In Review: 2016 Guerciotti Lembeek Disc Cyclocross Bike

Last year at this time, we got out first look at the new Guerciotti Lembeek Disc Cyclocross Bike that was ridden by the Kalas-NNOF team, which included the now returning cyclocross star, Elle Anderson. The pro bike was the same green and black used by the team, and was fully equipped with SRAM and ZIPP components to create a marriage of European and American design and technology.

Now a year later, we have a Lembeek Disc of our own to test, courtesy of the North American distributor, Zar International.

Guerciotti is an established name in European cyclocross, certainly deserving of being equated to legendary companies such as Alan. A few decades ago, Guerciotti sold one of the winning-est frames ever made, co-branding a bonded aluminum Alan frame that dominated in Europe and even National Champion Don Myrah piloted for many years and still raced when he returned to racing. And old timers may remember Jonathan Page racing on a Guerciotti in Europe in 2003/2004 while he was a National Champion.

Guerciotti Lembeek Disc Cyclocross Bike. © Andrew Reimann / Cyclocross Magazine

In 2011, Guerciotti cyclocross bikes were reintroduced to the United States, and years later, the Lembeek model went under a full redesign, also incorporating disc brakes into the mold to suit growing European tastes to a technology that has long been dominant in America.

Guerciotti Lembeek Disc Frame:

Unlike Anderson's pro bike from last year, almost everything about our model feels European. Certainly the color palate of the bike plays a role. The clear coat above a thick carbon weave is accented everywhere with the red, white and green of Italian heritage.

But there is more overseas flair than just a surface touch. The bottom bracket stands higher than my old 2013 Giant TCX Advanced SL with a mere 4.9cm drop and due to the compact nature of the top tube, potential buyers should be sure to look over the geometry charts before picking out their frame size. The geometry of the frame is nearly the antithesis of another bike we are reviewing for Issue 31, the Cannondale SuperX. With the top tube measuring out at 54.5cm for our 57cm frame size, the Guerciotti's top tube is actually 5mm shorter than Cannondale's top tube for the 54cm sized frame they have us test. As the Guerciotti's seat tube angle is a little less pronounced, the actual reach on both bikes are nearly identical.

With a taller seat tube that already starts a little higher off the ground, along with a generous 155mm tall head tube, the Guerciotti has a compact, tall geometry that will likely receive love from cyclocrossers who demand some Old World charm with their steeds. The 42.5cm seatstays has become rather common on most cyclocross bikes, and we measured the Guerciotti's total wheelbase at 103.2cm.

Guerciotti Lembeek Disc Build:

Our test bike is built up just as it will be available all over the United States, with Shimano Ultegra mechanical 11 speed with Shimano CX77 mechanical disc brakes. Although it had become popular for builds to use CX70 cranks to keep the price low (and accommodate a BB30 frame), I was pleasantly surprised to see the latest Ultegra crankset on the build, which helps cut down the weight.

The rest of the build includes FSA alloy components for the handlebars and stem, along with an FSA single bolt seatpost that we are a little concerned with due to the possibility of the saddle shifting on that single pivot as it has done to us in the past. The build is finished off with a set of Ursus Athon aluminum wheels and Racing Ralph cyclocross tires.

Use the slider below for pictures and the full spec list. Stay tuned for our full review. more info: zarbikes.com, or email info [at] zarbike.com