Colnago EPS Bike Review (2009)

Today I will be taking a look at the 2009 Colnago EPS. This is a carbon fiber bike frame that is unique because it has carbon lugs, which provide additional stiffness but also pay homage to the classic lugged steel frames of cycling’s past.

The Colnago EPS has been my main road bike for the past 5 years, so I would say that I have had a fair amount of time to learn about its characteristics and handling. I primarily ride in the spring, summer, and fall. I am not a racer, nor am I a very big group ride guy.

I prefer to hit some country roads and cruise along some beautiful scenery while letting my mind run free and just relax. While this bike would be fantastic as a race bike, I am afraid I can not offer a review of the bike from that perspective.

I should also mention that this review is about the 2009 EPS, which is a special year for the model because that was the last year that they made the frame in Italy.

After that, they started making the frames in China but inspecting and finishing them in Italy.

The quality is still there, I am sure, but it does feel like you are losing a little bit of the heritage of the brand when the bike isn’t made in Italy like the classic and impressive bikes of the brand’s past have been.

I currently have my EPS set up with a Campagnolo Shamal Ultra wheelset with Continental Grand Prix 4000s II tires.

The groupset is all Campagnolo Chorus, the pedals are Look Keo 2 Max Carbon pedals, and the stem and handlebars are 3T Aeronova Team carbon.

Obviously this is not the cheapest setup, but it really provides an excellent ride quality with low rolling mass at a price that I think is fair for the performance.

First Impressions:

When you first mount the EPS, you will notice that the frame is somewhat aggressive. It does not have a sloping top tube like so many bikes do today.

The top tube is just about parallel to the ground like a track bike. You’ll also notice the lugs on the frame, which personally I think to look pretty cool, but some people have their qualms about.

Once you roll off and start riding, you will notice right away that this bike feels plain fast. There is very little rake in the carbon blade fork, which allows the bike to really dive into turns aggressively, but some people might say that it feels twitchy.

I enjoy that feeling, as it really makes the ride exciting, and I think that characteristic makes the EPS feel more like a true race bike than one of the more relaxed endurance road bikes.

I found that this bike feels like it has a shorter wheelbase than it does, which also lends itself to making the bike feel aggressive when you’re in the saddle.

I also have a Cinelli Tutto, which has a more track-oriented frame, and the Colnago EPS doesn’t have a whole lot more length in the wheelbase than the Tutto does, which is saying something for sure.

The shorter wheelbase puts your weight over the front tire a little more, which provides some additional traction in the front, but can make the bike feel a little squirrely at times depending on your positioning.

Cornering:

One of my favorite parts about the EPS is how it handles in the turns. I would describe it as rather aggressive, but manageable. It has a tendency to dive deep into the turn right off the bat, and then come out of it more relaxed.

Certainly, you can push it on the exit, or you could try to ride it a little gentler into the entrance of the turn, but if you just sit back and let the bike go at it I think my description remains accurate.

I find a bike this aggressive to be really fun to ride in nicer weather; if the roads were wet and slippery I’d be hesitant to just throw it into the turns only because I would be worried about losing traction in the rear.

Final Thoughts

The Colnago EPS is a fun ride. It will make 22mph feel like 25mph. It will make some casual turns feel like you are threading your way through a hole in the peloton getting ready to make the jump to the breakaway. It might not make you a better rider, but it certainly will make you feel like you are a better rider.

The aggressive geometry makes it a very fun bike to ride, and the beautiful hand-finished paint job on the frame makes it a really beautiful bike to look at when you’re done with the ride enjoying a beer or a coffee.

And, let’s be honest, riding a Colnago is just impressive, so you’re going to feel good knowing that you’re riding the Ferrari of bikes.

Colnago really knocked it out of the park with the EPS, and I think that if you are looking to get into Italian bikes with some history, and have also decided that a Colnago is for you, then you really cannot go wrong with the EPS.

It might be a little spendy, but if you think about the quality, heritage, and precision you get when you go with a Colnago then you will realize that it will be money well spent!

Rating and pros/cons for Colnago EPS:

Overall my rating for the Colnago EPS would be a solid 5 out of 5. For the pros of this bike I would say I love how lively and aggressive the bike rides and handles, and it really makes you feel like you are fast (even if you are not, like me).

Really, the only cons I can think of are the cost. It is an investment, but it is an investment in better health and more fun in your life, so I guess you need to think about how badly you’d like that.

Jake V

Jake V is an avid cyclist from Wisconsin. Over the last 12 years, he has explored the worlds of road biking, mountain biking, cyclocross, and urban riding. He currently has too many bikes (if that is even possible), but his favorite would be his Colnago EPS or Cinelli Tutto, depending on what kind of riding is in store for him that day. When he is not riding bikes, he likes to go sailing, skiing, and enjoy a few craft beers.