Test from the Santini x Eroica Colnago retro set

You don't choose to ride a Colnago by chance. In the same way, you don't wear a Santini x Eroica wool jersey simply to dress up. These pieces speak of memory, passion, and a certain relationship with cycling: that of routewhite, dust sticking to the calves and the taste of real effort. We were lucky enough to receive a set from this new collection – and not just any set: the Colnago version, a perfect nod to our own bike. The perfect opportunity for a test at the crossroads of style, history and performance.

By Jeff Tatard – Photos: DR

A collaboration that marked an era

Since 2015, Santini has been an official partner of L'Eroica, the event that has transformed wine cyclingtage into a true cultural movement. In 2025, to celebrate ten years of this marriage, the Italian brand is launching an anniversary collection: Santini x Eroica. The concept: combine the charm of the past with the demands of today.

The idea isn't to do cycling cosplay. The Eroica isn't about riding for the camera; it's about reliving an era: impossible gears, machines that weigh an anvil, wool jerseys that smell of sweat and courage. Santini succeeds in capturing its soul, while offering clothes that can actually be worn, for a long time and with pleasure.

The wool line: back to basics

Our test focuses on the most emblematic part: the Wool Line. The Colnago jersey is made entirely of wool, with details that exude authenticity:

• Mother-of-pearl buttons on the back pockets
• Metal closures
• Fitted cut but without the sometimes artificial “second skin” feel of modern jerseys

The touch is amazing : we find the warm and lively texture of wool, but without the discomfort of period pieces. Santini uses a breathable mesh, which avoids the sweat bag effect as soon as the route climb. It's a garment Eroica Approved – in other words, approved to participate in historic events. But it goes further: It's a jersey that you want to wear for a stylish gravel ride as well as for a coffee ride Sunday morning.

In use, wool has this living side that no synthetic can reproduce. It naturally regulates heat, maintains comfort even when wet, and offers exemplary durability. This is far from a gimmicky product: it's a real cycling piece, designed to last and to ride.

Style and feel on the bike

Pairing this Colnago jersey with our Colnago V4Rs is a bit like matching a beautiful watch with a tailored suit: a pure aesthetic gesture. But beyond the style, the whole thing worksThe cut, tailored but not restrictive, allows you to work for hours without discomfort.

Where Santini scores points is in thebalance between authenticity and modernityé. It feels like a step back in time, but you don't give up today's comfort. The pockets are practical, the fit is good, and the whole thing breathes enough to consider long outings, even in summer.

It's an outfit that encourages you to ride differently: you find yourself slowing down, enjoying the scenery, stopping at a village bistro. It conveys the idea that cycling is not just about watts, but also about culture and beauty..

The shorts: comfort and faithfulness to the Eroica spirit

If the jersey first catches the eye, the shorts complete the experience with the same requirement. The cut hugs the leg without restricting it, the wool used breathes and accompanies the movement with surprising flexibility. We find this unique blend of authenticity and modernity: sober lines, an embroidered logo that is only revealed to those who take the time to look, and above all a GITevo insert designed for long distances. Nothing ostentatious, but everything is right. The bib shorts are not there to shine in a photo, they are there to keep company in the most demanding kilometers, when the route white stretches and fatigue becomes beauty.

A complete collection

Santini didn't stop at the Colnago jersey. The collection also features:

• Modern technical microfiber jerseys with GITevo inserts on the shorts for long-distance comfort
• A casual line (hoodies, sweatshirts, T-shirts) to live the Eroica spirit every day
• Accessories that complete the heroic cyclist's outfit

But for us at 3bikes, wool remains the heart of the project. She perfectly embodies L'Eroica's unofficial slogan: " the beautiful faticare » – the beauty of effort.

And why not a heir?tage to partager?

Giving a Santini x Eroica Colnago gift isn't just about giving a jersey or bib shorts. It's to transmit a part of living memory, a fragment of heritagetagthe cyclist that you carry on youEvery detail, from the pearl button to the hidden embroidery, tells a story of dust, courage, and panache. That's why this set isn't just a throw-on outfit, but also the perfect gift for anyone who's driven by cycling legends.

Car What Santini and Eroica offer here goes beyond the simple clothing dimension. It is an invitation to reconnect with the very essence of cycling: a sport where effort, elegance and endurance intertwine to create an experience that is lived as much in the legs as in the soul. By wearing these pieces, we are not just dressing: we are connecting with a tradition, we are becoming the custodian of a collective story. Each outing then becomes a discreet tribute to the giants of the route, a way of saying that the history of cycling continues to be written, pedal stroke after pedal stroke.

And that is the strength of this collection: connecting the heroes of yesterday with the enthusiasts of today, in a single celebration of effort and style.

Our verdict 

With this Colnago jersey, bib shorts, and socks from the Santini x Eroica 2025 collection, we're not just talking about textile performance or modern comfort. Sure, the fit is just right, the fit is impeccable, and the breathability is there. But What is most striking is the symbolic dimension of the whole thing : each seam, each color seems to connect us to a larger story, that of cycling in its most noble form.

On route, the pleasure goes beyond the simple technical frameworkYes, you can ride for hours without discomfort. Yes, everything exudes Italian precision. But what really stands out is this feeling of embodying something bigger than yourself: a culture, an aesthetic, a different way of experiencing cycling. You don't ride just for speed or watts, you ride to follow a lineage, to honor a legacy.tage.

So, of course, the whole thing comes at a price. But like any piece of heritage, this is no ordinary purchase. It's a piece of history that you take on, a tradition that you extend with every ride. And when it's paired with a machine like the Colnago V4Rs, the evidence is clear: beyond the quality, it's a heritagetagliving, which we perpetuate with each pedal stroke.

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