Review: Colnago V1-r

Colnago is a brand with deep roots in the history of bike racing. There are few names with a similar level of prestige. Following the recent release of the C60, a more traditional, lugged, carbon-fibre frame, Colnago looked to modernize. The result is V1-r, an aero road bicycle designed in collaboration with Ferrari, a partnership that has been in place for 30 years.

Colnago’s main goal was to ensure that its aero road bike wasn’t a converted time trial bike, but rather a bicycle that stands alone as a versatile machine with improved aerodynamic performance compared to the C60. Safety and strength were also top concerns during the development process. At 835 g, the frame is lightweight, although not the lightest. Colnago claims they could have made it even lighter. However, they were not willing to shave weight in lieu of strength.

Some of the distinct features of the Colnago include the company’s proprietary bottom-bracket system, which uses a removable metal sleeve. Colnago is against any direct-to-frame bearing systems to save weight. The company feels the benefits of such systems don’t compare to the performance and durability of a metal, sleeved system. The V1-r’s seatpost is also proprietary – rounded on the front and square toward the back. Colnago had originally planned to use a classic 27.2-mm round post. Instead, designers went with the truncated-airfoil shape to stay true to the aero project.

The braking system on the V1-r is a direct-mount system; the test bike used Shimano’s Dura Ace 9010 directmount brakes. Colnago plans to put out a proprietary brake that it says will be lighter than anything available on the market. The V1-r frame will also be available in a disc-brake format.

Once I got my position dialed correctly on the test V1-r, it didn’t take long before the bike felt natural to ride. On the local club rides, which are typically spirited, the bike was responsive. When I pushed out of the saddle on short, steep climbs there was no delay or spongy feeling: the bike simply responded and felt efficient. The complete Dura-Ace 9000 build was certainly a complement to the frame. With stiff wheels and flawless shifting, sharp unexpected accelerations felt like less work. I simply jumped and was on the wheel I wanted to be on.

I prefer my bikes to feel pretty racy and the V1-r certainly responded like a true race bike.

I prefer my bikes to feel pretty racy and the V1-r certainly responded like a true race bike. The geometry of the bike enabled me to sit in an aggressive race position. Nevertheless, there was ample room to make the fit a little more relaxed. Riding uphill felt fantastic. On descents and corners, the bike felt assured and solid beneath me. It only required a few turns on its maiden ride before I was really leaning through the apex of my favourite corners.

The V1-r is a fantastic race bikeand a worthy alternative to the C60. The C60 remains a dream bike, while I feel the V1-r’s versatility and more modern design make it well suited for those weekend warrior rides. It’s eye-catching and a true bike-racer’s bike with enough versatility to be used on any ride.