This New Bike’s Handlebars Might Be Both the Weirdest and Fastest Ever Made

Colnago’s Y1Rs stakes its claim as the most aerodynamic bike ever, thanks largely to handlebars unlike any we’ve seen.

Published December 9, 2024

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Updated December 9, 2024

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Generally speaking, there are two ways to make a bike faster. You can make it lighter, or you can make it more aerodynamic.

The former approach has its limits — not only practical but legal, at least for pro racers competing under the watchful eye of Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body for cycling. States the UCI Technical Handbook: ‘The weight of the bicycle cannot be less than 6.8 kilograms’ or 14.99 pounds.

This approach, which moves the “wings” away from the body, enables faster and cleaner airflows around the bike. It also reduces the frontal area by 19% (compared to Colnago’s vaunted V4Rs).

The latter logically has its limits too, but perhaps no one is pushing them more than Colnago, which just rolled out the Y1Rs, which the Italian brand hails as “a bicycle engineered to redefine aerodynamics in professional cycling.” (It also happens to comply with the newest UCI standards, of course.)

Backing ambition up with science, Colnago developed the Y1Rs using advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics, rapid 3D-printed prototypes and extensive wind tunnel testing, in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano and Khalifa University.

While it boasts a number of innovations aimed at optimizing the efficiency with which it cuts through the air, one stands out above all else: those absolutely eye-popping handlebars.

colnago y1rs great wide open — The bars may remind you of a DeLorean’s doors, but it’s important to remember the shape originated in nature.

Raising the bars

So what do these CC.Y1 bars have to offer, besides such striking looks? Colnago sent us, no joke, nearly 70 pages of information about what makes them and the rest of the bike so special.

But the headline news is obvious: They introduce a new Y shape (Colnago calls it “WYND”), an almost gull-wing structure that studies have shown is the most aerodynamically efficient.

The shape has a proven track record in other spaces that prioritize aerodynamics, including F1 and aeronautics.

This silhouette, which moves the “wings” away from the body, enables faster and cleaner airflows around the bike. It also reduces the frontal area by 19% (compared to Colnago’s vaunted V4Rs).

Built with a custom carbon layup, the CC.Y1 is also the brand’s stiffest handlebar, 16% stiffer than the “selected reference handlebar” in testing. The fully UCI-compliant bars are seamlessly integrated with the spacers and fork, which only adds to the aerodynamics without sacrificing stiffness.

The overall effect makes the CC.YI essentially the sprinter’s handlebar, ideal for all-out efforts with riders putting out an average of more than 1600 watts.

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We’d be remiss not to mention that the Y1Rs features a number of other aero-oriented traits as well.

The headset takes advantage of UCI rule changes, increasing lateral surface to improve airflow. The headset bearings are smaller and the fork is re-shaped for improved airflow as well.

Continue the “Y” theme, the DEFY seatpost joint boasts interlocking Y-shaped elements that align the post and seat tube while tracing the contour of the rear wheel, reducing drag. The seatpost itself is angled to enhance shock absorption without a loss of pedaling stiffness.

The top part of the downtube is curved around the front wheel, minimizing drag caused by wheel interaction. At the same time, the bottle cages are integrated into the frame, sidestepping the airflow interruption caused by traditional cages.

colnago y1rs hero — The Y1Rs also boasts aero-oriented tweaks to the headset, seatpost, downtube and bottle cages.

Along with handlebar stiffness, the frame itself is super stiff. The brand’s own RRS (Real Riding Stiffness) tests show a 3.5% improvement in sprinting stiffness over the V4Rs.

On a related note, research found that the Y1Rs required 20 watts fewer power to pedal at 50km/h, about 31 mph. (The brand’s studies also indicated it’s faster than, well, basically anything else out there.)

Though focused on aero, Colnago did not forget about weight. The ready-to-paint frame weighs 965g (less than 2.13 pounds), with a complete frame kit weight of 1,415g (3.12 pounds).

It’s not Colnago’s lightest bike, but as we’ve learned, aero can supercede weight. A size M in UAE Team Emirates’ configuration, fully assembled with pedals, weighs 7.51kg — a little over 16.5 pounds.

Availability and pricing

The Colnago Y1Rs will hit shops around the time of the first 2025 World Tour races in late January. In many regions the bike will not be available until late March, but you can sign up to reserve one now.

A few days before availability in your area, your nearest Colnago dealer will reach out via email or SMS to offer you the chance to buy one. Start saving now — the base price is $13,262 USD.