C68 Gravel Sram Red XPLR eTAP AXS

The Colnago C68 Gravel is a premium, Italian-made race bike designed for fast, mixed-terrain riding rather than expedition-style bikepacking. Launched in early 2024, it brings Colnago’s signature modular carbon construction to the dirt. The frame is built from multiple carbon subassemblies that are bonded and finished to resemble a monocoque, a labor-intensive process that sets the C-Series apart from mass-produced alternatives.

Positioned squarely at the performance end of the gravel spectrum, the bike caters to road-focused riders who want to maintain high speeds on unpaved surfaces. To reinforce this aggressive intent, Colnago limits official tire clearance to 42mm and keeps accessory mounts to a bare minimum. The result is a highly focused machine that prioritizes power transfer, low weight, and a refined aesthetic over ultimate utility or extreme off-road capability.

$13,200

Image pending

Build

Size

Stack	541mm
Reach	375mm
Top tube	596mm
Headtube length	115mm

Fit and geometry

The C68 Gravel utilizes a geometry that balances high-speed stability with an aggressive, aerodynamic rider posture. Compared to the C68 Road, this gravel iteration features a slightly higher stack and shorter reach, though the overall fit remains decidedly race-oriented. To generate stability on loose surfaces, Colnago employs a slacker 70.5-degree head tube angle across the size range. This pushes the front wheel further forward, increasing the front center and wheelbase to help the bike track predictably on fast descents.

Fit is heavily dictated by the proprietary CC.01 Wide integrated carbon cockpit. The one-piece bar and stem features a pronounced flare, measuring 400mm at the hoods and widening to 460mm in the drops. This shape provides a narrow stance for flat sections while offering a wider base for descending. Because the system is a single piece with fully internal routing, riders must be certain of their stem length and bar width prior to purchase, as adjusting the fit later requires replacing the entire unit.

Full specs

Frameset

Frame

Colnago C68 Gravel, Modular carbon frame construction (8 carbon parts), C Series

Fork

Colnago carbon fork for disc brakes, integrated cables

Groupset

Shift levers

SRAM Force eTap AXS HRD shift-brake system (Force XPLR build) / Shimano GRX ST-RX820 (GRX RX822 build)

Rear derailleur

SRAM Force XPLR eTap AXS RD-FRC-E-D1 (Force XPLR build) / Shimano GRX RD-RX822-SGS (GRX RX822 build)

Cassette

SRAM XPLR 12-speed 10-44T (Force XPLR build) / Shimano GRX 12-speed 10-51T (RX822 build)

Chain

SRAM Force 12-speed chain CN-FRC-D1 (Force XPLR build) / Shimano CN-M8100 12-speed (GRX RX822 build)

Crankset

1x crankset with 40T chainring (SRAM Force XPLR eTap AXS build) / 42T (Shimano GRX RX822 1x12 build); crank length by size: 170mm / 172.5mm / 175mm

Bottom bracket

T47 SRAM DUB Road (Force XPLR build) / T47 Shimano with steel bearings (GRX RX822 build)

Front brake

SRAM Force eTap AXS HRD (Force XPLR build) / Shimano GRX RX-820 (GRX RX822 build)

Rear brake

SRAM Force eTap AXS HRD (Force XPLR build) / Shimano GRX RX-820 (GRX RX822 build)

Front rotor

160mm (SRAM CenterLine XR / Paceline RT-PLN-A1 on Force build; Shimano RT-MT800-S on GRX build)

Rear rotor

160mm (SRAM CenterLine XR / Paceline RT-PLN-A1 on Force build; Shimano RT-MT800-S on GRX build)

Wheelset

Front wheel

ZIPP 303S carbon hookless tubeless-only (top wheel option) / Fulcrum Rapid Red 500 DB alloy / Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 DB 2-Way Fit Ready

Rear wheel

ZIPP 303S carbon hookless tubeless-only (top wheel option) / Fulcrum Rapid Red 500 DB alloy / Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 DB 2-Way Fit Ready

Front tire

Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H TLR (40-622)

Rear tire

Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H TLR (40-622)

Cockpit

Stem

Colnago CC.01 integrated cockpit (regular or wide geometry depending on build)

Handlebars

Colnago CC.01 integrated cockpit (regular or wide geometry depending on build)

Saddle

Option depending on build: Prologo Scratch M5 Nack 140 Hard Black or Selle Italia SLR Boost SuperFlow Carbon Rail (top build); Prologo Dimension or Selle Italia Novus MG (other builds)

Seatpost

Carbon seatpost, 0.15 offset, D-Shape section

Builds

The C68 Gravel is offered in three 1x12-speed electronic builds, all utilizing the same modular carbon frame, integrated cockpit, and T47 threaded bottom bracket. The entry point features Shimano GRX RX820, paired with a 42T chainring and a wide-range 10-51T cassette. This build rolls on alloy Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 wheels.

The mid-tier option moves to SRAM Force XPLR AXS, utilizing a 40T chainring and a tighter 10-44T cassette. This build also relies on alloy wheels, stepping up slightly to the Fulcrum Rapid Red 500. Reviewers note that at this premium price point, the inclusion of aluminum wheels on the lower and middle builds leaves room for an immediate upgrade to match the frame's potential.

The flagship build is equipped with SRAM Red XPLR AXS, maintaining the 40T by 10-44T gearing. Depending on the exact configuration, this top-tier model upgrades to carbon Zipp 303S wheels, aligning the rolling stock with the luxury positioning of the frameset. All builds are finished with 40mm Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H tires and a carbon D-shape seatpost.

Shimano GRX 1x

$8,000

Sram Force eTAP AXS

$9,600

Sram Red XPLR eTAP AXS

$13,200

Selected

Reviews

Reviewers consistently characterize the C68 Gravel as a highly responsive machine that successfully translates a classic road racing pedigree to the dirt. On pavement and smooth gravel, the frame delivers immediate power transfer, with testers noting a "racy feel well suited to high intensity sprints" (Signaturecycles). This stiffness does not seem to result in a punishing ride, as multiple reviewers highlight the frame's ability to mute high-frequency chatter and maintain composure over broken surfaces.

When the terrain turns technical, the bike leans on its cyclocross-adjacent handling. The front end is quick enough to navigate tight singletrack, allowing riders to "slice through the turns without washing out" (Bike Rumor). However, testers agree that the bike has a distinct ceiling. The 42mm maximum tire clearance acts as a "hard utility limit" (Slowtwitch), meaning riders pushing into rocky, mountain-bike-style trails will quickly find the edge of the bike's capability.

The primary tradeoff noted across reviews is the exceptionally high cost of entry. While testers universally praise the ride quality and Italian craftsmanship, they acknowledge that the pricing places it in a luxury tier where value is measured in exclusivity and heritage rather than component specification.