This is the Colnago and where it came from...
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- Опубліковано 28 кві 2024
- Today, I’m going to show you my new bike. This is an early 1990’s Colnago road racing bike. It was made in Italy with Columbus SL tubing and lugged construction. There’s a long story behind this bicycle and I want to share some of it with you today. It’s no surprise I’m a big fan of lugged bicycles and when this bike frame showed up I couldn’t believe it.
Custom fork by Fitz Cyclez: www.fitzcyclez.com
Chrome Plating by Sherms Plating in Sacramento: www.shermsplating.com
Photo Credits:
Photo 1 and 2 (bike mechanic on bike) Chris Wells
Photo 3 (Peter Cracknell at store buying junk food) Henrywildeberry
The old, high-end road bikes just seem to glide down the road.
Nice build. Thanks
I have an early '90s Tanaka race bike (made in Chico)-that has Columbus SL tubing-and a straight fork. 25c tires and a triple-what the cool kids have nowadays!
Hah. Im in Chico. Would love to have a vintage Mountain Goat Mt bike. I never see them up for sale and Jeff made a lot of bikes in his day.
Left side views only--- you sly dog! Good call on the fork, I think the straight blade thing was more about manufacturing efficiencies than performance. Looking forward to a detailed tour of the build. Will Ms. Cools be giving you a new mullet hairstyle with her library shears for the occasion?
Great story and lovely bike! Nothing says “I am my own man” like a triple crank on a road bike.
I have an early Ultegra triple on my 1990 MASI road bike. Meaning it has a 42 tooth chain ring in the middle.
For me that 42 is great gearing for the flat rides our group does around here. Then the 52 big ring can get with it on downhills or over 25 mph on flats.
Campy did us a service by putting the words “Racing” on the triple.
Seriously, it’s a perfect setup for where I ride. Lots of steep climbs and plenty of fast descending and sections of flat roads where you can choose the smoothest chain line. Sure, it’s out of fashion, but it works great!
Great story. I've always thought that steel bikes had something extra going on. Like heirlooms with a soul.
Super interesting story, Henry. Sorry about the passing of your friend, but I'm sure the souls of the riders stick to their bikes... So now the new owner of that frame will enjoy a soul-full bike.
Wow ! What a great story. Of all the bikes I own, my custom made Concorde Astore (1990) is still my fav. It sits on my stand, being CLA'd for the season. I noticed you have a triple on that bike . Last year I found a 28T inner chainring and ditched the 30. As I am 77 this year, need to keep the gear inches , low as possible. With 32 in the rear, I now have a 23GI. That should keep me going a few more years. That paint job, is true Italian design. Can't wait to see more videos on that bike. Thanks. KB
Nothing more rewarding than upcycling but to have the provenance of the bike that's the cherry on top. Thanks for sharing 👍
The most important thing about these bikes is not the construction or the components. It's the story they have until they get into our hands. it's what makes them really special. Thank you for sharing your story. Best wishes to you and those around you. 💫
1inch ahead is best on steel frameset!
Love it!
Enjoy the ride!
Great story, thanks for sharing!
What a beautiful bike 😮
I don't care what modern oversensitive and overcomplicated marvel you are riding, but, they don't make bikes like that one anymore!
I love Colnago steel bikes!
Greetings from Croatia from Kris 😎
I've been waiting for your completed Colnago video. Thanks.
Thanks for bearing with me. It took much longer to source all the parts and get this one road ready.
Thanks for sharing more memories of PC. Living at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, I never got to meet him, but it was your video of him riding a Specialized Creo SL during his battle with cancer that made me go out and buy a Creo as my first bike since the 20th Century. I'm now 70 with nine bikes in the garage, and usually ride analog most days, but the Creo still gets lots of use. When I ride it I often think of the man I never knew, the guy who got me back into cycling.
I wish you had gotten to meet him, Paul. The e-bike extended his life for certain. To see him still able to coast down PCH and climb the steep grades still smiling in spite of everything else. I'm happy to hear he helped get you back out riding again. Take care!
Thanks, Henry! What a fine video from you once again. Great shots, great story telling. Pieces like this are a gem, the story as well as the bike.
I enjoyed following you on this build. Great to hear the history behind it and the conclusion thanks for sharing 👍
Beautiful colnago ❤
Great filming, narration and tribute to your friend. Go Henry!
Thank you very much!
That Colnago is a stunner.
Great story well told. The people you meet riding is why I ride and cuz I love it. One of my first aquisitions when I moved to NYC in the early 70s was a Colnago. One of the most beautiful and fun bikes I've owned. I have a Pegoretti I got 20 years ago and it is my favorite bike. The ride is so buttery smooth it almost feels I'm cheating. Frames can last lifetimes if cared for and are a great gift for someone getting started in this ride of a lifetime.
I completely agree and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a bicycle like this to anyone interested in giving cycling a try. These bikes cost much less to buy and can be resold very easily if you decide it's not for you. They can also be a good way to learn the mechanics of a bicycle. I think they are perfect.
Great story! Thanks for sharing. I did watch the previous vids on this frame so it was nice to hear the complete story!
Thanks for bearing with me. It took a while to source all of the parts and have the fork made. The final product came out better than I could have expected.
Greetings from an Englishman in the country of England (😂)
Lovely bike and a great video. The back story is touching and adds to the whole character of a bike that has found the perfect owner . I have a similar bike that I bought from the owner of my LBS in the mid 90’s. At the time I didn’t appreciate what a great bike I was getting at a real steal of a price. It’s still a joy to ride. Great to see these machines still being used and appreciated.
Thank you!
Great into and footage. I enjoyed hearing this more detailed story of how you acquired the frame and about your late friend. Would love a more in-depth look at the build.
p.s. Love the custom kit!
Great video. Well done!
Great story. Loved this one
What a lovely, lovely story.
I believe I have the same model, but in a different paint scheme. That looks exactly like a Conic SLX in every detail. I used it as my main bike back in the early 90s and then as a commuter until last year, but switched to a Colnago C40 HP I wasn't using. The Conic is a fun bike to ride, but it'll rattle your teeth on rough roads. Pity the Precisa fork is gone. I'd never put a carbon fork on my Conic even though it is more comfortable.
Good to know! I wasn't sure the model. SLX, so does that mean it has SLX tubing?
What a great story. Totally fine way to start my day. Sipping coffee. Have been wondering when the Colnago would surface,also in response to your last video I commented on the fact you guys mostly ride the same bikes….I also am re-discovering steel frames. From following bike tech for decades,over past few years swapped Carbon for custom steel on both Mountain bike and Campy 11 speed road bike. Recently bought a Titanium road frame and now both road bikes are non Carbon . Simply like the simplicity,ride quality and workmanship.Keep the superb content going. Thank you.
I recently replaced a carbon fork with a 1.5" crown, with a traditionally bent steel fork with 1 1/8th inch steerer. The difference in ride quality absolutely astonishing. The steel fork is essentially a suspension fork, while the carbon fork rode like a plank of wood.
Finally ! I have been waiting for this one. Nice Bike. Great Story!
Very nice story - Have I missed the build video of this gem?
Not yet! Stay tuned...
a nice story, told well
Steel just feels real!!!!
Stepped the camera game up! 🔥
I have a 1990 MASI that is a great bike, glides silently down the road. It was my every day ride for many years, now it just goes out occasionally. I saw the frame at the Anaheim bike show, and I had to have it. Im running a 25/12 cassette on it which is great for the usual flat group rides that Meet at the One Mile swimming pool, in the Park in Chico.
The MASI, is THE downhill bike. When its going really fast it is dead calm, Ive had it at 62 mph drafting a tandem and it was unperturbed. I can hit the exact inch of pavement I want to hit with it. Ive ridden the Death Ride twice with it.
Its been on lots of centuries from Yreka to Monterrey .
Gotta say though, modern carbon is much better than old tech carbon. My Canyon Endurace sucks up bumps and with it's carbon basalt leaf spring seat post, it is a great long distance ride.
What about front end stiffness with carbon forks? You don’t find that configuration excessive compared to a small diameter straight steer tube ? After 3-4+ hours of riding?
Henry pal, I think we are on the same wavelength, the only thing I would change is the seatpost, I think a Ritchey classic zero seatpost would look great on that bike, just my humble opinion. I rode my Colnago C40 today at the morning group ride, these are great bikes.
Hi Weisan Nice to hear from you! I agree the seatpost has a little too much set back, but it was something I had available in my spare parts. Plus it's silver and made by Nitto, so it's very high quality. For this build I wanted to reuse as many used parts and things I already had. The wheels were donated and just needed a quick truing. The drivetrain is pretty much new and so are the shifters. These are great bikes and more than capable of hanging on a group ride. Enjoy your C40!
@@Henrywildeberry Understood. I am the same way, mullet buids using parts bin all the time. Nitto silver or polished seatpost/stems are so beautifu;l. Good health and safe riding to you and Ms Cools.
I really like the C40 and use it as my daily commuter. It doesn't have the comfort of my newer carbon frame, but the wild paint scheme is beautiful, and for short rides, comfort isn't required.
Nice. I love the steel triple-butted tubes that Miyata made.
So true. I have a '91 914, and an '86 1000. They are my absolute favourite, go to rides.
I've lusted for a 1000 in my size for a long time. Rumor has it Miyata built the first Specialized Expedition. I'm not sure if that's true but they look very similar.
@@Henrywildeberry My 1990 MASI is a quad butted Reynolds frame, if you ping the top tube out in the middle it is pretty thin out there.
I could never think of selling it. The original paint looks very new, not a scratch, no fading at all, Steve who was doing the painting at MASI in San Diego back then was very well known for his paint work.
Lots of clear coat and quality paint.
You show a Tarmac alongside the Colnago. If you had ridden them side by side on the same road, how would you describe the differences is ride experience or ride quality? Do you feel that the steel frame dampens road vibrations? More lateral flex at the BB?
Nice vid, a good tribute to an old friend.
Nothing better for us mortals than campy racing T on a road bike. I finally came across some 9 speed campy ti record shifters for a reasonable price, never thought I'd get a chance to build up a bike w/ some ergos but probably w/n the next 5 years it'll happen.
I appreciate the commitment to the shot framing, some nice wide shots. Get it in to the shop for an official weigh in yet? I'm going to guess...19.5 pounds.
Thanks! 19.5 with or without pedals?
@@Henrywildeberry With!
Great story.
Great bike.
Rigid steel bikes ueber alles!
Can you recommend the sac chrome place?(link)
Thank you! The chrome plating was done by www.shermsplating.com They do really nice work.
Yes, the LBS had a newer aluminum Colnago with DuraAce groupset and a cheap basic headset. I pine for the days when a single country could manufacture a complete bicycle. Now, perhaps only China or Taiwan could come close. The character of the bikes has gone.
Not totally. If price is no object, you can get a Colnago C68 with Campagnolo parts made in Italy.
That bike has panache!
Notice how it goes forward when you pedal and not 14" to the side?
What is the stand over height of the Colnago?
What saddle (on Colnago), please? Do you like it?
The saddle is an older model Specialized Toupe. It was the same saddle Peter used. The original saddle I got from his bike broke after about 6 months. Peter was a big guy and the titanium rails must have fatigued. I liked the saddle, so I ordered another one. This one is exactly the same, just newer.
Did you buy it from Max Beach? I have seen many of his bikes on the net. Flickr
I know it was a long story, lol! I struggle to tell an abreviated story.
Max Beach gifted the frame to Chris from the Bike Peddler who then passed it to a young mechanic working at the shop. Eventually, the frame circled the globe only to land back where it started 20 years later. The mechanic returned the frame to Chris, minus the original fork. The fork was a casualty of big carbon and the allure of higher performance.
I traded Peter's lugged frame to Chris in exchange for the Colnago frame. We each got a frame without a fork, so I had John from Fitz Cyclez build a replica fork using NOS Campag dropouts, a Cinelli crown and Columbus tubing. The triple C of excellence some might say. The fork was then chrome plated in Sacramento at a speciality plater doing high end classic car restoration. Chris still needs a fork for his bike. Maybe he can have Fitz, Retrotech, or Sycip build something special? One day, I want to catch up with him on his new bike, stay tuned....
@@Henrywildeberry It looks like a 58? All my road bikes have been 58's. It always works out. Im 6 foot even.
Road bike technology should have stopped there, all the time and money spent chasing innovation could have been spent riding (with money left over for beer, lol!)
I've got bikes that span generations, and while I love the older ones, no question for long rides, I'll take my modern carbon monocoque with a carbon seatpost and carbon bars. I know people who can do really long rides on old steel frames, and I could too when I was 30 years younger.
@@kurt1391 I believe a steel fork would allow you to ride even longer in more comfort. Carbon is fine, but the way they are designed today is for manufacturing efficiency, reduction of liability and for marketing purposes - the overly oversized tubing for example. Optimal tube profiles should allow some flex and I still believe the steel fork is a superior choice for general and long distance riding.