At the end of the 2020 Tour de France, UAE Team Emirates' Tadei Pogachar scored a dramatic victory on the Colnago K.One. Today, Colnago is unveiling the successor to this bike, with a new name, the TT1, and a host of other upgrades. Most notably, the company continues to move from rims to discs for brakes.

The development of the TT1 followed an arc common to many of the latest aerodynamically optimized bikes, both road and time trial. Drawing on experience learned from past bikes, the team began with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The 3D model was first optimized virtually before being validated in the wind tunnel at Politecnico di Milano.

A major part of the development process for the new bike was the transition to disc brakes: the TT1 is the first Colnago time trial bike with disc brakes, a choice that undoubtedly comes from consumer demand, but also an assessment of the system as a whole. Disc brakes are heavier, but as the technology continues to advance, the gap continues to narrow. On the other hand, the use of through-axles on the wheels increases the rigidity of the entire frame. Hydraulic hoses are aerodynamically optimized by carefully routing them through the frame, and compared to the K.One, the TT1 claims to offer better ride comfort through better braking.

The front end sees other changes in the new TT1 as well as overall geometry changes. The new frame comes in three sizes (S, M, and L) with a shorter head tube and a higher spacer tower. This change stems from wind tunnel testing that showed the spacer tower to be more aerodynamic than the thicker head tube. The front end is further minimized by the use of a bayonet fork that forms the front of the head tube instead of a steerer tube.

Following the change in front end shape, changes were also made to the TT1's top tube: the slight slope of the K.One was gone, replaced by a completely horizontal top tube. This is similar to other recently introduced aero road and time trial bikes, and is not the only update that has become common. Electronic groupset only and single or double chainring options also made their appearance on the TT1.

The Colnago TT1 frame is currently homologated as a UCI (International Cycling Union) prototype. Unlike the BMC speed machine introduced this week, it is expected to continue to be developed in races as a test platform before its consumer release in the fall. Colnago has revealed that further improvements will be made before it goes on sale to consumers, but no details on what that means. Similarly, there are no details regarding pricing.

But the new products are not just about the frame. Changes to the front include a carbon fiber monocoque base bar. This is said to be lighter, stiffer, and more aerodynamic than the previous design, and compatible with the most popular aftermarket solutions, including Colnago's Aero Cockpit and the Deda Jet One used by UAE Team Emirates. It is scheduled to be released this fall.

Further supporting the TT1's aerodynamic profile is a new integrated bottle holder and bottle kit. At this time, the 500 ml bottles are 3D printed prototypes and are not available for public sale. Like the other parts, it will be available to consumers later this year. In this case, Elite will be the development partner, and no pricing information is available at this time.