Cinelli Superstar Disc Road Bike Frame

Though most road bikes these days generally fall into one or another category – aero, climbing, endurance – the Cinelli Superstar Disc proudly explodes all preconceived marketing tags that someone might want to slap on it. Rather, the designers at Cinelli wanted to make a modern carbon superbike with the same all-round pro qualities that classic racing bikes had in the days of steel.

Cinelli Superstar Disc - Classic Aesthetics with Modern Performance

Looking at the bike, you can see that mix of the classic appearance with a few kinks here and there. The top tube and the chainstays in particular have a slight bend in them to increase rigidity while allowing for a natural shock absorbing deformation of the material when roads are bad. In fact, the carbon layup that the Superstar Disc has received appears to be where most of the magic is happening for this bike. Cinelli has taken a look at where they can enhance the rigidity and shock absorbing properties of the material while keeping the weight racing lean and the handling aggressive and responsive, in the best Italian tradition.

They have been careful to use different grades of carbon within the layup according to the requirements of each section of the frame. They have also shaped the tubing so that the carbon lines can remain completely straight, enhancing the strength without needing to use more material. The molds have also been carefully treated with external and internal PU moulds being used during the carbon curing process. That means that greater compression forces can be used on the carbon which results in requiring less resin, keeping the weight down and the strength high.

The role of the head tube of any bike can often be overlooked, but with the Superstar Disc a lot of the comfortable ride quality and the sharp handling is a direct result of how much care the designers at Cinelli took when making their decisions about the front end of this bike. They focused on what they are calling their Geometry Controlled Deformation or using the natural properties of carbon and the tube shapes as a way to make the ride quality even more comfortable. The way the bowed top tube meets with the head tube allows for the front end to dampen the vibrations from rough roads or hard pothole hits while the 72.5° head tube angle promotes predictable handling over rough surfaces. The agility and feedback you get from the front end will work in tandem with the stiff rear triangle, also aided by that kinked 407mm chainstay.

The lightweight of the carbon frame and the responsiveness of the handling make the Superstar Disc a joy to ride when climbing. You’ll find yourself just itching to shift it into the big chainring and accelerate out of the saddle on climbs that you used to just churn up. And then, with the lively handling and the braking advantage of disc brakes, once you have a chance to point the Superstar downhill, you will be sweeping through descents like a Nibali.

Complete Builds and Customization Possibilities of the Superstar Disc

The Cinelli Superstar Disc is available in complete builds with Shimano Dura Ace, Ultegra Di2, or mechanical Ultegra. Of course if you just have to pair this Italian beauty with some Italian components, it is also available as a frame ready for you to build your dream machine.

Also check Pinarello road bikes.