Colnago has announced the launch of its all-new flagship C72 road bike, the latest revolution in the Italian brand’s iconic C series that boasts an entirely new platform.
“Guided by the concept of Perfectly Composed, the C72 represents a new synthesis of performance, craftsmanship and design. It is a top-tier road bicycle, our most prestigious model, one where every element is developed in harmony — structure, materials, geometry and ride feel working together as a cohesive whole,” says Colnago.
At the heart of the new C72 is a seven-piece bonded construction, relying on a series of external lugs that allow Colnago to craft and fine-tune each tube, as well as dial in the geometry.
“In an era dominated by monocoque frames, the C72 reaffirms the value of a more deliberate method — one that allows engineers and craftsmen to fine-tune stiffness, compliance and force distribution with exceptional precision. From tube bonding and assembly in Cambiago, to hand-finishing, painting and final quality control, each frame is the result of a meticulous, time-intensive process carried out with precision and care. By designing every single piece and producing them in smaller casts, [we are] able to customise the performances to an extreme level. [We use] different types of carbon fibers with different performances. In this way, the ride experience gets finely tuned to match exactly our needs. Making the bike modular also means the possibility to design more complex shapes while maintaining the desired thinness and stiffness of the tubes. In doing so, [we achieve] the distinctive aesthetic and maintain the overall low weight of this bike while delivering its best-in-class stiffness and responsiveness,” explains Colnago.
“The development of the lugs marks a significant step forward,” Colnago says. “No longer treated as purely structural junctions, they become defining elements of the frame’s identity — carefully shaped to ensure continuity, precision and visual balance across the entire structure. Particular attention has been given to the relationship between surfaces, inspired by the concept of panel gap matching found in high-end automotive design. Each interface is engineered with extreme accuracy, controlling alignment, spacing and transitions to achieve a consistent and refined visual flow. Rather than concealing its modular construction, the C72 expresses it with clarity. Individual elements remain perceptible, yet perfectly integrated, creating a frame where every junction contributes to a cohesive and harmonious whole,” adds Colnago.
Additionally, the C72 is treated to Colnago’s new CC.02 cockpit, featuring a new curved shape with less reach, offering a more aggressive position and better brake control at a lower position than its CC.01.
Regarding geometry, Colnago says the C72 offers a bit more relaxed position than its C68, adding a tad more stack and less reach, along with enough clearance to accommodate tires up to 35mm.
“The C72 can be adjusted more toward endurance with respect to its predecessor, but at the same time maintains an aggressive DNA,” says Colnago. “A steeper steering angle and longer reach reduce trail, maintaining the wheelbase, responsive steering, and quick handling typical of racing bicycles.”
All in, Colnago says an unpainted C72 in a size 485 tips the scales at an impressive 895 grams, roughly a 25-gram weight saving compared to the C68.
Not surprisingly, all of this Italianate comes with a hefty price tag, with prices starting at a staggering $17,000.00.
Here’s how the models break down:
The Colnago C72 also comes as just a frame kit (frame, fork, headset, CC.02 cockpit), with a choice of four new colorways.
To coincide with the launch of the C72, Colnago has also unveiled a special edition version called the La Scala, which features a striking red, gold and white paint scheme that’s limited to just 72 frames and sells for an even more whopping $26,000.00.
“The C72 La Scala represents a shared language between two worlds: cycling and opera. An invisible thread connects Piazza della Scala in Milan to Cambiago, where each Colnago C Series frame is brought to life by the hands of skilled artisans. Two places, two worlds, only seemingly distant, united by the same pursuit of excellence. Over the centuries, the Teatro alla Scala has become a global ambassador of Milanese culture, a living symbol of a city that preserves its heritage while constantly reinventing itself. Its refined and measured architecture has evolved through time, adapting without ever losing its identity.”
Colnago
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