After a fantastic introduction, CLX, Colnago’s entry level carbon fiber model is back for 2009. Ernesto Colnago created the CLX as an affordable, yet high performance Colnago with an innovative frame design. CLX has a monocoque front triangle, designed and created in Cambiago, Italy as a project of Colnago Lab.
The CLX front triangle has two special external reinforcing ribs along the top and down tubes and bottom bracket and uses a variable carbon lay-up, where extra strength is in the head tube and bottom bracket to provide additional rigidity under stress. CLX features distinctive, arc-shaped rear chain stays for better braking performance and comfort, and rear chain stays in Colnago’s distinctive leaf shape section.
An all new monocoque 1” 1/8 CLX carbon fiber fork and Colnago AERO Carbon seat post that matches the aero section down also grace Colnago’s new CLX.
Colnago’s CLX is the solution for riders that want an affordable, yet high-performance Colnago bicycle. Available in three attractive colors and 8 sloping-only sizes.
Submitted by
Richard Hugo
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2010
Strengths: It,s a Colnago carbon frame with excellent value. Build quality, ride quality. looks great, good all round ride. Can be used for racing, and is comfortable enough for all day rides.
Frame is stiff, but comfortable. Stering and handling are superb.
Weaknesses: Internal cable routing would be nice.
Not Made in Italy, but few Colnago's are today.
Bottom Line:
I have owned the CLX for 2 seasons.Purchased the bike from Competitive Cycling on a blowout deal. Took a chance, full durace carbon Colnago for $2800. This bike is my training/do anything/fun ride bike. I enjoy this bike every time I ride it. I also have an extreme C, which I save for special occasions. The CLX is a little heavier, but the ride is so very similar. The CLX is a true Colnago, although not manufactured in Italy. But if i do crash this bike, it's repaceable, my Extreme C is Not.
The finish on the frame is excellent. The style looks very nice. Mine has a Cinelli Ram carbon bar/stem which provides added comfort, and style. The build quality is very good, although it does not have a ti BB insert or ti brake boss insert as per the Ex C. I reviewed a number of magazine articles after purchasing and riding this bike, they just confirmed my own judgement.
When I purchased the Ex C I planned to sell the CLX. Realized quickly, this bike was too good to part with.
I plan to keep this bike in my bike stable for a long time.
Strengths: seriously for me it's the weight, bt this baby's also very responsive and adapts to the rider's style pretty much most of the time.
Weaknesses: my current setup isn't actually the best in the business. perhaps a more aggresive geometry might do it's responsiveness more justice bt wld hv been at the expense of it's uniqueness of its sloping lines.
Bottom Line:
bought this bike after riding a KHS flite 320 for close to 2.5 years. making the shift to carbon was already a major weight advantage bt boy oh boy can this baby rocket out. I must have hit some unrecorded speeds on my maiden ride couple of nights back. the ride is silky to say the least and this frame is a bonafide all rounder. climbs well and is ultra responsive. listens to your body's ability to draft or push or climb or just roll.I seriusly think a full ultegra gruppo will do this frame justice and the geometry is perfect for a guy who's 1.67cm in height.
Weaknesses: Maybe weight a bit? But weight isn't everything. Less chatter. If you are that concerned about it for climbs, lose a pound off your body!
Bottom Line:
The CLX is a great all around ride. If you are looking for a bike that will do it all, this is a great rig. As others say, it is not the lightest frameset in the world, but it isn't supposed to be. It is designed to ride rolleur style, with great manners but also highly responsive and stiff. The Colnago magic here is that mix--it is neither too twitchy nor dead, but just a plain pleasure to ride. On descents, it doesn't do anything unpredictable--it is just an extension of you. The slightly longer head tube and sloping geometry also mean (ever so) slightly upright position, but not quite as much as, say, a Cervelo RS. So it is a great century/long ride bike that you can also most definitely race, if that is your thing. I love this bike.
Strengths: Telepathic handling, Likes to climb yet compliant ride, subdued graphics (for a Colnago), Looks fast standing still.
Weaknesses: Proprietary seatpost might be an issue if it needs replacement, Not the lightest or cheapest.
Bottom Line:
I've put about 1K miles on this frame and have been impressed with my avg speed on a 26 mile hilly course up almost 1 mph. Rides almost as smooth as the Merlin, but is noticably stiffer when hammering. Turns in like a Corvette, but exhibits almost surreal balance and stablity at all speeds. Nice looking machine that even has the guys with C40s/C50s paying compliments.
hey everyone,
can anyone shine some insight into the ride of either of the two bikes? Preferably the 2011 versions... i am looking at both in Ultegra gruppo. i am particularly Read More »
Hey Kids;
I was just wondering if there are any deals out there for older CLX's. I remember a few years ago someone was blowing them out at the end of the season.
Any recomme Read More »
Does anyone have info on the CLX 3.0? I am having a hard time finding any info, reviews, etc. I am curious about weight and what they mean on the website when they say they have ei Read More »
Having owned a C-50 with Dura ace for 6 years and a Master light which is now sold and and Isaac and a custom Holland steel, I was looking for a CX-1 but settled for a CLX 2.0 whi Read More »
This has really turned my stomach, and sadly, I probably will never purchase another Colnago. The headset reinforcement ring came out of the frame when the lower headset cup was re Read More »
