Colnago unveils the C72: Perfectly Composed

April 15, 2026

At Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Colnago presents the C72, the latest evolution of its iconic C Series — the purest expression of the brand’s philosophy — while introducing the C72 La Scala limited edition and unveiling Colnago Cultura.

Milano (April 15, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Guided by the concept of Perfectly Composed, the C72 represents a new synthesis of performance, craftsmanship and design. It is a top-tier road bicycle, Colnago’s most prestigious model, one where every element is developed in harmony — structure, materials, geometry and ride feel working together as a cohesive whole.

A new chapter for the C Series

Within the Colnago range, the C Series has always followed a unique path. Each new “C” is introduced not to update what exists, but to redefine the benchmark entirely.

Hand-built in Italy, the C72 embodies this philosophy at its highest level. It reflects a different idea of performance: not the pursuit of extremes, but the precise balance of all the factors that define the riding experience.

This approach is made possible by Colnago’s signature multi-piece construction. In an era dominated by monocoque frames, the C72 reaffirms the value of a more deliberate method — one that allows engineers and craftsmen to fine-tune stiffness, compliance and force distribution with exceptional precision.

Each element plays a specific role in shaping the bike’s dynamic behaviour: responsiveness under acceleration, stability at high speed, and precision through corners. The result is a bicycle capable of expressing power and control without excess — always composed, always balanced. Perfectly composed.

Performance, perfectly composed

The riding experience of the C72 is defined by harmony.

At high speeds, the front end delivers exceptional stability, giving riders confidence in all conditions. Handling is precise and responsive, thanks to refined geometry and an optimized steering setup, designed to remain sharp without ever becoming nervous.

Power transfer is immediate and efficient, supported by a high-modulus carbon structure and optimized torsional stiffness. At the same time, the bike offers improved compliance and increased tire clearance, enhancing comfort, grip and versatility — extending its capabilities beyond perfect asphalt.

The geometry reflects this same philosophy: while maintaining a racing DNA, the C72 allows for a more adaptable riding position, enabling both performance-focused setups and greater comfort over long distances.

The result is a bike that adapts to the rider, delivering a complete and refined experience across all riding conditions.

Craftsmanship and identity

Like every C Series, the C72 is proudly made in Italy.

From tube bonding and assembly in Cambiago, to hand-finishing, painting and final quality control, each frame is the result of a meticulous, time-intensive process carried out with precision and care.

This dedication defines not only the quality of the product, but also its exclusivity. Production is intentionally limited to 3,000 frames per year — a reflection of the time, expertise and attention required to achieve this level of execution.

A new design language

With the C72, Colnago evolves its approach to carbon construction into a true design language.

The development of the lugs marks a significant step forward. No longer treated as purely structural junctions, they become defining elements of the frame’s identity — carefully shaped to ensure continuity, precision and visual balance across the entire structure.

Particular attention has been given to the relationship between surfaces, inspired by the concept of panel gap matching found in high-end automotive design. Each interface is engineered with extreme accuracy, controlling alignment, spacing and transitions to achieve a consistent and refined visual flow.

Rather than concealing its modular construction, the C72 expresses it with clarity. Individual elements remain perceptible, yet perfectly integrated, creating a frame where every junction contributes to a cohesive and harmonious whole.

The result is a design that feels both technical and timeless — where craftsmanship is not hidden, but elevated.

Integrated innovation

The C72 introduces a new level of integration, with components designed as part of the overall system.

A newly developed cockpit – the Colnago CC.02 – improves handling and control, while reducing weight. The integrated seatpost enhances aerodynamics and adjustability.

A custom-designed bottle cage incorporates a hidden storage compartment within the downtube — a practical solution that reflects the idea of a complete riding experience, without compromising stiffness or performance.

Even the smallest details are designed to contribute to the overall harmony of the bike.

A unique riding feeling

The C72 delivers a riding experience defined by balance, precision and control — a feeling that goes beyond individual performance metrics.

Every input from the rider is translated into a smooth and immediate response, thanks to a carefully tuned combination of stiffness, compliance and geometry. Acceleration feels direct, handling remains precise, and stability is constant even at high speeds.

At the same time, the bike maintains a refined sense of comfort, absorbing road vibrations and adapting to changing surfaces without compromising efficiency. The result is a ride that feels composed in every situation — responsive when pushed, yet stable and predictable over long distances.

This unique riding feeling is not the result of a single feature, but of how all elements work together in harmony — delivering performance that is, once again, perfectly composed.

Colorways

The C72 is offered in a curated selection of four distinct colorways, each designed to highlight one of the frame’s most defining structural features: the seamless continuity between the seatstays and the top tube.

● HFRD: a livery characterized by the timeless contrast of black with a red top tube;

● HFWS: a refined pearl white and silver composition;

● HFBK: a full black version, enriched with subtle bronze details; ● HFTB: a sophisticated dual-tone blue finish

Each livery is conceived to enhance this sense of unity and flow, emphasizing the visual and structural coherence of the frame — where individual elements are not perceived in isolation, but as part of a perfectly integrated whole.

Configuration and availability

CONFIGURATIONS

Availability starting from 60 days from order.

https://www.colnago.com/premium-bikes/c72-road-bike

C72 La Scala: a limited edition inspired by an icon of Italian culture

To mark the launch of the C72, Colnago introduces the C72 La Scala, a limited edition of just 72 numbered pieces, dedicated to Teatro alla Scala — a global symbol of artistic excellence and one of the most iconic expressions of Italian culture.

This bicycle stands out through a unique artwork that elevates the C72’s livery, inspired by the grandeur of the theatre’s auditorium.

Teatro alla Scala and the C Series: two worlds, one language

The C72 La Scala represents a shared language between two worlds: cycling and opera. An invisible thread connects Piazza della Scala in Milan to Cambiago, where each Colnago C Series frame is brought to life by the hands of skilled artisans. Two places, two worlds only seemingly distant, united by the same pursuit of excellence.

Over the centuries, the Teatro alla Scala has become a global ambassador of Milanese culture, a living symbol of a city that preserves its heritage while constantly reinventing itself. Its refined and measured architecture has evolved through time, adapting without ever losing its identity.

From a civic space—frequented in the 19th century by aristocracy and the bourgeoisie—to an international temple of opera, ballet, and music, La Scala stands today as one of the highest expressions of Italian excellence in the world.

Like the theatre itself, the C72 La Scala is defined by a delicate balance between tradition and innovation. Its structure remains true to the C72 philosophy, while its visual identity becomes a space for interpretation — where materials, finishes and details are composed into a rich and layered narrative.

Design Inspiration

The livery draws inspiration directly from the aesthetic codes of Teatro alla Scala.

Red

Red, the color most closely associated with Teatro alla Scala, is reinterpreted in a deep, matte tone across the upper part of the frame. Enveloping and intense, it interacts with light to create presence and atmosphere — placing the rider at the center of the experience.

Gold

Gold appears with restraint, capturing and reflecting light through refined details. From the embossed Ace of Clubs emblem to delicate gold leaf applications, it enhances depth without dominating, echoing the subtle brilliance of the theatre’s interiors.

White

White completes the composition, inspired by the theatre’s architectural surfaces. A marbled finish introduces depth and movement, creating a rich, tactile quality that evolves with light and balances the overall composition.

Light plays a fundamental role in revealing the bike’s character. Subtle textures and tone-on-tone elements emerge only under certain conditions, inviting closer observation and reinforcing the sense of craftsmanship behind every detail.

Every element is conceived as part of a cohesive composition — where color, material and surface interact to create an object that evolves with light and perspective.

C72 La Scala is born from this vision: not simply as an object, but as an experience to be lived. As in theatre, where every performance is unique, every ride becomes an expression — a moment where movement, space and perception come together.

Commercial Availability & Limited Edition

This is a limited edition of 72 numbered pieces.

The bicycle is offered to the public at a retail price of €22,000.

It is available for purchase online or upon request through a curated selection of authorized Colnago retailers.

Colnago Cultura: extending the brand into culture

The launch of the C72 also marks the introduction of Colnago Cultura, the brand’s new cultural platform dedicated to preserving and enhancing its historical, technical and creative heritage.

Conceived as a long-term initiative, Colnago Cultura aims to structure and develop the narrative of the brand beyond product — exploring the intersections between design, engineering, craftsmanship and Italian identity. It reflects a broader vision in which performance is not only measured on the road, but also expressed through culture, storytelling and creative production.

Designed as an open platform, Colnago Cultura will evolve through publishing projects, film productions and curated exhibitions, while engaging with a wider ecosystem of Italian excellence across different fields and disciplines.

Alongside the launch, Colnago presents “Atlante Colnago”, the first expression of Colnago Cultura.

Atlante Colnago is a richly illustrated volume that traces the brand’s extraordinary journey from its origins in Cambiago to its global presence today. Blending archival material, iconic bicycles, legendary victories and personal stories, the book offers a unique perspective on the culture and evolution of cycling through the lens of Colnago. Conceived as an atlas, it can be explored across time, geography and design, celebrating both innovation and heritage.

Conceived as a true collector’s object, the volume is presented in an elegant 258x352x44.5mm format and distinguished by a carefully curated selection of premium, dedicated papers.

Contacts

alessandro.turci@colnago.com, joelle.gyppaz@colnago.com, gabriele.sirtori@colnago.com

The role of Colnago in contemporary cycling

True to its own path, Colnago introduces the new C Series — the C72 — as a natural evolution, expressed once again with clarity and pride.

Aware of its heritage and of the role it has played in shaping cycling culture, the company moves forward with a strong sense of identity — rooted in an Italian ethos defined by passion, creativity, and inspired by beauty.

In this context, Colnago positions itself both as a driver of innovation, and as a custodian of tradition — capable of preserving and reinterpreting its legacy while continuing to create meaningful value for the future.

With the C72, Colnago ultimately reaffirms its role as both innovator and gatekeeper — shaping the future of cycling while giving enduring value to its past.

C Series

The C Series is the most authentic expression of Colnago.

It was born from the idea of the ‘perfect bicycle’, where aesthetics, engineering and performance come together with history and emotion. As evidenced by thousands of collectors and enthusiasts—from the C35 to the C68—the C Series stands as a unique object of design and cycling culture.

A distinctive feature in the landscape of major bicycle manufacturers, the C Series is still entirely handmade in Italy. It is built using a modular construction method, where the frame is created by joining individually engineered carbon tubes. This approach places Colnago alongside the world of true artisans, whose attention to detail, uniqueness, and craftsmanship are fully embodied in the Colnago C Series.

Colnago Ernesto & C. S.r.l.

Colnago Ernesto & C. S.r.l., known as Colnago, is a manufacturer of high-end racing bicycles founded in Cambiago, MI, in 1954. The company grew thanks to its ability to develop new technologies and designs on steel frames with junctions, working closely with the best professional cycling teams in the service of the greatest champions. Colnago soon emerged as one of the most creative and vibrant racing bike manufacturers, innovating and bringing within the cycling world its ideas and experimenting with new and different materials including titanium and carbon fiber, now a mainstay of modern bicycle construction. Among Colnago’s many victories – 16 Grand Tours, 423 stages in the Grand Tours, 49 Monument Classics, 30 World Championships, 18 Olympic Gold Medals – Tadej Pogačar won the 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025 editions of the Tour de France, the 2024 Giro d’Italia, and the 2024 and 2025 Road World Championships riding a Colnago bike.

www.colnago.com