Colnago’s back on the boards. The storied Italian brand, whose frames once powered Olympic pursuit champions and World Championship sprinters, has unveiled the T1Rs, its most aerodynamic frame to date. It’s a purpose-built, high-speed track bike that brings together cutting-edge CFD analysis, aerospace-grade carbon work, and old-school Italian race DNA into one brutally fast machine.
Built for the Velodrome, Tuned for 70 km/h
Colnago didn’t just reshape its TT bike for the track; it re-engineered aerodynamics around the speed range where track races are won and lost. Using CFD and wind-tunnel validation at every phase, the T1Rs were explicitly optimized for velodrome speeds above 60 km/h.
Where most aero bikes flatten out in performance as velocity increases, Colnago’s engineers focused on how air behaves at high Reynolds numbers —the range where airflow transitions from laminar to turbulent. The T1Rs’ NACA-derived tube profiles and tight frame junctions are designed to stabilize airflow at those super high speeds.
At 70 km/h, the bike actually shows a lower CdA than at 50 km/h, meaning the airflow remains cleaner and less squirly the faster you go. That doesn’t make it easier to pedal — drag still increases greatly — but it does make every watt count when riders are turning over 1500 watts through the banking.
Aerodynamics by Design
Every surface of the T1Rs was modeled to reduce drag in the low-yaw environments of indoor velodromes. The result is a track bike that thrives where there’s no wind, no drafting, and zero forgiveness. Key details include:
- Low-drag NACA-derived frame and fork profiles, designed without the compromises imposed by road bike components.
- A dual-crown fork that reduces frontal area while locking in front-end stiffness.
- Narrow hubs (65 mm front / 100 mm rear) to minimize lateral airflow turbulence.
- Bulged chainstays to control air recirculation around the drivetrain.
- Aero-shaped dropouts and a fully integrated stem for uninterrupted airflow.
These design decisions, combined with the brand’s deep computational modeling, make the T1Rs the fastest bike in Colnago’s lineup — period.
Power, Not Flex
Track racing doesn’t tolerate deflection. Every watt that doesn’t go into the rear wheel is a loss you’ll feel before the next banking. Colnago’s solution is brute stiffness executed with precision carbon engineering.
- Dual-crown fork architecture ties the stem, blades, and head tube together for unrivaled torsional rigidity.
- Massive chainstays and asymmetric seatstays withstand world-class sprint torque.
- Oversized T47-A bottom bracket and a reinforced seat tube minimize twist when accelerating out of the saddle.
- The ultra-compact rear triangle pairs with the narrow 100 mm hub to stiffen the rear end while allowing a tighter Q-factor for better aerodynamics and pedaling efficiency.
- A custom aero seatpost with internal ribbing adds lateral stiffness without extra mass.
Inside, Colnago uses high-strength, high-modulus carbon fibers with internal rib structures in the seatpost, bottom bracket, and fork crown. Each reinforcement is molded with precision PP mandrels — a detail more common in aerospace than bike racing.
Adaptable Across Disciplines
The T1Rs can transform between Sprint/Endurance and TT/Pursuit formats in minutes thanks to interchangeable cockpit systems:
- SR-Track Stem — Compatible with 31.8 mm bars, available in 125, 150, and 175 mm lengths at -6.5°, with up to 20 mm stack adjustment via spacers. The dual-bolt interface enhances stiffness at the frame-fork junction.
- TT-Track Cockpit — A monocoque carbon basebar and Colnago aero extensions, with 380 mm width, integrated computer mount, and modular hand positions for optimized pursuit ergonomics.
Both systems use the same T-shaped two-bolt clamping interface, ensuring the front triangle stays locked and stable regardless of setup.
Geometry and Fit
The T1Rs come in three sizes (S, M, L), each tuned for discipline-specific demands:
- Pursuit geometry: lower stack and shorter reach for aerodynamic tuck.
- Sprint/Endurance geometry: extended front end (UCI limit on size L) for maximum stability under full gas.
Technical Highlights:
- Front hub: 65 mm (2 bolts), Rear hub: 100 mm (2 nuts)
- Tire clearance: up to 28 mm
- Bottom bracket: T47 Asymmetric
- Max chainring: 72T
Pricing & Availability
The Colnago T1Rs frameset is priced at €6,500 + VAT (~$6,950 USD).
Accessory kits include:
- Endurance/Sprint Kit: €250 + VAT
- TT/Pursuit Basebar: €320 + VAT
- Adjustable Extension Kit: €270 + VAT
