So that's it, the completely cable-less bike! The Osnabrück wheel manufacturer received a rare pre-series product C14 there to grab it - Shimano's brand new Di2 lever for hydraulic brakes, which hardly anyone even at the Stuttgart importer Paul Lange has seen. In keeping with the season, the cross-country fans created a really advanced cross bike with the exclusive parts, which in turn got their hands on the Velomotion editors. Without wanting to anticipate, one thing is already certain: This bike should be the dream of every rider who is sporty on the road with a cross bike.
//Equipment and practice
This has already settled the first question: With the Cross Pro SL the Osnabrück-based company does not aim at all-round athletes who want to convert their crosser into an everyday bike. That's what the aluminum model is for Cross Comp with threaded eyelets on the fork, which is available in a total of eight frame sizes. The SL on the other hand, is a pure piece of sports equipment, which you can also see from the wheels and tires. Vittoria tubular tires stick to the deep carbon rims, which can be ridden with very low air pressure and offer a lot of grip and good cornering behavior without having to fear punctures. It is also the wheels that account for most of the weight advantage that the C14 has over cheap aluminum crossers: A simple aluminum wheelset with Schwalbe folding tires for disc brakes weighs almost 700 grams more than the carbon wheelset from C14, which of course also with minimalist clamping axles and a light Dura-Ace-Cassette provided. Our 55 test bike weighs less than 8,1 kilos without pedals, only slightly more than the cross machines used in professional cross-country sports.
To Ultegra 6870 Di2 are joined by Shimano brake calipers, which are based on the current Deore xt based. The dropouts of the fork, which are open at the front, optimally absorb the torque acting when decelerating and also serve to easily insert the brake disc into the caliper. The cooling fins of the IceTech brake pads, which are intended to prevent overheating during continuous braking, are clearly visible. This is rarely necessary when used cross-country, but there is nothing to prevent it CrossPro can also be used on the street. At least not the geometry, because with a 72-degree steering angle and only minimally extended wheelbase, only very sensitive cyclists will feel the difference in handling compared to thoroughbred racers.
Off-road, the C14 proves to be extremely lively. It can be steered over roots and through ruts with a light hand. It responds to powerful acceleration with immediate propulsion. You also feel safe on steep descents, although the rider is positioned quite far forward thanks to the steep seat tube angle. If you are going up steep hills, you have to bring your weight far forward to keep the front wheel on the ground.
The function of the gears and brakes can only be described as perfect. It's already on the street Di2 a revelation; in the terrain, however, where all concentration is lost for the route, one is all the happier not having to pay too much attention to shifting gears. Especially the smooth change between the chainrings is fun – if the C14 had been fitted with the combination 50/34 instead of the 46/36, which is rather untypical for a crosser, we would probably have switched back and forth at the front all the time. A different translation can of course be ordered in the C14 web shop.
As far as the brakes are concerned, we can give the all-clear: fears that the hydraulic discs could be too snappy given the less pronounced tire grip on the Crosser are superfluous. The smooth-running Shimano stoppers can be dosed very well; The transition area between sliding friction and static friction can also be felt with a strong grip - so unintentional blocking of the wheels is not to be expected. Phenomena such as fork wobbling, which many cantilever brakes cause, are of course a thing of the past with disc brakes. Apart from the additional weight that the discs (still) bring with them, you only have advantages with the modern brake system.
The newly shaped, smooth-surfaced STI lever feels very good in the hand; the optical and haptic difference to the mechanical model is not even big - only that the new handle with its flat metal plate on the "hump" is even nicer.
With the C14, the work is done to route the rear hydraulic line in the top tube - very nice, because this way the bike looks even smoother and is easier to grip, for example when you lift it over an obstacle. Rather old school, but tried and tested, are the bolted bottom bracket and the front derailleur clamp, whereby a derailleur clamp is always the safer option. A catch arm is attached to prevent chain jamming.
The unusual cross-sectional jump in the top tube is intended to combine steering head rigidity with comfort in the rear end – something that seems to work from the driving impressions, because despite the 31,6 post, the C14 doesn’t feel hard at all. Incidentally, the support with an easily accessible wheel for the exact inclination adjustment of the saddle is very practical. The battery is inside the carbon support Di2-Circuit. The Syntace handlebar has a slight backsweep, which is nice if you ride the tops a lot.
The people of Osnabrück call for 4.190 euros for that Cross Pro SL Disc in the tested version - quite tolerable in view of the state-of-the-art technology that the bike offers. There are many ways to save; Exchanging the wheels for ones with aluminum tubular rims, which are only slightly heavier, brings in around 500 euros, and a detail such as the noble Dura-Ace cassette can also be dispensed with if necessary - the optional structure offered by C14 makes it possible. The frame set alone costs 1.199 euros (frame/fork 1.120/420 grams according to the manufacturer). If the green on the C14 doesn't meet with approval: the decorative color of the carbon frame is of course freely selectable.
//Conclusion
The luxury crosser convinces with equipment, performance and weight. Gears and brakes are future-oriented, without real loss of functionality, significant savings can be made in price.
//Product highlights
- State-of-the-art combination of gears and brakes
- Low weight suitable for competitions
//price and web
- 4.190 Euros
- www.c14-bikes.de
Leave a Comment