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FEATURES: SUMMER ANTIPASTO ITALIANO: COLNAGO & PINARELLO FOR 2009
Tim Maloney-European Editor
August 12, 2008
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Summer Antipasto Italiano: Colnago & Pinarello for 2009
Road Bike Action recently had the privilege of visiting Colnago and Pinarello for a sneak pre-season peek at the newest models for 2009 from Italy’s top bike builders. We’re proud to present a small serving of
tasty bikes from these top Italian brands, an antipasto di bici if you will. Look for a full serving of new bicycles, components & accessories for 2009 coming in our extensive trade show coverage beginning in early September from Eurobike in Freidrichshafen, Germany.
Colnago 2009: CX-1 & EPS, Two New Models From The House Of Ernesto
Ernesto Colnago has two exciting top-end models for 2009 as well as a complete range on offer and Road Bike Action was lucky to get a sneak-peak at the new Colnago bikes that won't be officially launched until the Eurobike Show a month from now. Signor Ernesto told us before he let us see his new jewels that "ColnagoRevolution is the top development and design project for Colnago in 2009, and my all-new
Colnago CX-1 is the first born star from this new design project. CX-1 will be available in late in 2008."
Colnago CX-1 close-up
Colnago explained that "the CX-1 has a special monocoque carbon fibre front triangle with an assembled rear triangle which is joined with a special proprietary bonding process we have developed." Colnago's new CX-1 is the top model of Colnago’s monocoque frame range and is positioned close to the Colnago Extreme Power and Extreme–C in performance and design. Colnago said "we created this CX-1 for strong riders who have been asking asked for a more aggressive, ultra-modern monocoque frameset. So we created the CX-1; it is a real high-performance frameset with a great, dynamic ride. It is light enough for climbing but stiff enough for sprinting."
CX-1 has a multi-shape top tube with a unique polygonal profile that has a very strong, solid structure with two flat surfaces on bottom and top for extra stiffness and the polygonal profile also disperses road vibrations.
The CX-1's rear chainstay and seat stay shape have been developed to optimize overall torsional and lateral rigidity without adding weight.
Unlike many carbon fibre frames, Colnago uses an exclusive pre-preg Carbon Fibre Fabric that is specially selected by using electronic scanning technology that ensures the fabric will have the maximum resin dispersal and provide the lightest frame possible. CX-1 uses both high modulus composite (HM) and high-strength (HR) unidirectional composite with a 3K twill finish. Signor Ernesto explained "During the development of the CX-1, we used 3D design & Finite Element Analysis (FEM) to make created an extremely accurate, optimized carbon fibre composite lay-up in the key zones where force is transmitted to the road for an incredible ride & performance."
Another key innovation in the CX-1 is the Colnago Headset System, or C-HS, an all-new semi-integrated headset that allows easier assembly and maintenance without removing the entire headset assembly and provides extra stability to the head tube. Signor Ernesto told us "we have tested the new C-HS in racing situations with Rabobank riders like Graeme Brown & Oscar Freire, who won various stages of the GP Malllorca and Tirreno Adriatic races on new CX-1 prototypes."
Colnago EPS: We saw this model as a top-secret proto at Colnago but then low and behold, Ete Zabel was testing an EPS at the Tour De France (RBA TECH FEATURE: ERIK ZABEL'S TEAM MILRAM COLNAGO EPS PROTOTYPE see link here), so now it can be told. EPS stands for Extreme Power Super and the structure of Colnago's EPS frame has bee completely re-done from the Extreme Power in tubing and lugs.
Colnago EPS
Alessandro Colnago, Signor Ernesto's grandson and marketing director at Colnago told Road Bike Action "For the EPS, we have used a mix of ultra high and high modulus (HHM-HM) unidirectional composite with a 3K twill finish. This frame has an all-new frameset with what we call Multi Shape Tubing-3PRS System; the tubing varys from a special conical toptube with a 40mm diameter at the headtube, which tapers to a 35mm diameter at the seat tube lug, which uses a 31.6mm seatpost like the Extreme Power model. For the EPS downtube, we have a constant diameter of 44mm from headtube to bottom bracket, and have four 3PRS internal reinforcing ribs of varying widths and thicknesses inside the downtube which give exceptional stiffness and power transfer to our new Colnago EPS frame."
Like the new CX-1, Colnago’s Extreme Power Super has the Colnago Headset System, or C-HS, an all-new semi-integrated headset that allows easier assembly and maintenance without removing the entire headset assembly and provides extra stability to the head tube. Colnago has developed a new for 2009 NewStar Carbon fork for the C-HS 1-1/8" 1-1/4" diameter. The NewStar carbon fibre fork offers improved steering & stability thanks to the new fork blade shape and and blend smoothly with the new 1-1/4" diameter of the bottom of the headtube. Colnago Extreme Power Super is available in 14 traditional & 8 sloping sizes as well as custom sizes through a Colnago dealer.
Other key Colnago models for 2009 are the Colnago for Ferrari 60th bicycle, created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Ferrari. Colnago's Extreme Power model will continue as will the Extreme-C climbing bike and C50 family, consisting of the C50 Strada, C50 Cross, C50 Pista. A new member of the C50, the Crono Flight is a timetrial & triathlon frame with a unique one-piece bottom-bracket and seat tube that has a rigid, aerodynamic structure, a seat tube with a sleek teardrop section, which is shaped to allow the rear wheel to come as close as possible, yet still respect all UCI rules for TT bikes. C50 Crono Flight also has a teardrop section aero down tube, with a 1" Street Carbon fork for a narrower front section, rear B-Stay and rear chainstays in Colnago's distinctive Leaf shape.
Another new model from Colnago is the Cross Prestige Carbon. Ernesto Colnago told us that "we created the Cross Prestige Carbon for Sven Nys, who has dominated 'cross with 7 Superprestige wins, 4 World Cup wins and 1 World Championship." Cross Prestige Carbon has a monocoque front triangle with round tube sections to make it easier to shoulder carry during running sections. With the addition of high-modulus carbon fibre to the layup of the Cross Prestige Carbon, the frame is both extremely strong and extremely light. The Cross Prestige Carbon has an assembled rear triangle and a unique feature of this frame is in the seattube area, there is a curved section that will help 'cross riders make easier transitions.
Other popular Colnago models back for 2009 are the Strada SC, classic steel Master X-Light, Colnagos entry level carbon fiber model CLX, Colnago's high performance, high value Alloy-Carbon Fibre Arte and entry level, heat treated 6000 series variable butted aluminum Primavera.
Pinarello 2009: Fausto & Co. Continue The Innovative Tradition
Pinarello calls their bikes "Adrenalina Italiana" and the adrenaline was flowing as the bike maker presented their 2009 range in Treviso, Italy. Considered one of the most innovative bike makers, Pinarello was the first to use 1 1/8" - 1 1/4" integrated headsets, carbon seatstays and compact cranksets. Unlike their 2008 range when Pinarello introduced their spectacular Prince FP, Fausto Pinarello told Road Bike Action "We had a lot of success last year; it was our best season ever and in 2009 we think it will be even better for us."
Pinarello FP3
Leading the way for Pinarello in 2009 is the all new for 2009 FP3 model, where Pinarello took the inspiration of the innovative design of the Prince and re-casts it at a more affordable price, around $4000. Using the same molds as the Prince FP, Pinarello's FP3 is made in a 30HM12K carbon composite material rather than the 50HM1K of the more expensive model. Fausto told us that "the new FP3 comes in 10 sizes and has the same Pinarello geometry as the Prince FP." Like the Prince FP, FP3 has a monocoque front triangle, bonded to a rear triangle with new wider fork blades for more stiffness & control, a 1 1/8"-1 1/4" integrated headset, a personalized look and Pinarello's house brand MOs.t. components throughout.
Pinarello has also created some new models for multi-sports, with the all new for 2009 FT3 model and upgrade from the continuing FT1. FT3 uses Torayca 50HM1K carbon composite, the same as the Prince FP. Fausto told us "we are sponsoring triathlete Cameron Brown, who was 4th in Ironman Euro in Frankfurt, so already the FT3 is having success." Pinarello offers the FT3 in 5 different sizes, with monocoque front triangle bonded to a rear triangle with a special seat clamp, and a trimax integrated headset. FT3 has with two seatposts for two different seat angles; a -22 setback for a 74 degree seat angle suited for road time trials, and a -0 setback with a steeper 76 degree seat angle for triathlon.
Pinarello's dramatic Montello TT bike will get new, more modern and agressive graphics for 2009, and it's road racing TT geometry comes from a different mold than the FT series of multi-sport bikes. Montello is made in Torayca 50HM3K carbon fibre composite and is available in 6 sizes and also as a track version and has two seatposts for two different seat angles like the FT. Pinarello also has a new version of the Montello called the FM1, which uses the same Torayca 50HM1K carbon composite as the Prince FP.
Pinarello Prince FP
Fausto told Road Bike Action that "for 2009, we didn't want to change the Prince FP. It's out best selling bike ever for Pinarello, a tremendous success. Our prior best seller was the Prince SL, which in the best year we sold 2,200 frames. With the Prince FP, we sold 8,500. I think that the Prince SL might be our best road frame ever made! We changed the graphics a little and added a replaceable rear dropout." Prince FP is made in Torayca 50HM1K carbon composite and is available in 10 sizes. And Pinarello has their "MyWay" system so clients can personalize bikes on-line.
Pinarello's FP5, their entry level carbon bike with high level image is back for '09 with new, more agressive graphics and a personalized MO.s.t seatpost & stem. Fausto explained that "the FP5 is like our previous
F4:13 model, which was our first all-carbon road bike in 2005 and a big success for us. With the FP5, we use the same mold as the F4:13 but use 30HM12K carbon composite." FP5 has a MOs.t wheelset, components & saddle and comes in 8 sizes.
Another interesting model from Pinarello for 2009 is the FP2, an all new model that has 6061T6 aluminum main frame in the same tube shapes cloned from Pinarello's innovative magnesium Dogma model, adding Onda carbon fibre seatstays. FP6 is an all new entry-level carbon fibre bike from Pinarello, that uses the same mold as the previous Paris carbon model, but has 30HM3K carbon composite, a MOs.t Panther wheelset, personalized components & saddle, a MOs.t carbon / ergal crankset and comes in 10 sizes.
The famous Pinarello Dogma will continue for 2009 as the only AK61 magnesium bicycle on the market with a blend of Pinarello's proprietary AK61 magnesium frame tubing and Onda carbon fibre frame
fork and chainstays. Pinarello's Cross CX model will offer a full carbon monocoque front & bonded rear 30HM12K carbon composite bicycle & frameset for the mudmen, while Germany's Lightweight Wheels for will collaborate with Pinarello to offer MOs.t. Lightweight wheels for 2009.
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