The Laser bicycle was originally introduced in the ’80s as riders were feverishly attempting to set, break and reset speed and time records across the board. Roughly 200 frames were made, each slightly different than the other as Antonio Colombo (designer), Andrea Pesenti (framebuilder) and Paolo Erzegovesi (engineer) continually refined the bike for each rider and application.
For 2012, Cinelli is reissuing a limited run of this Laser Nostra built and designed by the same three people. The new version follows the geometry and manufacturing techniques of the originals but gets Columbus’ new Spirit steel tubes, made of Niobium steel (steel with manganese, chrome, nickel, molybdenum and niobium). This material lets them manipulate the tubesets via triple butting, getting as thin as 0.38mm in places, for a high strength to weight ratio.
More on this and their new WYSIWYG aero bike and a few other updates after the break…
The bike has a tight wheelbase and minimal frontal section for quick handling and good aerodynamics. It’s designed to be a straight up track killer.
The frame and fork will carry a retail price of at least $11,000 USD…possibly higher. It’s not finalized yet. 13 sizes will be available from 49 to 61 with custom sizes under consideration. It has a BSA bottom bracket, 120mm rear hub spacing, 27.2mm seatpost and 34mm inner diameter head tube.
For an aero bike that’s a little more streetable and a lot less expensive, their WYSIWYG carbon fiber time trial/triathlon bike is finally here. It’s a bit hard to tell with this background, but the graphics, dubbed Italo 79, form their “C” logo from that time period.
Claimed weight is just 1,135g frame and 435g fork, not bad for a full aero bike.
The seatmast allows some height adjustment and a three position seat clamp providing an effective seat tube angle between 74, 76 and 78 degrees.
A complete bike with Ultegra will be available with custom graphic’d Shimano C50 carbon clincher wheels to match the bike’s colors. A frameset will also be available with the fork, a Prologo saddle and their own stem and bullhorn bars with aerobar clip ons.
While it looks related, the new integrated handlebar stem with drop down computer/light/accessory mount is for regular road bikes.
Cinelli’s Zydeco cyclocross bike (above) and Strato road bike (below) get BNG updates for 2012 – Bold New Graphics.
