First Exclusive Test Ride of the New Colnago V5Rs

Colnago V5Rs: First Ride on Pogacar’s (Secret) Weapon

It’s now official: the Colnago V5R is real. And we had the rare opportunity to test this bike… the very day after its release, thanks to John Saccomandi and Marc Rebello, co-directors of the Rayon Vélo store in Domont (95). So here’s a sneak peek at the latest evolution of the bike that now embodies the modern legend of Tadej Pogačar. This bike isn’t just a new model—it’s a symbol. A symbol of uncompromising ambition, fueled by years of dominance and Italian precision. A short test ride—less than 100 kilometers—but incredibly revealing, on the rolling roads of the Val-d’Oise. Enough to get a sense of what this V5Rs is capable of… and why it’s already a coveted item.

By Jeff Tatard – Photos: 3bikes / Rayon Vélo Domont

An heir with clear ambitions

The V4Rs marked a turning point in Colnago’s recent history. It was the bike that signaled the transition to a sharper, more modern style, focused on pure performance without sacrificing the brand’s historic DNA. It’s the bike that has accompanied Pogacar through his triumphs and struggles—sometimes pushing the limits.

And for us, it’s not just a name on a spec sheet: it’s been our everyday bike since November. We know it inside and out. It’s on this bike that we rack up the kilometers, experiencing every surge, every descent, every climb. Needless to say, those sensations are still very fresh—which makes the comparison with the V5Rs all the more relevant, precise, and direct. Because the V5Rs fully embraces its heritage… while taking things to the next level. Colnago hasn’t just fine-tuned its design. With input from its in-house engineers and feedback from the UAE Team Emirates squad, the Italian brand set itself a challenge as simple as it is ambitious: to design a bike that’s even faster, lighter and more comfortable, without ever compromising stiffness or balance.

The brief was clear: create an all-round machine for a rider who can do it all. The V5Rs must be able to climb mountain passes, split the field in crosswinds, handle cobblestones, and respond instantly to the demands of a rider capable of attacking 90 km from the finish. A complete bike.

First Impressions – An Immediate Feeling

From the very first pedal strokes, one thing stands out: the bike’s visual and physical compactness. The front triangle appears more compact, more taut, like a predator in attack position. The slimmer fork gives the impression of stretching the bike forward, while the seatpost—now more integrated—reinforces this sense of a cohesive unit, built to go fast. The whole bike exudes efficiency, purpose. And above all, agility. And what agility! During accelerations, changes in pace, or when exiting corners, the V5Rs reacts as if it were anticipating your movements. No lag, no inertia: it springs into action. It almost feels like it’s half a second ahead of you. The bike “comes alive” beneath the rider, constantly taut, like a rope ready to snap. At first, it’s a little disorienting—you wonder who’s calling the shots. But then you get used to it. Worse yet: you get hooked. That responsiveness becomes a mild addiction. Once you’ve tasted that kind of responsiveness, it’s hard to go back.

During accelerations, changes in pace, or coming out of turns, the V5Rs reacts as if it’s anticipating your movements.

But the real surprise—the one you wouldn’t necessarily expect at this level of raw performance—is the comfort. Whereas the V4Rs could sometimes remind you, with a certain flair, that they were thoroughbreds built for racing—meaning: a bit stiff on long distances or bumpy roads—the V5Rs are a significant step up. The thinner, higher seatstays act like tiny invisible springs, soaking up a big chunk of the vibrations. The frame irons out imperfections with almost aristocratic elegance, without ever going soft. At times, you get the strange sensation of riding on a cushion… inflated to 8 bar. It’s this rare combination—feline agility and unapologetic comfort—that gives the V5Rs that sense of perfection. It’s as if every part, every line, every engineering decision had been made with meticulous attention to detail—neither too much nor too little. A machine that, without ever holding the rider back, seems to constantly whisper: “Go ahead, I’m already ready.”

The subtle balance between lightness and control

You feel it from the very first hours in the saddle: this V5Rs was designed for performance, of course—it’s a modern Colnago, after all—but also, and this is rarer, for endurance. It doesn’t seek to shine solely over 10 kilometers at full throttle, like a rider too eager to show off their watts. No, it aims further. It wants to win you over over 100, over 200, on a ride that begins at daybreak and ends well after the post-ride coffee. In the mountains as well as on the flats, it maintains that calm yet firm determination: to keep moving forward, steadily and effectively. The slightly revised geometry clearly contributes to this ambition. The riding position is more natural, less taxing on the back and shoulders, without ever becoming slouchy. You’re well-positioned, stable, and efficient. And above all, the bike is forgiving. A slight misalignment in your position? A slightly off-center grip on the handlebars? It handles it. But make no mistake: it remains responsive, ready to react to the slightest input. This tolerance isn’t a weakness; it’s a form of mechanical intelligence. The bike knows that the rider’s body isn’t always perfect—especially after 100 km.

This tolerance isn’t a weakness; it’s a form of mechanical intelligence. The bike knows that the rider’s body isn’t always perfect—especially after 100 km.

Its behavior on descents also deserves a chapter of its own. Precise, stable, reassuring—three words we don’t always associate with such responsive machines. The V5Rs holds its line with confidence, as if tracing an invisible rail. Even in tight turns, even at high speeds, it doesn’t wobble or veer off course. It stays put, true to its course, as if it were reading the road a fraction of a second before you do.

Once again, Colnago seems to have struck a subtle balance between aerodynamics and handling. And that’s no small feat: many highly aerodynamic bikes sacrifice handling precision on the altar of pure speed. Not here. Here, aerodynamics serves the rider, not the other way around.

What We Know (and What We Suspect)

Even though Colnago is still keeping certain technical details under wraps—an old Italian habit, somewhere between elegance and marketing strategy—several details can already be confirmed, or at the very least reasonably anticipated:

• Frame weight: reported to be around 700 grams for the medium size. Yes, you read that right. Nearly 100 grams lighter than the V4Rs, without seeming to compromise the bike’s overall suspension. That number puts the V5Rs in the very exclusive club of high-performance climbers, without veering into the realm of fragile ultralight bikes. It’s as if Colnago has figured out how to slim down without losing muscle.
• Tire clearance: here, too, the trend is confirmed. The V5Rs is reportedly compatible with tires up to 32 mm wide—maybe a tiny bit more if you’re feeling adventurous. This opens up some very interesting possibilities: more comfort, more grip, and greater versatility. The bike is now just as capable on the cobblestones of Flanders as it is on the switchbacks of an Alpine pass.
• Aerodynamics: the lines have clearly been reworked. Raised seatstays, a redesigned down tube, more extensive cable routing… but without going overboard. There’s no proprietary cockpit here, and that’s undoubtedly good news. Colnago prioritizes modularity, ease of adjustment, and compatibility. It’s a smart, pragmatic choice that shows you can aim for efficiency without locking the user into a closed ecosystem.
• Where it sits in the range: the V5Rs positions itself as the thoroughbred of the mountains, built for long climbs, rugged terrain, and elegant adventurers. It logically complements the Y1R, the brand’s other new model—more streamlined and designed for flat stages and high speeds. Two bikes, two personalities, but one shared vision: to ride fast, with style.

An understated yet sophisticated aesthetic

Visually, the V5Rs doesn’t try to dazzle. It doesn’t flash or seek attention at all costs. It takes a more subtle approach: that of understated elegance. Taut lines, sharp proportions, clean colors—here, elegance comes through restraint. It’s a deliberate choice that will appeal to those who love bikes that don’t shout about their performance, but let you guess at it.

Some riders, more attached to a distinct “racing” aesthetic, may regret the absence of more expressive details or bolder colour schemes. But this simplicity is deceptive. For beneath this understated appearance lies a genuine attention to detail: fine, precise paintwork, without any excess; clean, nearly invisible seams; perfectly executed integration—no frills, yet no compromises either. Everything is in its place, measured to the millimeter, thoughtfully designed. You can tell that at Colnago, attention to detail hasn’t been sacrificed on the altar of raw performance. Quite the contrary: here, performance is also expressed through the quality of craftsmanship. Much like a Swiss watch that doesn’t need to be opened to prove its precision.

A 3bikes verdict that’s inevitably preliminary… but already clear

It’s hard to pass a definitive judgment after just 100 kilometers. That would be presumptuous… or naive. But this brief test ride is enough to reveal a few solid certainties: the V5Rs is not merely a cosmetic evolution of the V4Rs. It’s an ambitious, methodical redesign, conceived to meet the demands of the most well-rounded rider in today’s peloton… and, more broadly, those of anyone who no longer wants to choose between efficiency, comfort, and riding pleasure.

More responsive, lighter, and more forgiving, the Colnago V5R embodies a more mature modernity. Less showy, but more consistent, more profound. It doesn’t seek to shine in a single area, but to excel across the board. It supports the rider’s effort and elevates it—without ever overwhelming it. And perhaps that is its greatest strength: being a bike with character, without ever becoming a bike with a difficult temperament.

A complete bike, yes. But above all, a bike that’s just right.

In conclusion,

The Colnago V5Rs is a racer’s bike. A bike designed to go fast, to last, and to make you want to attack. It doesn’t try to please everyone—and that’s precisely what makes it so appealing. It forges its own path, striving for excellence, with an almost unsettling sense of certainty. This first quick test ride is just the beginning, a glimpse. But it’s enough to establish one certainty: the V5Rs isn’t just another bike. It’s a bike with character, built for those who want to go far, fast, and in style. And if it keeps pace with the greatest riders—like Pogacar—it’s perhaps because it never cuts corners. It promises nothing it can’t deliver.

A huge thank you to John Saccomandi and Marc Rebello, co-directors of the Rayon Vélo store in Domont (95), official Colnago dealers, for their hospitality, their availability, and their infectious passion. Thanks to them, this test ride took place under ideal conditions, and it’s also thanks to their expertise that this kind of exceptional bike can now be discovered, explained, and shared.

This exceptional bike didn’t just make an impression on us during our test ride—it also served as the “baptism” for Marc’s future bike, which he’ll be the proud owner of starting tonight. At Rayon Vélo, we don’t just sell a frame—we carry on the legacy of a legendary brand. And we give everyone the chance to write a chapter in that story.

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