Featured User Review: Featured User Review: Colnago CX-1 Road Bike
by zoikz

Price: $3500 MSRP
Overall Rating:
5 of 5
Value Rating:
4 of 5

Summary:
Bottom line with most CF bikes is that they are built in more or less te same factory in the far east. So the construction and quality is more or less standardized. The big question is why pay more for a Colnago when it's being made in the far east. At least based on the specs and press releases the CX-1 was meant to jump into the monocoque fray and take advantage of it's inherent qualities. The bike is clearly designed with a difference between the tube shapes, the BB shell, fork. It also has some inherent Colnago characteristics, such as a shorter TT.

Personally I think they combined these worlds well and delivered a bike that very much performs on a pro-tour level, but is also priced more reasonibly. The thing I actually love the most about this bike is that it is overbuilt. If you're going to actually race a Colnago, it's good to know it can take a punch.


Bottom line for me, is that this is a race bike. More specifically it kicks a$$ in a crit. It's stiff, stable, predictable. Certainly will hold it's own on other races...but I'm best at crits and its where I push bikes the hardest. It holds a line well, especially when you're sprinting through corners.
If you're getting a bike for long training rides, group rides etc... I don't think it's the right bike. It's stiff and on chip and seal can get annoying, especially with the wrong wheels.

Likewise if you go for a big handle bar drop, it's going to be a problem in the smaller sizes. Some didn't like the stability, felt it wasn't reactive enough.

Fit wise, I like to be pretty stretched out. I loved the fit of Eddy Merckx. But it still works.

Strengths:
stiff, strong (takes a hit without breaking into fairy dust), stable and predictable handling. By far the best handling race bike I've used. Perfect for a big guy who races a lot of crits and short road races

Weaknesses:
short TT, is there anywhere else you can out a Colnago logo?...seriously overdecaled.

Similar Products Used:
Orbea Opal, Orbea Orca, Ridley Excaliber, Ridley Helium, Eddy Merckx Elite

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