While steel and carbon might seemingly sit at the ends of the spectrum when it comes to materials used in bike frames and components, they really are just bedfellows. It’s all about how they are used, rather than any inherent properties, that defines their performance; steel frames are famed for their liveliness and comfort, but this only achieved by matching quality tubing with an effective design. Similarly carbon is heralded for its light yet stiff properties but without a thoughtful application these attributes are wasted.
Which brings me on to our headliners this week. We have a steel bike from Colnago, a set of climbing wheels with carbon spokes, and a thoroughly modern race bike that’s doffing its cap to the first carbon bike to win le tour. All three showcase said materials and their ability to blend performance with desirability, a marketing person’s dream.
Colnago Steelnovo
(Image credit: Colnago)
The Steelnovo was first released to celebrate Colnago’s 70th anniversary. Showcasing both the brand’s heritage and its framebuilding expertise, the limited-edition model (70 made), was as beautiful as it was expensive.
While the exclusivity of both availability and price likely added to its appeal for some, Colnago has decided to offer the Steelnovo in a slightly more accessible and affordable guise; this time around the frame retails at $6,250 and is limited to 400 pieces.
(Image credit: Colnago)
It’s debuting in two colorways – a light blue and a pastel orange – and like the original is made entirely in Italy from a blend of Columbus tubing and 3D-printed components, all blended together with impressively seamless welds. And clearly it’s a bike to be ridden now and into the future; it boasts clearance for 35mm wide tyres and uses the T47 BB and UDH standards.
DT Swiss ARC 1100 Spline 38 CS
(Image credit: DT Swiss)
At first glance the DT Swiss ARC 1100s look like just another pair of high-end lightweight carbon wheels. And, to some degree, they are. Built for climbing the 38mm deep hoops weigh less than 1,200g for the pair. But it’s how DT Swiss attained such a weight that makes them interesting. It’s the spokes.
DT Swiss’ Aerolite steel spokes have been the standard for some time, used not just on its own wheels but on numerous sets from other manufacturers, too. But in the pursuit of the lightest possible wheel there has been a clear shift to carbon spokes, leaving DT Swiss as something of an outlier. Until now.