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Colnago has unveiled its latest road bike, the Colnago V5Rs, a model that arrives under significant expectations following the success of its predecessor, the V4Rs, and the radical aero-focused Y1Rs. The V5Rs aims to balance weight, aerodynamics, and stiffness, offering subtle yet meaningful updates to meet the demands of modern racing. Here’s a breakdown of the key features and improvements:
Weight Reduction
The V5Rs is lighter than the V4Rs, though it doesn’t aim to compete with ultralight climber’s bikes like the Scott Addict RC. Colnago credits advancements in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and carbon lamination techniques for the weight reduction. The frame now weighs 685 grams (down from 798 grams), and the fork weighs 342 grams (down from 375 grams), resulting in a total frame kit weight of 1027 grams, a 12.5% reduction from the V4Rs. While this is a solid improvement, it’s not groundbreaking in the context of modern lightweight bikes.
Aerodynamic Improvements
Colnago has leveraged its CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) modelling, developed in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano and Khalifa University, to enhance the V5Rs’ aerodynamics. The new bike features a slimmer head tube, redesigned fork blades, and thinner, deeper seat post and seat tube profiles. These changes reduce the frontal area by 13% compared to the V4Rs, resulting in a 9-watt drag reduction at 50 kph. Colnago claims the V5Rs’ aerodynamic performance is on par with many World Tour aero bikes, though the Y1Rs remains the brand’s dedicated aero option.
Stiffness and Ride Feel
Despite the weight and aero improvements, Colnago maintains that the V5Rs retains the same stiffness as the V4Rs. The brand also highlights its focus on ride feel, a hallmark of Colnago bikes. The switch to a BSA bottom bracket was made without compromising frame stiffness, ensuring a familiar and responsive ride quality.
Geometry and Tire Clearance
The V5Rs features subtle geometry updates. Smaller frame sizes (420-510) now have a 47mm fork rake (up from 43mm), and the head tube and seat tube angles are slightly steeper for a more forward-oriented riding position. The bike also offers increased tire clearance, accommodating up to 34mm tires (up from 32mm). The seat post is thinner and available in 0mm or 15mm setback options.
The Role of the V5Rs
Colnago positions the V5Rs as a versatile race bike that meets the UCI weight limit while offering improved aerodynamics and unchanged stiffness. The brand emphasizes that bike selection is no longer solely about elevation gain but also factors in average speed, wind, weather conditions, and the rider’s role within the team. This suggests the V5Rs is designed to excel in a variety of racing scenarios, complementing the Y1Rs’ aero focus.
Pricing and Availability
The V5Rs is available for order starting today through select dealers worldwide. Pricing begins at €5,940 / $6,250 for the frame kit, which includes the frame, fork, headset, handlebars, seatpost, and bottle cages. The CC.01 one-piece handlebar is an additional $900. Complete builds include:
- Dura-Ace Di2 with Enve SES 4.5 wheels: €15,900 / $16,500
- Ultegra Di2 with Vision SC45 wheels: €10,800 / $11,750
Both builds come with the CC.01 one-piece bar and stem.
Conclusion
The Colnago V5Rs represents a thoughtful evolution of the V4Rs, offering lighter weight, improved aerodynamics, and unchanged stiffness while maintaining the brand’s signature ride quality. While it may not be a radical departure, it’s a well-rounded race bike designed to meet the diverse demands of modern professional cycling. Whether it lives up to the high expectations set by the Y1Rs and Pogačar’s success remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Colnago is committed to refining its offerings for the highest levels of competition.
