Colnago G4-X
Highlights and information
COLNAGO G4-X: Built For Speed On Dirt
Wheel size: 700c | Tire clearance: up to 45mm
The Colnago G4-X is a performance-driven gravel race bike designed to excel across a wide range of terrain. Built around a lightweight monocoque carbon frame, it combines speed, handling, and stability into a platform that thrives in both competitive racing and fast-paced adventure riding.
WHY THE COLNAGO G4-X STANDS OUT
Gravel riding has evolved—courses are faster and demand efficiency more than anything. The G4-X is engineered specifically for this modern style of riding, optimizing key performance factors like acceleration, downhill stability, and lightning responses. Rather than focusing purely on ruggedness, the G4-X emphasizes speed and balance, making it equally capable on dirt roads, mixed surfaces, and even pavement-heavy routes.
WHO SHOULD RIDE THE G4-X?
The G4-X is built for riders who want a fast, race-oriented gravel bike with road-like efficiency. It’s ideal for gravel racers, endurance riders, and cyclists who want one bike that can handle everything from high-speed group rides to long mixed-surface adventures. If your riding leans toward speed and performance rather than bikepacking or ultra-technical terrain, the G4-X fits perfectly.
WHAT CONTENDER BICYCLES LIKES ABOUT THE G4-X
- Race-Focused Performance: Designed for speed with responsive handling and efficient power transfer.
- Balanced Ride Quality: Combines lightness, stability, and comfort across varied terrain.
- Modern Gravel Capability: Clearance for up to ~42–45mm tires expands terrain versatility.
- Versatile Build Options: Compatible with SRAM XPLR and Shimano GRX drivetrains for tailored setups.
FRAME MATERIAL
The G4-X features a monocoque carbon frame designed to optimize stiffness, weight, and durability. Its carbon fork and integrated cockpit options contribute to precise handling and aerodynamic efficiency, while a T47 bottom bracket ensures reliability and easy serviceability.
GEOMETRY AND FIT
The G4-X geometry is tuned for gravel racing, emphasizing speed, control, and stability:
- Geo For Speed: Compact and aggressive layout with lower seatstays and a shorter wheelbase.
- Stability and Control: Stable geometry and wider tire clearance improve control on fast gravel descents.
- Balanced Handling: A refined geometry blends road-bike responsiveness with gravel stability, making it feel fast and predictable across mixed surfaces.
NOT EXACTLY WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?
- Colnago C68 Gravel: More upright and comfort-oriented than the GX-4. Ideal for endurance rides.
- Colnago C68 Allroad: Similar to the C68 Road with spacing for tires up to 35mm, thanks to reinforced lower chainstays, providing the versatility to tackle road and gravel with equal confidence.
- Pinarello Dogma GR: Designed for endurance, exploration, and fun, with a smooth, responsive ride across everything from paved roads to off-road trails.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Colnago G4-X is a modern gravel race bike built for speed, not just survival. With lightweight construction, responsive handling, and real-world versatility, it delivers a fast, efficient ride across mixed terrain. For riders who want a fast gravel bike that feels close to a road bike, while still handling dirt, gravel, and long adventures—the G4-X stands out as one of the most performance-oriented options available today.
The Colnago C68 is handcrafted in Cambiago, Italy, by the same hands that built bikes for cycling's greatest champions. At the heart of every C68 is Colnago's legendary modular construction, where individual carbon modules are precisely hand-assembled, then carbon-banded, filed, and polished to a seamless monocoque-like finish. The result is a frameset with exceptional structural integrity and flawless aesthetics.
The C68 Road Disc Frameset is the purist's race machine: full carbon construction with an oversized downtube and a bottom bracket for maximum power transfer. For riders who want something truly extraordinary, the C68 Titanium Road Disc Frameset takes that same platform and integrates 3D-printed titanium joints for a one-of-a-kind blend of materials, ride feel, and Italian artistry, with fully custom geometry available on request.
The C68 Allroad Disc Frameset opens up mixed-surface riding with 35mm tire clearance and a more comfortable, upright geometry, Colnago's racing DNA applied to everyday exploration. For riders who want to push further into gravel, the C68 Gravel Frameset steps it up with 42mm clearance, suspension fork compatibility, and a purpose-built geometry that keeps Colnago's snappy, responsive handling intact on demanding terrain.
The Colnago C72 is the latest evolution of the brand’s iconic C Series, combining high performance with traditional craftsmanship and modern design. Handmade in Italy using Colnago’s signature modular carbon construction, each frame is assembled and finished by hand, ensuring exceptional precision, quality, and durability.
This method produces a lightweight yet highly responsive frame, weighing just 895g unpainted, while preserving the smooth ride feel the series is known for. Through updates to the rear triangle and seat area, the C72 gets improved vibration absorption and overall ride compliance. And with tire clearance up to 35mm, it adapts well to variable conditions. Its revised geometry features a higher stack-to-reach ratio, creating a more balanced riding position that can support both aggressive efforts and endurance comfort.
Additional refinements include the CC.02 integrated cockpit, which reduces weight and improves aerodynamics while maintaining precise handling. A discreet integrated storage compartment adds practical functionality without affecting the bike’s clean design. Overall, the C72 delivers a refined, well-balanced ride experience that blends Colnago’s trusted heritage with advanced tech and performance capabilities.
The Colnago V5Rs is the pinnacle of modern racing bike engineering, purpose-built to compete at the highest level of WorldTour racing alongside elite riders like Tadej Pogačar. At just 685 grams ready-to-paint, it is the lightest frame Colnago has ever produced, achieving a remarkable 12.5% weight reduction over its predecessor without any compromise to structural integrity. This is made possible through advanced carbon fiber lamination techniques that precisely optimize every section of the frame for strength, durability, and minimal weight, setting a new benchmark for what a professional race bike can be. Beyond its featherlight construction, the Colnago V5Rs delivers aerodynamic performance that rivals dedicated aero road bikes. A redesigned frame geometry reduces frontal area by 13% compared to previous models, while a narrower, more refined head tube slices through the air with greater efficiency. The new lightweight fork enhances steering precision and supports tires up to 32mm, offering superior grip and confidence across a wide range of road surfaces. The V5Rs is not simply the lightest bike Colnago has ever made, it is the most complete race weapon in their storied lineup, engineered to win.
If you're looking for a more aero option check out the Y1Rs.
The Colnago Y1Rs is a high-performance aero road bike engineered for maximum speed, particularly for sprinters and breakaway riders. Its design prioritizes aerodynamic efficiency, stiffness, and low weight to deliver top performance in fast races. Developed in collaboration with WorldTour teams using Colnago’s “From-Race-to-Race” approach, the bike is the result of extensive data-driven design, including advanced CFD simulations and wind tunnel testing with academic partners.
A key innovation is its reduced frontal area—19% smaller than the V4Rs—achieved through a dual-plate construction that maintains stiffness while improving airflow. The integrated CC.Y1 cockpit enhances aerodynamics further with a V-shaped design that reduces drag and increases stiffness by 16% compared to competitors. Additional features like the DEFY Y-shaped seatpost joint and a tilted seat tube improve comfort and airflow under new UCI regulations.
Performance gains are significant: the Y1Rs requires 20 fewer watts than its predecessor to maintain 50 km/h and offers 3.5% greater stiffness in sprinting conditions. Its aggressive racing geometry, integrated components, and compatibility with wider tires make it ideal for elite riders focused purely on speed and efficiency.
If you're looking for something built to climb, take a look at the Colnago V5Rs.
At Contender Bicycles, our best tools for selling bikes are the people who ride them. Everyone at Contender Bicycles has extensive experience riding bikes across many brands. If you have any questions or want to discuss build options, we are here to help.