Updated at 8:00pm EST: Our little bird has been back in touch with details about availability and an on-scale photo of the entire assembly…
The little birds were up late last night and whispering in our ears…
What they told us was where we could find what looks to be Colnago’s new Formula disc-equipped road bike. Unsurprisingly from a pair of Italian companies, it’s lovely- and includes the first major disc brake/shift levers we’ve seen. Want to know more? Follow the crowds below the break…
Though the Formula levers shown are clearly Di2-compatible, the text notes that the “C59 Disc is compatible with both electronic and mechanical groupsets.” We’re not sure if that means that Formula will be making a mechanical lever or just if traditional cable routing is provided (and the rider is on their own, brake/shift lever-wise).
The brake hoods are very slim just behind the horn- shapes like those don’t evolve without a reason, so we’re hoping that they’re comfortable. The inner lever looks to have a pivot part way down the brake lever blade, which could suggest how the shifters are actuated.
“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 140mm rotor has a heat-dissipating aluminum carrier and the calipers clearly resemble Formula’s mountain brakes.
“Along with the main chassis changes, Colnago have also designed their own matching wheel system, the Artemis Disc. These wheels feature disc-specific hubs and full carbon composite wheel rims.” Given the similarities with Formula’s Italian-made Volo hubs (to say nothing of the Formula QR), we’re guessing that the wheels were also developed with Formula.
Exciting stuff? Unnecessary complexity? Either way, road discs seem to be coming. Chime in below if you see anything that we’ve missed!
Wednesday evening update:
So, we’re at 339g for brake/shifter, caliper, rotor, and hardware. Not too shabby considering that the shifter is included and better than some mountain brakes. The photo also shows the cutaway shift paddle(s) and gives a better image of the lever body’s prrofile.
We’ve also been told to expect late-2012 aftermarket availability and model year 2013 OEM spec (on the Colnago C59 if not others). More information as we get it…