Cinelli King Zydeco II Apex

The new Zydeco aims to do everything well

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£3,999 (UK-only build)

Weight 9.35kg (L) Frame Columbus carbon fibre monocoque Fork Columbus Futura Cross, carbon fibre Groupset SRAM Apex XPLR AXS Wheels Mavic Allroad Disc Tyres Schwalbe G-One All Round Performance RaceGuard, 700c x 38mm Finishing kit Cinelli Allroad Carbon cockpit (42cm/100mm), Cinelli aero carbon seatpost, Prologo Dimension T4.0 saddle

The new King Zydeco takes the go-fast design principle of the original and brings some more aerodynamic tube shapes and a reduction in overall weight.

In Cinelli's words, it's "perfect for UCI gravel races, ultra-distance racing, fast mixed-terrain rides and winter training". That sounds like a one-bike solution to us, and if it lives up to its billing, it could be one of 2025's best buys.

A fine balance

Cinelli build the King Zydeco II frame based on their 'double response system'. If you draw a line from the top of the head tube down to the rear dropout, everything below that is optimised for stiffness. Everything above the line is constructed to bring more compliance, according to the brand. It's most obvious when you compare the above-the-line skinny flattened seatstays with the thick boxy chainstays below the line.