Colnago

With over 55 years of building superb bicycles, Colnago’s heritage is unsurpassed. From the very first bicycles to bear the Colnago logo in 1954, to classics, such as the Master, and modern landmarks, like the C50 and EPS, Colnago has been deeply committed to advancing the racing bicycle.

Colnago’s commitment comes from a deep love for the excitement and energy of racing — a love that goes back to the racing career of the young Ernesto Colnago. A competitive youngster, Colnago realized his talents really rested in building frames and supporting riders as a master mechanic. The story of Colnago bicycles and the story of Colnago’s connections with racing are therefore deeply interwoven.

Colnago has always innovated the design and construction of their bicycles to give their riders a competitive edge. Early in Ernesto Colnago’s career, he realized that a shorter, more upright frame design would be more responsive, but bicycles of the time were designed for comfort on poor road surfaces. As roads improved, he was able to introduce modern racing bicycle geometry.

Bicycles for special purposes present the greatest challenges and Colnago has always risen to those challenges. When Eddy Merckx needed the lightest, fastest possible bicycle for his historic attempt on the hour record, Colnago built a masterpiece, which was so far ahead of its time, its titanium stem had to be welded in the US because nobody in Europe could do the work.

When advanced carbon fiber composite materials became available, Colnago was the first bicycle manufacturer to take full advantage of the possibilities they offered. Working with Ferrari Engineering and the Politecnico di Milano, he developed the Concept and the C35, the precursors of today’s carbon fiber bicycles including Colnago’s EPS and CX-1.

But Ernesto Colnago is never satisfied. To him, the bicycle is a work of art, but it’s a magnificent, unfinished masterpiece. “There is still a lot to do,” he says. “There’s so much to improve on. I have every confidence that we can: you can feel it. You just have to want to!” (This information comes from Colnago.com.)

Come to Higher Gear to see, test, and own a Colnago.