That's right. Renowned Italian bicycle manufacturer Colnago today unveiled a new road bike with rim brakes.

The brand proudly describes the bike as a "wild card in the Ace family" and acknowledges the irony of its launch alongside the four existing models in the C68 series: road, all-road, titanium, and gravel.

Over the past decade, the bicycle industry has largely turned its back on rim brakes in favor of disc brakes instead. Disc brakes are favored because of their superior braking performance and consistent power in both wet and dry conditions. Despite the persistent popularity of rim brake enthusiasts, it has become increasingly difficult to purchase or build a rim brake-equipped bike due to the dwindling number of compatible frames, wheels, and group sets.

Colnago admits that its decision to launch rim-brake bikes in 2024 is "unconventional." However, it describes the move as "a reward for rim brake enthusiasts" and emphasizes that "the C68 is a handmade modular product, which allows us to build a frame like the C68 rim brake in an economically sustainable way." [Colnago wants to be close to these dedicated and passionate cyclists," the brand's press release reads.

Rim brake purists will also appreciate that, like all models in the C68 series, the new bikes are manufactured entirely in Italy and assembled by hand at Colnago's factory in Cambiago. While it is possible to produce high quality bikes in factories in the Far East, there is a certain prestige and tradition to Italian craftsmanship.

To make the new C68 rim brake model a reality, the fork was modified to accommodate direct-mount double-pivot brake calipers, and the seatstays were structurally reinforced to accept them. In yet another (seemingly unintended) nod to the old meets new approach, the frame and fork dropouts (compatible with quick-release skewers) are made from 3D-printed titanium.

True traditionalists may be disappointed to hear that the bike does not support mechanical groupset. The only way to run it is with an electronic transmission.

Campagnolo, Shimano, and SRAM, the "big three" groupset manufacturers, each offer rim brake options, and Campagnolo Super Record EPS, Shimano Dura-Ace R9250 Di2, and SRAM Force AXS are all compatible It is stated.

However, the C68 Rim is sold only as a frame kit, which includes the frame, fork, seatpost, and headset, but not the bars and stem.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the price is relatively high to incorporate traditionalist sensibilities in this route. The frame kit is priced at €6,930.00/£6,299.99/$7,750.00.