COLNAGO V3 RIVAL AXS

For Colnago’s range-topping V3Rs and its more ‘real-world’ V3, it’s a similar story to Specialized’s S-Works and ‘standard’ Aethos. The main difference between the two Colnago bikes is the carbon used for the frameset, resulting in the V3 frame on test here weighing in 200g heavier than the 790g V3Rs. The V3 frame still sneaks in under the kilogram benchmark for a ‘lightweight’ race frame, though.

The V3 may weigh a little more than the V3Rs, but it costs a lot less. If you want a V3Rs with the same spec Tadej Pogačar rode to Tour de France victory, you’ll have to shell out £11,090. If you can ‘make do’ with just the V3Rs frameset, you’ll get a quid’s change from four grand. But the complete V3 bike tested here, with a SRAM Rival eTap AXS groupset, Fulcrum wheels and a carbon handlebar, is yours for ‘just’ £4,500.