The brand new Colnago V4Rs hasn’t precisely been the best-kept secret on the planet. Actually, the prototype precursor, dubbed the Prototipo, had what amounted to an unofficial launch. Each the outdated mannequin and the prototype have what could be respectable palmares for any bike, with the previous clocking up a number of victories at grand excursions and Monuments, and the latter podiuming on the Tour and selecting up Il Lombardia too. It’s onerous to dispute that, on paper no less than, it’s one of many greatest highway bikes in the marketplace. You’d definitely hope that’s the case given it has a price ticket north of €15,000 within the UAE Group Emirates spec mannequin I bought to journey in the course of the launch…
Whereas I solely bought to journey it on the launch day for round 85km, we did pack in lots of elevation, together with ascending the Coll de Charges twice, as soon as from either side. Plus I managed to sneak an additional 50km within the following day through the use of it as what often is the world’s most costly commuter bike to go and {photograph} some WorldTour bikes from different groups that had been having their winter coaching camps in Spain. That is very a lot a first-ride evaluation, however all being effectively, I hope to have the bike again early within the new 12 months to place it via its paces in a extra acquainted setting.
Design and aesthetics
The V4Rs very a lot resembles the V3Rs, and the intermediate Prototipo, visually at any price. Colnago doesn’t have an aero bike and a light-weight bike, it as a substitute has a motorcycle for execs (the V collection) and a motorcycle to “make the easiest feeling” (the C collection).
The V4Rs is, as we all the time count on, lighter, stiffer, and extra aerodynamic. Our information piece for the new V4Rs covers all the important thing particulars about exactly the place it’s lighter, stiffer and extra aerodynamic, so if you wish to nerd out on it I counsel you head there. The brief model is that the entire bundle (bike and rider) is a claimed 19-20 watts sooner at 50km/h, in addition to coming in a lighter bundle; 47g lighter for the body, fork, headset and cockpit bundle. In addition to the stiffness on the rear, the principle positive aspects in weight and aero seem to have been made on the entrance finish with the brand new built-in cockpit and lighter fork.
Specifics and wattage claims apart, as these are roughly unattainable to confirm, the ethos of the bike seems to be very a lot pro-facing. The presentation, given to a small gaggle of biking media after breakfast on the UAE Group Emirates resort in La Nucia, was unashamedly pro-facing. The bike has developed to extra simply win on the highest degree, and it doesn’t seem that there was any consideration for the non-pro customers.
Whereas lighter, stiffer, and extra aero definitely have impacts on how a motorcycle rides, so does the geometry. The V4Rs is longer by way of attain than the V3Rs, 5mm longer the truth is, which is critical for 2 frames nominally the identical dimension. To be able to counteract the elevated size the chainstays have been taken in by 6mm, and the headtube steepened up by a half-degree.
An extended, extra stretched out, and due to this fact extra aero place was the goal, dictated by professional suggestions and maybe the implementation of the ban on the pet paws driving place. The cockpit too has added to the attain, with it being longer; not a lot within the stem, however within the distance from the place the stem clamp could be, if it weren’t a monocoque one-piece system, to the hoods. This does have driving implications, as we’ll get to.
Earlier than we get into the touchy-feely, contentious world of aesthetics there may be the matter of the componentry. The professionals on the UAE group are presently getting used to the shift (pun supposed) from Campagnolo Tremendous-Document EPS to Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and Enve wheels. It’s pretty widespread within the professional peloton to see Shimano-sponsored groups additionally sporting Shimano wheels; choosing Enve as a substitute seems to have been a choice based mostly on aero testing. All the highest wheel choices had been examined each by Colnago on the Milan Polytechnic wind tunnel and individually by UAE Group Emirates on the Silverstone Sports activities Engineering Hub within the UK, with Enve ending up as the choice. This does fly within the face of our unbiased aero wheels wind tunnel testing, however that was carried out previous to the latest Enve SES wheel launch, and our take a look at was undertaken in isolation, unbiased of a motorcycle, so on this case we might need to take Colnago’s phrase. In any case, my take a look at bike got here with not Enves, however a stunning shiny pair of Fulcrum Wind 40s. Colnago was at pains to level out that it’s ‘agnostic’ with regards to componentry, and the client can have no matter they need. To additional this level, every journalist current had a unique wheelset.
Aesthetics then? A tough one at the very best of occasions however much more so for an Italian model with a heritage as wealthy, and a fanbase as dedicated as Colnago. The group spec bike, whether or not for the boys or the ladies, is predominantly simply uncooked carbon to avoid wasting grams. The identical may be seen on the planet of gravel with the Issue Ostro Gravel, and in the event you like black bikes then it’s manna from heaven. There are refined silver fade particulars to intensify sure elements of the body, however on the entire, it’s fairly a plan bundle. Elegant? Sure. Somewhat boring? Additionally sure.
Don’t neglect it is a €15,000 Colnago, it ought to trigger people to faint upon catching a mirrored image of it in a passing automobile window. For me, it doesn’t have the visuals of a Colnago, within the group spec or within the block black, white or pink variations of the frameset both. It’s protected, it’s conservative, it’s a paint job from a enterprise capitalist consortium and never one thing conceived over a late lunch with half a bottle of Barolo. Let the professionals save their grams, however please enable my coronary heart to be set aflutter. Let me have Nathan Haas’ customized G3-X paint job.
Efficiency
This part can be devoid of any point out of the groupset. Because of freezing situations over most of Europe (however happily not Benidorm), the take a look at fleet solely arrived the night earlier than we rode out, and as such, I used to be plagued with skippy gears. It’s Dura-Ace, it’s the head of Shimano shifting, and I’m comparatively assured that when arrange by a well-rested and sufficiently caffeinated mechanic with greater than 12 hours to construct a fleet of bikes, it might carry out excellently; our separate Dura-Ace evaluation confirms as such, however in both case, I’ve taken any drivetrain efficiency out of my judgement.
My first impression of the V4Rs was really fairly underwhelming. It felt noticeably longer than my long-term Canyon Final, and much much less nimble. The attain is just 2mm longer, however mine was specced with a 110mm stem and reachy bars, and having the steering enter to date in entrance of the steering axis slows the dealing with down. That is compounded by a head angle that’s 0.8 levels slacker, although I’m informed that is regular for a Colnago. “Predictable” was the phrase used most frequently to explain the dealing with, and I believe that’s fairly spot on.
I don’t need you pondering it’s some sort of barge, as a result of it isn’t. It’s a particularly gentle, very stiff, Tour de France degree race bike, however upon first driving the turn-in, notably on tight corners and hairpins, wasn’t as quick as different race bikes I’ve ridden. Keep in mind although, it’s onerous to offer a motorcycle you’ve solely ridden for an hour the Full Monty on an unsighted descent on moist roads. In additional open, sooner cornering it’s joyous, although it doesn’t essentially encourage you to alter your line. It corners prefer it’s on rails, however it is advisable select your monitor earlier than you enter the flip.
Climbing is the place it feels most wonderful, to coin Invoice and Ted’s phrasing. The brief chainstays and stiff rear maintain issues noticeably environment friendly. I believe an inline seatpost would enhance issues for many riders, particularly on steeper terrain to maintain the burden centralised. Tadej Pogačar himself would agree, given he is operating his saddle slammed ahead past its restrict. As is all the time the case with these early rides, my setup wasn’t precisely how I’d need it, however given time I think I’d have the Selle Italia slammed ahead on its rails too.
First impressions are a harmful factor on this sport although, and shouldn’t cloud one’s judgement. Fortunately, Colnago let me maintain maintain of the V4Rs to hoon round Alicante between different group camps, which definitely caught the eyes of some mechanics and different execs alike. I managed to squeeze in one other 50km or so, hilly they had been too, and issues modified a little bit, notably at pace.
Our first take a look at journey was on technical roads, it had just lately rained, and my tyres had been contemporary and too onerous. On my second journey I let some air out, the roads had been dry, and I used to be capable of commit a little bit extra to every nook. At larger speeds, the dealing with that was at first a little bit dulled livened up. At speeds the place my Canyon can change into a little bit nervy, the V4Rs continued to encourage confidence; this included drafting an oil truck for 10km at round 50km/h. The preliminary lean-in to every nook was nonetheless wanted a trifle earlier, however in quick, onerous cornering, it felt extraordinarily sure-footed.
That is the crux of the matter for me. Sure, you should purchase this bike when you have a spare €15,000 kicking about, however except you’re going to journey it quick and onerous, it’s not going to be a very rewarding expertise. I’m reviewing this from the standpoint of a biking journalist; a eager, match, and comparatively competent beginner bike owner, with an emphasis on beginner. I can not converse from the standpoint of a professional, and at 31 years outdated I think I by no means will, however I’m inclined to imagine the constructive suggestions from the professionals that usually leaves me stuffed with scepticism.
Worth
It’s €15,000. Fifteen thousand. That’s an extremely giant sum of cash to spend on something. It’s a deposit for a home, it’s a automobile, and it’s nearly sufficient to purchase two of these Canyon Ultimates. For fifteen grand you need no matter you purchase to offer you adequate serotonin to get you thru no less than three reasonably harsh winters. I don’t assume this bike will do this. In case you gave me fifteen grand and insisted I purchase a motorcycle with it, I would not purchase this. I’d need to journey at my restrict to get the very best out of it, and I don’t journey at my restrict usually sufficient to justify it. I haven’t ridden the C68, however I strongly suspect that will be a greater use of your cash.
Verdict
I overheard a sentence that I initially thought was unnecessarily snobby over dinner. I’m paraphrasing, however the essence was that different producers make bikes for customers that execs additionally journey, whereas Colnago makes bikes for professional racers. I don’t assume that is completely true, however within the case of the V4Rs, it definitely has a core of relevance.
The V4Rs has been designed for execs and this reveals out on the highway. Whereas you should purchase it as a client I believe that except you’re racing at a excessive degree, or no less than driving repeatedly at an equal tempo, you’ll wrestle to get probably the most out of it. What’s extra, it doesn’t have the ‘icon’ issue of different Colnagos. It’s fairly unashamedly a motorcycle for execs from my preliminary impressions.
