MyRedTrek

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

bboy314

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.

plonz 

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!

abdon 

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.

3alarmer 

.
...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.

jiangshi

It looks like an Athena seat post instead of a Record. A Cinelli 1A instead of 1R.

I'm not a Colnago fan. but hard pass on this.

Trakhak

I was about to pull the trigger. Then I saw your post. That was a close one.

By the way, "I'm not a Colnago fan. so hard pass on this" would make more sense.

jamesdak 

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.

ScottCommutes

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

Chuck M 

Five grand for a 40 year old bike with no pedals? Sheesh...

jiangshi

thank you, grammar police.

himespau 

Similarly, no one would probably ever actually use that water bottle/cage, but I see those alone going for stupid money on eBay (or at least they did a couple years ago before the bottom fell out of the vintage bike market).

Trakhak

Your grammar is fine. I'm from the logic police.

Chuck M 

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.

abdon 

Do I have a deal for you; $4k for a 35 years old bike with pedals. Let me know how you want to send the money

VtwinVince

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.

repechage

I avoided Colnagos for 40 years, 1973 or prior are entertaining and fun, of a better quality of style, varnish fix transfers, interesting colors, entertaining ride.

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.

Bianchigirll 

It's my understand these were the origianal Delta configuration but in use there was some issues and they were recalled or something. This allegedly lead to the creation of the infamous Colbalto brakes and way to make the Super Record brakes more glamourous for the Corse Record group.

$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?

xiaoman1 

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.
Best, Ben

sloar 

Well, someone wanted it. It’s sold.

john m flores 

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.

Trakhak

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."

xiaoman1 

Exactly......
Best, Ben

Chombi1 

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.

LesterOfPuppets

The TTs with Merckx classes I've seen were for drop bar bikes, they might let you slide just because of the vintageness though.