Strange and bad Colnago 80s mtb frame
05-13-24, 04:53 PM
#1
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Strange and bad Colnago 80s mtb frame
Any thoughts to the extent of legit this colnago mtb frame is? Picked this up for $70 as I thought it had neat old beefy ATB parts. My guess is early 80s…
While the parts are cool (first time using old Suntour thumb shifters and they feel silk) the frame rides pretty bad and it weighs 35 lbs.
Any other weird colnago mtb examples I’ve been able to find online usually have lugs or some markings in the steelwork, unlike this one.
Can anyone help explain this? Did someone just decal this or did Ernesto sign off on this? Haha do I strip the parts and give the frame away?
While the parts are cool (first time using old Suntour thumb shifters and they feel silk) the frame rides pretty bad and it weighs 35 lbs.
Any other weird colnago mtb examples I’ve been able to find online usually have lugs or some markings in the steelwork, unlike this one.
Can anyone help explain this? Did someone just decal this or did Ernesto sign off on this? Haha do I strip the parts and give the frame away?
Last edited by Danmozy66; 05-13-24 at 11:49 PM.
05-13-24, 05:06 PM
#2
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Decals! is all that makes that a "Colnago". I have a similar mtb someone repainted and stickered to make it a "Pinarello" That said, price you paid was very good just for the bars/shifters/levers.
05-13-24, 05:44 PM
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Check the steerer size before parting from the frame. Some '83 and earlier ATB's used BMX .833 standard.
05-13-24, 07:06 PM
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Those shifters must be really good to shift like silk with that FD setup!
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05-13-24, 07:34 PM
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Is that NDS chainstay cracked at the weld at the BB shell? Fun stickers!
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05-13-24, 08:16 PM
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It’s a Colnago.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
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05-13-24, 08:50 PM
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05-13-24, 09:21 PM
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Photos of the head badge and bottom bracket with serial number will help too. Or wherever the SN is. Looks a lot like many early 80s MTBs and it could be any number of them. The only difference between that and my Univega Alpina Uno is my fork has a bi-plane crown. As noted above, the fork steerer tube may fit a 21.1mm stem and it could even have the old 32.6mm headset cup seats. My Univega does.
This is a cool oddity and I'm looking forward to the sleuthing that may occur here.
This is a cool oddity and I'm looking forward to the sleuthing that may occur here.
05-14-24, 12:47 AM
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Look at the underside of the bottom bracket. A real Colnago will have a cloverleaf cutout.
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05-14-24, 03:11 AM
#11
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I don't know Colnagos. Is the frame construction typical of Colnago? Did they weld frames and are those welds typical of Colnago, or were Colnagos all lugged and brazed frames? Do the rear dropouts and welds look typical for Colnago? Does the fork crown look typical for Colnago? Is the frame tubing straight-wall, or butted (remove the seatpost and look inside). Is the bottom bracket threading BSA or Italian? Is the BB taper ISO or JIS? Are the parts typical source for Colnago? Did Colnago ever outsource bikes to Asia?
Last edited by Duragrouch; 05-14-24 at 03:18 AM.
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05-14-24, 03:39 AM
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
05-14-24, 02:17 PM
#14
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More info
should have included some more critical info first time around. Was a bit rushed when I posted
Blatant obvious omission of the head badge.
Anyone recognize Crown bikes?
had also forgot to mention the BB shell has no serial or clover insignia as another posted suggested. Safe to say this is a “Crown” (and not colagno?) whatever that may be (c1983 department store?). Reassuring this further I noticed ends of the forks are painted, home made style.
Still, I’m beginning to appreciate the parts more now, esp the housing and brakes with the yellow pads look and feel very classic. Would make a great cottage bike
Thanks for the feedback so far everyone
Blatant obvious omission of the head badge.
Anyone recognize Crown bikes?
had also forgot to mention the BB shell has no serial or clover insignia as another posted suggested. Safe to say this is a “Crown” (and not colagno?) whatever that may be (c1983 department store?). Reassuring this further I noticed ends of the forks are painted, home made style.
Still, I’m beginning to appreciate the parts more now, esp the housing and brakes with the yellow pads look and feel very classic. Would make a great cottage bike
Thanks for the feedback so far everyone
Last edited by Danmozy66; 05-14-24 at 02:20 PM.
05-14-24, 05:12 PM
#15
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Sort of always surprised by restickering the big brands on what are sometimes nice frames in their own right.
More often than not, I don’t think it is an insidious plot for sales, but maybe a dream of owning one.
That said the bike is a nice one and the Nago stickers are nicely applied.
More often than not, I don’t think it is an insidious plot for sales, but maybe a dream of owning one.
That said the bike is a nice one and the Nago stickers are nicely applied.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
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05-14-24, 05:23 PM
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05-14-24, 07:46 PM
#17
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I’d say that headbadge is definitive evidence that this is not a real Colnago.
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Check out www.djcatnap.com for articles on vintage Japanese & French bicycle restorations, components and history.
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05-15-24, 06:55 AM
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Rossin, Colnago, Faggin (limited and rare!), and a few other marquees that escape me.
Bianchi already had the Japanese connection so they were earlier.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
05-15-24, 08:15 AM
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fakes
could be an early 80's Crown & not a whole lot of info on the web.maybe a vintage worth restoring once the decals are replaced with correct ones?
https://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/crown_bike/
https://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/crown_bike/
05-15-24, 08:57 AM
#20
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could be an early 80's Crown & not a whole lot of info on the web.maybe a vintage worth restoring once the decals are replaced with correct ones?
https://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/crown_bike/
https://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/crown_bike/
Absolutely worth doing something with. Very cool early large scale frame.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
05-15-24, 09:52 AM
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Great parts, but I'm a big fan of Suntour. Enjoy the bike!
05-16-24, 11:06 AM
#22
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05-17-24, 08:54 AM
#23
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1987:
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05-17-24, 09:20 AM
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I came darn close to buying this Colnago mountain bike when in Jamaica last winter (look closely for lugs and the unusual tube set)... Should I have bought the bike? That question will plague me for a long time. If my friend still has the bike, I will buy it next year when I go to the island...
Before leaving the island, I gave my early eighties Bianchi away to a friend who's son needed a bicycle. Bye bye Bianchi and what a great bike it proved to be over the years...
Before leaving the island, I gave my early eighties Bianchi away to a friend who's son needed a bicycle. Bye bye Bianchi and what a great bike it proved to be over the years...
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