Colnago has not been releasing bikes as regularly as other brands. Until now, riders had two high-end road bike models to choose from (assuming that means carbon): the new Colnago V4Rs and the C68 with its lugged carbon fiber construction; but now the historic Italian brand has released an allroad version of the C68 released and imaginatively named C68 Allroad.

Allroad is booming, but hard to define. It features larger tires and more relaxed geometry, but without the extremes one might expect from a gravel-specific version. Basically, it falls somewhere between the best road bikes and the best gravel bikes.

What can we expect from Colnago's first foray into all-road?

What is unique, at least outside of the bespoke carbon products, is that the Colnago C68 is made with carbon lugs and carbon tubing glued together. This harks back to the days when lugged steel racers were the standard in the peloton, but without the same weight penalty now.

The new C68 Allroad continues this manufacturing method and is still made in Italy. Some of the joints are clearly visible, such as the joint between the head tube and seat tube and top tube, while others, such as the joint between the seat stays and seat post, are covered up by adding carbon to smooth out the joint and create a more seamless transition.

The similarity to the road-specific C68 is obvious both visually and from a manufacturing standpoint, albeit with some notable tweaks. Naturally, the geometry is different, with the all-road having a shorter reach and a higher stack. This is aimed at improving comfort, especially when sitting in the saddle for long periods of time. The geometry chart has not yet been released, but it is assumed that tweaks will be made to make the head angle looser and the wheelbase longer. Either way, the higher stack and shorter reach should shift the rider's weight backward, making braking and handling on loose surfaces a little easier.

As with the C68, there is no focus on aerodynamics. Colnago has again prioritized ride feel, handling, tradition, and, in modern parlance, "vibe" here. Nevertheless, changes have been made to the tube shape for reinforcement rather than speed. The down tube is square at the base, enlarged where it meets the bottom bracket compared to the C68, and changes to an octagonal cross section at the midpoint toward the head tube. The stays have also been strengthened to provide better protection on uneven surfaces.

Tire clearance is 35 mm, another indication that this is a tarmac-oriented bike with half an eye on the white roads of Tuscany (such as the Strade Bianche). On actual gravel, the G3X is the bike of choice.

Unlike the C68, the C68 Allroad is not available in a set of custom colors under the "Studio" banner, but instead only in either all black or black with a white top tube. Confusingly, the images we have obtained show navy and white options, which do not appear to be commercially available.

Full specs are still to be determined, but the cockpit appears to mirror that of the V4R, and the seat post will undoubtedly be its own model, or at least one shared with the C68.

In addition to the two color options, there will be a choice of Campagnolo EPS, Dura-Ace, Ultegra Di2, SRAM Red and Force. A new Force groupset is also expected to be available. Wheel choices include Enve's WS SES 3.4C, Campagnolo's Bora Ultra 45, Dura-Ace C50 or C35, and Fulcrum's Wind 400 and Racing 600db.

As per the specs, the price is currently unknown, but with a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset and Shimano C50 wheels, the MSRP is €15,335 (about £13,635/$16,330).