Colnago

V1-R Disc Road Framset - 2016

For over half a century now, the Colnago name has been synonymous with industry-defining innovation, whether it's the steel Master that reinvented racing geometry or the legendary C40 that certified carbon for even the most punishing races. True to this history, the all-new V1-R Disc Road Frameset was developed with Ferrari to produce aerodynamic refinements, improved stiffness, and hardware innovations that would easily classify the V1-R as revolutionary on their own. Add to this the inclusion of disc compatibility, though, and the V1-R Disc becomes yet the latest industry sign post to come out of the Italian's stable.

The V1-R Disc is similar to the V1-R in every way but one. The frameset has been strategically modified and reinforced in key areas to address the different load bearing requirements of disc brakes. Of these alterations, the most impressive by far is the new fork, which enjoys the sharp handling, excellent tracking while braking, and increased lateral stiffness of a 15mm thru-axle. This axle was designed in partnership with the mountain bike veterans at Manitou, and its engagement mechanism mimics the interface of a quick-release skewer so even cyclists who never venture far from the tarmac will be able to operate it intuitively.

Despite these reinforcements and the improved braking, the V1-R Disc is still light enough to hold its own with the other top-end monocoque frames driving the peloton, but aerodynamics didn't suffer under the scalpel of weight-savings. The V1-R's tubes feature a rounded leading edge and an abruptly terminating, flat-back tail meant for riding at yaw angles of 12-18 degrees, which translates to variable wind conditions at variable speeds instead of the flat, straight-on time trial situations that benefit true NACA airfoil shapes. This results not only in a smaller aerodynamic footprint in a much wider range of drag angles, but it also increases lateral stiffness while maximizing weight savings.

The tubes themselves comprise over nine different types of carbon fiber, all of which are sourced from Toray's Japanese factory. This is the most consistent carbon fiber in the world, guaranteed perfect, every time, which is why it's the same stuff that features predominantly throughout the commercial aerospace industry. Material produced to these specifications is so sought after that Colnago is the only cycling manufacturer able to use it for 100% of its frames.

While the partnership with Ferrari may have benefited the V1-R Disc's aerodynamics, Colnago has proven time and again that it needs no outside expertise in designing frame geometry. The V1-R has a taller stack height and a longer, more stable wheelbase than its co-captain, the C60. If the industry's tendency to over-specialize were to force it into a category, the V1-R Disc's low weight and geometry would rate it a climber's bike, built for guys like Europcar's Rolland who take big time on big days in the mountains and are more concerned about tempering speed on the fast, sweeping corners of descents then diving into the sharp angles of criteriums. Make no mistake, it's still used on flats by sprinters like Coquard, but its qualities lend it more to maintaining speed rather than sharp accelerations.

Finally, the V1-R Disc frameset has a new bottom bracket type, the ThreadFit 82.5. It's compatible with all PressFit 86 setups, but it improves on the ease and simplicity of press fit bottom brackets by eliminating the creaking typically associated with them. The frame itself has a steel sleeve built-in to the bottom bracket, which an aluminum shell screws into. Since machining makes these pieces more precise than even the most refined carbon construction methods can, this essentially eliminates the microscopic imperfections in the crank/frame interface that can cause creaking over time. The aluminum insert is also replaceable in this system, so it can be replaced as it begins to wear, keeping your bottom bracket pristine for years to come.