Is 5 grand for an '84 Colnago tt bike ridiculous?
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Is 5 grand for an '84 Colnago tt bike ridiculous?
I ran across this listing - a supposedly unridden, time capsule condition '84 Colnago Master tt bike. The asking price is 5 grand. I'm sure it's a great bike but I assume it wouldn't be competitive with modern carbon bikes, or is that not necessarily true?
Strictly a question out of curiosity, I'm not in the market for a vintage racing bike. Is there a strong market for vintage bikes such that it's plausible someone would pay this kind of money for an almost 40 yo bike?
https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/i...69/?ref=search
Strictly a question out of curiosity, I'm not in the market for a vintage racing bike. Is there a strong market for vintage bikes such that it's plausible someone would pay this kind of money for an almost 40 yo bike?
https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/i...69/?ref=search
Last edited by MyRedTrek; 11-25-23 at 07:13 PM.
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I don’t have much insight on value for this one, but I’d say that how it compares to a modern carbon bike doesn’t have much bearing on value for this kind of bike.
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If someone does fork over the cash, it’s not with the intent of competing in the local time trial circuit. It would likely be added to a collection and probably hung on a hook.
That being said, my local club has a Merckx class in its time trial series. Would be a hoot to show up on this classic!
That being said, my local club has a Merckx class in its time trial series. Would be a hoot to show up on this classic!
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Also the fact that is 40 years old has no bearing on the price. There are some from that vintage that you can't give away, some that are worth more.
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...I've never seen a listing for a bike that expensive on Facebook. But I don't look much any more. The Delta brakes were a surprise to me. They seem kinda heavy for a TT bike, but maybe it's all about aero.
...I've never seen a listing for a bike that expensive on Facebook. But I don't look much any more. The Delta brakes were a surprise to me. They seem kinda heavy for a TT bike, but maybe it's all about aero.
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By the way, "I'm not a Colnago fan. so hard pass on this" would make more sense.
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I'm with the others in that it's not worth $5000 IMHO.
That said, there are so cool things going on there. He mentions prototype Delta Brakes. They are different then any others I've seen in that they seem to have a quick release or something on the caliper itself there at the top. Then the internal cable routing for the shifters is pretty cool, not sure if that's used on other Colnago bikes or not.
If this bike had a history of being raced for someone famous or documented as a test prototype or such I could see it being more valuable. Otherwise these "funny bike" setups are really a niche item and it takes a really special person to be interested.
I had a really nice Panasonic made Schwinn Prologue TT funny bike that was built up with new 10 speed parts. These were made with the wonderful Tange Prestige tubing. Got hurt in a wreck and couldn't ride it anymore and even with a really cheap price it took a long time to sell it. In fact, come to think of it. It sold as a rolling frameset only, fork frame and wheels.
That said, there are so cool things going on there. He mentions prototype Delta Brakes. They are different then any others I've seen in that they seem to have a quick release or something on the caliper itself there at the top. Then the internal cable routing for the shifters is pretty cool, not sure if that's used on other Colnago bikes or not.
If this bike had a history of being raced for someone famous or documented as a test prototype or such I could see it being more valuable. Otherwise these "funny bike" setups are really a niche item and it takes a really special person to be interested.
I had a really nice Panasonic made Schwinn Prologue TT funny bike that was built up with new 10 speed parts. These were made with the wonderful Tange Prestige tubing. Got hurt in a wreck and couldn't ride it anymore and even with a really cheap price it took a long time to sell it. In fact, come to think of it. It sold as a rolling frameset only, fork frame and wheels.
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I'm clueless about vintage bikes, but a couple of thoughts:
The price might be set high to keep away the lowballers
Interesting that that bike appears to be parked in the world's cleanest garage, painted with white walls and floor - seems like some kind of a clue about the seller
I imagine bike values work like antique car values in the sense that their value peaks when the people that wanted them in their youth reach their peak earning potential
It might be worth that - to the right person. The trick is finding that one person. In this case, even when you find him, the bike might be the wrong size.
I could also see this bike on display at a store somewhere
The price might be set high to keep away the lowballers
Interesting that that bike appears to be parked in the world's cleanest garage, painted with white walls and floor - seems like some kind of a clue about the seller
I imagine bike values work like antique car values in the sense that their value peaks when the people that wanted them in their youth reach their peak earning potential
It might be worth that - to the right person. The trick is finding that one person. In this case, even when you find him, the bike might be the wrong size.
I could also see this bike on display at a store somewhere
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Five grand for a 40 year old bike with no pedals? Sheesh...
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I'm with the others in that it's not worth $5000 IMHO.
That said, there are so cool things going on there. He mentions prototype Delta Brakes. They are different then any others I've seen in that they seem to have a quick release or something on the caliper itself there at the top. Then the internal cable routing for the shifters is pretty cool, not sure if that's used on other Colnago bikes or not.
If this bike had a history of being raced for someone famous or documented as a test prototype or such I could see it being more valuable. Otherwise these "funny bike" setups are really a niche item and it takes a really special person to be interested.
I had a really nice Panasonic made Schwinn Prologue TT funny bike that was built up with new 10 speed parts. These were made with the wonderful Tange Prestige tubing. Got hurt in a wreck and couldn't ride it anymore and even with a really cheap price it took a long time to sell it. In fact, come to think of it. It sold as a rolling frameset only, fork frame and wheels.
That said, there are so cool things going on there. He mentions prototype Delta Brakes. They are different then any others I've seen in that they seem to have a quick release or something on the caliper itself there at the top. Then the internal cable routing for the shifters is pretty cool, not sure if that's used on other Colnago bikes or not.
If this bike had a history of being raced for someone famous or documented as a test prototype or such I could see it being more valuable. Otherwise these "funny bike" setups are really a niche item and it takes a really special person to be interested.
I had a really nice Panasonic made Schwinn Prologue TT funny bike that was built up with new 10 speed parts. These were made with the wonderful Tange Prestige tubing. Got hurt in a wreck and couldn't ride it anymore and even with a really cheap price it took a long time to sell it. In fact, come to think of it. It sold as a rolling frameset only, fork frame and wheels.
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I don't know that anyone could use it. The bottle is probably polyethylene and likely quite brittle by now. I bought a bike a few weeks ago with a Cannondale bottle on it that would have been useful for much more than decoration. The lip of the bottle broke off when I tried to remove the cap and after I dropped it on the way to the trashcan it shattered like glass.
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5K would be stupid money for a regular Colnago Master or similar in 'time capsule' condition. And TT bikes are not popular because you can't really ride them.
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later in the 1970’s things went more production oriented, by 1984-85 had made a number of in my view quality corrections. Then went flashy paint as the driving attribute.
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I'm with the others in that it's not worth $5000 IMHO.
That said, there are so cool things going on there. He mentions prototype Delta Brakes. They are different then any others I've seen in that they seem to have a quick release or something on the caliper itself there at the top. Then the internal cable routing for the shifters is pretty cool, not sure if that's used on other Colnago bikes or not. .
That said, there are so cool things going on there. He mentions prototype Delta Brakes. They are different then any others I've seen in that they seem to have a quick release or something on the caliper itself there at the top. Then the internal cable routing for the shifters is pretty cool, not sure if that's used on other Colnago bikes or not. .
$5000 for a wall hanger? I'd pass you can buy a lot of nicer riders for that kind of money. Does it have a pedigree? Whas it an Interbike or Eurobike show piece?
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Is flying 1st class from NYC to Paris worth it, not to me but I also don't have money to burn, to those that do, it is/may be a bargain. I am of the notion that "IF" you are looking for one and have the "FUNDS" it is worth it.....As others have said I believe that once purchased, it will become part of a collection and a wall hanger.
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Last edited by xiaoman1; 11-26-23 at 09:24 PM.
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Well, someone wanted it. It’s sold.
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It won't be competitive at all vs. a modern TT bike; Lemond in '89 showed that cowhorn bars aren't competitive vs. aerobars. And that's just the start.
As others have suggested, this bike isn't to ride. It's to collect and admire.
As others have suggested, this bike isn't to ride. It's to collect and admire.
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I used to think, in cases like, e.g., someone buying this bike, "More money than sense." Now I just think, "More money than I have."
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Best, Ben
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It is hard to nail down the value of TT "funny bikes" like this as while some might seek one to actually ride, there are many that would buy it more as a "conversational piece" because of the ergoomic challenges it may have on riders.
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If someone does fork over the cash, it’s not with the intent of competing in the local time trial circuit. It would likely be added to a collection and probably hung on a hook.
That being said, my local club has a Merckx class in its time trial series. Would be a hoot to show up on this classic!
That being said, my local club has a Merckx class in its time trial series. Would be a hoot to show up on this classic!