Bicycle manufacturers guide: Colnago Bicycles

We are the first and only ones in Lithuania to sell Colnago bicycles, so it's time to introduce them in more detail. You've probably seen Colnago on the podiums of the most prestigious cycling races, but there's much more to know about this manufacturer — its philosophy and bike production processes make it truly unique. Let's get acquainted.

Colnago — History and Values

Colnago has been creating exceptional racing bicycles since 1954 in Cambiago, near Milan, Italy. At the start, when the company was managed by Ernesto Colnago, it gained fame for its high-quality steel bicycles, which were ideal for challenging races.

Over several decades, the company became one of the most creative bicycle manufacturers and received recognition for design innovations and experiments with new materials, including carbon fiber, now the most popular material for bicycle frames. The Colnago C40 carbon bicycles were the first to appear in professional cycling competitions, proving that this, then-new material, could win even on the challenging cobblestones of Paris Roubaix.

By 2024, Colnago bicycles had won 14 Grand Tours (Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a España), 405 stages of these races, 27 world championships, and 18 Olympic gold medals. Currently, Tadej Pogačar with the UAE team contributes the most to Colnago's reputation, showcasing outstanding victories at the Tour de France and other competitions.

What Makes Colnago Bicycles Unique?

Colnago themselves say they are driven by the Italian passion and desire to win. Therefore, this manufacturer has a very narrow specialization and aims to lead in selected bicycle categories, producing high-class TT (triathlon and time trial), road, and gravel bikes.

All Colnago bicycles are made to order, so every owner of a Colnago bike can choose the most suitable configuration and receive a completely unique bike. Another distinctive feature of Colnago bicycles is the handcrafted process — the frames are formed from layers of carbon fiber sheets, meticulously hand-layered. These extremely lightweight and durable frames are painted with high-quality paints that not only create a unique bicycle design but also enhance aerodynamic properties.

Aerodynamics is an important area of research and innovation for Colnago. They design their latest bicycles in consultation with professional cyclists and continuously test each component to achieve the lowest possible resistance when pedaling under various conditions. Every new Colnago model released to the market is more refined, lighter, and more stable.

The Most Popular Colnago Models

Colnago has four main bicycle lines: V – road bikes, C – road and gravel, G – gravel bikes, and TT – triathlon and time trial. Not many know that they still offer their classic steel bike "Master" for collectors and vintage bicycle enthusiasts. Below, we will tell you about all the main contemporary Colnago bike models and their unique features to help you choose the right one for you.

Colnago C68 and C68 Road

The Colnago C68 is the latest bike in the C line, considered iconic for its design and features. Considering the evolving needs of cyclists, Colnago transformed the C68 to accommodate wider tires: the road C68 comes with tires up to 32 mm, while the gravel C68 can be used with tires up to 42 mm. Therefore, the C68 suits road, endurance, and gravel cyclists. Italian bike enthusiasts recognize the modular C68 frame from afar — this bike stands out in design. C68 bikes are sold in several classic color combinations.

Colnago V3 and V4

According to Colnago, V stands for Velocità (Italian for speed) and Victory (English for victory). V bikes are primarily designed for road racing, featuring a monocoque carbon fiber frame. Monocoque frames are very stiff, lightweight, and durable. Stiffness is especially important for road bikes, as this characteristic allows for efficient power transfer while pedaling seated, standing, uphill, or downhill. V models are ridden by Tadej Pogačar and the UAE team. Both the V3 and the newer V4 models ensure highly stable performance. The V3 model comes with tires up to 28 mm, while the V4 accommodates up to 30 mm, as the V4 model introduces an updated fork design that improves the bike's aerodynamics.

Colnago V4Rs

The V4Rs is the most advanced Colnago bike to date — the result of scientific research and experimentation. The prototype of this bike was tested during the 2022 Tour de France. The V4Rs was first equipped with an updated fork and an improved handlebar design — the most aerodynamic combination created for energy savings when riding at the front of the group or alone. Like other Colnago bikes, the V4Rs can be purchased with the desired group set.

Colnago G3-X

Colnago says about the G3-X: "This bike demands to be ridden fast." The manufacturer doesn't hide that they have many ambitions with the first Colnago bike model designed exclusively for off-road and gravel riding. Inspired by the performance of the V series, this gravel bike is extremely lightweight and maneuverable, comfortable on fast tracks, and capable of covering long distances. Like all other Colnago models, the G3-X frame is made of carbon fiber and is monocoque.

Velonova – Official Partner of Colnago Bicycles

We are proud to introduce Colnago to the Lithuanian market. We personally meet with every customer who purchases a Colnago bike to agree on the desired configuration and bike delivery time. Typically, after placing an order, the bike reaches Lithuania within 8-10 weeks. We invite you to explore the entire range — from the most luxurious Colnago models to simpler configurations offered at competitive prices. If you have any questions, contact us or come to talk at our store at J. Baltrušaičio g. 1, Vilnius.