Colnago has introduced the latest model in its C Series, the C72 coming with a redesigned lug system, a new CC.02 integrated cockpit, hidden down tube storage, and geometry that is designed “to accommodate both aggressive race setups and all-day comfort.”
Although you’ll see Tadej Pogacar and his UAE Team Emirates XRG teammates mostly racing on Colnago’s Y1RS, the Italian brand sees the C Series bikes as the most prestigious in its range and “the most Colnago of all” – in that it most closely encompasses what the brand is all about.
How come? The C Series bikes are made in Italy, and rather than coming out of a frame as a monocoque, Colnago uses a multi-piece construction technique.
Colnago says, “In an era dominated by monocoque frames, the C72 reaffirms the value of a more deliberate method — one that allows engineers and craftsmen to fine-tune stiffness, compliance and force distribution with exceptional precision.”
The first C Series bike was introduced in 1989 and Colnago releases a new one every few years. The number in the model name refers to the years from Colnago’s establishment in 1954 to the launch, so the C35 was launched in 1989, the C40 in 1994, and so on, right on up to the C72 in 2026.
When he reviewed the last version, the C68, our man Stu Kerton said, “This is a stunning bike to ride; everything about the ride quality, the geometry, and the handling is spot on. It has character about it which can be hard to create in a carbon frameset.”
That bike in a Campagnolo Super Record build was £15,000 when we reviewed it in 2023. We’ll come to the pricing of the C72 later on, but let’s just say we’re talking about similar figures – and a couple of options even higher.
> Check out our review of the Colnago C68 Super Record from 2023
Made in Italy
Like previous C Series bikes, the C72 is made in Italy… and that doesn’t mean that the frame is made in the Far East and the bike is assembled in Italy.
“From tube bonding and assembly in Cambiago, to hand-finishing, painting and final quality control, each frame is the result of a meticulous, time-intensive process carried out with precision and care,” says Colnago.
Production is limited to 3,000 frames per year, so you’re not going to see too many of these around.
New lug system
As mentioned, C Series bikes are built using lugs rather than coming out of the mould as monocoques.
In other words, the carbon tubes and lugs are produced first, then the tubes and joints are assembled and bonded in dedicated jigs. The surfaces are hand-finished before the frame is airbrushed prior to final assembly.
Colnago says, “By designing each single piece and producing them in smaller casts, [we are] able to customise the performances to the extreme level. [We use] different types of carbon fibres with different performances. In this way, the ride experience gets finely tuned to match exactly our needs.
“Making the bike modular also means the possibility to design more complex shapes while maintaining the desired thinness and stiffness of the tubes. In doing so, [we achieve] the distinctive aesthetic and maintain the overall low weight of this bike while delivering its best-in-class stiffness and responsiveness.”
The C72 frame is made of seven tubes (the same number of tubes as the C68). The top tube is now a single piece that is joined directly with the seat tube. The rear triangle is now made in two separate pieces: seatstays and chainstays.
“The development of the lugs marks a significant step forward,” Colnago says. “No longer treated as purely structural junctions, they become defining elements of the frame’s identity — carefully shaped to ensure continuity, precision and visual balance across the entire structure.”
“Particular attention has been given to the relationship between surfaces, inspired by the concept of panel gap matching found in high-end automotive design. Each interface is engineered with extreme accuracy, controlling alignment, spacing and transitions to achieve a consistent and refined visual flow.
“Rather than concealing its modular construction, the C72 expresses it with clarity. Individual elements remain perceptible, yet perfectly integrated, creating a frame where every junction contributes to a cohesive and harmonious whole.”
It’s certainly a distinctive-looking bike that sits apart from the crowd.
Greater integration
Whereas the Colnago C68 featured the brand’s CC.01 integrated carbon handlebar and stem, the C72 gets a new CC.02 cockpit.
“The CC.02 has a new curve shape, that enables a more aggressive position and better brake control at a lower position,” says Colnago. “It is lighter than its predecessor—15g less than CC.01—and has a slightly different geometry, improving stability.”
The reach has been reduced and the flare has been increased.
A custom bottle cage hides a hidden storage compartment in the down tube. Many brands are providing down tube storage these days, but the cover that incorporates the bottle cage is Colnago’s patent-pending design.
The storage compartment includes a Colnago repair kit with a mini ratchet wrench, bit heads, TPU inner tube and a CO2 adaptor.
More comfort
The C72 has what Colnago describes as a racing geometry, but it’s a little more relaxed than that of the C68.
If we take the size 510 model as an example – the middle of Colnago’s seven sizes – the C72 has a stack height of 562mm and a reach of 387mm, giving a stack/reach of 1.45.
For comparison, the stack on the C68 was 557mm and the reach was 388mm, giving a stack/reach of 1.44 – so it’s not a vast difference in that respect, just a touch more relaxed.
“The C72 can be adjusted more toward endurance with respect to its predecessor, but at the same time maintains an aggressive DNA,” says Colnago. “A steeper steering angle and longer reach reduce trail, maintaining the wheelbase, responsive steering, and quick handling typical of racing bicycles.”
Colnago says the C72 is designed around 30mm tyres, although you can go up to 35mm (on 700C wheels) for more comfort and vibration absorption.
It also says that the seatpost/seat tube and rear triangle have “evolved to improve compliance and shock absorption, maintaining torsional stability”.
Ah, our old friends vertical compliance and lateral stiffness. Bike brands love to talk about those.
Colnago says, “Carbon layup [has been] adjusted in combination with the tube shape to allow a superb vibration absorption, maintaining torsional stability in acceleration along with quick and precise handling and leaning support.”
Frame weight
Colnago says that dropping weight has never been the primary goal of the C72 project, but that the 485 size frame comes in at 895g (unpainted and without metal parts). For comparison, the claimed weight for the C68 (raw, same size) was 925g.
The ride
We’ve not seen the C72 in the flesh, still less ridden it, so we can’t give you a first-hand experience of how it performs, unfortunately.
For what it’s worth, Colnago reckons that the new bike “delivers a riding experience defined by balance, precision and control”.
Of course, a brand is always going to say positive things about how its bike feels; it’s hardly going to say anything else, is it? But whereas the Y1RS is all about speed, the C72 is more about smoothness and compliance, too. Well, that’s Colnago’s aim, anyway.
Specs and prices
The Colnago C72 is available in four complete builds:
Groupset Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
Wheelset Fulcrum Sharq 57
Price £13,299
Groupset Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
Wheelset Enve SES 4.5
Price £14,999
Groupset Campagnolo Super Record 13
Wheelset Campagnolo Bora Ultra WTO
Price £14,999
Groupset SRAM Red AXS (inc power meter)
Wheelset Enve SES 4.5
Price £16,299
The Colnago C72 also comes as a frame kit (frame, fork, headset, CC.02 cockpit) for £6,299.
C72 La Scala limited edition
If you’d like to celebrate your twin loves of cycling and opera – that’s all of us, right? – Colnago is introducing a C72 La Scala limited edition to mark the launch of the new platform, Teatro alla Scala being the principal opera house in Milan (Colnago is based in nearby Cambiago). Only 72 numbered pieces are being made, built up with Campagnolo components.
Fancy owning one yourself? Slight catch: it’ll cost you €22,000, which converts to about £19,150. Still, nice to look at, eh?
11 thoughts on “Colnago unveils C72 road bike: new Italian-built flagship model blends updated lug design, hidden storage and extra comfort”
Made in Italy is all well and good, but here is an exceptionally uninteresting bike to look at.
With odd geo if that table is right – long and high?
The storage system looks the same as the one on the BMC Roadmachine.
“Like previous C Series bikes, the C72 is made in Italy… and that doesn’t mean that the frame is made in the Far East and the bike is assembled in Italy.
“From tube bonding and assembly in Cambiago, to hand-finishing, painting and final quality control, each frame is the result of a meticulous, time-intensive process carried out with precision and care,” says Colnago.”
Just so we’re crystal clear, are the tubes themselves made in the Far East, and then bonded together into a complete frame in Italy?
Personally I have nothing against that approach (I’m sure there is more expertise in carbon manufacturing in Asia than there is in Italy), but it does feel a bit disingenuous to focus on the “Handmade in Italy” angle within the marketing, whilst using weaselly words to avoid stating that a pretty important part of the process (manufacturing the carbon tubes) is not done in Italy.
Is that right? Just watched a GCN video on the C72 and certainly the impression give was that the tubes ARE made in Italy, albeit not at Cambiago.
As far as I’ve always understood/heard, the monocoque frames (the V-number bikes) are made in Taiwan but the tubes for the ones assembled in Italy are made in northern Italy by companies specialising in marine and aerospace carbon fibre applications.
Happy to be corrected if that is the case. Maybe I’m just too cynical, but my normal assumption is that they would have been more explicit about where the tubes are made, if they are made in Italy (even if by a separate company).
Having looked up the GCN video, I agree it does state that the tubes are made elsewhere it Italy, although I would take anything GCN says with a healthy pinch of salt (or more accurately an unhealthy pinch of salt – the amount of salt required for a GCN video nowadays, you’d be well on your way to a heart attack!)
A gorgeous bike (I currently have a C64), but shut lines, like a car? Why? That’s pants. I’ve seen it up close on David Arthur’s channel and it’s just naff.
would it be bad to buy the Scala version just to have it on the wall?
though, to be honest, i think the black and marbled red looks the best
How we went from “vertically compliant and laterally rigid” through “is it an aero bike or a climbing bike” through “aero and lightweight at the same time” to “aggressive race setups with all day comfort.” Welcome back to the 1970s. But with electronic shifting, disc brakes, and integrated cockpits, and 3D printed saddles, of course.
I hate that Colnago have fawningly followed the trend for pointless in-frame storage.