So there you have it. Our first Y1Rs has landed. One of just 13 currently in the USA.
This is the frame Colnago developed in partnership with UAE Team Emirates. It’s the bike Tadej Pogačar rode through nearly every stage of the 2025 Tour de France, winning more than any other rider. Now, it’s leaning on the sofa at Above Category.
Unfortunately for you, this one was sold 6 months ago. We’ll have it at HQ for a limited time, so drop by to check it out. Before we get going, note that AC has not yet ridden this bike. The below is based on our interview with Colnago’s Lead Engineer, and industry feedback.
Right away, the frame looks fast. Not in an experimental way like some of the other new hyper-aero bikes we’re watching this year. The Y1Rs is a more refined evolution of aero. In my opinion, it’s just enough of a step forward without coming across as alienating – at least from an aesthetic standpoint. So I’d say it’s more of an iteration than a completely new cycling experience.
The angular construction stands out right away:
“Colnago has never made bikes with the goal of only being the lightest or the most aero or the most comfortable. It has always been about achieving balance across the various performance and attributes of the bike,” says Colnago’s US Spokesperson. “While the Y1Rs was certainly designed to maximize aerodynamics, I know for a fact that the team wanted the bike to handle incredibly well...”
What’s the inside story with the Y bars?
“The cockpit sits in ‘clean' air, meaning airflow that isn’t disrupted by the rider or other parts of the bike. It is the area of the framekit with the biggest impact on drag force, and the cockpit is a big part of that. We ran CFD simulations and tested a range of 3D-printed prototypes in the wind tunnel to figure out how to reduce turbulence, especially around the stem. Our next challenge was achieving the high stiffness required by professional riders and sprinters—and this goal (even more challenging than aerodynamic optimizations) was achieved thanks to the study on carbon lamination and a completely new headset design.”
Will AC riders actually feel the difference?
“Yes, absolutely. The team saw real aero gains in velodrome testing, but riders also felt it on the road, especially at high speeds or in breakaways. Another consistent piece of feedback was how stiff the front end feels, particularly during sprints or when the rider is out of the saddle and driving the bike hard. It’s noticeably more solid and responsive.”
Does Colnago think this will be a new design direction for the industry?
“I think so. With how far materials and components have come, aerodynamic bikes no longer come with a big weight penalty... that’s why you’re seeing them used across every stage of the Tour, not just on flat days. I expect more brands will move in this direction. Everything we did with the Y1R was built around that future and we’re going to keep moving in that direction...”
From everything we’re hearing, the Y1R marks a decisive step forward for Colnago. It’s lighter than the V4Rs, stiffer in all the right places, and aerodynamically more efficient. It was engineered in the wind tunnel at the F1 Sauber facility and tuned for real-world racing on the roads of the Alps and Pyrenees.
The result is a production frame that behaves like a prototype: refined, competitive, precise.
While I haven’t yet put our legs over the Y1R myself, we’ve spoken with the team at Colnago, and their intentions are clear. This bike is purpose-built for speed. Every surface has been shaped to minimize drag with the most advanced wind-tunnel testing in the world. Literally no expense was spared.
The front end uses an updated, fully integrated cockpit for a narrower profile. The rear triangle has been slimmed, the layup schedule revised, and even the seatpost clamp has been repositioned internally to reduce turbulence.
This is still a Colnago, which means it’s built to descend well, sprint cleanly, and deliver feedback without harshness. It is a race bike first, but the geometry remains neutral enough for serious riders who want performance across mixed terrain, long distances, the normal stuff. For those who care about what goes unseen, the new carbon construction eliminates the bonded seat cluster lug, creating a more unified structure and reducing unnecessary weight.
Production is limited and availability is incredibly tight. Tadej’s Tour results didn’t help :)
We have a couple of the first Y1Rs frames in North America, and are working directly with Colnago to expedite waitlist orders for AC clients. If you’re ready to start a Y1Rs build, contact Julius or stop by the studio to see the frames in person.
Looking at it… I really want one.
Chad.
^ Jeff, taking delivery of the first Y1Rs at Above Category.
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