Colnago TT1 Frameset

The Colnago TT1 Frameset is Colnago's current time trial and triathlon platform — and the first TT frame in the brand's history built around disc brakes. Colnago has been producing race bikes in Cambiago, Italy since 1954, and the TT1 carries that lineage directly into the current era of UCI-regulated tube shapes and full system integration. UAE Team Emirates races the TT1 at the World Tour level, placing it among the most competition-proven TT platforms available to civilian riders. The TT1 replaced the K.One, adding disc brakes and updated aero geometry while keeping the weight penalty minimal.

The decision to move to disc brakes on a TT frame is primarily an aerodynamic and structural one. With no rim brake calipers exposed in the airstream and hydraulic hoses routed fully within the frame, the TT1 eliminates the external cable runs that degrade aerodynamic efficiency on traditional TT setups. Thru-axle wheel interfaces — 12x100mm front, 12x142mm rear — stiffen the wheel-to-frame connection meaningfully compared to quick-release equivalents, which matters at the sustained speeds a TT or triathlon bike sustains. The result is a stiffer, better-integrated platform with braking performance that doesn't require the rider to manage brake feel under pressure.

Frame Design and Aerodynamics

The TT1 was developed within the current UCI regulations for tube profiles, which permit more aerodynamically aggressive shapes than the previous rules that restricted cross-section geometry. The fork blades use a blade-profile section — vertical rigidity is maintained while frontal area is reduced compared to a conventional round or D-section blade. The front tube area of the frame has been substantially reduced relative to earlier Colnago TT geometry, cutting the drag presented to oncoming air. The chainstays are lowered and positioned distinctly horizontal, a geometry choice that cleans up airflow around the rear wheel while contributing to overall frame stiffness without compromising rider comfort on longer efforts.

The seat tube angle is a consistent 77 degrees across all three sizes. That steep angle places the rider's hips forward over the bottom bracket, reducing hip flexor load during the bike leg and protecting the running muscles for the transitions required in triathlon. In pure time trial use, the same position keeps the rider in a tight aero tuck. Stack and reach dimensions vary across the S, M, and L sizes (stack 471–491mm, reach 396–427mm), giving each size a distinct fit target rather than just scaling the same shape.

Integration and Cockpit Details

Cable routing is fully internal throughout the frame and fork. The carbon bayonet fork integrates cable management into the crown and blades, keeping the front end aerodynamically clean. The brake caliper mounts are Flat Mount at the rear and Post Mount at the front — both direct-mount without adaptor hardware. Maximum tire clearance is 28mm with 4mm of additional clearance built in, the narrow profile expected on a platform optimized for smooth competition surfaces.

The frameset includes the Colnago TT1 handlebar and stem cover — a base bar developed in-house by Colnago for this platform, rated among the lighter and stiffer options available for TT use. Aerobars are not included and are spec'd separately by the builder. A front derailleur mount is braze-on. The seatpost is a Colnago Aero carbon assembly with adjustable offset, clamped by a custom TT1 wedge system. The bottom bracket shell is BSA 68mm threaded, compatible with a wide range of road and TT cranksets without press-fit complications.

The bottle cage is 3D-printed and designed as a structural element of the frame rather than a bolt-on cage. It accepts a specific Colnago aerodynamic bottle, which is included with the frameset. The bottle's shape is developed to maintain the frame's aero profile at the downtube junction and provide a secure grip when reaching for hydration at race pace — a detail that gets overlooked in TT setups until a fumbled bottle costs time.

Final Take

The TT1 is a frameset: frame, fork, Colnago seatpost, TT handlebar, stem cover, integrated bottle cage, and aerodynamic bottle are all included. No groupset, wheels, or aerobars. The SDM3 finish is available across three sizes — S, M, L — covering most adult riders. For athletes building a dedicated time trial or triathlon rig around a frame with an active World Tour racing record, the TT1 is the entry point into current Colnago TT technology at $7,500.