'70s Colnago
06-20-22, 01:02 PM
#1
Retro on steroids
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'70s Colnago
In the '70s I had a Colnago. My uncle is 15 years older than I am. He figured that since I had one, it must be a good bike. So he bought one also. Then he put a Blackburn rack and clincher tires on it.
My uncle was also the first person to purchase a Ritchey MountainBike from Gary Fisher and me.
He is now 91 y.o., so the only bike he rides now is his Ritchey. He asked me whether I wanted the Colnago (mine died 20 years ago), on the condition. that I do not sell it.
No problem. Here it is.
My uncle was also the first person to purchase a Ritchey MountainBike from Gary Fisher and me.
He is now 91 y.o., so the only bike he rides now is his Ritchey. He asked me whether I wanted the Colnago (mine died 20 years ago), on the condition. that I do not sell it.
No problem. Here it is.
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06-20-22, 03:31 PM
#3
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
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Your uncle drives a hard bargain. 
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06-20-22, 04:28 PM
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Super nice! Pun intended
06-20-22, 10:08 PM
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06-20-22, 10:57 PM
#7
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I had a similar vintage one that I rode and raced for many years. I’d been looking for the right bike. Girlfriend saw the look on my face when I came back from test ride. Said “that’s the one”. Took me from my first crit to cat 3. Magical bikes..
Last edited by gorillimo; 06-20-22 at 11:06 PM.
06-20-22, 11:08 PM
#8
verktyg
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"Super" Nice Nag
Chuck Schmidt with the help of many others compiled The Original COLNAGO SUPER Timeline
This is the gold standard for dating Colnagos:
Velo-Retro: Colnago Super Timeline
1973
- Wreath seat tube decal with Worlds band at top and bottom
- Fork crown with clubs in top but no holes in each side
- Fork tangs with club cutouts (rarely two hole tangs or no tangs)
- Club cutout in lower head lug only
1974
- Shifter braze-ons on down tube (available as option before this)
1975
- Diagonal Worlds band added behind black Club/COLNAGO head tube decal
- Diagonal Worlds band with yellow Club/COLNAGO head tube decal used for one year
- Vertical COLNAGO seat tube decal with single diagonal Worlds band at top
- Top tube brake cable guide braze-ons, always two instead of customary three (an option before this)
According to Chuck's Velo-Retro time line I would say that this is a probably a late 1974 model Super, maybe an early 1975... (no braze-on brake cable guides)
Columbus sticker circa 1975 but no guarantee of date.
I had a orange 1978 Super that got stolen in 1981. In 2006 I picked up a 1983 Super frame and built it up. I recently sold it. The new owner is over the moon!
verktyg
This is the gold standard for dating Colnagos:
Velo-Retro: Colnago Super Timeline
1973
- Wreath seat tube decal with Worlds band at top and bottom
- Fork crown with clubs in top but no holes in each side
- Fork tangs with club cutouts (rarely two hole tangs or no tangs)
- Club cutout in lower head lug only
1974
- Shifter braze-ons on down tube (available as option before this)
1975
- Diagonal Worlds band added behind black Club/COLNAGO head tube decal
- Diagonal Worlds band with yellow Club/COLNAGO head tube decal used for one year
- Vertical COLNAGO seat tube decal with single diagonal Worlds band at top
- Top tube brake cable guide braze-ons, always two instead of customary three (an option before this)
According to Chuck's Velo-Retro time line I would say that this is a probably a late 1974 model Super, maybe an early 1975... (no braze-on brake cable guides)
Columbus sticker circa 1975 but no guarantee of date.
I had a orange 1978 Super that got stolen in 1981. In 2006 I picked up a 1983 Super frame and built it up. I recently sold it. The new owner is over the moon!
verktyg
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Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Last edited by verktyg; 06-20-22 at 11:15 PM.
06-21-22, 02:00 AM
#10
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What a wonderful family heirloom.
06-21-22, 04:07 AM
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If it helps, mine is a 75 and no top tube cable guides but embossed “Colnago” with club on fork crown. Club cut out in fork stiffener and BB shell and one down tube lug. I can’t see the fork crown detail on this bike , but it looks very close to mine. Enjoy the ride , you know as you have already had one, they are very nice riding bikes. Mine has 35 stamped on the steerer tube and drive side drop out , which means nothing to the date of the bike I am told .
Last edited by Kabuki12; 06-21-22 at 04:13 AM.
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06-21-22, 04:13 AM
#12
Hump, what hump?
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Sweet!
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2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
06-22-22, 11:53 AM
#13
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I try to not use the word “awesome” …….. but wow, awesome!
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06-22-22, 01:45 PM
#14
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It is probably the horizontal reference pipe on the fence and angle of the shot but doesn't it seem like the front is riding high? The fork plane seems ok.
06-22-22, 02:40 PM
#15
Retro on steroids
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06-22-22, 02:54 PM
#16
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06-22-22, 03:35 PM
#17
Retro on steroids
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06-22-22, 05:03 PM
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Lovely bike Charlie. Hope you are well. Still have very fond memories of you and Pat (RIP) generously taking me out for a ride in 2013! Hope to be back to California soon!
Miles
Miles
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06-22-22, 06:07 PM
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06-22-22, 06:09 PM
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06-24-22, 01:08 PM
#22
Retro on steroids
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I showed the bike to Joe Breeze. He found dates of 1973 and 1974 on the components. He says '74 or '75.
09-19-22, 12:56 PM
#23
Retro on steroids
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Bump to update.
I turned the Colnago over to my ace mechanic, Josh Orlando, and spent more on the restoration than it cost new. Replaced the bent handlebars.
I turned the Colnago over to my ace mechanic, Josh Orlando, and spent more on the restoration than it cost new. Replaced the bent handlebars.
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09-19-22, 03:54 PM
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Schwinn Varsity appearing tires?
oh well.
oh well.
09-19-22, 04:02 PM
#25
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Hey, I’m glad there’s somebody else with the 70s Cologo so I can ask this question. What is the quality of the decals and the placement? I have what I think is also an original Colnago Super and my god do these decals look chintzy.
not under any clear coat, cheaply made and slightly askew.
how is yours?
not under any clear coat, cheaply made and slightly askew.
how is yours?
