My first “official” Italian bike
09-09-19, 08:47 AM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
My first “official” Italian bike
I purchased this Colnago frame on EBay after getting suckered into going there. I innocently entered 63cm just to see what came up then I fell in love. I spent too much and then needed to buy everything to build it up. 
09-09-19, 08:52 AM
#2
Full Member
Thread Starter
Campy front derailleur, Dura Ace crankset purchased used, New 11 speed Ultegra brifters and rear derailleur, 105 cassette, connex chain. R500 Shimano wheels and 25mm Vittoria tires. I wish I could use bigger tires but I am still smitten with it.
Edit: It came with a Dura Ace bottom bracket and brake calipers and an Ultegra seat post. It also came with the bars and stem.
Edit: It came with a Dura Ace bottom bracket and brake calipers and an Ultegra seat post. It also came with the bars and stem.
Last edited by deephate; 09-09-19 at 05:16 PM. Reason: Update
09-09-19, 08:52 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,435
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5888 Post(s)
Liked 3,471 Times
in
2,079 Posts
That bike is beautiful. That's a heck of a bike for a "first" Italian bike.
The inability to run larger tires is one of the reasons I've been on the look out for an older Italian frame with more generous tire clearance.
The inability to run larger tires is one of the reasons I've been on the look out for an older Italian frame with more generous tire clearance.
09-09-19, 08:56 AM
#4
Full Member
Thread Starter
This was after I swore I was finished purchasing any more bike or frames. It took some major groveling and a one thousand dollar cash gift for her birthday.
09-09-19, 09:35 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 1,268
Bikes: Bianchi Ti Megatube; Colnago Competition; Planet-X EC-130E; Klein Pulse; Amp Research B4; Litespeed Catalyst; Trek Y11
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 605 Post(s)
Liked 480 Times
in
260 Posts
That's a gorgeous frame; I think the geometry isn't far off my Colnago "Competition" with Columbus Crystal tubing. 25mm is very tight at the chainstays.
Grey or white bar tape, grey or white cable housing, and tan wall tyres, would set that off nicely.
It's always a nice ego-boost to have your bike be the one that turns heads at the coffee stop!
Grey or white bar tape, grey or white cable housing, and tan wall tyres, would set that off nicely.
It's always a nice ego-boost to have your bike be the one that turns heads at the coffee stop!
09-09-19, 09:54 AM
#6
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,328
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,831 Times
in
2,229 Posts
Bit of a mix bike. Old/New, East meets West, silver/grey, black/purple.
For me, the chrome is what I would highlight.
Given the pay-off, I truly hope the bike delivers a nice ROI.
For me, the chrome is what I would highlight.
Given the pay-off, I truly hope the bike delivers a nice ROI.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
09-09-19, 02:10 PM
#7
Senior Citizen
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: North Bend, WA
Posts: 128
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR7 Disc, Lemond Poprad, 1980 Colnago Super, '88 Specialized Rockhopper
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 69 Post(s)
Liked 576 Times
in
162 Posts
Oh wow, beautiful bike. 
How does it ride? I have a similarly equipped '80 Colnago Super and it's a blast.
How does it ride? I have a similarly equipped '80 Colnago Super and it's a blast.
09-09-19, 02:17 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: se MIch.
Posts: 2,306
Bikes: 1938 claud butler,1983 Basso,teledyne titan,teocali super,nrs,1993 stumpjumper fsr,Paramountain,Paramount Buell(sold),4 banger,Zaskar LE,Colnago Master Ibex MTB,1987ish,.etc....
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 802 Post(s)
Liked 2,976 Times
in
1,496 Posts
Italian/
very nice frame.
09-09-19, 02:47 PM
#9
Full Member
Thread Starter
09-09-19, 05:02 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,435
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5888 Post(s)
Liked 3,471 Times
in
2,079 Posts
@deephate, I have to ask. If this is your first "official" Italian bike which was your first "unofficial" Italian bike? 
09-09-19, 05:22 PM
#13
Full Member
Thread Starter
I once looked at a Tommasini and didn't buy it. That was about 20 years ago but I have regretted it since. It was five hundred and all campy....but I was strapped. AND it was my size, that's the kicker!
09-10-19, 09:14 AM
#16
Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 73
Bikes: 1988 Ross Centaur, 2010 Fuji Connoisseur, 2015 Raleigh Tamland 1, 2017 Raleigh Carlton, 1987 Team Miyata, 2012 Soma Stanyan, 2015 Cinelli Supercorsa, 1984 Miyata 1000, [2009 Scattante SSR], [1988 Falcon Competitor 105], [2016 Soma Wolverine]
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
That's a beautiful bike - I would say the birthday gift (bribe?) was well worth it!
09-10-19, 09:17 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Central Virginia
Posts: 4,778
Bikes: Numerous
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1676 Post(s)
Liked 3,089 Times
in
911 Posts
Nicely done. I love me some chrome lugs! Tecnos, I believe used the same geometry as the Master. I've always heard that model has a weight limit, leading me to think it was made with lighter tube set. Enjoy!
__________________
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
09-10-19, 06:44 PM
#19
Full Member
Thread Starter
Did I mention a Chris King headset came along with it?? I can't seem to ride anything else now!
09-11-19, 06:51 AM
#20
weapons-grade bolognium
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Across the street from Chicago
Posts: 6,344
Bikes: Battaglin Cromor, Ciocc Designer 84, Schwinn Superior 1981
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 985 Post(s)
Liked 2,378 Times
in
891 Posts
So your plan is to start at the top and work your way down?
09-11-19, 09:48 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Norman, OK
Posts: 837
Bikes: Casati Laser, Colnago Tecnos, Ciöcc Exige, Black Mountain Cycles Road
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 129 Post(s)
Liked 177 Times
in
78 Posts
Compliments on your first Italian! Enjoy it!
I have a near twin to that frame in a 58. Yours looks like either a 1996 or 1997 model, based on the seatpost cluster. I've had mine for nearly twenty years and it is easily my favorite bike.
In my case I bought this a few months after my first marriage fell apart, thus avoiding any awkward explanations or reparations. I rode it for years with a total mish mash of drivetrain parts before putting the current groupset on it about a year and a half ago. I know triples aren't cool, but my 57-year-old legs are happier knowing there's a bailout gear.
I have a near twin to that frame in a 58. Yours looks like either a 1996 or 1997 model, based on the seatpost cluster. I've had mine for nearly twenty years and it is easily my favorite bike.
In my case I bought this a few months after my first marriage fell apart, thus avoiding any awkward explanations or reparations. I rode it for years with a total mish mash of drivetrain parts before putting the current groupset on it about a year and a half ago. I know triples aren't cool, but my 57-year-old legs are happier knowing there's a bailout gear.
Likes For Oldguyonoldbike:
09-11-19, 10:13 AM
#23
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,610
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10955 Post(s)
Liked 7,483 Times
in
4,185 Posts
Wow that purple tubing fade is fantastic, especially with the offsetting chrome.
What Campy FD is that, does it work perfectly, and why did you use that instead of a 105/Ultegra/DA? Not criticizing, but genuinely curious since I didnt know a Campy FD with current gen Shimano 11sp is a thing.
What Campy FD is that, does it work perfectly, and why did you use that instead of a 105/Ultegra/DA? Not criticizing, but genuinely curious since I didnt know a Campy FD with current gen Shimano 11sp is a thing.
09-11-19, 10:49 AM
#24
Full Member
Thread Starter
Wow that purple tubing fade is fantastic, especially with the offsetting chrome.
What Campy FD is that, does it work perfectly, and why did you use that instead of a 105/Ultegra/DA? Not criticizing, but genuinely curious since I didnt know a Campy FD with current gen Shimano 11sp is a thing.
What Campy FD is that, does it work perfectly, and why did you use that instead of a 105/Ultegra/DA? Not criticizing, but genuinely curious since I didnt know a Campy FD with current gen Shimano 11sp is a thing.
09-11-19, 10:55 AM
#25
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: 1607 Post(s)
Liked 2,216 Times
in
1,103 Posts
Beautiful frame. Not my style of crank but …… I thoroughly enjoy my 83 Surperissimo. Great ride. Just 2 cm too small. The Pinarello is also a great ride. I can't wait to try out the De Rosa!
__________________
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.