Colnago CX-1 Review

So, I've been threatening to do a write-up about my Colnago CX-1 since the first day I got it, but having now owned it for a more suitable length of time in which to appraise it (some 8 months), it's time to put down my impressions.

My CX-1 was a frame only purchase, so it's a mix of some new and some previously used equipment. For those wanting to take a browse of the CX-1 full specs, below is the link:

Colnago CX-1 2010 Model.

Mine is the 2009 model, so the colour scheme (.ACRE) is a little different from the 2010 model: the BB area on mine is black where the 2010 is red, and the 'club' logos preceding the Colnago name decals are also black where again, those of the 2010 are red.

General Details

My CX-1 is the 2009 .ACRE model in size 54s (sloping). Definitely a smaller size in terms of designation, but in reality the measurements are in fact slightly longer in the wheelbase and TT than most bikes I've owned. So, if you're interested in going the Colnago way, do some fit research: they are definitely a slightly unique defined sizing.

Equipment

As I said, I purchased the CX-1 as a frame/fork only, and hence it is a mix of previously used parts and newly purchased ones.

Derailleur mechs, brifters and brakes are good old Shimano Dura Ace 7800 – I really love this equipment in terms of functionality, fit and form: just feels really good to me particularly in the hoods area. Rear cluster is an Ultegra 12-23: DA is just a bit too expensive in this area. Chain is the new 7900 DA – wanted the master link: it works fine with the DA/Ultegra mechs and cluster.

Cockpit area is a 3T Ergosum Team shallow drop bar, with the aforementioned DA 7800 brifters, Fizik Microtex tape, and Shimano Flight Deck mated to a Ritchey WCS alu 110 mm stem.

Seat and tube are a Fizik Arione Ti and Ritchey WCS carbon 31.6mm two-bolt respectively.

Chainset is a FSA SL-K double (53-39) on a Hope Ceramic anodised red BB.

Wheels are newly purchased Campy Eurus 2-Way Fit mated to Vittoria Rubino Pro Tyres.

Here's what it looks like overall:



Clearly I'm into red, white and black :)

Frame Structure and Finish

The CX-1 is a front monocoque triangle mated to a lugged rear bonded triangle: front mono and rear assembly is manufactured in Taiwan and bonded in Italy. Not sure what it actually weighs, but then at 90kg, I'm not that much of a weight weenie: can't say I've ever bought a component based on its weight (or lack thereof).

The front triangle tubes are what is termed of a 'polygon' shape: a cross between a square and circular cross section, with the top and bottom sections being flat and the sides being an arc of a circle. The idea is that as a square beam it resists vertical bending, and as a circular based shape it resists twisting. Below are a couple of pics of the DT and TT which sort of illustrates the shape.





It is a fairly hefty architecture, certainly not what I'd term aero: looks like a beefy sprinter's bike. Mated to a massive bottom bracket and a substantial head tube 1 and 1/8 top and bottom with Colnago's HS2 semi-integrated design, Colnago's own carbon fork, and large rectangular chain stays, it all spells Stiff.





The finish is gorgeous: lovely deep colours and tasteful bits of naked carbon show through via all the logos and BB. Only downside is the white paint: one or two small chips show thru' the black carbon of the forks. To ameliorate that I purchased some of that protective vinyl coating used on car fronts and installed it on the front of the forks, the head set and under the downtube.

Rider Interface

The cockpit as set up is simple and basic and well suited to me: always been a fan of Flight Deck. The 3T bar is great, shape and appearance wise, and the compact short drops are perfect for someone a little less flexible. Am a big fan of the Fizik bar tape: grippy with enough cushioning and easy clean.





Have owned an Arione since they first came out, and it's the first seat I've never really had to think about. It basically disappears under me, which is probably the best recommendation for fit one can give. I'm not into huge long rides, but 140km journeys haven't raised any issues at all.



Mechanicals

Not much to say here: the DA 7800 stuff mixed with the FSA chainset and the Ultegra cluster and the 7900 chain just work very well, and that's all.



The Hope Ceramic BB setup is really nice: a straight fit onto the FSA chainset spindle, and certainly feels smooth and free-spinning. I'm not much of a foul weather rider, so exposure isn't an issue. Interesting to see how long it'll spin for.

Ride

The bike as set up is a revelation to me. Absolutely the stiffest bike I've ever owned, the frame and wheelset cope with my 90kg with no issues at all. There is no evidence of twist, slump or bending at all from the head tube, BB or anywhere else, either in or out of saddle. This is a frame that is designed to handle way more than my meager power output – frankly it's overkill for me.

And yet, along with that extreme stiffness comes a degree of vertical comfort and compliance which is a little surprising: I'd seriously expected the bike to have been slightly compromised compared to my other previous carbon bikes in this regard, but it isn't. Obviously, the carbon bar and seat post are helping, but I certainly don't think that's the complete story. The convex rear seat stays are clearly working well here and there is some 'magic' in the frame that provides a level of stiffness with compliance which is just great. I could ride this bike for as long as I wanted over all but the most broken tarmac and not be at all phased.

And even if it wasn't as vertically compliant I doubt I'd complain: the CX-1 is just the most sharp and deftly handling bike I've ever swung a leg over. Its ability to follow a line – any line – is telepathic, and even when the choice of line isn't the greatest it'll eat up whatever you throw at it. It is a quick steerer, but not at all nervous – there are no over-corrections or adjustments required.

Downhill it is an absolute rock: not a twitch, wiggle or millimetre off line. You just look to where you want to go and it does the rest. It just 'flows'. Without a doubt the most stress free ride at 75km/h and plus ever for me.

And it soaks up road imperfections and significant lumps and bumps with outright ease. Not a good thing perhaps, but I've pretty much stopped looking out for stuff to dodge on the roads: only very large imperfections or objects would have me taking active evasive action.

Whilst I'm no mountain goat, the bike throws up no obstacles to my climbing: however good or bad I am on the day, it's all me.

It is the complete bike for me and I'm all the better for riding it. This bike makes me a better rider full stop. And every time I swing my leg off the bike I've felt the best I ever had about a ride – and that says it all.

Thanks Ernesto!



Ride safe!

Pictorial Homage - The Trusty Steed

Subsequent to my return to Perth, Western Australia, the weather has been crappy (showery, overcast, mind-numbingly dull) so riding hasn't been foremost in my activities! Still, the last few days have relented, and there's been a couple of chances to cycle to work and, today, to Fremantle, a lovely port city at the mouth of the Swan River. (Google maps satellite image url below - have a play!):


View Larger Map

(For those who browsers don't work with the above, here's the static map link):

Static Map of Freo

Pretty huh?. Fremantle is 35km from my home, so it's a nice little 70km out-and-back, with the bonus that there are lots of lovely cafes to choose from when you arrive (so it's not a true out-and-back - more like an out-slack-and-back!). Speaking of cafes, here's a plug for the one I usually go to - Gino's in South Terrace (bit of an institution in Freo). Just coz I like mucking around with Google Maps, here's the most zoomed in map of central Freo: Gino's is the far left white building in the triangle-shaped block at the centre of the pic.


View Larger Map

Static Map of Gino's

So, I set off at a rather slack 9:00am for the 65 minute ride to Freo. Perfect blue skies and a light wind made for very nice riding - I ride mostly on the roads, but there is a good cycleway which follows the freeway south which I travel on for part of the way.

Trundling along (many weeks of few rides after the tour has fattened me up a little!), I really enjoyed being back on the Masi. She is a great bike, so I thought I'd detail a little about her.

Firstly, some pics:





I think she's lovely :). (Wasn't sure about the blue Michelin Pro Race 2's, but they were new off my other bike, so I kept 'em - the colour 'wonkiness' looks good to me now!).

She's a 3VC Volumetrica - Dura Ace: the 2007 top Masi model.

Interestingly, she's the fully equipped Dura Ace model, but with the Ultegra coloured frame (both exactly the same frame, just the equipment differs). Also, she differs from the usual specs in that she has an FSA K-Force MegaExo crankset.

Mine is a 56 frame - a little on the small side for parts of my 185cm tall body, but nothing a little play around with doesn't fix. The reason I went for the 56 frame is because I have duck's disease - short legs! With a stand over height of 780 millimeters for the 56 frame, I have about 20mm clearance: the 58 frame would be tweaking certain parts of my anatomy that shall remain un-named! The fact that I haven't needed to replace any sizing components (stem etc) but just re-jigged them shows the generally good fit.

Another demonstration of good fit is the fact that the bike carted my 92kgs 1100 kms around Canada with not so much as a squeek from either the bike, or my body. The carbon-lugged frame was superlatively compliant laterally and yet stiff-as when it counted, hill-grinds especially! Across smooth roads she floated, and over roads that jettisoned water bottles and seat-bags, and turned a spoke or two on other bikes to spaghetti, she isolated me from as much shock as possible whilst still sticking to the road like glue: there's really not more you can ask of a bike! And in return she demanded a slight rear derailleur adjustment at the bars, a daily pump of the tires, and a thank you 5 minute clean on some nights.

Special mentions to the seat and the wheels.

The seat, Fizik Arione Ti rails, was one of the specific reasons I bought the bike, and it was superb. Not overly soft, but very compliant and comfortable. It's length is important here, giving you lots of room to move on when needed: right back for hill grinds, and more nose forward when in the pace line.

The wheels, Shimano Dura Ace 7801s. Originally had some doubts about these wheels, with 16 spokes up front and 20 in rear: I'm 92kgs!. But there were not an issue - laterally very stiff, complaint and after 1100kms with some rough road poundings, didn't require any trueing at all. Say no more!

So, there ya go - my homage to my trusty steed! We'll see what adventures she'll undertake with me next year - there are plans for more tours and many more hills!

Oh, below is a link to a blog by the Brand Manager of Masi: it's fun stuff and not at all just an excuse to flog his product (shit, I think I just did that here! - hehe):

Masiguy Blog

Ltr!