Cinelli and Rapha

The Cinelli XCR Criterium Racer is a new interpretation of our top of the range steel offering designed in collaboration with influential cycling clothing brand Rapha.
In the four years since its launch in 2006 Rapha has remapped the aesthetic face of the cycling world, bringing to life not only a new refined style to highly technical professional cycling apparel but also reviving a classical appreciation of the sport – a sensibility which Cinelli, with its storied past, all too happily shares.
The XCR Criterium Racer is the 100% Made in Italy expression of a shared sensibility between our two companies: a frame made from the most technologically advanced bicycle steel on the market, built to race-specific geometries all completed in a timeless paired-down style.

The tubeset

Columbus XCR is a seamless stainless steel tubeset which represents the height of steel bicycle technology. It was introduced with Trafiltubi, in 2007, and has quickly become the signature tubeset of the world’s best high-end framebuilders.
XCR has superior stiffness/weight and UTS/weight ratios than any titanium and aluminium alloys currently used in bicycle manufacturing. The tubes are seamless and thanks to the optimal attitude in cold deformation it is possible to draw triple butted tubes with a minimum wall thickness of 0,4mm. Being made from a stainless steel originally developed for French naval armour the tubes are also entirely corrosion resistant.
These extraordinary technical characteristics allow Columbus to draw a signature tubeset for Cinelli with diameters as great as 38,0 mm in the down tube producing a frame that is not only exceptionally light (1440g in 54cm size) and resistant but also stiff enough for the most powerful competitive racers.

The geometry

The XCR Criterium Racer, as the name suggests, has been designed and built with a specific kind of racing in mind. Not only is the strength and everyday toughness of the tubeset suited to the rigours of criterium racing but so is its geometry.
Immediately visible are the almost “pista”-tight clearances of the rear triangle, more subtle are the higher bottom bracket height and upright steerer tube angle; all tuned to the specific requirements of crit racing; sudden accelerations, high-cornering loads and ultra responsive handling.
Full geo

How to purchase

Price of XCR Criterium Racer (frame&fork only) is 3500 Euro ex works + shipping. It is a limited edition of 30 pieces a year with estimated delivery time of 4 months. Frame is available in 1cm by 1cm size increments as well as the made-to-measure option (PLEASE NOTE: the made-to-measure option does not allow for any variation on the criterium geometry).
To order you will be required to pay the initial deposit of 1000 Euro after which we will contact you to finalise the order. The remaining amount plus shipping is to be paid once the frame is ready for shipping.

Shipping

We will ship worldwide. Please note that customers may be sunject to duties and sales tax depending on their location.
Full shipping prices