Cipollini Escalates TT War With NUKE ‹ PELOTON MAGAZINE

    

Aug. 30, 2014 – The launch of Cipollini’s new TT bike, the NUKE, has us intrigued because no bike surprised us more this season than Cipollini’s road bike, the RBK1000.

Ben Edwards Peloton/photos: Cipollini

Like the man, the bike announces itself with an enormous amount of style and hype, and, like the man himself, it takes all of that style and hype and follows it up with incredible substance. Beautiful road manners, supersonic descending ability and incredible power transfer for the big, strong rider.

It is with this in mind that we looked at the NUKE time-trial bike. While at first glance it might appear like a slew of other time trial bikes, Cipollini has developed a few interesting features we haven’t seen before.

Like all Cipollini bikes, the NUKE was not only designed in Italy but it also was truly manufactured in Italy, which is rare these days. The majority of Italian-made carbon is tube-to-tube (Carrera) or tube-and-lug (Colnago). Cipollini is the only Italian brand doing full monocoque frames in Italy, and like the RBK1000, the NUKE uses a recipe of high modulus carbon — t1000 and t800 carbon, plus a bit of 1k weave in strategic areas.

The bike is not a full monocoque like the RBK1000; the front monocoque is bonded to the rear, but that bond is anything but traditional. Called the AtomLink, the chain stays are not simply bonded to the back of the bottom-bracket shell — they wrap completely around the bottom bracket, using a lock-and-key fit to assist the bonded joint then the crank spindle itself further reinforces the entire area. It’s a new solution we wouldn’t be surprised to see used in other bikes soon. Cipollini bikes only, though — it’s patented.

This design gave Cipollini the room to truly integrate the rear brake into the chain stays themselves. There is no need for a bolt on faring or flaring of carbon to shield it — it’s actually in the stays and totally out of the wind.

The front brake is integrated in the same way, native to the fork blades, not bolted on to the front then shielded. Of course integrated brakes can be dodgy when it comes to stopping, so we’ll have to wait for a test ride before we weigh in on function.

The stem is in line with the top tube, cleaning up the all-important initial airflow as has become the aero fashion. Cipollini has put its own spin on it with the stem’s bar clamp. Instead of using the entire stem to change base bar height, the clamp itself can be flipped to increase bar height creating fit options without harming airflow and aesthetics quite so much. Another very nice touch is the internal routing of cables or wires through the stem itself for a track-bike-clean front end.

Of course missing from all the info on the NUKE is wind-tunnel data. The bike certainly appears narrow, clean, low, and aggressive, but how it stacks up to the current crop of superbikes we don’t know. Which of course is really what it’s all about. (We’ll update you with that information as well as pricing and availability in the U.S. when we get it.)

We’d imagine the bike does very well in the tunnel, though, like the RBK1000 before it, we expect to be very pleasantly surprised by the NUKE’s substance. As for that Cipollini style? Well, the bike is sexy, no question, but check out the teaser and launch videohere.

Pure Cipollini gold.

Cipollini RB1K reviewed

 By Matt McNamara for PEZ CYCLING NEWS

While Mario Cipollini’s bicycle brand has been proving itself at the ProTour level of racing for a few years now, they’ve only recently taken aim at the US market by signing Florida-based Speedbrands LLC as the new US distributor – who offered us a ride on Team Nero Sottoli’s Francesco Chicchi’s personal 2013 race bike – the RB1000. The RB1000 is Mario Cipollini’s flagship racer, and as you’d expect from modern cycling’s most prolific Giro stage winner, it’s built for speed. But to truly appreciate this bike, one must also appreciate the Italian art of ‘machismo’ – maybe it’s an equatorial latitudes thing, but while all latin cultures seem bestowed with a certain base sex-appeal, the Italian version of this is without equal, and for those of us on the outside… it’s what dreams are made of. The swagger, the confidence, the pure magnetism… While we rode our tester a couple months back, the RB1000 was on display and on the roads of Ireland under the Neri Sottoli Yellow Fluo team at the 2014 Giro d’Italia. Our actual tester was last year’s ride for Francesco Chicchi… The RB1000 is indeed an all round race bike – worthy of the ProTour, but also aimed at fast riders everywhere, well… fast and rich riders everywhere. At $10K+ for a full bike, you won’t see a lot of these on your club ride. Waiting on Cipo When I first heard that Cipollini was starting a frame company I was immediately cautious, dubious even. It seemed awfully easy to lend his name to the project; an enviable brand looking to capitalize on the fame wrought by “Super Mario” in a market place where innovation is more often a tag line than a mantra. Why not license the name, sit back and cash checks? So when I got the call to ride an RB1000 for mile after mile I was as excited for the trusting nod in my direction as for the bike itself. While waiting for the bike to arrive I did a only modest amount of research, avoiding other reviews in an effort to be “unbiased” in my appraisal. I checked the website and thought my initial concerns had been born out, at least visually. Here was a bike with too many curves and too much carbon to be a “real” race bike. Sure, it looked stiff, but that’s a given for any bike competing at ProTour levels. Then I dug a bit deeper and came away enthused at the prospect of what was soon to arrive at my door. Our tester was used. By Francesco Chicchi to win two stages at the 2013 Tour de Langkawi. To begin to understand this bike it is important to understand a little of the man himself. “Super Mario” changed cycling. Known for flamboyance, he was the first rider to wear a full yellow ensemble as leader of the 1997 Tour de France – Helmet, Jersey, Shorts, Glasses, Frame…the whole canola. He was the first to have a dedicated ‘train’ for sprint leadouts. Mario is still very involved in cycling, and shows up at most top level events, like the Giro 2014 stage 5 start in Taranto. You probably already know of the various kits and stunts he pulled over the span of a 16-year career, and it would be easy to dismiss “The Lion King” as simply a showman for his grandiosity, except… he won a lot and was a consummate professional in his preparation and dedication. His record 42 stage wins at the Giro are well known, as are his 12 Tour de France stage wins and the 2002 World Championship & Milan San Remo victories. Yet, he also won the Italian National Championship in 1996, Gent Wevelgem three times, and a plethora of stage victories in smaller stage races like Paris Nice, Tirreno-Adriatico, and the Tour Mediterranean. One hundred ninety one trips to the top step of the podium certainly affords him the street credibility to make a race bike. Keep It Italian The RB1000 is a fully fashioned Italian machine. While most manufacturers turn to Asia for production of their carbon bikes, Cipollini opted to stay Italian from start to finish and the results are impressive. Design concept to engineering, molds, layup, build, painting and final assembly – are all sourced from a series of craftsmen and artisans across Northern Italy on a fairly limited production schedule. The frame & fork are made in Italy using Toray’s U.S. manufactured T1000M46J carbon, who say it’s “the Worlds highest tensile strength carbon fiber”- whose thinner fibres and higher tensile strength allow for a lighter, stiffer frame. Even with a few ProTour-acquired nics, the frame finish and workmanship is easy to appreciate. The result is a monocoque front triangle mated to the seat & chain stays that has a level of production quality routinely missing in mass produced assembly lines. This attention to detail created a purpose built race frame meant to excel across a wide range of terrain, but there is also an artistic element in the lines of the bike. The RB1000 at the 2014 Giro d’Italia stage 2 start. While the RB1000 is the flagship model, the other rides in the range also boast proprietary & different layup schedules. The molds are all Cipo’s 100 percent, so you won’t find some similar looking knock-off popping up on your next Ebay shopping trip. It is lovely to look at from stem to stern. Outta The Box The box it arrived in was huge and sported a giant “Made in Italy” label that offered my first twinge of excitement as I stuffed it into the car. Here I had for my personal use the flagship RB1000 used by Francesco Chicchi, Vini Farnese (now Yellow Fluo) pro and double stage winner at the 2013 Tour de Langkawi, and I couldn’t wait to get out on the road. Upon unpacking the first things that stood out were the fluoro graphics and bright fluoro saddle, making the bike look cool straight away and spot on with current trends. The bike is also available in at least nine different color schemes – something you just don’t see from the mainstream brands. While the tube shapes are not traditional, they’re designed with the purpose of both Italian-styled looks and racer-required ride qualities in mind. The medium sized frame weighs 1050 grams – no fly-weight by today’s measure, but what some might consider extra girth is same stuff that improves ride qualities and makes the frame more durable. The headtube is a very compact 115mm housing a 1.5″ bottom headset bearing – short and stout to create a very solid front end. It’s connected to a traditional flat top tube instead of the sloping “fastback” model so popular now. For reference the “Large” has a similarly compact 127mm head tube, clearly an intentional design element of the bike and its nod to a more aggressive riding position. The massive full-width box section downtube creates one of the stiffest bottom bracket junctions I’ve ever ridden – and it’s awesome! It matches volume with the large seat tube bottom and tall chainstay cross section to form a structure built to withstand as much torsional energy as you can throw at it. It works as this is one of the stiffest bottom end’s I have ever ridden. The rear stays are a thing of beauty that fly in the face of the current trend of micro-thin comfort-ride seatstays. Cipo’s are deep section eye-catchers that look like they’re designed to eliminate rear wheel deflection so that not one single rider-produced watt is wasted. The beauty of acquiring a bike at this level is that you can order virtually any spec you want. While most of the frames sold in the US are just that – frame set only, Joe Roth of Cipollini USA confirmed they’ll build the bike with any gruppo, wheels, or components you want. This of course allows ample room in ride-tuning, where your choice of wheels (and tires), bars & stem, & saddles can make a huge difference. Chicchi’s bike came adorned with components from the home country including Campagnolo Shamal Ultra wheels shod with Vittoria Open Corsa CX tires, a Selle Italia SLR saddle, and an Aluminum FSA SLK bar (44cm) and stem (120mm) combo, whole a Shimano Dura Ace Di2 drive train rounded out the bike. I presume Shimano carried the day due to team sponsorship last season, or maybe it was the killer sprint shifters… Bike setup was as expected as well with the typical pro’s choice of bars ‘slammed’ and just 1cm of stack height left. The Ride The first few pedal strokes brought an immediate smile. The bike begged me to step on the gas. Every stomp produces forward drive and picking up speed is a simple question of torque. The box section down tube, and similarly styled seat tube, both act to stiffen the bottom bracket and translate effort into speed. There are LOADS of similarities between today’s top end bikes, but the geometry for The RB1000 is definitely not shared by many. That super short 115 head tube (with a token 1cm spacer) mated to a 73 degree head angle is just as uncommon for a “Medium” as the 74.5 seat angle. Mate that geometry to a solid fork and you have handling that might best be described as “immediate”. Thankfully the frame’s stiffness, both front and rear are exactly what the doctor ordered as a weaker/ more flexible bike might tend to be overwhelmed by the forces you can generate with a steeper, more front loaded handling package. Where this bike shines is cornering and descending. Though not a particularly short wheelbase at 990mm, the rear wheel tracks almost immediately to any lean input. Counter-steering is unnecessary. The chainstays are a fairly typical 405mm, so I think we can look at the 74.5 degree seat angle for clarification. Some people have likened the Cipollini to a time trial bike, and my guess is that the seat tube angle and small stature of the bike is why, but I find it to be much more crafty than a staid and boring TT rig. This bike zings, zips and carves with confidence and enviable agility. What goes down had to go up first and the RB1000 is a pleasant surprise on climbs. Yes, the aforementioned low bar position had me standing with a slightly lower than normal body position but provided a comfortable and powerful stance. While seated, I rode it on a series of climbs ranging from 3-4 minutes all the way out to around 40 minutes and found this position nearly always afforded me quality return on my pedaling investment. It’s a pro-level race bike and should be regarded appropriately – while this makes for an exhilarating ride, it can be fatiguing on a long jaunt for those not accustomed. For me the stiffness was not an issue, I rather liked it, but I might like to have a wider rim and tire combination on a personal bike to help soften the varied impacts that arise on a ride. This would not be my everyday bike if I were only doing endurance events. The Final Verdict Francesco Chicci and I are of similar stature, if not accomplishment. That glaring dissimilarity aside, I would argue that we both find the RB 1000 to be a perfect balance of fantasy and practicality. Envisioned as a pure race bike the Cipollini RB1000 is every bit the essence of what I expect from “Super Mario”. Low, quick, agile and stiff, the bike is perhaps too easily dismissed as a race specific steed by those who have read only passing reviews or heard the shop chatter. Dig a little deeper and you will find a bike that is a pleasure to ride on the varied terrain of our day to day. As at home on steep climbs and twisting fall lines as a four corner criterium, the RB1000 (US$6995 frame/fork) is built to thrill on whatever terrain you tackle and is the rightful showpiece for the Cipollini line. Ever the savvy marketer, Cipollini knew that this bike would not be perfect for all, so he created a range of bikes, five models in all, to meet the varied needs of today’s rider. Ranging from the slightly longer head tube of the Bond, to the more laid back geometry of the Logos, and the super light “climbing” RB800, Cipollini has a model for most riders, including a gorgeous track bike for the true connoisseur. The bikes are not cheap, starting at $4,995 and rising to nearly $7,000 for a frame and fork, and while some buyers might find this price point out of reach, to others it’s a bargain for an Italian-made, hand finished work of high-performance art bearing the name of one of modern cycling’s legendary figures. Learn more about the bike and brand in the US by visiting www.CIPOLLINIUSA.com.

Neri Sottoli warm up with Cipollini

The YellowFluo team warms up with Cipollini bikes

Cipollini and FFWD wheels... cool look!

New @FFWDwheels F6R's for this @mcipollinibike @CipolliniUSA RB1K! #ffwdwheels pic.twitter.com/c2bBzQD4I5
— FFWD Wheels USA (@FFWDwheels_usa) June 3, 2014

Giro d'Italia is here and Cipollini is present!

Cipollini bikes present in the 97th edition of the Giro d'Italia with Bardiani - CSF Pro Team. Watch this amazing video featuring our 100% Made in Italy Cipollini Bikes.


A Dream in Pink 2.0 from Bardiani - CSF Pro Team on Vimeo.

Cipollini USA website - new look and new design!

Have you seen how our website looks now? 

Check out our new look and our USA models with the coolest designs!

Road Bike Action Review - Cipollini RB1000

Peloton Magazine has been reviewing a Cipollini RB1000. We think the picture is pretty cool...

@cipolliniUSA RB1K. Actually made in Italy, not just assembled or painted in Italy. Verona, Milan,… http://t.co/idp9vWjU2o
— testrider (@testrider) April 14, 2014

Bond... Cipollini Bond!

The Bond is the newest bike from Mario Cipollini's eponymous brand. Cipollini was known for being fast, outspoken and stylish, and his passion for the bike seems to have crystallized in the new Bond.

Cipollini builds its frames by hand in Italy, and the Bond’s monocoque main triangle is mated with the independently constructed rear end using a patented Atomlink process, which, disappointingly for Ian Fleming fans, is the bond in question.

Beefy asymmetric chainstays envelop each side of the bottom bracket shell, creating an efficient BB386 EVO unit that sets the bearings as wide apart as possible, while allowing for stiff 30mm axles.

Want to ride in a pro bike race? Cipollini’s Bond gets the UCI’s seal of approval…

The flattened seatstays meet the teardrop-shaped seat tube as a monostay above the rear wheel cutout, keeping the rear triangle tight, while the triangular top tube and diamond-shaped down tube meet in a muscular head tube that supports the deep-bladed fork.

The Cipollini RB1000 was a hard-as-nails flyer, so it was a relief to find the Bond compliant and composed. It’s fast enough for almost anyone too, but while some super-stiff frames offer a great response and agricultural feel, the Bond trades some absolute rigidity for suppleness, so it conforms to the road surface rather than skipping across it.

Over patchy tarmac, comfort is admirable, and when cornering or descending, the impressive road feel builds confidence, and subsequently speed, while rock-solid stability keeps you relaxed in the saddle, better able to exploit the involving handling.

Where the flattened seatstays meet the teardrop-shaped seat tube

The Bond is a stylish, engaging ride, with comfort that you’ll appreciate after hours in the saddle, with safe, precise and immediate handling and more than enough speed to satisfy most riders.

Framesets available in the USA at $4,495

Check out this video of Mario himself riding a Bond

This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio. From Bike Radar

"I wanted to challenge Cipollini’s claim to have built “the ultimate weapon...” Cipollini fan Review

Cipollini. That name is just foreign to anyone who has not been in the cycling scene long enough to know what it means or who it is. I’m guilty of that. Cycling for me is not about who wins races or what team is the best, but it is about the advancements humans have achieved with our minds. Our imagination and desires can drive us to create innovations beyond our physical limits. This… is one of them.

The Cipollini RB1000 or RB1K is not your typical looking bike. At first glance, one might wonder if its a Time Trial bike, an Aero Road bike, or maybe, even a spaceship! You can’t tell what it is designed for by the shape of the tubes, but, one thing’s for sure - it looks fast. Prior to this full blown Cipollini experience, I have always used the Pinarello Dogma 65.1 as the benchmark to compare all my ride experiences. In my opinion, the Dogma 65.1 has a great balance of power  output, handling, braking, and comfort.

As someone who has been blessed with the opportunity to test many different frames, I feel that it is my duty to provide a review, on any frame, that gives the reader a good sense of how it may ride like in various conditions and scenarios. This way, I can provide a more concrete review with reasons why one should or should not believe “all that hype.” I must state, at this point, that I did NOT want to like this bike. My goal was to find flaws in the design, not because I have anything against Cipollini, but because I wanted to challenge Cipollini’s claim to have built “the ultimate weapon.”

To ensure proper feedback, I made sure to dial in my fit. The drop was the only difference in the attempt to mimic the fit on my own Dogma 65.1. Since the demo bike had a steerer that was already cut super low, instead of my usual “recreational” rider drop of 2.5”, it was at 3.8”. The difference isn’t drastic but definitely not what I am use to. This proved to be no issue. The comfort of the bike was surprising considering how the publicity on this bike made it seem like it would rattle your socks off no matter how you set it up; unless the pavement was perfect.

The word often used to describe this bike is “fast” and that’s exactly how you feel within the first few pedal strokes on this bike. It shoots out from under you as if it’s trying to buck you off its saddle. The acceleration is so unexpected that you immediately tighten your grip ever so slightly as you take your first pedal strokes. This feeling is not exclusive to this bike: Pinarello Dogma 65.1, Eddy Merckx EMX-525, BMC impec, Specialized Venge, BMC timemachine TMR01, and a few other frames have given me the same “crotch rocket” feel. However, amongst these great frames, the RB1000 would be one of my top 3 picks.

As I reached my first climb, I prepared myself for torture since climbing is not an advertised forte for this frame. I kept a comfortable cadence and conversed with my buddy as we kept riding up. The 3-mile climb averaging 5% grade usually takes me 15-18 minutes. The same time was achieved with far less effort and before I knew it, I was at the top of the hill! I looked back in disbelief and realized I had no complaints on this climb! Typically, the first thing I would notice is how well a frame performs climbing IN saddle. Being 180lbs means every bit of flex can be more noticeable for someone my size. The RB1K showed no sign of weakness in this department. I was able to achieve the same segment time with a taller gear and feeling less winded than usual.

Then comes the fun part, the descent. I got into the drops and started bombing down the hill! The bike steered with ease, dove into the turns with no deflection of the front wheel, tracked straight and true through the corner and allowed me to start pedaling the second I’m comfortable with my exit angle. Again, simply FAST in-and-out through turns, switchbacks, and sharp corners. The bike did exactly what it was made to do, to cover pavement. The brake balance on the Cipollini is incredible! Its short head tube, stiff fork, and the new industry standard of 1.5” bottom headset bearing all played a role in the frame’s short braking distance. Just like it’s incredible ability to accelerate, you must brace yourself for it’s phenomenal braking. Rolling hills and flat terrains had no other results than the combination of the above.

The comfort level on this bike is not as good as the Pinarello Dogma 65.1. With aluminum spoke wheels, it will definitely give your triceps and shoulders a slight workout. However, on a nice set of well balanced steel spoked wheels, such as the Sapim CX-Rays, this bike will provide a great amount of comfort. I tested the Cipo on multiple sets of wheels: Campagnolo Shamal Ultra Clinchers, Zipp 303 Firecrest carbon clinchers, handbuilt Chris King Classics on Velocity A23 rims with Sapim CX-Ray spokes, and Fulcrum Racing 5’s. In terms of performance, only the Fulcrum Racing 5 seemed to decrease the frame’s capabilities, whereas ride quality is the only difference in the other wheels.

The frame constantly demanded more from my legs, finding myself begging for a flaw on the bike to slow down. My 2 weeks of riding consisted of flats, rollers, and climbs with pavement ranging from flawless to desperately in need of TLC to ensure that I wrote a well rounded review. At the end of this 2 week test run, I found myself wishing I never got the chance to try out this bike. I gave up on fighting the desire for this bike and toyed with the idea of selling one of my bikes to purchase this Cipollini. The way it pulls, steers, brakes, and climbs just really shows that this is a bike that is designed to be fast. All in all, this bike was simply breathtaking.

Henry Chen - Cipollini fan and specialist

RB800 models available in the USA

Platinum

Green Fluo

Naked Matte

Yellow Fluo

RB1000 models available in the USA

White Red

Green Fluo

Yellow Fluo

Naked matte

News from Tour of Oman - Cipollini sponsored team Bardiani

Nicola Ruffoni

Bardiani - CSF Pro Team 6th in Stage 2, Tour of Oman
	Bardiani – CSF Pro Team continues with a great performance at Tour of Oman. Nicola Ruffoni proved his talent claiming 6th place in stage 2: Al Bustan – Quriyat of 139 km.  After the start the #Greenteam attacked and Paolo Colonna came into the decisive breakaway, with Ilesic (UCH) and Van Hecke (TSV) also yesterday in the break. The three riders set soon a good pace and gained 7.45 minutes after 45 km.  The first rider to cross the line was Alexander Kristoff (KAT) followed by Howard (OGE) and Boonen (OPQ). In the last meters Ruffoni found a space and placed himself in 6th place, while Fortin remained close at the barriers taking 17th position. Results Tour of Oman Stage 2, 139 km. 1. Alex Kristoff (KAT) 3.12.01 2. Leigh Howard (OGE) st. 3. Tom Boonen (OPQ) st. 4. Robert Foster (UHC) st. 5. Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) st. 6. Nicola Ruffoni (BAR) st.  17. Filippo Fortin (BAR) st.

Great week for Cipollini's sponsored team, Palazzago!

Great weekend for team Palazzago as the season starts. The race of over 100 kms. in St Geo Cup in Brescia culminated with first place for Luca Sterbini which brought excitement to thousands of people along the way. Ukrainian Marlene Zmorka, credited as one of the strongest in the world under-23, came in second. Excellent placings were also collected by Mark Chianese, third and Andrei Voicu who arrived fourth. 

Team president Ezio Tironi Great expressed great satisfaction: "The serenity and the seriousness invested by our group this winter is already producing results. I'm very happy with our organization and the group of guys who have accepted a major challenge working for our group."

Track cyclist Francesco Castegnaro is ready to race soon at the World Cup in Cali, Colombia.

BOND NAKED YELLOW FLUO MATT TEAM