Condor’s Italia RC Disc sees cables and hoses sprout from the handlebar before disappearing into the frame.
But the new Italia RC Ltd, a limited-edition version of the aluminium race bike, features fully integrated cable routing.
The Italia RC Ltd comes in a striking lilac paintjob and features a new seatstay design.
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“Clean and uncluttered”
While integrated cable routing can be divisive, Condor says it gives the Italia RC Ltd a “clean and uncluttered aesthetic” and contributes to “improved aerodynamics by reducing drag”.
The aluminium road bike is available with a two-piece bar and stem combination from Deda, ENVE, Condor or Pro. It will also be available with a colour-matched one-piece carbon handlebar.
Condor has increased the size of the head tube on the Italia RC Ltd to accommodate the internal routing.
“This ensures that brake hoses run smoothly without kinking or bending, an issue we've often observed on bicycles serviced in our store workshop,” it says.
But Condor also says the new 1.5in head tube provides front-end stiffness that “translates into razor-sharp steering precision”.
Semi-dropped seatstays
Another difference between the fully integrated Italia RC Ltd and the standard version is the seatstays.
These are “semi-dropped” rather than meeting the down tube at the same point as the top tube.
“Unlike fully dropped designs, our seat stays are positioned to retain some of the bicycle's traditional, elegant lines, ensuring a familiar and pleasing aesthetic,” Condor says.
“Yet, this subtle drop isn't just for looks. By lowering the attachment point on the seat tube, we achieve enhanced vertical compliance, allowing the seat post and seat tube to flex more effectively.”
Condor has also “custom-forged” the seatstays by flattening the tubes to create a wider horizontal profile. It says this increases lateral stiffness compared to a round tube of the same weight.
Custom-drawn aluminium
It’s not just the seatstays that are custom, but all of the Italia RC Ltd’s tubing.
The bike uses 7000 series aluminium for its strength-to-weight ratio, which Condor says allows for “thinner and lighter, yet stiff and durable frame construction”.
Condor hand-welds the tubes and assembles each frame one at a time, rather than on a production line. Condor says this enables its builders “to use less material at each join and dedicate greater attention to detail, ultimately enhancing the ride's overall quality”.
“At Condor, we’ve always believed that aluminium never quite got the recognition it deserved at cycling's highest level,” the London-based brand says. “When crafted correctly by skilled artisans using a precise selection of aluminium alloys, it delivers a ride that's both smooth and incredibly lively.”
Condor claims the Italia RC Ltd frame weighs 1,500g, painted in a size 55cm with fixings and bolts. The carbon fork adds 350g.
Elsewhere, the Italia RC Ltd has a T47 bottom bracket. Condor uses threaded bottom brackets on all its bikes for ease of maintenance and says the T47 aids power transfer.
Tyre clearance remains the same as the standard Italia RC at 32mm.
How much does the Condor Italia RC Ltd cost?
At £1,499, the Italia RC Ltd frameset costs £100 more than the standard Italia RC.
Condor has provided a range of example builds. Pricing starts from £3,762 for an Italia RC Ltd with Shimano 105 Di2 and rises to £7,861 with Campagnolo Super Record Wireless 13-speed.
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