After much anticipation, Colnago has unveiled its latest V5Rs road bike, featuring improved aerodynamics and lighter weight over its predecessor, shaving as much as 113 grams and 33 grams for the frame and fork, respectively, while claiming to cheat the wind to the tune of a 9-watt savings at 50km/h over the V4Rs as tested at the Politecnico di Milano wind tunnel.
According to Colnago, the V5Rs achieves its new aerodynamic signature courtesy of a thinner head tube, narrower fork legs and a reshaped seatpost that’s both thinner and deeper, resulting in a 13% reduction in frontal drag.
“The initial step is the definition and optimization of the carbon layup in the crucial sections thanks to FEM [finite element method] analysis. Once the carbon stacking sequence has been defined, the high strength and stiffness prepregs [composite material made from pre-impregnated fibers and partially cured polymer matrix, such as epoxy resin] are carefully positioned and combined on specific mandrels and then cured in the molds,” explains Colnago.
“The challenge, which has been successfully met, was to improve the precision of the positioning of each [carbon] layer to achieve an ambitious weight target while maintaining the stiffness properties of the bike that have been so appreciated by the riders using the V4Rs. In the construction of this frame, [we use] special semi-rigid mandrels, developed specifically to guarantee a perfect arrangement of the carbon layers: [we have] obtained absolute quality control and a perfect match between design objectives and final product performance,” adds the Italian brand.
All things considered, Colnago says the V5Rs tips the scales a svelte 685 grams in the smallest size that’s unpainted, while stiffness and compliance remain on par with the out-going V4Rs.
“Through a combination of new lamination techniques and optimized joint shapes, the Real Riding Stiffness of the V5Rs matches that of its predecessor, the V4Rs – our benchmark – despite its more aerodynamic profile and reduced weight,” says Colnago.
Regarding geometry, Colnago says only small tweaks were made, namely, marginally steeper frame angles in order to “accommodate a more forward orientated and tuck position and optimize aerodynamics and power transmission”, making it slightly more aggressive than the V4Rs.
Additionally, Colnago decided to go with two different fork rakes (47mm for sizes 420-510 and 43mm for sizes 530-570) in order to “reduce the trail, especially on smaller sizes, and with oversized tires increasingly common, to keep it more even across sizes, making the V5Rs more responsive in direction changes and quick maneuvers.”
Elsewhere, V5Rs is treated to two different seatpost options, with either 0 or 15mm of setback, along with the return to a traditional BSA threaded that spins on CeramicSpeed bearings. Also, the Di2 battery is now housed in the downtube in an all-new holder.
Pricing for the V5Rs starts at $5,750 for the frame (frame, fork, headset, bars, seatpost, bottle cages), with complete builds ranging as high as $16,500, which span Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace Di2 groupsets, as well as Campagnolo Super Record Wireless, with Vision SC45 or Enve SES 4.5 wheelsets on offer as well.
