A like Alex, obviously. And COL like Colnago, naturally. The result of an intelligent collaboration with the composite experts at WiaWis, the ACOL bikes are the result of an alchemy between Italian style and Korean expertise. Masterpiece in perspective?
Find our article presenting the ACOL range here
THE FIRST DAY OF HIS NEW LIFE
Ton Velo: Dear Alex Colnago, we are happy to reconnect with you after a few years of absence. Exactly since 2020 and the sale of his brand by your uncle Ernesto Colnago. And this reunion is an opportunity to offer our readers a presentation of your incredible personal challenge: the launch of your brand under the ACOL acronym.
Alex Colnago : Salvatore, you forget our meeting in 2023 during Eurobike. Right on the WiaWis stand, these specialists in composite materials have since become my partners. I remember that we were both amazed by the ultra light frame presented. After you left I continued the discussion with the CEO of this South Korean company. Fascinating discussion which led me to reflect on my future after leaving Colnago. And a little later, after several visits to Korea, the decision was made to launch my own label in collaboration with WiaWis. A professional achievement and personal happiness.
Ton Velo: What were the founding axes of the ACOL project? And how are responsibilities distributed between you and your Korean partners?
Alex Colnago : Firstly, the fact that Cambiago is the strategic heart of the project. Out of family loyalty to my uncle Ernesto and my father Paolino who made this village the heart of cycling for so many years. Their passion inspires me. Like their will. And from the start I imagined a brand incorporating the fundamentals of technological modernity and Italian style which will always have been our family values. Then, after observing the ability of WiaWis engineers and technicians to master composites and nano-technologies, we distributed the tasks in a logical and respectful manner.
From my twenty years spent in the Colnago company, from my ten years of direct relations with the professional team, from my meetings with technicians and champions, from my knowledge of the markets and the expectations of cyclists, I have drawn the foundations of global expertise. And so I took charge of defining the bikes and the commercial strategy. On the other hand, my partners are responsible for the technique and manufacturing.
Top Bike: Where will the ACOL brand be located? In which sector of the international bicycle market? And what will be the main models?
Alex Colnago : ACOL will be a brand of excellence and performance. We do not intend to compete with the generalist giants. So we enter with humility and enthusiasm into a niche of the market which is that of exceptional bicycles. With the objective of covering the mid and high-end road and gravel range. No mountain bikes or e-bikes. In a way, ACOL will be a little Colnago.
Top Bike: Your father Paolino is unfortunately no longer here, but what does Ernesto think of your challenge?
Alex Colnago : Ernesto is in no way present in ACOL, but we see each other regularly and he welcomes my project with infinite respect and affection.
Top Bike: What distribution for ACOL bicycles?
Alex Colnago : We have chosen a traditional distribution among bicycle retailers. It is important for us to have this valuable relay with our customers. For a real discovery of the brand, our products and our identity. So a network will soon be formed around one distributor per country. And of course France will be one of the first cycling territories to attract ACOL.
All information on the brand’s website
