Colnago

[woodbutcher]

Hello everyone,
I know lm always asking silly questions but ca you explain what it is about Colnago bikes that rings everyones bell and are they worth the prices they attract ?

 

[midlife]

No bell ringing here.......

Shaun

 

[zizou]

Their heritage, the high end ones are still made in Italy, the paint jobs and how they ride and handle (although ive never owned a Colnago to verify this)

Are they worth the price premium? For me no but if i had a bigger budget then my opinion would be different

 

[fossyant]

Heritage.

 

[woodbutcher]

No bell ringing here.......

Shaun

I get you, but if not Colnago is there a bike or manufacturer that is deservedly head and shoulders above the rest in the vintage/classic bike world ?

 

[woodbutcher]

Their heritage, the high end ones are still made in Italy, the paint jobs and how they ride and handle (although ive never owned a Colnago to verify this)

Are they worth the price premium? For me no but if i had a bigger budget then my opinion would be different

Yes "you pays your money and you makes your choice"

 

[woodbutcher]

[QUOTE 4695591, member: 259"]For the steel bikes it's the beautiful tubing, the immaculate welding and brazing, and the athletic looks, as well as the often completely mad colours.[/QUOTE]
Fair enough, combination of fine workmanship and aesthetics....hard to beat !

 

[fossyant]

I was going to buy one 27 years ago, but I was putting the new Dura Ace 8 speed on it, which is wrong, so I went to a local builder who used the same tubing as Colnago, and I spent the same amount.

 

[midlife]

I get you, but if not Colnago is there a bike or manufacturer that is deservedly head and shoulders above the rest in the vintage/classic bike world ?

Tricky as it's very subjective, after all it's just a set of steel tubes joined at the ends.....my Kevin Sayles bottom bracket in my avatar is a work of art .

BITD the frame makers made very tiny frames about a foot long to show off their wares and they all looked as "good" as what Colnago turned out. I'll have a google for an example.

Shaun

 

[woodbutcher]

True, and it is a lovely piece of hidden workmanship !

 

[woodbutcher]

I was going to buy one 27 years ago, but I was putting the new Dura Ace 8 speed on it, which is wrong, so I went to a local builder who used the same tubing as Colnago, and I spent the same amount.

And lm guessing that you were just as happy, or perhaps not, l can't tell from your reply ?

 

[midlife]

Carlton Jewel

Even lowly Carlton could turn out some classy work..

Shaun

 

[fossyant]

And lm guessing that you were just as happy, or perhaps not, l can't tell from your reply ?

Happier as the bike is a one off with custom paint. I just couldn't put Japanese parts on an Italian bike, and the new DA was better than Record.

 

[raleighnut]

Maybe it's the same hype that surrounds Ferrari, not the fastest/best looking/reliable car in the world but strangely revered.
For myself a bit of British engineering/construction does more and don't forget that when Enzo Ferrari himself was asked "What is the most beautiful car" he instantly said

"this"

Spoiler

 

[woodbutcher]

Maybe it's the same hype that surrounds Ferrari, not the fastest/best looking/reliable car in the world but strangely revered.
For myself a bit of British engineering/construction does more and don't forget that when Enzo Ferrari himself was asked "What is the most beautiful car" he instantly said

"this"

Spoiler

View attachment 339301

And l havn't checked the spoiler but l know it was the E-Type. It was beautiful , and fast and l have driven one from the 1960's can't remember the precise year but it scared the proverbial out of me, narrow wheel base,skinny tyres and bloody cable brakes ! Im not in the least unpatriotic l hope but my absolute favourite motorised transport is my Ducati 748s {it is two wheels after all}.