Colnago has the G5-X Launched, the new gravel bike from the Italian brand. According to Colnago, it is not a development of the G4-X, but a completely new platform. The starting point: how gravel riders really ride today, and what they ask of their bike. Fast enough for a race, but also ready for long days and bikepacking.
What's new?
- More tire space: Up to 53 mm nominal width, with an additional 6 mm clearance. Standard tires are 50 mm Goodyear XPLR Inter tires.
- New geometry: Made for more control in fast, rough descents. The head angle is 70.5 degrees, the rear fork is 435 mm.
- Storage compartment in the lower part of the seat: Behind a removable bottle holder there is space for tools and spare parts.
- Six fixing points: Two for canisters, one under the lower handle, one on the upper handle and two on the fork for canisters or luggage. Three FIDLOCK Twistlock holders are included.
- 27.2 mm round saddle tube: That way you can probably also fit a telescopic dropper post on it.
- Practical standards: a BSA threaded trapax, an UDH derailleur chainring and space for a front sprocket up to 50 teeth at 1x.
Versions
The G5-X comes in three versions, all featuring the new wireless 13-speed groupset from SRAM: RED XPLR AXS E1, Force XPLR E1 and Rival XPLR E1. The top version has a 40T front sprocket with a 10-46 cassette and rolls on Zipp 303 XPLR SW-carbon wheels (32 mm inner width). The new integrated CC.01 Wide-The steering tube is extended from 400 to 460 mm at the bottom, for more control on gravel. All cables run completely internally.
There are five sizes (450 to 570) and two colors: Carbon Blue and green. Colnago offers a three-year warranty if you register the bike. Colnago has not yet announced prices on the product page.
Our perspective
Colnago is mainly answering riders' questions here: more tire space, storage space, additional mounting points and a BSA trapass instead of a perstrapass. The round saddle post that is suitable for a dropper shows that gravel is becoming increasingly technical. With 53 mm tire space, it still lags behind the new Canyon Grail (57 mm), but for most gravel rides that is more than enough. Curious about the price.
Source: Colnago G5-X