Tadej Pogacar unveils his newest asset: the ultra-lightweight Colnago V5Rs frame, dubbed the lightest frame in Colnago's history
Colnago Unveils Lightest Frame Ever: The V5Rs
Colnago, the Italian bicycle manufacturer renowned for its high-performance bikes, has announced the release of its latest creation - the V5Rs. This bike is Colnago's redefinition of what an all-rounder can be, blending a lightweight chassis with aero refinements and razor-sharp geometry tuned for modern race dynamics.
The V5Rs is Colnago's lightest-ever frame, weighing 685 grams for an unpainted size 485 frame. This represents a 12.5% decrease compared to its predecessor, the V4Rs. The frame kit (frame and fork) weighs 1027 grams, putting it in the same weight class as the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 or Cervélo R5.
Improved aerodynamics are a key feature of the V5Rs. Compared to the V4Rs, the V5Rs boasts a 9-watt saving at 50km/h due to changes such as a new tube profile, slimmer fork blades, a drastically thinner seatpost, and a reduced frontal area.
To enhance handling and responsiveness, the V5Rs features slightly steeper head and seat tube angles, refined trail, and fork rake. The size-specific fork rake for the V5Rs is 47mm for sizes 420-510 and 43mm for sizes 530-570. The bike also offers two seatpost setback options: 0mm and 15mm.
Colnago made subtle adjustments to the geometry of the V5Rs to better accommodate modern riding positions and enhance handling. These changes, along with the bike's aerodynamic refinements, make the V5Rs 9 watts faster than its predecessor at 50 km/h in wind tunnel testing.
Prices for the V5Rs frameset start at $6,250 / €5,940. Complete builds start around €10,000 (SRAM Force) and go up to $16,500 / €15,990 for the top-tier spec (Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 with Enve SES 4.5 wheels).
The V5Rs was designed with aerodynamic learnings from the Y1Rs project. This collaboration with UAE Team Emirates and Tadej Pogačar ensured that the bike meets top professional racing demands.
Mathieu van der Poel, another professional cyclist, recently achieved an average speed of 46.841 km/h at Paris-Roubaix, demonstrating the potential of the V5Rs on the race track. With its lightweight frame, improved aerodynamics, and updated race geometry, the V5Rs is set to be a formidable contender in the world of cycling.
[1] Colnago V5Rs Press Release [2] BikeExchange: Colnago V5Rs Review [3] CyclingTips: Colnago V5Rs First Ride [4] Road.cc: Colnago V5Rs Review
The V5Rs, armed with its lightweight frame and improved aerodynamics, is a prospective participant in the world of road racing, showcasing its potential through Mathieu van der Poel's record-breaking speed at Paris-Roubaix. This innovative cycling machine is a testament to Colnago's integration of modern technology, seen in its collaborative project with UAE Team Emirates and Tadej Pogačar, that caters to the demanding needs of professional sports.
