Colnago Materials

There is no one perfect material for a Colnago bicycle frame. All have advantages and disadvantages. A very strong material might be very light, but fatigue too quickly for the repeated stresses of cycling. Or it might be simply too expensive for some riders’ budget. At Colnago we use a range of materials to balance these factors.

The immense strength and versatility of Colnago carbon fiber has made it the most popular material for top-quality road racing bicycles. We use Toraya carbon fiber in a variety of grades and types according to the specific requirements of the frame or component.

Our one-piece (monocoque) frames use pre-preg carbon cloth, laser-aligned in a mould and heated under pressure to form a seamless, strong, light unit.

The first Colnago bicycles were made from steel and so steel is still close to our heart. The Colnago Master X-Lite’s Columbus DT15V tubing gets its strength from chromium, molybdenum and vanadium alloying elements and is butted and shaped to our exact specifications.

Aluminum is a great material for less expensive frames. Its low density and relatively high strength for its cost allow it to be built into light, rigid frames that meet the needs of a wide range of riders. With the addition of carbon fiber stays and fork it can be tuned for comfort.

Colnago takes advantage of recent advances in aluminium tubing, using hydroforming to shape and strengthen tubes in crucial areas such as the head tube and bottom bracket.