This week we're tackling whether Colnago has lost its identity after being sold to a UAE-based group, examining how the iconic Italian brand shifted from handcrafted artisan bikes to mass-produced aerodynamic machines. We also dig into group ride efficiency—specifically how to chase down gaps without blowing yourself up—and answer a brilliantly weird question about slowing down a 12-year-old's new road bike.
Key Takeaways
- Close gaps aggressively and immediately when they open in group rides; slow, gradual pacing back on lets the gap grow and wastes more energy than a hard push to close it fast
- Anticipate gear shifts before you need them on climbs by looking ahead at gradient changes, and make micro-shifts up the cassette rather than jumping multiple gears at once
- Develop bike handling skills through off-road work and technique drills (Belgian skills camps, cone work, tight turns) before letting young riders loose at high speed—skills need to match speed
- Limit risky behaviour in junior cyclists through route restrictions and supervised riding rather than mechanical limitations; bike handling experience and the occasional near-miss teach better lessons than gear ratios
- Colnago's shift from family-owned craftsmanship to mass-market aerodynamic focus represents a broader industry trend where marketing buzz (aero) now trumps heritage and style
Expert Quotes
"When Johannes goes away you have a problem. When Anto gets across to him you have a forest fire. The only way to stamp out a forest fire is to stamp it out instantly."
"You're not going to Sprint the 300 metre gap but you've got to be riding like zone five to get across that—it can be the end of your day."
"Colnago was a brand that was deeply rooted in tradition, craftsmanship, everything that's Italian. You get that feeling of a lad on the coke door sipping an espresso on his yacht and the Colnago in the background."