Hands-On: Colnago Y1RS - Pogacar's 2025 Tour de France Bike

Colnago has unveiled the Y1RS and Liam got hands on it to see just how unique this bike is in the flesh.
The Y1RS is a radical new aero race bike, which is claimed to be faster than anything else on the market.
It features tube shapes that make use of the UCI’s latest 8:1 depth-to-width rule and seatpost-placement regulation.
Colnago says the result makes the Y1RS faster than the competition, potentially giving UAE Emirates team leader, Tadej Pogacar, the fastest bike in the peloton.
But Colnago also claims to have made the Y1RS just as stiff as the V4RS, while claiming a weight of 7.45kg in a team build with pedals and cages.
However, there are plenty of voices calling this a rather ugly duckling. Here are the crucial details, along with Liam's first impressions.
00:29 Frame Shapes
02:08 Is It Ugly?
03:15 Is It Faster?
05:10 Is It Lighter?
06:20 Does Pogacar Have The Fastest Bike?
07:27 First Impression
Credits
Sara Cavallini/Getty Images
Crucial Tour De France Bikes: Pogacar Vs Vingegaard
• Crucial Tour De France...
10 Unmissable 2024 Pro Road Race Bikes
• 10 Unmissable 2024 Pro...
Colnago’s NEW C68 Superbike
• Colnago’s NEW C68 Supe...
NEW Colnago G4-X Gravel Bike First Ride Review
• NEW Colnago G4-X Grave...
5 Aero Tricks The Pros Are Using In 2024
• 5 Aero Tricks The Pros...
165mm Cranks - The Pro Tech Trend You Need To Follow
• 165mm Cranks - The Pro...
Listen to the BikeRadar Podcast
→ www.bikeradar....
Follow BikeRadar on our social media channels:
→ / bikeradar
→ / bikeradar
→ / bikeradar
BikeRadar is supported by Mountain Biking UK and Cycling Plus Magazine -For more information and to subscribe please visit
→ bit.ly/3nMr3Rn
For more content like this see our latest subscription offer -
→ www.cyclingplu...
→ www.mbuk.com/s...

[@bikeradar]

We've just learned that the price is €16,700. The UAE / ADQ teams also have a full complement of bikes. Apologies for the error.

[@N0BIgDEal]

What a steal! :)

[@Richard-me6eq]

😅😅

[@philLEPOT]

en dessous de 20000 euros , je n'achète pas. Donc, faites un effort sur le prix

[@AdeboFunkyVoodoo]

If you race: Why care what it looks like. If you don't race: Why care how aero it is.

[@bikeradar]

I want this printed on my tea mug to annoy Simon in the office every day. Liam

[@FlyingPastilla]

Because us humans like beautiful things. Color matter even for tools. Aero design is a blend of appealing form and function. It is the harmony between the two that creates style. But do let us know, do you only ride rim brake steel bikes with box section wheels ?

[@AdeboFunkyVoodoo]

@FlyingPastilla you have succeeded in entirely missing the point. Well done.

[@zvonkocafuta9989]

Exactly. My god how some people are foolish...

[@Heizie999]

if you don't race, rich AF, care about how your bike looks and its shape is accidentally aero.

[@ironchin17]

Interesting that we now have multiple data points (including now from Colnago themselves) showing that the V4RS is one of the slowest bikes in the pro peloton. Didn’t stop UAE from winning a million races this past year 😂

[@martinkroutil]

Yeah and now imagine what they will do on one of the fastest bikes in peloton :). Pogi will win 10min ahead instead of 5min :).

[@Sator810]

Goes to show how little the bike actually matter

[@martinkroutil]

@@Sator810 Only if you are so much alien :) that you can afford to just trow away 20watts like Pogi :)

[@tongotongo3143]

Bike itself doesn’t matter, provided you sit on it in a sport oriented position. What matters is only chainrings, cranks, chain, and tires.

[@mikew466]

Rider position is still the biggest drag.

[@NisseOhlsen]

Front the side I seriously think this is the greatest looking race bike I've seen, bar none, that is also pushing technology.

[@jdedits7546]

Looks like a absolute weapon!

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

Now I'm a 100% MTB dude who is terrified to ever ride a bike on a road with cars, so take my opinion for what it's worth, but I think the bike looks freaking amazing! 🔥

[@eduardoschneider2010]

The bike that everyone wants to see but not one will buy.

[@troycollett8540]

People will buy it

[@bikeradar]

You mean you don't have €16,700 kicking around?

[@Gandalf1dza]

I think this bike everyone hopes not to see again 😂

[@troycollett8540]

@@Gandalf1dza well it’s a real thing so it will be seen

[@Gandalf1dza]

​@@troycollett8540is has everything you want to see, but no taste of Colnago, paint clubs and it will be any "aliExpress superbike".

[@hernanhernandez3861]

Maybe Pogi can now do 150km break aways in 2025...

[@bikeradar]

That'd be a bit short for him

[@hernanhernandez3861]

@@bikeradar 😁

[@Mockle07]

Personally I think it looks stunning. I don’t know why cycling has so many traditionalists who clutch their pearls every time a bike comes out that isn’t a round-tubed double diamond. You don’t have to buy it, I absolutely won’t be buying it, but I’m glad it exists and we actually have bikes that look different from one another.

[@qualm43]

It's because the strength is compromised with those frame shapes. No adjustable seat height, wireless only compatibility.... bikes are objectively worse than they were 10 years ago.

[@tongotongo3143]

Because this way they keep rising bike prices and make bikes very complicated to own for normal civilians.

[@Mockle07]

@@qualm43 This is built for a very specific purpose. It is “objectively” better than those “bikes from 10 years ago” for that specific purpose. It’s worse for you (and most of us consumers) but better for the pro racers. Not every bike is built for every purpose/person.

[@florenzebg]

@@qualm43they are only worse if you want to switch parts around. Objectively worse is nonsense since they are pretty much the same weight with crazy good shifting, hugely more aerodynamic and breaking that is in a whole different league while offering more grip and comfort due to bigger tires. So purely performance wise they are much better and that is what people want and what they are developed for

[@Mockle07]

@@tongotongo3143 The Specialized S-Works Crux is about as simple as bike design gets and it costs £12,000. The Canyon Aeroad starts at £4k. This bike (and other similar bikes) have nothing to do with the rising cost of bikes.

[@seanmelvin5115]

i have waited years for a bike that looks this good. they took all the great bikes and put them into a vitamix and BAM

[@dobry_czlowiek]

Finally some discounts on V4rs

[@stephensharp2925]

As a big Colnago fan and owner of a C59, I think it looks pretty cool and I suspect it will grow on many .

[@abhimawa1]

It looks better than the leaked photos, but still hard to digest (for me, at least). That seatpost mounting can use 2 bolts to distribute the stress. Of 3 new Colnagos, the SteelNovo will be my top pick. I prefer Liam’s Æthos → at least it has beautiful timeless silhouette.

[@bikeradar]

I still prefer my Aethos too haha. Liam

[@KennethHorii]

Colnago have always done their best to balance the visual impact and the performance engineering of their race frame designs. When the directive to optimize performance shapes the visual form, you have a closing of what has long considered a binary. I think this confluence of binary concerns is brilliant. I personally like the looks very much, assume the performance is at a premium for elite competition and see this new design as in-line with the historic objectives of Colnago. I hope someday have a chance to ride one, but I will never be able to afford ownership. I am, however, happy to own a C64 and a Super (c 1972)- these do fine for my sportive riding.

[@maximkrivov]

It does look amazing. They made sure to pick the right colour for it.

[@stoneysanders628]

I love the design of this new bike!

[@icejam-xq5hj]

I think it's a good looking bike and I like how they pushed the boundaries with the design. Only so much you can change because of the UCI limits.

[@universe-juice]

Ok its grown on me. I am officially on board!

[@michaelclark3860]

I draw parallels to designs in the car industry when I look at bikes like this. The Jaguar E-type, Aston Martin DB5 etc are the classic steels bikes. This new Colnago is a Lamborghini with goodness knows how many different angular optimisations built into the design. I’d take one of the classics any day BUT you can’t help but appreciate the innovation and performance of the new designs.

[@11robotics]

except the innovation and performance are only marginal

[@michaelclark3860]

It’s difficult to say in all honesty as it can be argued either way dependant on POV. We’ve seen the data and the marketing and know all too well that 1 watt to us mere mortals is laughable and makes no difference. However, the now “vintage” stuff that I grew up on is genuinely behind today’s innovations. I’m not a marginal gains guy so my money is spent on good quality, ride characteristics and beautiful nostalgia. All the best buddy 👍🏻

[@GazRadCycling]

Buying one! I have same feeling about this as I did when I first saw the Venge Vias

[@ariffau]

“Only five complete bikes in existence and the UAE Team has them all”. That’s awesome, I didn’t know James Arthur rides for UAE

[@streaker78]

I think it looks fantastic, super-sleek

[@Simply1ism]

Like the looks. Handlebars are like some concept bars from the early nineties but technically couldn't be made.

[@rolandcolavizza5368]

I always thought UAE were at a obvious disadvantage with their v4Rs they now have a true weapon for them to Dominate the 2025 season , AT the speed Tadej rides uphill , I wont be surprised if he uses it on mountain stages , and just ditches the v4rs entirely

[@bigtime3719]

As a trader and expert in the human psyche, I can say; There are many people out there who will be "attracted" by a high price. The fact that it is different and quickly noticeable is an added plus.

[@christopheparisse9499]

Looks amazing for me.

[@troycollett8540]

Hopefully will be on debut at Tour Down Under

[@yveslaingui457]

I can hear all the mechanics groan looking at that integrated headset😄

[@Dzaen2]

Yes it is very nice to look at, and the specialized cockpit you showed, I liked as well. Edit: Just realized I fell for forced interaction by commenting.....

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

... interaction*

[@bikeradar]

lol we tricked you good ;) Liam

[@nasomato]

Cervelo, Bianchi, Bmc, Trek, Scott, Pinarello -mix

[@tonyg3091]

People seem to fail to understand the concept- this bike is not made for you and me. So whether you like it or not makes not one iota of difference for Colnago. This bike is made for Pog and Pog will make sure it becomes the stuff of legends. Just sit and watch. 10 years from now this will be the most successful bike in the history of cycling

[@torn1975]

Beautiful!

[@GC-uq2pd]

I am happy that brands are moving a bit further to optimize properly the aerodynamics of the bike. I would be glad as well that the UCI releases a bit more the rule. At the moment, all manufacturer seems to have reach the same point and produce similar bikes (typically SL8 shapes). However, I really would like the UCI to review their rules about the fact that product they are using in race needs to be opened to public consumption. Prices of bike are rising crazy, and I really wonder how many bikes they are selling. It doesn't make sense to put it on the market if nobody can buy actually buy it due to its price. In term of beauty, obviously as the shapes are new people won't love it. But wait to see that bike in the front of the peloton and for UAE to win races and titles, and your opinion will change. That's the reason why they are sponsoring pro-cycling : for people to associate their product with performance/strength/power, even if there are actually data to back it up. It is only convincing people that to be cool, they need such a bike.

[@stevep9041]

It will be the fastest bike in the peloton when Pogacar is on it…. but not me. Id look naff on it.

[@bikeradar]

I think we'd all look naff on this haha

[@stuartpotter4923]

I'm an absolute traditionalist when it comes to my bikes, sticking with steel frames and classic lines, but I don't race. If I did, I'd want to be on the fastest bike possible/allowed within the rules. I can only approve of manufacturers and frame designers looking to push the boundaries of what can be achieved with a race bike. Do I want one, no things, Do I think it looks fast AF? Sure does!

[@tongotongo3143]

High class steel racing bike would be as fast if not faster. All this pro elite peloton is just the main marketing platform for the bike industry.

[@caseyhorner3077]

I'm in the same camp, though no classics aficionado. For me, fit and comfort trumps everything. Price is also important. If I would race, the calculation would certainly be different. But I find it quite natural that in the competitive world, engineers are constantly trying to find ways to improve their designs to make riders go faster with the current regulations. I don't understand the willingness to criticize race bikes for their looks at all. Most prevalent when it comes to time trial machines, especially for triathlon.

[@billyblanco8106]

I yet have most of my bike event PRs on a steel frame (with alloy wheels & 42/52 + 13-24 cassette) although credit to carbon to keep me doing these bike events...nevertheless....it's the pilot...not the plane...LOL...

[@lukewalker1051]

@@tongotongo3143 Wrong. Carbon can be shaped to be more aero and has superior strength to weight. This is 'why' you never see a steel bike in the pro peloton in the modern era.

[@tongotongo3143]

Oh yeah:) fairytales… That’s why Specialized have made their new tarmac with round frame tubes exactly like those of a steel frame. Steel frame just have thinner frame tubes.

[@ChryskylodonInstitute]

really like the looks. specially in rainbows

[@normanzielke6108]

Pogi rides relatively upright. If this Frankenbike will allow him to adopt a more efficient aero position like Renco Evenpole or Matej Mohoric... we will see even more history written. Maybe even the unthinkable... winning San Remo solo after attacking at Cipressa.

[@Saxo-fx9uo]

It looks amazing

[@tjb8841]

I think it looks great

[@kingofherdaz]

I think it looks quite cool

[@sd3457]

I picked up a Campagnolo aero waterbottle from the bargain bin at my local branch of Halfords in about 1987(along with a Victory aero seat post and brakeset). Sadly the bike I put them on was stolen a couple of years later in Newcastle but the insurance money got me my first MTB, so every cloud...

[@Flexo_l]

Mixed feelings. Let's wait how it looks with Pogačar riding it 🤔

[@bikeradar]

Probably pretty fast ngl. Liam

[@klynnkhl7904]

Because it is a bike of pogi. We love it too!

[@philc9305]

Looks great.

[@GrouEEf]

The seat tube is hideous, the rest is fine. What's with the ending tho? Thought UAE team had all of them?

[@roeland_st]

This bike is so clean

[@LeeWright]

I think it looks really good, futuristic.

[@n8torious309]

Curious if a computer mount will negate the entire aero design of that gullwing bar

[@CUPAVI1]

Kestrel had that seat tube arrangement for ages.

[@gabriplc3473]

how do you mount a computer?

[@tongotongo3143]

You have to buy an adapter which costs only 500 € it’s only 1/20 of the total bike price so it isn’t a problem.

[@Sangyun-uv8sp]

​@@tongotongo3143 LOL

[@rob-c.]

It will be mounted weirdly behind your field of vision when you look down 😬

[@user-el3rp6nh5m]

vr

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

Not at all. You won't be able to read it anyway, as it will be permanently covered in puke because the bar and the bike are so ugly.

[@HobbyHoarder]

Orbea Orca Aero also comes with an aero bottle, even more narrow than Trek's.

[@theincredibledeus]

How good will the aerodynamics work on the cockpit after slamming a big wahoo or garmin on there? 😕

[@Simply1ism]

I think Pogi stashes his computer in his back pocket to record and rides on feel. 😮

[@oxey_]

shouldn't matter _that_ much, it's right in the center of your front surface already. Might still cost you a few watts though

[@Marcus221179]

Wonderful 😁

[@hmudesign]

Reminds me a bit of that Kickstarter bike that never took off.

[@paulwebster4499]

Cannot wait until hambini and alex at peak torque get to review this bike!

[@goixiz]

who are those guys ? do they ride your bike ?

[@bobbafett1971]

They review my RC with a picture. I respect their opinions but when they don't actually go hands on and then everyone takes their opinions as gospel, I have the RC and ita a fantastic bike.

[@Megadeth6633]

Seems nice. I have no problem with the shape. The seatpost even seems to be slacker than traditional geometries which should make it a bit more comfy.

[@LordAus123]

According to a few of the engineers that was the aim, a slacker seat tube to offer compliance while maximizing aero benefits otherwise.

[@luiscabas9630]

Absolutely beautiful

[@Awelo2025]

LA GRAN PREGUNTA... DONDE SE PONE EL SOPORTE PARA EL GARMIN???? 😊

[@broady666]

Can fit a massive framebag in there

[@bikeradar]

Bikepacking forever

[@kestralrider313]

I love the looks for what it's meant to be used for, I'm too old and it's been too many years since my last race but the 20yo racer me would have been drooling over this ride. So what do we think Pogi will do with another 20 watts next year?

[@1962speiche]

sweet Race Bikes!

[@fabianmolyneux2308]

I like the look of it. I’d want one in black and the wheels without the gosh decals

[@orengardz4191]

i think what i like about pogi when he rides the v3rs is the un expected breakaway long solo attack, while he will be more efficient on the y1rs the thought of him riding the y1rs just says breakaway and makes he's riding predictable.

[@RichLovelock]

He already tells us where he's going to break😄

[@orengardz4191]

@@RichLovelock he told the media ? What a spoiler 🤣

[@Chibster83]

I want one!

[@norevlimitr1602]

I like the look but where do you mount the head unit. A standard front mount will probably ruin any aero advantage of that bar. 🤔

[@pixelperfectpaddy]

it looks good but for me the Colnago Concept (predecessor) has that typical Colnago timeless elegance and looks so much better.

[@marcelsow5817]

The front section looks pretty slick. The rear looks like it shouldn’t be ridden at Paris-Roubaix. Looks like it would snap off

[@qak1991]

From whole bike which was not my love at first sight handlebar is absolute masterpiece. Love it

[@davidrees1840]

Interesting, looking fwd to seeing it perform. The ninja star graphics are cool close-up, but most views just look like like it's chipping off.

[@n8torious309]

Mighty curious if putting a computer mount in the middle of the Gullwing effectively negates all of their wind tunnel work on that handlebar

[@chrishophoto]

Looks great to me! As an owner of 7 Colnagos, I’d be happy to own one someday.

[@lzambranalz]

1992 Kestrel bikes produces the first seat tubeless frame 500 sci model

[@akcalder92]

I like it!

[@jeanyvesfrere]

Merci de commenter aussi en français 😊

[@oliverjacobs8594]

A 20 watt saving over the V4 RS is equivalent to a 16 watt saving at 45kph. Using Tour’s numbers, that would place this bike roughly equivalent to the Dogma F or some cheaper Aeroad models.

[@FT__Bicycling_____-sc7yv]

The frame looks good. Especially on frames wirh the lower part of the seat tube painted black.. The handlebars.. well, for a y shaped design, they are correct (Cervelo does it wrong with the too crossbar covering the gap) but my first impression is that it looks odd/bad from some angles

[@kevingregoire1042]

Owner of System6 hi mod 2019, I find this bike, like System 6 and the cervelo S5 might just be a 2025 milestone.

[@williamsylvia3962]

That bike is hot! However I have concerns about stiffness of the bars in a sprint, and where do you put the bike computer? Also, Shimano power meter 🤢🤮. I would definitely be going SRAM build.

[@indiebikes]

Certainly makes the so called “Speed Sniffer” on the SL8 look very restrained! Colnago have played a blinder here and put the aero bike back in the shop window! MK4 Venge coming soon?

[@massaka17]

The guy climbs alpine climbs at 25km/h, I am sure he will favor aero for climbing stages too.

[@tmunk123]

The exceptions may be Mont Vonteaux and La Plagne. Both average over 7% with long stretches at 9-10%. But other than those two, I'll bet he rides the aero bike on all the other climbs.

[@Richard-me6eq]

Heck, you will be reading a Pina, Spacialized, CerveloS5 all in 1. You all got a winner right there.😅😅 get those buckos out 🚴‍♀️

[@Chris._P._Bacon]

For someone who will never buy one, they sure put more effort on racing than the 99.7% that will buy bikes.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

LOL - my Specialized Dealer has sold every SWORKS SL-8 he’s gotten in. And ordered scads of them. In road - he’s sold more $14K bikes than $5K bikes.

[@robbiek4400]

Yeah that’s how this works. Are you new to the sport?

[@qwertyazerty2137]

I wonder how aero is that head tube because it seems that if the fork is turned that hinge effectively enlarges the frontal surface and possibly distorts the aerodynamics

[@Incaensio]

I like it

[@Simonewhitesim-1music]

I think it's kind of cool. Everyone hated the S5 at first.

[@TheFloridaBikeVlogger]

those enve decals slap

[@pixym]

Hello, What about the TT version ?

[@aligooya8514]

The thing is your taste of what bike looks amazing changes over time so this might not look wired in the near future

[@robertlambert1447]

How does the computer mount on the bars? 🤔

[@andrewpalmer2195]

Pogi probably has enough special sauce in his system he could win Le Tour on my old Raleigh Blaster…

[@peteryoung4700]

Wonder how they mount their garmin?

[@GlennCarton]

Best competitor in the tour is the Cervelo S5. The all-round competitor is the Canyon Aeroad IMO?

[@Mike0]

Sprint finish stages only surely for the Canyon?

[@GlennCarton]

@Mike0 in wind tunnel testing it's basically the fastest one.

[@superstrada6847]

The rear seat tube area looks like the Trek Madone only without the "Aero Hole" thus the Z-Shape. I can get used to it but likely way out of my price range!

[@repo4]

Colnago has been cerveloed.. 😢

[@bikeradar]

It is very S5 esque, isn't it... Liam

[@maxaposteriori]

And it seems to me it can only be that or the Aeroad they are referencing as a comparison point. I doubt niche bikes such as the Storck Aerfast would be considered a competitor given they are not ridden in the World Tour.

[@antran8976]

Bianchied

[@Dimashoey]

How do they put the bike computer? And action cam mount for crit racer?

[@onepunchbud1472]

They still have the C68, also the VR4s (which will be replaced in summer as well, if rumors are correct) So actually you can get whatever you prefer - classic look, fancy look... Totally fine imo

[@Loconoloquisimo]

If the bike company keeps coming out with bikes like this, I think the world tour will be on a Zwift bike in 20 years.

[@Brownie861]

its beautiful,the bianchu looks off maybe not as symmetrical

[@lukewalker1051]

A real boon for seniors. Now riser stems are considered aesthetically acceptable. First Cervelo and then the inevitable copycats, Bianchi and now Colnago. Invention is rare and generally derivative.

[@davegearing2707]

How does that seat tube work? There can't be much between the min& max insertion, do you get an over sized tube which you have to cut down?

[@danieljaques2418]

Yeah minimal adjustment means you will need to buy a £5000 one when you need to sell it so somone else 2mm different can ride it..

[@dbelzazar320]

Is it UDH compatible? 😮

[@the_luki]

I like it, like my v4rs❤