The world champion's new wheels: exceptional athlete Tadej Pogačar gets the honour of defending his title at the Tour de France (5 to 27 July) another new product: In addition to the spectacular aero racing bike Y1Rs Colnago presents with the V5Rs a new The successor to the V4R, which the Slovenian has already piloted to numerous victories in tours and classics. According to the traditional Italian brand, the new product has been optimised in terms of weight, aerodynamics and stiffness. Will this finally make Pogačar unbeatable?
Colnago V5Rs: The most important facts
- Weight of complete wheel: from 6.8 kilogrammes
- Frame/fork weight: 685/342 grams (unpainted, size 48.5)
- Aerodynamics: 9 watts faster than V4Rs (50 km/h, -15° to +15°, dummy)
- Stack/Reach/STR: 575/397 millimetres/1.45
- Max. tyre clearance: 32 millimetres
- Frame sizes: 42; 45,5; 48,5; 51, 53, 55, 57
- Prices: 10000 to 15900 Euro
The frame of the V5Rs is said to weigh just 685 grams in its unpainted state and small frame size (48.5). According to Colnago, this corresponds to a weight saving of around 110 grams compared to its predecessor. The fork is said to have slimmed down by around 30 grams and now weighs just under 340 grams. According to the Italians, the V5Rs is the lightest carbon frame in the company's 70-year history. For categorisation: For a painted frame of the V4Rs in size 53, we determined a weight of around 960 grams in the TOUR test. A specific complete bike weight is not known. Instead, Colnago states that "the lower UCI weight limit (6.8 kilograms, the ed.) with standard and even aerodynamic components".
For the weight tuning, Colnago relies on a new production technique for the frame: the resin-impregnated carbon mats, so-called prepregs, are placed around a plastic core, which is placed in the "baking mould" to harden and is inflated under high pressure. On the one hand, this process saves material, as lamination is also possible in a more targeted manner on complex connections and tight radii. In addition, the prepregs should not be able to move in the mould during baking, which leads to greater rigidity and better surface quality. A further weight saving is achieved by switching from the T47 to the BSA standard, which allows for a more delicate bottom bracket shell thanks to the smaller inner diameter.
In addition to the weight, aero tuning was of course also on the developers' agenda. After all, at 221 watts, the V4Rs was one of the slowest of the top competition bikes in the TOUR test. With the knowledge gained from the specialised Y1Rs, the frontal area of the new model has been reduced by 13 percent, among other things. The head tube is more filigree, especially in the transition to the cockpit, and the fork is slightly slimmer and better integrated. At the rear, the V5Rs benefits from narrower seat stays and a longer seat post. The overall system, measured with a full-body dummy at 50 km/h, is said to be nine watts faster than the V4Rs. Compared to the optimised Y1Rs, the all-rounder is said to be 16 watts slower. We have only been able to test the Y1Rs in the wind tunnel so far, the results and a detailed test report will be available in TOUR 7/2025.
In terms of stiffness, the V5Rs should remain at the same level as its predecessor. Colnago speaks of "Real Dynamic Stiffness", which has been optimised in various riding situations. "The result is direct feedback from the road, precision in all lean angles and support in sprint phases," say the Italians. The frame geometry has been minimally modified compared to the V4Rs and obviously adapted to Pogačar's aggressive riding style. The seat and steering angles are slightly steeper, which should allow the rider to transfer power to the pedals better and achieve an aerodynamically favourable riding position. Thanks to a shorter fork caster, the new race all-rounder can also be steered more directly around bends. According to the manufacturer's information on stack and reach, the Italo racer offers a comparatively moderate riding position.
Colnago V5Rs: Equipment and prices
Colnago is now offering the V5Rs at selected dealers in seven equipment variants. What all versions have in common is the one-piece cockpit manufactured in-house and the wireless shifting technology from Campagnolo, Shimano or SRAM. The basic model with Force AXS and Vision wheels costs 10,000 euros. For the top version, which is based on Pogačar's work equipment with Dura-Ace Di2 and wheels from Enve, a whopping 15900 euros are due. The frameset is available for 5940 euros. There is a choice of seven frame sizes and four colour options, including Pogačar's world champion paint finish.
- 10000 euros: SRAM Force AXS | Vision SC 45
- 10800 euros: Shimano Ultegra Di2 | Vision SC 45
- 11800 euros: SRAM Red AXS | Vision SC 45
- 12800 euros: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 | Vision SC 45
- 14700 euros: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 | Shimano C50
- 15400 euros: Campagnolo Super Record WRL | Bora Ultra WTO
- 15900 euros: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 | Enve SES 4.5
Julian Schultz
Editor
