fraba

Hi,

I am trying to identify this Colnago but I have a hard time. Pictures are no so good but I should receive more soon. Looking at decals and seat stays caps (Colnago markings), I think it may be a 1988. The Campagnolo groupset - Chorus I think - looks also like the Chorus in the 1988 catalog. However, I can't clearly identify the frame. Looked at 1985 to 1989 Colnago's catalogs but no clear answer. It is not a Master. Esamexico? But the decals and the lugs shape does not fit with the catalog. Superissimo or Super? Again, the 1988 Superissimo and Super do not have the chromed lugs. Also looked at the 1989 catalogs. Super and Super Sprint would fit the bill for the lugs and the decals but not for the seat stays caps. And they all had internal rear brake cable routing in 1989 (not the case of this bike).

I searched like crazy Am I right for the year? For the groupset? Can someone help with identifying the model? Or I am completely wrong and this is a fake (I don't think so).

Oh! And how much should I offer?

Thanks a lot. I hope one day I will ask less and answer more

Spaghetti Legs 

The FD and RD are late 80’s Chorus. The brake levers, hard to tell exactly what model, but they are not, and date from earlier most likely. Post some pics or info of the chainstay bridge, bottom bracket, and any crimps in the tubes, including chainstays. I don’t have a lot of knowledge of the mid 80’s Colnagos, but others here do and that info will be helpful.

fraba

Thanks for your comment. Maybe the brake levers were manually drilled? Or maybe they are not even Campy. I also noted that brake pads are not original.
I will put more pictures as soon as I have them.

TugaDude

Did you try looking on velobase to ID the components? I'd need better pics to say for sure, but some of the details check the boxes I would look for if it was a real Colnago.

fraba

I received additional pics. Not great quality but enough to confirm several things. Brake levers not Campy (can't read, anyone knows? Modolo?). Some rust on the top tube. Decals not in great shape and no tubing decal. I do not see any crimping on tubes. Based on this, what model could it be. Super or Superissimo 1988 ?

CliffordK

The Superissimo typically had chrome head tube lugs.

Mushrooom

Lots of great bikes in Montreal, huh.

Sorry, can't help. Just saying hello.

zukahn1 

The parts and frame details place it as a mid 80's bike likely sold as a Super frame set and built up around 85 or so it would be unlikley for a stock bike or later build up to have mixed components all from the same year or two..

bertinjim 

fraba-

The brake levers are Modolo Flash units.

fraba

I have read that a lot but Colnago's catalogs don't show this in the 80s... I am confused...

fraba

This is not clear to me. I found similar paint schemes from 1986 to 88 but components are from 1987 or later (Chorus started in 1987 if I remember correctly). And from what I found, the first Super with chromed lugs was in 1989... but with internal rear brake cable routing.

CliffordK

You're probably right to go back to the primary source.

I've only noted the chrome lugs looking at secondary reviews.

Superissimo (1982–88) Super with chrome head lugs, later with SLX tubing (1988)

I think other places have also noted the chrome lugs on the Superissimo.

There should be Super/Superissimo decals on the bike somewhere. Top tube or chainstays?

Would some of the decals have been selectively removed, or perhaps all of them replaced? Painted?

CliffordK

The exact ID aside, I'd say you're looking at around a $700 to $800 bike (full retail).

The decals are pretty rough, but perhaps the paint can be restored, and you could just peel and replace the decals.

How much you actually should pay would depend on a number of factors. '

How well does the bike fit you? How much does it appeal to you?

If it is offered for $300 to $400, you should already have it at home.

Friends and Family Discount? This is a bit of a double edged sword. Don't expect your friends/family to try to maximize their own profits, but at the same time, don't try to take advantage of them too much (especially if you plan on flipping the bike in the next year or two).

Somewhere around $500 to $600, and everyone may well feel happy.

Even if you choose to resell the bike, get it cheap, and invest time/money into cleaning it up, and you could show it isn't a straight "flip".

Spaghetti Legs 

All the Campy parts, including brakes, look Chorus to me. Limited view of the hubs, though, I’m not so sure on those. The rear derailleur, although fuzzy pic, I’m pretty sure is the first version Chorus with the A/B positioning, introduced around ‘88. The fishnet paint schemes were popular mid late eighties. I’m going to guess the Campy bits are original to the bike and say this is an ‘88 or 89, Superissimo (based on chrome lugs).

Price depends - in general I agree with estimates above. If you’re able to see the bike in person and in good condition and it fits then worth more. You’ll enjoy and ride that bike a long time. If buying at a distance and some questions on condition then less.

If the brake levers don’t have quick releases built in, it might be troublesome because Campy brakes don’t have them.