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Cipollini adds Disc brakes to their new aero NK1K

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Cipollini_NK1K-disc_carbon-disc-brake-aero-road-bike_fork

Just a few months back at Eurobike we featured the new aero NK1K that Cipollini launched with their (his) signature dramatic flair. We were teased then about a separate disc brake version of the road race bike, but they hadn’t finished one well enough to show. Well, now it’s ready, so let’s have a closer look at the frame that shares a lot of elements with the rim brake model, but gets the disc details where it counts…

Cipollini_NK1K-disc_carbon-disc-brake-aero-road-bike_complete_s

The new NK1K Disc brake shares the same lines as the NK1K Direct Mount. In fact Cipollini says that both bikes share the exact same profile. All of the variation to handle the different loading requirements are of the two brake options is then managed entirely through layup inside the monocoque mold.

Cipollini_NK1K-disc_carbon-disc-brake-aero-road-bike_frontal-area Cipollini_NK1K-disc_carbon-disc-brake-aero-road-bike_headtube

The NK1K Disc uses the same rear wheel cutaway, angularly shaped and Kamm-tailed tubing profiles, plus the same semi-integrated headset cover. Both bikes talk about aerodynamics as a priority, but it is hard to ignore the versatility of big tires on the road these days. Even with the deep rear wheel cut, this bike photographed with 25mm Vittoria clinchers on relatively wide Vision Metron wheels looks to have plenty of room for possibly even 30mm rubber front and rear.

Cipollini_NK1K-disc_carbon-disc-brake-aero-road-bike_front-brake Cipollini_NK1K-disc_carbon-disc-brake-aero-road-bike_dropout_s

The disc brake frame adds flat mounts for 140mm rotors to go with 12mm thru-axles front and rear.

Cipollini_NK1K-disc_carbon-disc-brake-aero-road-bike_naked-frame_s

The disc brake frame is said to add just 30g over the rim brake version for a claimed weight of 1,150g. It is available as a frameset in a bare carbon and minimally detailed finish called Naked Anthracite.

Cipollini_NK1K-disc_carbon-disc-brake-aero-road-bike_rear-profile Cipollini_NK1K-disc_carbon-disc-brake-aero-road-bike_rear-end

Never let someone tell you that fame and style don’t come at a price. The NK1K frameset with frame, fork, headset, and seatpost retails for $7300.

CipolliniUSA.com

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KZ
KZ
8 years ago

Why isn’t this groupset called Dura-Ace? It’s just plain Shimano?

Keith
Keith
8 years ago

Yay… Flat mount. The brake standard that doesn’t work properly.

bmanx
bmanx
8 years ago

Nothing like making an aero bike NOT AERO!

Andrew
Andrew
8 years ago

I love how in the first paragraph of a story about a Cipollini bike it says ‘tits ready’ – seems somehow appropriate! :
“…Well, now tits ready, so let’s have a closer look at the frame… “

Eric Hansen
Eric Hansen
8 years ago

Did you mean to write “tits ready”? I mean, it *is* an article about Cipollini.

Kristi Benedict
Admin
8 years ago
Reply to  Eric Hansen

Eric and Andrew, Not sure where spellcheck’s mind is 😉
Fixed it, thanks.

Colin
Colin
8 years ago

They spelled “Campagnolo” wrong on the brakes and shifters

Eric Hansen
Eric Hansen
8 years ago

@KZ all Shimano road disc systems are non-series components. The shifters are available in Ultegra level in mechanical and electronic 11s form, and in 105 level in mechanical 11s only.

Mike
Mike
8 years ago

Nice and good Disk Frame Works from Cipo !!!

Matthew
Matthew
8 years ago

Of course they did.

gringo
gringo
8 years ago

* please note that the oil used in the brakes on these bikes, comes directly from the coif of the self proclaimed ‘sexiest man in cycling’

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
8 years ago

bmanx, the extremely minimal aero disadvantage of disc brakes is quickly negated on a course with corners. Unless you only race in a straight line you’re missing the whole picture. But I get it, this is the internet, where broad sweeping generalizations are assumed to be the truth. Maybe Moto GP bikes should adopt rim brakes, more aero, you know? Pffft!

pamountainbiker
pamountainbiker
8 years ago

In my completely anecdotal experience with my disc road bike, there’s a pretty hefty aero penalty that is dependent upon yaw angle. FWIW, I live in a fairly flat area, close to a major river where there is always wind. Always. Which is unfortunate for me, because my big weakness area is riding into headwinds. That being said, the first time I ever road the disc road bike for real I was rather shocked at the amount of wind drag and wheel deflection there was due to wind hitting the rotor. My disc road bike is built with custom H Plus Son 25mm wheels to centerlock hubs and I’ve always been really surprised at the amount of torque at the bar winds can generate. I contrast this to my non disc road bike, where I’m running deeper carbon clinchers and there is actually very little bar torque from wind. I don’t have a wind tunnel but I’ve ridden the same routes on the disc bike many times and this is just my anecdotal experience. Anyway, I like them both but the caliper bike is definitely lighter with similar spec and based on tons of subjective data like Strava, it’s also significantly faster over the same courses. It does not stop as well. I also am pretty light, don’t live in the high mountains nor ride in the rain much.

pamountainbiker
pamountainbiker
8 years ago

Forgot to mention – I’m not down on discs, I really think they’ll hit their stride in 18 months when light calipers that are better integrated into the frame re developed, plus we need lighter and smaller levers. Not sure too much can be done with rotor weight.

ChrisC
ChrisC
8 years ago

I don’t get why some people are so down on the idea of aero frame + disc brakes…

If the aero frame reduces drag and the discs increase drag, then surely that’s better than a non-aero frame increasing drag AND the disc brakes increasing drag.

No, it’s not going to be as slick as an aero frame with rim brakes, but everyone has different priorities when purchasing a bike.

Eric Hansen
Eric Hansen
8 years ago

@paramounbiker these *are* the ‘lighter, better integrated calipers’. You’re not going to see any more big changes there. They’re not going to be as light as rim brakes ever, so that’s a silly target to aspire to. Besides, race teams still have to weight bikes to get them to the 16 pound minimum.

@kernel – by the by, motorcycles are rather purposefully not aero. They don’t turn well if they’re effectively a big airfoil at speed.

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
8 years ago

Eric Hansen. So all those MotoGP manufactures are wasting time aero testing in wind tunnels? “purposefully not aero”, “don’t turn well” Eh? I’d love to see Rossi’s reaction to that one! Seems anything goes in the good ‘ole comment sections these days.

Chris
Chris
8 years ago

I call bullsh*t on feeling torque at the bar from crosswinds and disc brakes. Are they otherwise the same frame just rim and disc versions? What were the other carbon clinchers you are using? Are these back to back rides on the same days? The leverage at a 140mm disc would be so minimal, and so many other variables confound what small effect there is, that it seems very anecdotal.

pTymn Wolfe
pTymn Wolfe
8 years ago

Torque from wind hitting your rotor? Riding bikes is hard.

Haya
Haya
8 years ago

They did have a disc version at euro bike.

http://road.cc/content/news/162806-2016-disc-road-bikes-ritchey-cube-merckx-koga-bottecchia-and-cipollini

Now they just need to work on that dumb ‘$7000 for a $300 frame’ (deleted).

RobertW
RobertW
8 years ago

So I lose a little aero, gain a pound of weight, make my other wheels non compatible, for what benefit…?

Pette
Pette
8 years ago

One of the sexiest fondo bikes yet. Room for up to 30c. comfy, aero, expensive but sexy as hell. As are the Canyon ultimate disc, Focus Izalso max disc, etc. But for a serious race bike? Doubt you’ll be seeing me roll up to a cat 1-2 crit with one of these. I’ll still buy a disc road bike one of these days for training or like I said a fondo bike, cause those are still kinda fun. I’ll take the non disc version any day!

pamountainbiker
pamountainbiker
8 years ago

@chris, it is anecdotal, in fact the the 4th word I used in my post was “anecdotal” which means your mileage will vary. Yes, I have done back to back rides on the same day just for SAG. Frames are rather equivalent, small diameter metal frames. H Plus Son versus 303’s. The steering affect is most noticeable when the wind is a head wind coming in at the 9-11 o’clock position from the non drive side. The disc bike is always more affected. Now, riding the opposite direction, not so much (it’s an out and back dead flat 20 ft vert). I’m also less than 145 and by torque steer do not confuse this with the bar being violently jerked out of my hands. What I mean is that it can be noticeably felt, surprisingly so for a bike with shallow rims. Also doesn’t mean that the 303’s are not affected, the affect on them feels different. You feel the pressure at the bar but more uniform across the bike front to rear. Thanks for calling bullshit, maybe it’s just me…I’m batshit…crazy. Lastly, do not mistake my post for a bash on discs, it’s not and i actually plan on getting another in 2nd qtr 2016. Because Bikerumor and Specialized told me they were the future, I can’t do anything else but agree.

@Eric Hansen – Agreed it’s going to be nearly impossible for disc weight to equal caliper bike weight all else being equal because, well, rotors. Although honestly the weight thing isn’t a big issue. Spoke to Argonaut last week and all in with existing 785, I can get a complete ride with cages in under 16 without any exotics, I’m plenty happy with that. I’d really just like two things, a DA level disc caliper that has a DA level of visual refinement and finish because, vanity. And #2, take the existing 785 levers and reduce them by 100g per set, I understand that might be difficult, but still that’s my wishlist.

Velo
Velo
8 years ago

I like most everything about it… except the $7,300 part. I’ll wait for a Chinallini.

Bob Dobbs
Bob Dobbs
8 years ago

@pamountanbiker – Sorry dude, but what you’re feeling at the bars is probably from a misaligned frame of fork. The effect of crosswinds on rotors is negligible.

Bob Dobbs
Bob Dobbs
8 years ago

*frame OR fork

pamountainbiker
pamountainbiker
8 years ago

@Bob Dobbs, had not considered that actually and it’s certainly in the realm of possibility, I am replacing the bike with a custom disc road early next year so I’ll be able to compare my experiences.

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