Colnago

Prestige Disc Ultegra Complete Bike-2015

Ever since it replaced the C50 Cross as Colnago's dedicated cyclocross bike, the frameset at the heart of the Prestige Disc Ultegra Complete Bike has enjoyed success at races of all stripes. It's done especially well with stripes of the rainbow variety, enjoying no fewer than six podium spots and two outright wins at the cyclocross world championships. Normally, we reserve introductory paragraphs for anecdotes about a how a bike's tech specs transfer to real-world applications, but we think that the Prestige's results on the biggest stage in 'cross speak for themselves.

The frame's main triangle is a single piece produced in a monocoque mold to maximize stiffness and durability by wrapping the carbon fibers continuously across the joints. Given the focus on pure, unforgiving power transmission in the monocoque main triangle, we were initially surprised to see that Colnago opted for lugged stays. The Italian manufacturer reassures us that the lugs are for longer stays and maximum tire and mud clearance, but we also suspect that considerations of vertical compliance and noise-cancellation may have contributed to this decision. After all, Colnago is known for ride quality, and if we were to break that amorphous idea down into more quantifiable terms, they might very well be a plush ride with trigger-happy responsiveness. The Prestige's half-monocoque, half-lugged construction satisfies this metric.

Another consideration that's important for 'cross is weight. Over the course of a hectic race, you've got to accelerate out of corners, bunny hop obstacles, and carry the damn thing on your shoulder, so a heavy frameset is likely to cost you a win before you even begin. The Prestige's low weight helps in all regards, and the unique, buttress-like arm extending from the down tube to the top tube helps especially with shouldering the bike, setting it down, and letting it rest comfortably for the time in between. This may be the only bit of comfort afforded you during the brief, violent maelstrom of a 'cross race. Which is how we like it.

The precise operation of Shimano's Ultegra derailleurs makes them equal to that maelstrom, all but guaranteeing that your race won't come down to an ill-timed mechanical. And while the Ultegra kit does weigh a little more than Dura-Ace, it also costs a lot less, which is a welcome revelation when you lose your derailleur to your local 'cross course's Charybdis. The build also includes Shimano's new hydraulic disc brakes, which may just help you artfully navigate safe passage and avoid losing any of your fellow shipmates. The reliable DT Swiss 444D rims, laced to center lock Joy-Tech hubs, also contribute to a mechanical-free trip.

Finally, an explanation of the mysterious RS685 shifts levers. You'll note that the shifters aren't officially branded Ultegra; we think that may be because disc brakes aren't quite UCI road-legal yet, so Shimano has forgone model branding. Rest assured, though, that the function of the RS685 levers included here are virtually identical to the regular, rim-braking Ultegra levers. Only the branding is missing.