The Colnago road bike - highest quality Made in Italy
The history of Colnago began in Italy in the municipality of Cambiago, located just under 20 kilometers northeast of Milan, where the company still has its headquarters. Ernesto Colnago started in a small shop and continues to lead his company with pride and passion. This innovative workshop not only specializes in road bikes but also offers bikes for triathlon, gravel bikes, e-bikes, and timeless classics like the Arabesque or the Colnago Master. The Colnago Master, a true classic, first debuted in 1980. As the originator of the first carbon road bike in collaboration with Ferrari, Colnago has proven its durability, boasting a resistance value 5x higher than specifications. While Colnago is known for its carbon frames, it also provides options with aluminum frames. In the early 2000s, the iconic Ferrari was celebrated with the CF1, limited to just 500 units, featuring a special monocoque road bike frame and carbon fork. The Colnago racing bike, equipped with a sophisticated carbon frame and top-tier components from Campagnolo, is perfect for racing enthusiasts who push their limits. Among the standout models are the Colnago V3Rs with its monocoque frame, the value-oriented Colnago V3 that still delivers high performance, the Colnago CLX, which strikes an excellent balance between stiffness, lightness, and comfort, and the Colnago Concept frameset. The Colnago CLX Carbon is a high-performance bike featuring a monocoque design. The name Colnago Concept first emerged in 1986 with one of the earliest full carbon frames and resurfaced in 2016 with the introduction of the true aero road bike frameset at Eurobike in Germany. These ultra-light carbon framesets are available in various sizes to accommodate riders of all heights.
Additionally, the lineup includes the Colnago C60, Colnago C64, and the Colnago E64 Performance. The Colnago C64's development spanned several years, while the E64 Performance bike features the same monocoque carbon frame, with the added benefit of an electronic drive. Colnago bikes often draw comparisons to those from rival Italian manufacturers like Bianchi and Cinelli, each with its own merits. Established in 1885, Bianchi focuses on high-end bicycles, while Cinelli is headquartered near Colnago and Campagnolo in Milan. In 2020, Tadej Pogačar made history as the first Slovenian to win the Tour de France, joining cycling legend Eddy Merckx, who achieved this feat in 1972, also on a Colnago road bike. Pogačar capped his success by defending his title the following year.
Excellent components selection of manufacturers from around the world:
Colnago partners with top component manufacturers including Campagnolo, SRAM, Shimano, Visiontech, Pirelli, Prologo, and Continental. With Pirelli's headquarters also located in Milan, alongside Campagnolo, Prologo, and Deda Elementi, these close relationships facilitate seamless communication. Campagnolo is celebrated for its high-end components and announced a continued partnership with Colnago in February 2021 to supply the UAE Team Emirates, supporting their defense of the Tour de France title that year.
Derailleurs & brakes
The groupsets on Colnago bikes include components from Campagnolo, SRAM, and Shimano. For the Colnago C64, you can choose from several groupsets, including the Campagnolo Super Record EPS, Shimano Ultegra Di2, Shimano Dura-Ace, or Campagnolo Chorus. The Campagnolo Super Record is not only known for its durability but also as one of the lightest groupsets available. Campagnolo's advanced technologies ensure top-notch traction, maximum braking power, and ease of use. Shimano's Dura-Ace represents the pinnacle of performance in the road bike sector, without compromising speed or riding experience. In the Colnago V3RS and V3, riders can opt for SRAM's Force eTap AXS, as well as Shimano Ultegra Di2 and Campagnolo Chorus, the latter also providing high performance with excellent value. If pedals are not included, they can be added separately to your cart. Traditional rim brakes have gradually been replaced by disc brakes, which deliver superior braking performance, particularly in wet conditions. Rim brakes, while simpler to replace, are unlikely to compete with the superior stopping power of disc brakes. The Colnago C64 Disc is an example featuring disc brakes, denoted by the English abbreviation "Disc.” Compatible brakes from Campagnolo, Shimano, or SRAM supplement the shifting groups.
Saddle / seatpost & handlebars
Colnago uses proprietary products for the seatpost, such as the Colnago Aero Carbon, which excels in aerodynamics and lightweight design. For saddles, options include Prologo's products like the Prologo Dimension Data or collaborations, such as the Prologo x Colnago Scratch 2 CPC PAS Tirox. Handlebars and stems are also sourced partially from Colnago, including the Colnago R41 Carbon handlebar and the Colnago SR9 Integrated stem, or as a set from Deda Elementi, such as the Deda Zero 2.
Wheels / rims / hubs
For wheels, Colnago integrates products from Vision Tech and Campagnolo, such as the Vision Metron Carbon 55 SL and Campagnolo Bora Ultra 50. Pirelli and Continental are favored for tires due to their renowned quality and long-standing reputation across various racing sectors, including automotive and motorcycle racing and even Formula 1.
Which bike from Italy is the right choice for me:
Are you seeking a classic bike that has stood the test of time, a performance road bike for maximum output, or an option for triathlons? Perhaps you want to venture off the beaten path. Colnago's Ice & Fire V3Rs represents the ideal road bike, similar to the High Performance Endurance Bike from the V3Rs Capsule Collection, ridden by Slovenian pro and Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar. For triathletes, the Colnago K.one has been wind-tunnel tested for optimal handling at high speeds. Adventure-seekers will appreciate the Colnago G3-X gravel bike, which is designed for both gravel roads and long rides, and heavily echoes the V3RS in its construction. Classic offerings like the Master X-Light, an iconic steel-framed bike, and the Arabesque coexist with e-bike options such as the Colnago E64 Performance and Colnago E-GRV.
Still undecided between the models? The buycycle team is here to assist you in selecting your dream bike. If you are looking for budget-friendly options, you can explore road bikes under $500, road bikes under $1,000, road bikes under $2,000, road bikes under $3,000, road bikes under $4,000, and road bikes under $5,000. For women looking for a perfect fit, check the women's road bikes. If you're particularly interested in carbon road bikes under $2,000, those options are available too.
