Colnago V5Rs Ultegra Di2 Bike

The Colnago V5Rs Ultegra Di2 is the bike Tadej Pogačar and UAE Team Emirates take to the biggest races on the calendar — and every design decision reflects that standard. The V5Rs is the latest evolution of Colnago's V Series, built around a single objective: to win. At 685 grams ready-to-paint, it is the lightest Colnago frame ever made, arriving 12.5 percent lighter than its predecessor without any reduction in rigidity. It is, in the clearest terms, what happens when a manufacturer stops chasing trade-offs and starts eliminating them.

The frame's carbon monocoque construction uses advanced lamination techniques that control the arrangement of carbon fibers across every area of the frame — giving Colnago's engineers precise command over stiffness, weight, and durability simultaneously. The result is a frontal area of just 250 cm², a 13 percent reduction from the previous generation, achieved in part through a narrower head tube that reduces air resistance without compromising handling precision. A newly developed carbon fork contributes to sharper steering response and accepts tires up to 32mm — wider rubber that brings measurable gains in grip, compliance, and speed on rough or technical roads.

Colnago's development process for the V5Rs goes beyond typical race validation. The design begins with CFD simulations developed in partnership with universities, prototypes are built via 3D printing for rapid iteration, then tested in the wind tunnel in full competition configuration with manikins. Final validation is done by professional riders on real roads. Colnago calls this the "From-Race-to-Race" approach: every detail has been shaped by actual race demands, not assumptions. This build pairs that engineering with a full Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset — 12-speed electronic shifting via R8150 derailleurs, R8170 hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm front and 140mm rear rotors, and an R8100 crankset running 52/36 with an 11-30 cassette.

Design Benefits

1. 685g monocoque frame — the lightest Colnago ever made. Advanced lamination techniques control fiber orientation throughout the frame, delivering a 12.5 percent weight reduction over the previous generation without sacrificing stiffness or durability.
2. Aerodynamic performance close to a pure aero frame. A 250 cm² frontal area — 13 percent less than its predecessor — combined with a narrower head tube brings drag numbers into territory Colnago describes as approaching dedicated aero frames, while retaining the weight profile of a climbing machine.
3. Precision-validated through CFD, wind tunnel, and pro riders. The V5Rs moved from computational fluid dynamics to 3D-printed prototypes to full-configuration wind tunnel testing before pro riders confirmed performance on real roads. What you're riding has been verified at every stage of that chain.
4. 32mm tire clearance for real-world conditions. The redesigned carbon fork opens up tire options the previous generation didn't offer — wider rubber that increases grip, reduces vibration, and holds speed better on imperfect pavement.
5. Shimano Ultegra Di2 — reliable, precise, electronic. R8150 derailleurs and R8170 hydraulic disc brakes deliver consistent performance across a full day of racing. The 11-30 cassette range covers everything from flat crits to alpine climbs.
6. Colnago CC.01 integrated cockpit. Bar and stem as a single unit — cleaner cables, aerodynamic gains, and a built-in multitool tucked inside for race-day emergencies.

Final Take

The V5Rs is not designed to be versatile — it is designed to win, and Colnago has backed that claim with one of the most rigorous development processes in the industry. At this price point, the Ultegra Di2 build puts that WorldTour platform within reach of riders who want what Pogačar races without stepping up to Dura-Ace pricing. Vision SC45 wheels, Pirelli P Zero Race tires, and the CC.01 integrated cockpit complete a build that is genuinely race-ready straight out of the box.