Pierrick Fédrigo’s Colnago C59

BBox Bouygues Telecom is one of a handful of teams now to have the latest version of Colnago's legendary C50, in the shape of the C59. The details are slim on the ground for this new frame but the C59 uses internally reinforced tubes, particularly in the down and top tube, to resist torsional flex when sprinting and climbing.

A beefed up fork adds to these measures, and the rear has not been forgotten either, with rectangular-profile oversized chainstays to keep flex to a minimum.

Also new are internally routed cables entering at the head tube and emerging underneath the bottom bracket for the front and rear mechs. There's also a flattened surface for mounting a Shimano Di2 groupset battery, although Bbox uses Campagnolo.

It seems fluoro yellow is the colour of the moment for Italian manufacturers, with both Colnago and Wilier Triestina machines at the Tour sporting the same attire surely a fashion faux pas.

Fédrigo's bike has not been held back in the equipment stakes, sporting full Campagnolo Super Record and Campagnolo Bora wheels shod in Hutchinson tubular tyres, though they look like rebranded Veloflex, a pro favourite.

Lightweight FSA K Force bars and oS 115 stem make up the front end, while a Prologo Scratch TR Pro saddle with the company's carbon Nack rails provide the perch.

Time has previously supplied bikes to the team and continues to provide pedals, with Fédrigo using top-of-the-range Time I-Clic Titan.

Internally reinforced seat tube and down tube keep torsional flex to a minimum when out of the saddle pedalling and sprinting ideal for sprinters like Fédrigo

FSA K-Force and oS-115 stem continue the lightweight theme on the front end, with cabling looking neat and tidy thanks to the internal routing

The full Campagnolo Super Record groupset keeps things lightweight

Internal cables emerge from a slot underneath the bottom bracket for both the front and rear mechs. Also included under the BB is space for a Shimano Di2 battery

Hi-spec Colnago comes with Campag s much sought after Bora wheels, with Hutchinson tubular rubber

Slow on the uptake? The C59 is the first bike from Colnago to sport internal cable routing

Photos: Andy Jones & Pressesport



This article first appeared in Cycling Weekly magazine Thursday 22nd July 2010.