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forum
BMC GF01 Disc vs. Colnago CX Zero Disc
Hello
I've lurked on road.cc for some time, but only now have registered. I hope that my first post, a call for help no less, isn't too jarring! 
I've been riding the same bike for over 16 years, and since this year I turned the big 'five zero' I thought I'd treat myself to a new bike. It's either that or completely replace the chain set in the old one since some of the teeth are barely recognisable!
Thinking of the type of riding that I do (mostly cycle tracks but some off-road gravel) I was thinking of a carbon frame endurance bike and narrowed it down to the BMC GrandFondo GF01 Disc (Ultegra Di2) or the Colnago CX Zero Disc (either Ultegra or Ultegra Di2). The GF02 as an alu frame is still a rank outsider.
Both seem nice bikes, with decent reviews. But has anyone here ridden them both and can comment? Of course, the best thing would be for me to test ride them both, and there's a BMC dealer just up the road. But there's no Colnago dealer within reasonable striking distance (although I can make unreasonable striking distance if it comes down to it). Overall, the Colnago looks the better deal (as an Ultegra build it's slightly more expensive than the GF02 but full carbon not alu, as an Ultegra Di2 build it's slightly cheaper than the GF01), and it's easier on the eye.
I weigh in at slightly the wrong side of 100kg, although aim to bring that down to slightly the wrong side of 90kg! Would that be too much for these bikes? (the kink in the seat stays of the GF02 has me a little concerned)
Thanks for any help you might be able to offer!
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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17 comments
As a codicil, of sorts...
My financial director (Mrs T.) has given permission for me to get the Bianchi. But Italy's on holiday, and the bike would appear here not until September. Which is leaving things a little late since I'm strictly a fair-weather cyclist. But start o next season...
Lucky man. I hope to be in your shoes this time next year. How about these guys though:
http://www.slanecycles.com/bianchi-c2c-infinito-cv-ultegra-di2-disc-bike...
This thing looks like it ticks an awful lot of boxes. With hydraulic brakes it could be an incredible all-rounder.
http://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/photo-gallery-saracen-avro-road-bike.html
That looks good, but if tuffy is looking at a CX Zero I reckon he may be fancying treating himself to something a bit special?
Come September you'll be spoilt for choice, Focus, Cannondale (Cad X will be disc only, lots of carbon disc Synapses), Specialized (Tarmac as well as Roubaix), GT Grade, Trek Madone to name but a few. I was really surprised that the Canyon endurance bike didn't come with discs too, I'd been assuming that was going to turn out to be why they were so slow in producing a more relaxed bike.
Indeed. Did you see project 6.8 from 2006:
https://www.canyon.com/_en/technology/project68.html
"Canyon is the first manufacturer in the world to develop a road race bike which features hydraulic disc brakes that are controlled by the brake/shift levers."
What happened?
At a guess, the rest of the world caught up and developed forks and wheels that could deal with uneven braking force. And now Canyon are releasing disc-braked bikes no different in design to the rest.
I like the nod to Spinal Tap in the Avro but you're right, while at first I was leaning towards BMC a look at the Italian bikes makes me want something less 'angular'.
Not sure that I'd be comfortable with something from a company that cannot spell 'specialised' correctly though!
Ahhh, if only Campagnolo catered for us tubby buggers living in mountainous regions. One of the attractions of the Shimano kit is that it does extend to 32 on the cassette. Good point on the hydraulic question, although the Di2 version of the CX Zero does have hydraulics.
As Tom notes, I'm really after disc brakes. But if that's not an issue for you, then I can see the attraction. Enjoy your new bike!
Good catch on the WH-6800s not being disc. But in my defence, it's an option here!
I could go for the frame-only option, which would give me complete freedom without wastage.
But that would leave me building a bike! 
Hi Truffy! Interesting post for me since I had been dreaming/saving for a Colnago CX Zero (Bianchi Infinito CV was on the shortlist too) for a while, but then finally changed my mind. The issue for me was that while certainly a great bike you could get a Canyon Endurace Pro for half the price with better wheels and groupset and in fact the Canyon was actually rated better! So I have ordered the Endurace cf Pro with Campagnolo Chorus groupset and Dt Swiss wheels and am looking forward to August........ the weight limit for the Canyon is 120kg. Have a look http://www.canyon.com/roadbikes/series/endurace-cf.html I think you will be impressed.
That doesn't have disc brakes though. I suspect that, like me, the first thing on Truffy's list was wanting those.
As for any of the 'premium' brands, there are a multitude of better spec'd bikes for less money, but currently very few of them have discs. Whether it's worth spending more on a premium brand is an entirely different conversation of course - you pays your money and makes your choice.
You probably should have campagnolo on a Bianchi or Colnago anyway! Kidding aside, the Colnago seems to have mechanical brake discs, if it were me I would definitely go for hydraulic, although until later in the year you are locked into ultegra DI2. The only thing all of these bikes are missing is a thru axle, so make the disc a perfect fit, and possibly safer, although as many people have noted there are plenty of mountain bikes with QR skewers and disk brakes.
And I've added a rank outsider to the mix, the Bianchi Infinito CV Disc. It's even easier on the eye than the CX Zero.
But how much? Even more than the GF01, that's how much.
And it only comes with a 11-28T cassette while both of the others stretch to a 11-32T, which is useful here. Yes, I could swap in a 11-32T but the that adds yet another CHF100 to the cost.
2.3kg? Crikey!
There seems to be three options for me: Shimano WH6800 (1.6kg); Colnago's Artemis (1.8kg); or DT Swiss (ca. 1.9kg). At least those are the best figures that I've been able to find without actually contacting the seller (which I'll do when I'm closer to a final spec decision). But the DT Swiss come in with a small price premium, which means that either I have those weights wrong, or the DT Swiss are made of gold.
Shimano WH6800 are the non-disc Ultegra wheels, so I suspect those weights are for the wheel options for the non-disc CX Zero.
Mine came with the Artemis 32mm deep rims on DT swiss 370 hubs, the weights with the rotors (about 100g each I guess) and rim tape, but without skewer or cassette were: Front 1150g, rear 1390g.
The Kinesis wheels are excellent for the money and unless the DT wheels upgrade has DT240 hubs the Kinesis will probably be lighter. The tyres go on easily and they have a 23mm external rim width, which gives you the comfier and more confidence inspiring wider tyre. I'm a total wide rim convert!
Of course, if you want to spend a bit more on your wheels then these might be of interest.... http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/components/wheel-sets/produc...
I have a CX Zero, it's a lovely bike but a bit overpriced in the UK in my opinion. It rides really nicely though.
The standard spec wheels weight a somewhat astonishing 2.3kg.. I swapped them for Kinesis CX Disc wheels (£260) which weigh a rather more acceptable 1.6kg - you do need new disc rotors too (6 bolt not centrelock) though if you go down that route. I'm not sure what the Colnago DT Swiss upgrade option weighs.
Personally, I'd wait until September if I was you and get a bike with the new mechanical shift/hydraulic brake Shimano set up.
The new Focus looks like a good deal: http://road.cc/content/news/121313-focus-launch-new-cayo-disc-brake-opti..., the disc Trek Domane also looks good.
Hi Kildafornia, thank you for your reply. I read somewhere (a US forum IIRC) that BMC doesn't set a rider weight limit (again IIRC that was posted by BMCUSA), but I sent a request for information from Colnago. I'll post back if I get a response.
I'm not chasing super-light, with my weight it's a futile exercise, but strength and comfort. As to wheels, even my heft should be no problem for any of those that you mention, except the Mavic. But I was thinking of DT Swiss, at least the X-1900 Spline is what comes with the GF01 and is a BTO option for the Colnago. They're aluminium.
Hi Truffy, my first post too so I hope you don't mind me sounding in! Some manufacturers have a rider weight limit (Bianchi 95kg), but I can't find one for BMC or Colnago. Colnago have an interesting policy if not chasing superlight frames; they state a frame should weigh minimum 1000g for safety. The GF01 is 995g, I'd say that complies.
New materials and processes like Bianchi and easton's nanotube claims to add more elasticity and strength to a standard carbon fibre lay up.
Having said that, it seems that the wheels are where you need to watch the weight limit you want more spokes on the drive side of the rear wheel, a high spoke count, and non-radial front spokes for that disc. Here are a few weight limits for some carbon wheels (aluminium might be different) Zipp 113kg. Campagnolo 110kg. Reynolds 113kg. Mavic 100kg. Fulcrum 109kg.