A Steel Bike That Thinks It's a Carbon Superbike
A quick look at the Colnago Steelnovo, a modern superbike that uses 3D-printed lugs to create a seamless steel frame with 35mm tire clearance and a UDH.
I’m fascinated by this new wave of "neo-modern" steel bikes, and the Colnago Steelnovo is a prime, if incredibly expensive, example. This isn't a retro-themed bike like their Master; it's a full-on modern superbike that just happens to be made of steel. The most interesting part is how it's made. It pairs classic Columbus tubes with 3D-printed internal lugs, which are then completely smoothed over. This allows Colnago to achieve that seamless, integrated-carbon-bike look, but in steel. It's a beautiful expression of modern Italian manufacturing.
This high-tech construction method also means the frame gets all the modern appointments you'd expect on a top-tier bike, completely bypassing any "vintage" compromises. It’s got a T47 bottom bracket, clearance for 35mm tires, and—most importantly—a UDH rear dropout, making it compatible with any modern electronic groupset. At €5,500 for just the frameset and a cap of 400 units a year, this is squarely in the "object of desire" category. Still, I’m just glad to see this level of R&D being poured into making a truly contemporary steel machine.
A Few Key Specifications:
- Construction: Columbus Steel Tubes + 3D-Printed Lugs. This is the whole story: classic ride quality enabled by a hyper-modern manufacturing process.
- Tire Clearance: 35mm. This positions it firmly as a modern all-road/endurance bike, not a narrow-tired relic.
- Rear Dropout: UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger). This is the key spec for me. It signals true, forward-looking compatibility and isn't just an afterthought.
- Bottom Bracket: T47. A modern, oversized, and threaded standard. It's the practical and reliable choice for a "forever" frame.
COLNAGO ERNESTO E C. SRL
