First Look: Cipollini NK1K Disc

Good news, the march towards our annual Euro Issue is in full stride and one of the bikes we have lined up is the truly stunning Cipollini NK1K Disc. Made in Italy with superb craftsmanship through-out, our test bike was outfitted with the full compliment of Italian go-fast components: Campagnolo Super Record EPS electronic drivetrain with the Super Record hydraulic disc brakes and Bora One carbon clinchers mounted with Vittoria Corsa tires, ProLogo saddle and 3T stem and handlebars.

What’s that you say? You don’t know who/what/or where a Cipollini is? Long before the sensational Peter Sagan electrified the bike world and kept us on the edge of our seats with brilliant, elbow-to-elbow, sprint wins, there was the one – and definitely the only – Mario Cipollini. The Super Tuscan rose through the ranks on some top Italian teams before finding his first great publicity and race winning platform with Saeco Cannondale. Eventually he later hitched a ride with Specialized with more success, before closing out his career on a Bianchi.

Years after he quit racing, the always flamboyant “Cipo” would go on to align himself with a big Italian effort to lend his name and talent his own bike brand. As was his appeal in his race days, Cipo has remained as outlandish as they come, his ego and affinity for showing-off his naked body the only thing that might outsize his muscular body.

But the bike, ah yes, what about the bike?! We just got our hands on the Cipollini NK1k and although we were hoping for the ice blue colorway, the bike still gave us plenty to stare at with its flat black carbon frame.

THE NK1K MODELS