Cyclists...should I buy this?

[Steve 82SC]

I had a friend that used to transport his nice steel bike on a rack placed on the roof of his car. The bike was exposed to the weather, including rain when he took it on trips. The result was a rusted downtube and headtube, all internally rusting from the inside out. I'd want to pull the seat tube and have a good look down there. That being said, I'd love to have that bike. I don't know if the market commands that price, but I like that frame and the way the bike is set up. The frame looks like it has forged Campy dropouts......plus Colnago really built (and builds) some pretty frames. A few years ago, I found a NOS Ochsner steel frame w/Columbus SL tubing in my size. I bought it and eventually bought a NOS Campy Athena group w/index shifting. It's not the lightest or fastest bike out there, but that steel frame is sooooo comfortable to ride. I could have taken the same money and bought something absolutely up to date. I also suppose that I could sell my 82 911 and purchase something more "up to date." But, when I'm having a good day, I can keep up with my 25 year old son on his 18 pound carbon fiber extravaganza....not all the time, but once in a while.

Steve

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by nostatic

imho it is overpriced. Plus check very carefully for rust. I bought a Davidson frame that was unusable when I got it due to rust in the bottom bracket and downtube. Old Italian frames were made of stout steel usually, but they also are prone to rust.

I always sprayed a little WD 40 down the seat post of steel bikes when I got them, figure water eventually will get in there. Aluminum does not oxidize like that, so it is not a problem with the Raleigh

[Racerbvd]

If you are use to old stuff, and it is something you always wanted, buy it, ride it, when you find out if you are back hooked, hang it up, as wall art & buy a modern bike (Nos has a point about the changes, night & day). I'm into old school BMX bikes, and a lot of what I own, I wouldn't race or ride hard & after riding a new school ride, it is truly night & day. The collector in me (I always wanted a Roachiodie) tells me to get it, and if it feels like you will really get back into it, display & buy modern.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Real men ride steel bikes.

[HardDrive]

I could see paying $400+ if it were in excellent condition. Really the frame is the only thing that is of value, so that should be in A+ condition.

[dzls rok]

although its really cool, it is over priced imo. for a little more you can get a decent modern bike. even the newer steel frames are much better and lighter. i had one made from reynolds 853os, and it was the best riding. even better than my current al/carbon frame. but on the other hand, i put 3 wheelsets up on ebay. 1 9spd and 2 7spd sets. not one bid on the 9spd set but the two 7 sps sold for just over $200 each set. i would have been happy to get $25 per set.

[look 171]

A Colnago Mexico was the bike to get. The super is the 2nd in line. You see, back then they didn't have that many frames. Most custom (italian) builders had one frame and one frame to choose from. They were all hand made. They usually have a track bike. It should be SL. Check the sticker and have Campy drop outs. If you want to check to see if its a real colnago, sometimes you will see a little clover leaf cut out in the back of the drop outs. On the spoon of the seat stay. Does it have semi sloaping crown on the fork with the clover leaf on it. If not the fork might have been replace due to a crash or ???

I the early 80, Colnago had a factory in Mexico. I think it was in Ensenada. They weren't that great and many people didn't like it. My buddy raced on one for 4 seasons and crash it in a tranning ride.

Jeff

Dzls rok, $200 bucks for a bunch of old junk. I got rid of lots of that stuff when we made room for our 2 old last year. I still have some. What kind of old stuff do people want now?

[dzls rok]

not sure what people want now. i was surprised also. i still have an ultegra 7spd gruppo and other misc. parts i should get rid of.

[Macroni]

I wouldn't do it. New bikes are lighter with superior components. If you enjoy you will want to upgrade and $600 is to much money to spend on a decision bike. I spent a year on my 20 year old bike before I decided to upgrade. When I did my new bike was a blast. Lighter and faster.....

[jim72911t]

First: Steel is real. (Couldn't resist )

Like others have said, the bike seems to be overpriced. The Dura Ace components should actually be indexed shifting, as Shimano introduced SIS on their flagship Dura Ace gruppe in 1984. My 1987 Nishiki Colorado mountain bike had indexed shifting, and it was a low/mid level model. I'd be wary of rust, as well.

I'm a huge proponent of steel frames. My main ride right now is a 1988 Ritchey, set up as a single speed. My road bike is also steel, but I don't ride it much these days.

The frame might also have some value to the fixed gear folk, since it has horizontal, (rather than vertical) dropouts.

Do an ebay search for the frame and components, and see what they are fetching. I've been following the vintage mountain bike scene (oxymoron, I know) and am amazed at what some of the components that I have sitting in my toolbox are getting.

Have fun,
Jim

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Buy it (especially if you can get it for $300) and ride the crap out of it. Enjoy it. Make yourself strong.

I'm riding a 20-year-old Pinarello frame right now with a bunch of new components on it. See no reason to go out and blow thousands when this does what I want it to just fine (getting my ass back into shape, building base miles, etc.)

Tune the engine first. Then worry about the other stuff.

I've seen guys win crits and even road races on old bikes. By contrast, there are lots of fat dudes out huffing and puffing on $4,000 c/f frames that I see on the weekends. Pretty ridiculous to be pushing 260# and riding a 14-pound time-trial bike.

I love that Colnago. Beauty of a ride. I could see paying $300 for that if it was clean and didn't have any major issues.

[Racerbvd]

I sent your question to a few friends who are long time riders & collectors, these guys are really into the sport & well respected.

If you wanted a nice vintag bicycle to hang on the wall, or ride for the nostalgic flair, it's a fine bike at a decent price...however, if you really want a bike to ride, there are many more modern chariots of which to choose in that price range with modern equipment....it depends upon what you want...

I love it !.... even if it is Dura-Ace...............You can tell what i favor if you check the avatar by my handle in the Schwinn forum, that's my drive side in the photo, (had that done on my 60Th birthday).......Campy 1946 emblem...same year as me..........that Colenago is lovely, price looks very right to me, it looks to be in super shape !

OK, thats what these guys thin.

[CORNICE6]

Originally Posted by K. Roman

Dunno, but I think I might need som'n more modern, I don't know if I could deal with the brakes. Or the gears...

If you think you need some more modern, albeit a few hundred dollars more, check this 2000 Colnago CT1 Ti/Carbon bike (Not mine nor am I associated). Very much modern and probably does not need any upgrades. Just ride it!

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/634348092.html

For the lazy to click on the link:
Attention Colnago Lovers!

* I am the original owner of a 2000 Colnago CT1. This is a great Italian bike that has a titanium front end and carbon rear end. The ride is extremely comfortable, perfect for long days in the saddle. I rode this bike for roughly 3 years and, since then, have kept it stored in my garage. I now have 4 bikes in the garage so it's time to sell one. It has the normal scratches/scraps (hoods, cranks, chain stay, etc.) for a bike of this age and with about 10k miles, but is otherwise functionally sound.


*Size: 57cm, top tube height 80.5cm, seat tube length C-C 55cm, top tube length C-C 54.5cm
*Color: Natural carbon and matte ti with clear coat (clear coat is cloudy and separating in spots)
*Gruppo: Shimano Durace 9-speed
*Stem: Colnago
*Handlebars: ITM Aluminum
*Seatpost: Carbon Campy Record
*Headset: Cane Creek
*Saddle: Selle Italia Trans Am
*Pedals: not included
*H20 Holders: Ti
*Rims: Mavic SUP (front); Mavic CXP21 w/105 hub (rear); used tires included

**SPECIAL DEAL: For only $125 additional, I'll add a set of light weight Nimble Spider Al rims (front/rear) with skews (no cassette). See them at www.nimble.net

[JavaBrewer]

Humm - for near same money - though I'd imagine the ride would be harsher - on Ebay

2003 Trek 5200

[Porsche-O-Phile]

With full D/A? That ain't bad for 700 clams.

[nostatic]

night and day difference between the rideability and upgradability of the Colnago and these last two bikes.

I love old bikes...but when I went to build up another road bike, I bought a frame with modern geometry and fittings to hang my semi-modern components. I used to commute on an old Raliegh in SF and an AustroDaimler (sp?) in Pasadena...but those were both short trips. I also snapped a Phil Woods bottom bracket spindle but that's another story...

[k9handler]

I always wanted an older bike decked out with Campy Record, Delta Brakes and sew ups. From the LeMond time when the first Look pedals and Aero levers were seen...guess that was 1990 ish?

[look 171]

Originally Posted by nostatic

night and day difference between the rideability and upgradability of the Colnago and these last two bikes.

I love old bikes...but when I went to build up another road bike, I bought a frame with modern geometry and fittings to hang my semi-modern components. I used to commute on an old Raliegh in SF and an AustroDaimler (sp?) in Pasadena...but those were both short trips. I also snapped a Phil Woods bottom bracket spindle but that's another story...

Austro-Daimler? That would be a Puch. That was my first racing bike just like Connie Carpenter's Renoalds(sp?) 531. They were German or Austrian weren't they. What's mordern geometry? Crit bike with higher BB and shorter stays or slop top tube. I had the very first Giant team bike. That thing was quick and you have to pay attention when you are beat from a ride.

If you must have a colnago from a certain era, you should buy it. They are beautiful. For example, many here like the earlier cars, but for a few more bucks you can have a Cayman that will run circles around it. I won my first race on my Casati which I still have and restored in race condition, so it has dings and what not on it. Every stratch and ding has a story behind it. That worth its weight in gold. You could give me a GT2, I ain't trading it.

I have a Torelli alum/carbon stay with Dura ace on it. Great bike to race on. I always tend to grab my look 171 (screen name) Jalabert special on the long rides. A bit of flex, but I like it.

Jeff