Convince me why I need a Colnago Master
05-23-18, 07:35 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,694
Bikes: A few BSO's.
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 164 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times
in
27 Posts
Convince me why I need a Colnago Master
I am looking at a few with wild paint, crimped Gilco tubing, probably early 90's but I don't really know. Some are Master Olympic, Master Light. I don't know the difference. They have horizontal drop outs. The itch needs to be scratched. Tell me why I should have one, or not. BTW I have a Tommasini Tecno Extra with Columbus Genius tubing. I love it, well maybe the unicrown fork not so much. Rode it 72 miles today. Maybe the ride characteristics would overlap a lot. I dunno but the paint on the Master.....This one is not that wild but close.
05-23-18, 07:46 PM
#2
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 20
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Hi There!
I have a Tommasini Super Prestige, DeRosa Sammontana, both Columbus SLX and a Colnago Master Olympic Décor Gilco
They all ride nice...but I think from riding them all, my preference is the Colnago..
I have a Tommasini Super Prestige, DeRosa Sammontana, both Columbus SLX and a Colnago Master Olympic Décor Gilco
They all ride nice...but I think from riding them all, my preference is the Colnago..
05-23-18, 07:49 PM
#3
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,664
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3100 Post(s)
Liked 6,628 Times
in
3,797 Posts
05-23-18, 08:05 PM
#7
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 20
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I am looking at a few with wild paint, crimped Gilco tubing, probably early 90's but I don't really know. Some are Master Olympic, Master Light. I don't know the difference. They have horizontal drop outs. The itch needs to be scratched. Tell me why I should have one, or not. BTW I have a Tommasini Tecno Extra with Columbus Genius tubing. I love it, well maybe the unicrown fork not so much. Rode it 72 miles today. Maybe the ride characteristics would overlap a lot. I dunno but the paint on the Master.....This one is not that wild but close.
05-23-18, 08:25 PM
#8
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,664
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3100 Post(s)
Liked 6,628 Times
in
3,797 Posts
I was hoping for some firsthand Colnago riding knowledge. NVRMND.
05-23-18, 08:56 PM
#10
Senior Member
Because they are pretty.
05-23-18, 11:28 PM
#11
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Posts: 5,676
Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1035 Post(s)
Liked 2,553 Times
in
1,067 Posts
For the same reason the TV commercial told Fat Freddy to drink Tree Frog Beer: "You'll feel great and have lots of girlfriends."
(Any other Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers fans out there?)
(Any other Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers fans out there?)
__________________
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
05-24-18, 12:31 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Hervey Bay, Qld, Australia.
Posts: 2,929
Bikes: Colnago (82, 85, 89, 90, 91, 96, 03), 85 Cinelli, 90 Rossin, 83 Alan, 82 Bianchi, 78 Fountain, 2 x Pinarello, Malvern Star (37), Hillman (70's), 80's Beretto Lo-Pro Track, 80's Kenevans Lo-Pro, Columbus Max (95), DeGrandi (80's) Track.
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 179 Post(s)
Liked 200 Times
in
124 Posts
The Colnago Masters are very well sorted out for the average rider (years and years of frame building experience). For a roughly average proportioned rider, I reckon you can slip in your favourite seatpost, handlebar shape and stem, crank length, etc, and find a Colnago factory built frame to suit you. You will be getting a bike that fits you with quite neutral handling, stiff at the bottom bracket, predictable cornering, confidence going up and down gradients, flat road performance; in fact a competent allrounder and all day bike.
Can you get these ride qualities from other frame manufacturers? You bet you can. But there's just something intangible about a Colnago beneath you though.
Do you need a Colnago? Yes, of course you do.
Can you get these ride qualities from other frame manufacturers? You bet you can. But there's just something intangible about a Colnago beneath you though.
Do you need a Colnago? Yes, of course you do.
Last edited by Gary Fountain; 05-24-18 at 02:46 AM.
05-24-18, 07:13 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,791
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1020 Post(s)
Liked 463 Times
in
293 Posts
You don’t “need” a Colnago Master. Once you get one, however, you will know why they are such great bikes to own and ride.
They are not the lightest steel bikes, but they are lively on the road and steady during descents.
They are not full of “modern” features but the Masters are cool looking and always attract an appreciative crowd. (I love looking down on the top tube and seeing that little painted rider.)
There are other steel bikes with a strong racing heritage, but the Masters have strong Italian DNA.
I own three Colnagos, including a Master, and one Bottecchia: two CF and two steel. I enjoy riding all four of them.
So no, you don’t need a Master, but if you are considering other equally priced steel bikes I would give strong consideration to a Master.
Ride safely!
Last edited by eja_ bottecchia; 05-24-18 at 08:35 PM.
05-24-18, 07:24 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Posts: 9,579
Bikes: '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, '94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster, Tern Link D8
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1609 Post(s)
Liked 2,216 Times
in
1,103 Posts
IIRC the Master Olympic was only sold for a limited time, 1 or two years. I don't know the difference either. Someone with more in depth knowledge will tune in, I hope. Been wanting one for a number of years. I have a 1983 Superissimo that is a unique ride. Hard to pin it down. It is the last bike I would let go. If I had a Master, it would be difficult to decide which to keep!
__________________
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
05-24-18, 07:55 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 13,454
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4247 Post(s)
Liked 2,955 Times
in
1,813 Posts
They are pretty, but are they pretty enough to overcome the straight fork? That's for you to decide.
05-24-18, 08:35 AM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,694
Bikes: A few BSO's.
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 164 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times
in
27 Posts
Are we just talking about the aesthetic of the straight fork? And what is the difference between Master and Master Light? I am lookin at a Master Olympic with Master Light on the top tube. Is it just a few dozen grams in weight or something else? Not that it really matters.
05-24-18, 09:07 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,318
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 660 Post(s)
Liked 598 Times
in
314 Posts
IIRC the Master Olympic was only sold for a limited time, 1 or two years. I don't know the difference either. Someone with more in depth knowledge will tune in, I hope. Been wanting one for a number of years. I have a 1983 Superissimo that is a unique ride. Hard to pin it down. It is the last bike I would let go. If I had a Master, it would be difficult to decide which to keep!
05-24-18, 09:10 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,687
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 569 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times
in
412 Posts
It totally escapes me why some find the straight fork an issue. I have Frans Maassen's '93 &/or '94 Wordperfect Master Team bike, a 58cm w/ Columbus GIlco Design Profilo S4. A daily rider in a rotation with CIOCC SLX, Tommasini EL, Tommasini Diamonte MS, Pinarello Asolo Dolmen, Vitus 979 and two customs, one Tange Prestige Superlight and another EL. All with 25mm tires other than the 23mm needed for the Air fork on the Tecno and as eja said the Master ride is second to none other than when climbing the lighter frames are nice; It really shines when things go South, sudden pot hole or curb, loose dog, vehicle madness, etc.
05-24-18, 09:34 AM
#19
So it goes.
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: W. Tennessee
Posts: 965
Bikes: A few. Quite a few.
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 432 Post(s)
Liked 639 Times
in
261 Posts
When I got mine I was captivated by the design and paint, but after I rode it I fell in love. I can't say that it's ride characteristics are superior to my other top tier bikes, but it's unique, well behaved and very comfortable yet nimble when I need it to be. Took me a little time to warm to the straight fork but I like it, and it absorbs road shock as well as a traditional bend. When it's not being ridden it hangs on the wall - after all art is art.
05-24-18, 10:04 AM
#20
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
Is it an art object, or is it athletic equipment? I'm fine with either one. In my opinion, as an art object, it's pretty tacky. It looks to me like a combination of excellent craftsmanship and poor taste. Not that I want to disparage it-- if you like it, you like it. If you have to have it, you have to have it. I can't talk you into it, or out of it. I ride with a couple guys who have bikes like that --recent Colnagos, that is; I don't know one from another-- and they are very proud of them. I don't get it, but I don't tell them my problems.
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
05-24-18, 10:38 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,791
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1020 Post(s)
Liked 463 Times
in
293 Posts
Yup, those are the important questions.
Is it an art object, or is it athletic equipment? I'm fine with either one. In my opinion, as an art object, it's pretty tacky. It looks to me like a combination of excellent craftsmanship and poor taste. Not that I want to disparage it-- if you like it, you like it. If you have to have it, you have to have it. I can't talk you into it, or out of it. I ride with a couple guys who have bikes like that --recent Colnagos, that is; I don't know one from another-- and they are very proud of them. I don't get it, but I don't tell them my problems.
Is it an art object, or is it athletic equipment? I'm fine with either one. In my opinion, as an art object, it's pretty tacky. It looks to me like a combination of excellent craftsmanship and poor taste. Not that I want to disparage it-- if you like it, you like it. If you have to have it, you have to have it. I can't talk you into it, or out of it. I ride with a couple guys who have bikes like that --recent Colnagos, that is; I don't know one from another-- and they are very proud of them. I don't get it, but I don't tell them my problems.
Tacky is in the eye of the beholder.
Personally, I would prefer if fewer people rode Colnagos.
That would make me a member of a far more exclusive “club.”
05-24-18, 10:41 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,791
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1020 Post(s)
Liked 463 Times
in
293 Posts
It totally escapes me why some find the straight fork an issue. I have Frans Maassen's '93 &/or '94 Wordperfect Master Team bike, a 58cm w/ Columbus GIlco Design Profilo S4. A daily rider in a rotation with CIOCC SLX, Tommasini EL, Tommasini Diamonte MS, Pinarello Asolo Dolmen, Vitus 979 and two customs, one Tange Prestige Superlight and another EL. All with 25mm tires other than the 23mm needed for the Air fork on the Tecno and as eja said the Master ride is second to none other than when climbing the lighter frames are nice; It really shines when things go South, sudden pot hole or curb, loose dog, vehicle madness, etc.
I find the straight forks used by Colnago (and now copied by many) to be far more responsive...so I agree with you 100%.
05-24-18, 10:43 AM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,791
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1020 Post(s)
Liked 463 Times
in
293 Posts
When I got mine I was captivated by the design and paint, but after I rode it I fell in love. I can't say that it's ride characteristics are superior to my other top tier bikes, but it's unique, well behaved and very comfortable yet nimble when I need it to be. Took me a little time to warm to the straight fork but I like it, and it absorbs road shock as well as a traditional bend. When it's not being ridden it hangs on the wall - after all art is art.
05-24-18, 11:54 AM
#24
Senior Member
wow a reference from my youth. I thought they were so funny when I was 12. I wonder if I still would!
05-24-18, 11:55 AM
#25
So it goes.
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: W. Tennessee
Posts: 965
Bikes: A few. Quite a few.
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 432 Post(s)
Liked 639 Times
in
261 Posts
