely new, whilst at the rear of the main frame the chain­stays and the seat­stays are also new, to cope with the increased load­ing that the disc brakes gen­er­ate at their mount­ing points. The C59 Disc is com­pat­i­ble with both elec­tronic and mechan­i­cal groupsets.

Along with the main chas­sis changes, Colnago has also designed their own match­ing wheel sys­tem, the Artemis Disc. These wheels fea­ture disc-specific hubs and full car­bon com­pos­ite wheel rims.

Colnago C59 Disc builds

Colnago C59 Disc 2013 (Team Edition Carbon/White Graphics), Di2
Team Edition Carbon/White Graphics, equipped with Dura-Ace Di2 2013
Colnago C59 Disc 2013 (Nato Green), Campagnolo EPS
Colnago C59 Disc 2013 (Nato Green), Equipped with Campagnolo Super Record EPS
Colnago C59 Disc 2013 (Flat Black/Gloss Black Graphics), Campagnolo EPS
Colnago C59 Disc 2013 (Flat Black/Gloss Black Graphics), equipped with Campagnolo Super Record EPS
Colnago C59 Disc 2013 (White/Blue/Italian Flag), Campagnolo EPS
Colnago C59 Disc 2013(White/Blue/Italian Flag), equipped with Campagnolo Super Record EPS.

As I said before, I don’t think it is necessary a road bike have disc brakes, I even don’t find it aesthetic. But according to Colnago, benefits of road disc brakes are:

  • Improved braking performance – better brake modulation in all conditions
  • No rim surface damage
  • No braking track heat to affect tire pressure
  • Lower rim weight
  • Lower center of gravity – the bike feels lighter and handles better
  • Simple, clean aesthetic

“Lower center of gravity”, I can only accept this thesis. “Improved braking performance”, maybe, but I am afraid that this may cause a chaos and crashes in the peloton.

Frameset Features

  • Fully handmade in Italy
  • Available in eight sloping frame sizes 42, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, and 58cm
  • Available in fourteen traditional frame sizes 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, and 65 cm
  • Internal cable routing
  • Mechanical and Electronic group compatible
  • Legendary Colnago Master tube shaping
  • Colnago Q-stay carbon fiber stays
  • 1 1/8″ – 1 1/4″ tapered head tube and steer tube
  • Colnago Headset System sealed cartridge bearing headset
  • Colnago 31.6mm carbon seatpost painted to compliment each colorway

Available Colors – Hand Painted in Italy

  • Maserati Blue (TSMR)
  • Flat Black/Gloss Black Graphics (Black)
  • White/Blue/Italian Flag (TSIT)
  • Fiat Campovolo Grey/Red (TSCV)
  • White/Glitter Red (TSRD)
  • White/Black (TSWH)
  • Nato Green (TSEI)
  • Team Edition Carbon/White Graphics (12BK)
  • Team Edition White/Carbon Graphics (12WH)

The bike is coming with 2 years of warranty.

M. Özgür Nevres

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