Eurobike 2013: Colnago CX Zero Disc + video

Colnago used Eurobike to officially unveil the CX Zero, their all-new carbon fibre endurance road bike that is offered in two flavours; one with discs (hydraulic or mechanical) or regular caliper rim brakes. With a taller head tube and shorter top tube, the geometry has been designed for riding long distances and events like Gran Fondos.

Colnago engineer Davide Fumagalli drove the development of Colnago's first disc-braked road bike, the C59 Disc, and in this video tells us all about the CX Zero:

Unlike the C59 Disc which was modified to take disc brakes a couple of years after it was first released, the CX Zero was designed from the beginning with disc brakes in mind. It's clear Colnago are convinced by the performance benefits of disc brakes, but wisely they're keeping all customers happy with a regular caliper rim brake version. Disc brakes on road bikes are dividing opinion and offering the choice of both is a smart move.

Both models share essentially the same carbon fibre frame, but the disc version has a completely different rear triangle, with the obvious disc brake mounts the most noticeable change from the outside. Like pretty much all the disc road bikes we're seeing here at Eurobike, Colnago have placed the caliper inside the rear dropout. The bike pictured has Shimano's mechanical discs, but we're told hydraulic versions will be available. Speaking to UK Distributor Windwave, the CX Zero won't be coming into the UK as a complete bike, instead they'll only be offering the frameset. 

The geometry is what they're calling 'classic' and has the tall head tube/short top tube combination that is a common theme on most bikes aimed at riders seeking comfort over race speed. Geometry for a 52 includes a 55cm effective top tube, 17.6cm head tube and a 100.6cm wheelbase. Stack is 577mm and reach 380mm. With comfort a factor for such bikes too, a 27.2mm seatpost is fitted in the seat tube and there's space for 25mm tyres.

Discs aside, another significant change for Colnago is the use of a Press Fit bottom bracket for the first time. Colnago have been quick to follow the C59 Disc of last year with this all-new platform, and it's a very smart looking bike. On the subject of the C59, we managed to squeeze some information out of Colnago on its replacement. There's definitely a C60 on the horizon, possibly as early as next spring, and it's clear from the reception they've had with the C59 Disc that disc brakes will be a major factor in its design.