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FEATURES: COLNAGO CLX
June 24, 2008
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When the CLX emerged (actually, we opened the box and pulled it out) in our offices, the first thing we noticed was the white and black paint scheme contrasted with the World Championship colors on the head tube. And, of course, Ernesto Colnago’s signature on the top tube. It was a nice start to what would turn out to be quite a review process with the CLX. A process that entailed way too much riding, missed meetings and deadlines, and excuses to our family members for not attending required functions. Flat-out, the bike is stunning. If you are looking for attention (aren’t we all) the CLX with the oversized “Colnago” writing on the downtube will garner plenty. Combine that with a Campagnolo Centaur gruppo and things starts happening.
THE FRAME
The CLX, aside from looking great, has an interesting story. The bike is actually made in Taiwan, then shipped to Reno, Nevada, where it is hand built by a master mechanic, inspected and then sold in the U.S.Designed in the Colnago Lab in Cambiago, Italy, the CLX features a monocoque front triangle with external reinforcing ribs along the top tube, downtube and bottom bracket. The rear stays feature a lugged assembly and the chainstays stand out with their “leaf” shape, which gives the rear triangle a distinct look.
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| The Colnago CLX did everything right and then some. |
The sense you get when you first look at the bike is that Colnago spent so much time and money designing the frame that building it in Taiwan was the only way to make it viable for people to afford. The CLX is available in eight sloping sizes.
THE PARTS
Our CLX came equipped with a complete Campagnolo Centaur gruppo, including carbon cranks, Campagnolo Zondo wheels, Vredestein Fortezza SE tires, an FSA OS150 stem, FSA Wing Pro Shallow Drop bars and a Selle Italia SLR XP saddle in white (nice touch). The CLX also comes with a teardrop, Colnago-designed Aero-Carbon seatpost, which adds to the bike’s panache.
THE NUMBERS
Our 54-centimeter CLX featured a 73-degree head and seat tube angle, a center-to-center top tube length of close to 57 centimeters and 175-millimeter cranks. At just over 17-pounds the bike is not the lightest ride on the block, but our weight conscious testers didn’t seem to notice on this one. Weight is not Colnago’s mission. For Colnago, it’s not how light the bike is, but how it rides.
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| The Colnago aero-post was a nice touch. |
THE RIDE
Blissful. It was as if Eros himself tracked down all our testers, shot them with his arrows and caused them to smile indefinitely while riding the CLX. The bike is smooth, fast, elegant and responsive. Descending on the CLX was a confidence-inspiring lesson in frame design. The corners seemed wider and the speed seemed to increase. Climbing was comfortable and consistent on the CLX, but when the call came to jump out of the saddle, the CLX really shone. Each pedal stroke meant something and the bike almost encourages you to increase your wattage, because you get the sense it will be able to handle whatever you choose to offer up.
THE VERDICT
We don’t care if the frame is built in a flop-house this side of Uranus; the thing is as Italian as the Saltimbocca we prepared in celebration of spending countless hours gliding through the hills of Southern California singing Andrea Bocelli songs and praising Ernesto Colnago and his family. Recession or no recession, sell that jet ski sitting in the garage or take out a home-equity line and pick up a CLX. Your soul will thank you.
Price: $4,700
Weight: 17.1 pounds
Contact: www.colnago.com
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| In the drops, the CLX performed flawlessly. |
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