Colnago

CX Zero Disc Ultegra Complete Bike-2015

Disc brakes and electronic shifting are looking strong as the technology that's likely to shape the industry going forward. If you're like some of us, though, then the prospect of digital drivetrains doesn't appeal quite as much as the improved stopping power of hydraulic brakes. Fortunately, Colnago's CX Zero Disc Ultegra Complete Bike includes that stopping power, but not at the cost of the tactile feel of cable-actuated derailleurs. This is especially welcome when you consider all the trickle-down features that populate the tech sheet of Shimano's latest mechanical Ultegra group.

But the frame is still the heart of any ride, and the CX Zero Disc's relatively long wheelbase, high stack, and short reach make it ideal for endurance riding when compared with traditionally aggressive racing frames like the C60. The CX Zero's seatstays are thinned and slightly flattened to absorb hits and road noise, and the chainstays spring from the bottom bracket with a stiff vertical thickness that tapers into an up-curve where they meet the rear dropout. These chainstays take advantage of the CX Zero's stiff, oversized spine to ensure that all the power transferred through the tapered head tube, thick down tube, and built-up bottom bracket goes straight into the road. Despite its plush ride, this frames shape and geometry still recommend it as a racing machine.

While the geometry and disc brake mounts are the frame's defining features, the quality of carbon fiber used in its build would make it a star in any other manufacturer's line. Over nine different types of carbon appear throughout the CX Zero Evo's construction, all of which are sourced exclusively from Toray's Japanese factory. This is the most consistent carbon fiber in the world, guaranteed perfect, every time, which is why it's the same stuff that Boeing insists on for its aircraft. This carbon is so sought after that Colnago is the only manufacturer able to use 100% Japanese carbon fiber in its frames.

Except for the 105 cassette, the CX Zero Disc Ultegra's kit incorporates a full complement of Shimano's latest Ultegra drivetrain, including the beautifully redesigned four-arm Ultegra crankset. The discerning reader will note that the shifters aren't officially branded Ultegra. We think that may be because, as mentioned above, disc brakes aren't quite UCI-legal yet, so Shimano has forgone model branding. Rest assured, though, that the ST-R785 levers included here are virtually identical to the regular, rim-braking Ultegra Di2 levers. Only the branding is missing. The CX Zero Disc Ultegra's build is finished with familiar names like DT Swiss and Selle Italia.