mountainbike crosswind 1.7 Colnago C72 Super Record WRL Bike

Colnago C72 Super Record WRL Bike — Colnago has been building carbon frames in Italy since the early 1990s, before most brands had figured out aluminum, let alone carbon fiber. That tradition of modular construction — where individual carbon parts are hand-assembled through precision joints and interlocks rather than laid up as a single monocoque unit — produced the C40 that won Paris-Roubaix and every C-series road bike since. The C72 is the latest expression of that lineage: seven carbon modules, hand-assembled in Cambiago, Lombardy, the same town where Ernesto Colnago has been building bikes since 1954.

The C72 is not a bike designed purely for the front of a professional peloton — Colnago's V5Rs fills that role. The C72 is built for riders who want genuine race performance delivered with a more refined, more considered character. Colnago describes it as "perfectly composed" — responsive when you push it into a hard climb or a sprint, stable and refined over the distance that separates a three-hour ride from a five-hour one. Updated geometry with an increased stack-to-reach ratio over the C68 gives the bike more versatility: set it up aggressively with the CC.02 cockpit in its lowest position, or dial it back slightly for a long day in the mountains. Either way, it stays within race territory — this is not an endurance bike wearing a race number.

The frame weighs 895 grams at size 48.5 (unpainted, without metal hardware) — 30 grams lighter than the C68 — and a properly configured C72 can reach 6.8kg complete. The redesigned rear triangle and seat area improve vertical compliance over its predecessor, and 35mm tire clearance opens the door to larger rubber when the road warrants it. Colnago's panel-gap construction treatment at the frame's junction points elevates what is already a functional multi-piece design into a visual statement: each lug is defined with a precision and continuity you'd expect from a hand-built mechanical object. Each frame also carries a blockchain-registered serial number, providing verified proof of ownership, simplified resale, and a warranty that extends to three years when registered within 30 days of purchase.

The build spec matches the frame's intent. Campagnolo Super Record WRL — the top of the Campagnolo lineup — is a fully wireless electronic 13-speed groupset, with no cables running to the derailleurs and no battery buried in the handlebars. A 52/36 chainring setup with an 11-36 cassette covers the range a road rider needs, and hydraulic disc brakes with a 160mm front rotor and 140mm rear deliver precise, modulated stopping in any conditions. Campagnolo Bora Ultra 45 wheels add 45mm of carbon rim depth — fast on flat terrain, manageable in crosswinds, and tubeless-ready from the factory — rolling on Pirelli P Zero Race TLR 700x28 tires as standard. The Colnago CC.02 Integrated Cockpit ties the front end together with a revised bar curve that enables a lower, more aggressive position than the previous CC.01, and comes in 15 grams lighter.

Design Benefits

1. Modular carbon construction: Seven individually crafted carbon modules hand-assembled in Italy through precision joints and interlocks. Smaller moulds allow tighter quality control per part — a method Colnago has refined since the early 1990s and one that produces a distinctly different ride character than monocoque construction.
2. Lighter than the C68: A size 48.5 unpainted frame weighs 895g — 30g less than the C68 — contributing to a complete build that can reach 6.8kg.
3. Improved compliance: Redesigned rear triangle and seat area absorb more road vibration than the previous C model, reducing fatigue on longer or rougher rides without softening the bike's race character.
4. 35mm tire clearance: Wider tires reduce rolling resistance and improve road feel. The standard Pirelli P Zero Race TLR 700x28 are tubeless-ready, and the frame supports up to 35mm nominal width for added versatility.
5. CC.02 Integrated Cockpit: A revised bar curve enables a lower, more aggressive position and better brake lever control; 15g lighter than the CC.01 it replaces.
6. Campagnolo Super Record WRL: Fully wireless 13-speed electronic shifting with no cables running to the derailleurs. Precise, configurable, and the top of the Campagnolo range.
7. Campagnolo Bora Ultra 45 wheels: 45mm carbon rim depth balances aero efficiency with crosswind stability; tubeless-ready out of the box.
8. Integrated storage compartment: A twist of the bottle cage tab reveals a built-in storage box in the down tube — a clean solution for carrying a tube or tool without a frame bag.
9. Blockchain registration: Ownership registered via the Colnago app provides proof of authenticity, simplified resale, and theft reporting. Registration within 30 days extends the standard 2-year warranty to 3 years.

Final Take

The C72 is Colnago's answer to a question worth asking: what does a race bike look like when it's built around the experience of riding it rather than optimizing it for professional athletes with 20-hour training weeks? The result is a UCI-homologated road bike that can reach 6.8kg, handles long miles without punishment, and is built from carbon modules assembled by hand in Lombardy — finished with Campagnolo's finest wireless groupset and wheels. It rewards riders who value craft and feel alongside speed, and it's available at RA Cycles in seven sizes and four colorways.