Colnago V3 Rival AXS

“The V3 gave us the confidence to push for greater speeds than we usually would”

For Colnago’s range-topping V3Rs and its more ‘real-world’ V3, it’s a similar story to Specialized’s S-Works and ‘standard’ Aethos. The main difference between the two Colnago bikes is the carbon used for the frameset, resulting in the V3 frame on test here weighing in 200g heavier than the 790g V3Rs. The V3 frame still sneaks in under the kilogram benchmark for a ‘lightweight’ race frame, though.

The V3 may weigh a little more than the V3Rs, but it costs a lot less. If you want a V3Rs with the same spec Poga ar rode to Tour de France victory, you’ll have to shell out £11,090. But the complete V3 bike tested here, with a SRAM Rival eTap AXS groupset, Fulcrum wheels and a carbon handlebar, is yours for £4,500 (2021 model).

Although the V3’s frame has aerooptimised tubes, it’s not an aero road bike. It’s more in the mould of Cannondale’s SuperSix EVO and Specialized’s Tarmac SL7, in that it’s a machine that aims to combine low weight with aerodynamic touches for a greater all-round experience.

STICKING WITH TRADITION

Colnago’s approach to frame geometry is… traditional. The Italian brand’s designers have stuck, steadfastly, to their idea of what makes a race bike handle well and the V3 is no exception. Colnago also sizes its bikes differently to other manufacturers (the 56cm test bike equates to a 58cm from most other brands) so it’s worth looking closely at the geometry and dimensions tables if you’re considering buying one. You’re best off going by the effective top tube measurement (579mm on the test bike) – just remember that the ‘S’ in Colnago’s sizing denotes a frame with a sloping top tube rather than a horizontal one.

The result of the traditional geometry is a bike that delivers a very different ride to the Aethos. The Specialized is all about flickable, fast handling. Colnago’s V3, by contrast, offers a more considered ride. The V3 has the familiar low-slung and fast riding position that’s a key feature of the Colnago experience but the handling majors on stability. It gave me the confidence to push for greater speeds than I usually would, even when the weather was far from ideal and while running slender 25mm tyres on narrow rims.

The key to the V3’s handling are the parallel, 73° head and seat tube angles, which are paired with a 586mm stack that’s low and sporty. The 400mm reach is long and further accentuated by the test bike coming with a 120mm Deda Zero2 stem. Colnago’s fork offset has been locked at 43mm for years, and combines with the head angle and 25mm tyres to give a trail figure of 59mm, a little longer and less sporty than that of the Aethos.

Colnago has done a decent job when it comes to the build of the V3, with its own carbon-fibre HB01 wing bar being a particular highlight. The shape of the tops is superb with the kammtail-like, flat-back section offering a small aero benefit when you’re riding on the drops while doubling up as a great handhold when you’re upright and settling into a long climb.

The smartly shaped, semi-compact drops are great handholds too, but wherever you decide to place your hands, the carbon bar all but clears road buzz and vibrations. It’s carbon again for the V3’s dedicated aero seatpost, which rises up to a micro-adjust seat clamp with a 20mm offset so there’s plenty of scope to adjust the reach.