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Colnago advice

Old 05-16-21, 06:14 AM
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bikemike73 
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Colnago advice

Looking for Colnago owners, and , or knowledgeable people about this brand.

I would like to buy a Steel one , like the Super...... Vintage 1973 - 1976

I do not know about the Master. I am not a " racer" , but would like a smooth ( not stiff) ride.

Does the " Master" ride like the Super of the mid 70s ?

The fork is straight on the master which would leave me to believe it is a " stiffer" ride. But I do not know.

I have a 1976 Colnago Super. Love this bike. But it is " slightly" big.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

Thank you

Michael
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Old 05-16-21, 06:42 AM
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Not all Masters have straight forks.
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Old 05-16-21, 06:48 AM
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You will not be able to discern any difference in the forks from the saddle.
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Old 05-16-21, 06:52 AM
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Ok

So a straight fork does not mean a " stiffer" ride ?

What is the difference...Straight vs. curved fork ?

Thank you for your responses !!

Stay/be safe
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Old 05-16-21, 06:55 AM
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I own and ride both the Super and Master models.
I dont really notice much diff in stiffness but rather the Master being slightly lighter and more responsive.
Its a great combo for steel bikes and would recommend owning both classics.
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Old 05-16-21, 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by bikemike73
Ok

So a straight fork does not mean a " stiffer" ride ?

What is the difference...Straight vs. curved fork ?

Thank you for your responses !!

Stay/be safe
Styling. And cheaper to make, fewer processes. Distinctive for a time.

everyone should look for a ‘71-‘73 Super.
before the graphics went sticker.
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Old 05-16-21, 10:05 AM
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Great info

So joesch

What year is the super you ride ?

And what year is the master you ride ?

Thanks again for the responses

There is a 1994 master for sale in nice shape for 1350 with a straight fork

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Old 05-16-21, 12:21 PM
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In November I bought a 1975 Super in rider condition. It is my first Colnago and I love it. I have quite a few nice vintage racers and this is tops. It isn’t as light feeling as my Medici but very responsive none the less. It is a 63cm size and weighs 21.5 lbs without pedals , so it is very light for the year and size. I bought from a fellow BF member and couldn’t be happier. I just got back from a nice ride on it.
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Old 05-16-21, 06:25 PM
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Love the Orange color!!!!!🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲

Thanks for sharing!!🚲🚴‍♂️🚲🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️
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Old 05-16-21, 06:45 PM
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Originally Posted by bikemike73
Love the Orange color!!!!!🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲

Thanks for sharing!!🚲🚴‍♂️🚲🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️
I second that! My favorite color for these earlier Colnagos.
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Old 05-16-21, 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by repechage
Styling. And cheaper to make, fewer processes. Distinctive for a time.

everyone should look for a ‘71-‘73 Super.
before the graphics went sticker.
Do the '71-73's ride differently from later ones (I have an '82) or is your preference solely aesthetic?
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Old 05-17-21, 03:22 AM
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For me, the Masters are all-day bikes being stiff at the bottom bracket yet responsive and quite predictable. On a fast downhill ride the frame handles the twists and turns predictably, uphill they are reasonably comfortable with a bottom bracket that does resist sideway movement when out of the saddle a little better than some other well known brands. Time-trialling is comfortable as I find the Colnago geometry to fit my body shape which is an average body shape. The Masters are not exceptional in any one riding area but they are very well sorted for off-the-shelf frames.
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Old 05-17-21, 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by spudly
Do the '71-73's ride differently from later ones (I have an '82) or is your preference solely aesthetic?
There were incremental changes over time, less brake reach, and shorter rear triangle, lastly by 1983, a slightly shorter top tube for a typical given sized frame.
To me, Ernesto in last half of the 70's went profit margin, somewhere in 1981-82 things improved.
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Old 05-17-21, 05:07 PM
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Thanks again for all the advice

Much appreciated!!🚴‍♂️🚲🚲🚲🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️

Stay/be safe🚴‍♂️🚲🚲🚲🚲
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Old 05-18-21, 01:40 AM
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Originally Posted by repechage
Styling. And cheaper to make, fewer processes. Distinctive for a time.

everyone should look for a ‘71-‘73 Super.
before the graphics went sticker.

I have never heard of the Precisa (straight) fork being introduced because of the cheaper process but could understand potential manufacturing savings.

I thought the commonly accepted story is that the Precisa fork was born out of the Colnago - Ferrari partnership where they discovered that although counter-intuitive, the straight fork was better for absorbing vibration and shock.

https://www.colnago.com/en/news-en/s...makes-history/
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Old 05-18-21, 04:56 PM
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repechage
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Originally Posted by jimbossa
I have never heard of the Precisa (straight) fork being introduced because of the cheaper process but could understand potential manufacturing savings.

I thought the commonly accepted story is that the Precisa fork was born out of the Colnago - Ferrari partnership where they discovered that although counter-intuitive, the straight fork was better for absorbing vibration and shock.

https://www.colnago.com/en/news-en/s...makes-history/
Well, no work hardening of the blades for sure.
Visually distinctive at the time.
ditch some processes, yes, a new casting required for the crown.

I applaud Ernesto, take a route of lower mfg cost and exploit it as Better, and get more distinctive for free.
"less filling, tastes great"
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