FAQ

Colnago Frequently Asked Questions:

Why does Colnago use a traditional head tube and not an integrated head tube?
Why is there no weight chart on Colnago’s web site or catalog?
What are the quality standards used by Colnago?
What is the advantage of using lugged frame construction in carbon fibre bicycles?
What are the advantages of Colnago’s B-Stay & Hp chain stays?
What technological developments were used in the new Colnago Extreme Power tube-set?
I’m buying a Colnago; what size is right for me?
Someone stole my bicycle, how can I identify it?
What are the advantages of the Titanium CNC sleeve inside the bottom bracket?
I’ve had a crash, can I still use my carbon fibre bicycle?
What is the difference between Sloping and Traditional frame sizes?
Why does Colnago use a straight blade fork design?

Why does Colnago use a traditional head tube and not an integrated head tube?
Technical innovation has always been a key goal for Ernesto Colnago. He doesn’t believe that he should penalize the technical qualities of his bicycles for esthetic reasons. A non-integrated external head set is superior to one that is included in the head tube.

Why is there no weight chart on Colnago’s web site or catalog?
This information is not published by Colnago because we want to be proper in our communication: one can communicate the weight of an unpainted monocoque frame where there are three or four standard sizes, but Colnago, with our custom made approach have more than 30 available frame sizes and can’t provide information for our entire range.

What are the quality standards used by Colnago?
Colnago is the only bicycle manufacturer worldwide to have ISO 9001 certification. That implies a major commitment by Colnago for development and production, not to mention financial. (International Organization for Standardization) is the only global organization that guarantees and certifies specific quality standards, for development (the safety of the product and quality of the material used) as well as the reliability of each and every part of the final product.
Once ISO 9001 certification is achieved, it must be maintained year after year by investment in resources and equipment. 
Colnago is one of the few bicycle manufacturers to apply a broad series of quality tests: the first via special machines in the laboratory and field testing from the sponsoring of 7 professional and 3 Under 23 cycling teams.
Laboratory tests follow well defined ISO 9001 testing norms and to apply these, Colnago has a broad array of purpose built testing for static stress tests, dynamic tests that provide continual frontal impacts as well as ones that simulate riding conditions to test frame strength under extended continuous use.

What is the advantage of using lugged frame construction in carbon fibre bicycles?
Lugs are developed at the same time as the bicycle. Twelve years ago, Colnago was the first to patent lugs for carbon fibre bicycle frames.  The advantage is very basic: lugged carbon frame construction allows Colnago to make any carbon fibre bicycle frame in custom sizes.

What are the advantages of Colnago’s B-Stay & Hp chain stays?
These two technologies invented by Colnago have revolutionized the look of Colnago’s range. B-Stay provides increased braking power and a more elegant and refined look to the frame.
Hp rear chain stays were created for two reasons: more stiffness under force and more power transmission to the road.

What technological developments were used in the new Colnago Extreme Power tube-set?
The new Power technology is the latest development from Colnago’s internal research and development laboratory, Colnago Lab. This year, Colnago sponsored  ProTour Team Milram has one of the fastest sprinters in the world, Alessandro Petacchi, who asked Ernesto Colnago “I want an Extreme-C”. But Colnago, realizing the power output of Petacchi during his sprint and his height and weight used his many years of experience to develop a special frame for Petacchi. The final result is called Extreme Power, with triple butted tubing (similar to earlier steel tubing designs) that have 3 internal reinforcement and new lugs developed specially for the Extreme Power tube-set.

I’m buying a Colnago; what size is right for me?
At Colnago, we have always measured the distance from the foot flat on the ground to the crotch, the length of the foot, the arm, the shoulders, the overall height and how the rider pedals, with toes down or flat. That is how a real custom made bicycle is built. Please check with your authorized Colnago dealer, who can advise you of the proper size for you.

Someone stole my bicycle, how can I identify it?
When Colnago obtained our ISO 9001 certification a number of years ago, we began to include a guarantee and users manual. Thanks to this, one can note your bicycle serial number. You can also fill out your guarantee document with serial number on line at www.Colnago.Com in My Colnago section.

What are the advantages of the Titanium CNC sleeve inside the bottom bracket?
Colnago’s Titanium CNC sleeve inside the bottom bracket helps the maintenance of the bottom bracket assembly and ensures that the bottom bracket will not seize.

I’ve had a crash, can I still use my carbon fibre bicycle?
Unlike other bicycle frame materials,  carbon fibre is a material that provides no prior indication when it breaks. In fact, after a crash, a carbon fibre frame can have internal microfractures that may not be evident externally.
So do not assume the structural integrity of a carbon fibre frame exists unless tests can be effected to check on internal microfractures. We strongly advise to not use your carbon fibre bicycle after a crash until it can be checked by an authorized Colnago dealer.

What is the difference between Sloping and Traditional frame sizes?
Frames using traditional sizes are considered the best by Ernesto Colnago. In fact, sloping sizes were born from , Mountain Bikes where all the sizes were covered with 4 standard sizes. Personally sloping sizes are exclusively for commercial reasons.

Why does Colnago use a straight blade fork design?
Colnago’s straight blade fork was born in 1987 in collaboration with Ferrari engineers during a discussion about cold setting fork curvature. Ernesto Colnago and the Ferrari engineers discovered that while the curved fork didn’t absorb road vibrations and shocks, while the straight bladed fork did. From that testing, Colnago’s PRECISA fork was born, and subsequently, many of Colnago’s competitors adopted a straight blade fork.