The cycling season has barely picked up speed with the spring classics before superstar Tadej Pogacar has already attracted attention again and underlined his ambitions to win the double of the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France. The Slovenian's level of performance is all the more impressive given that his V4Rs from Colnago is not the very best equipment available in the World Tour. Above all, Pogacar and his team-mates around Nils Politt have a clear aerodynamic disadvantage: the 221 watts that the bike needs in the GST wind tunnel to reach 45 km/h is a below-average value according to the current state of the art. Comparable racing all-rounders require up to 14 watts less pedalling power to overcome their own air resistance at racing speed.
Colnago V4Rs: Tadej Pogacar's racing bike
In contrast to the test bike, Pogacar's workhorse is fitted with narrower handlebars from supplier Enve, but the gap to the fastest bikes is only slightly smaller. Otherwise, the potential is exhausted, with the V4Rs only gaining one watt on our reference wheels (Zipp 404). The top version weighs just over seven kilograms on the TOUR scales, while the Pogacar model saves around 200 grams thanks to numerous tuning parts from the Italian specialist Carbon-Ti.
In race trim with pedals, computer, bottles and transponder, we measured a total weight of 7.4 kilograms at last year's Tour de France. This puts it on a par with many competitor models; only classic mountain bikes come closer to the UCI weight limit when ready to ride. As a lightweight, Pogacar is unlikely to be bothered by the low front stiffness, but heavier riders such as noble helper Nils Politt will probably want a more stable base. The Colnago tends to be nervous, especially on fast downhill sections. In terms of suspension comfort, the V4Rs is one of the best in the peloton. We'd better keep quiet about the price.
Colnago V4Rs
- Price: 14,540 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 7.2 kilos
- Aerodynamics: 221 watts
- Frame sizes: 42/45,5/48,5/51/53/55/57 (test size bolded)
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 530/570/166 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 583/393 millimetres/1.48
- Wheelbase/caster: 1005/74 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Dura-Ace (2x12; 52/36, 11-30 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Pirelli P Zero Race (30 mm)
- Impellers: Enve SES 3.4
- Impeller weights: 1235/1575 grams (front/rear)
Colnago V3
The premium brand from Cambiago does not offer a really favourable alternative to the professional model of the V4R. Even the simplest version with SRAM Force AXS and aluminium wheels costs 7760 euros. If you still want to enjoy a bit of Italian racing flair, you might find what you're looking for in the V3. The three equipment variants of the competition bike, which is based on the V4Rs in terms of seating position, are built with electronic groupsets from Shimano (105, Ultegra) or SRAM (Rival) and share robust aluminium wheels from Fulcrum. The prices are between 4530 and 5580 euros.
How TOUR tests
Julian Schultz
Editor
