Road Cycling - Tell me about the 2005 Colnago Master...

Can anyone tell me about this frame? It's all steel with chromed lugs and stays, and in excellent condition. Supposedly, it's pretty light for a steel bike. The paint is really sweet, if not a bit busy with logos.

The problem is, I know very little about Colnago. So, I'm looking for any & all info that you can provide.

How's the ride? I've heard about the legendary Colnago ride quality, but never experienced it. Is it really that sweet?

What size headset, bottom bracket and rear spacing? I believe it's a 1" non-integrated headset, Italian thread BB and 130mm rear, but want to verify and get the BB length.

What about fitting? I've heard the Colnagos are designed to be used with a longer stem to effectively shorten the wheelbase and get the rider more over the wheels to improve handling. For example, a 64cm frame has a 64cm seat tube (C-C), but only a 59cm top tube. So, any tips for selecting the proper frame size would be appreciated, as well.

Also, the frame I'm looking at comes with a Colnago Force fork. Can you tell me anything about it? I believe it's full carbon with Ti internal support, but don't know for sure. Any Colnago experts out there?

Thanks.

Steve

I have a 2002 MXL (my 2nd Nag). I don't know about the "legendary" part, but the handling is more than competent. The thought behind the longer stem is that they are designed with a slack frontend geometry, which results in a relatively longer front-center. The result is that it requires less effort to hold a straight line, with solid tracking in the curves.

I have the Flash fork and its a well balanced ride, with confidence inspiring handling. I understand the Force is a noticibly stiffer fork.

1", italian, 130mm.

Thanks.

I still need to find out if it'll fit me, but I think I may just jump on the deal.

Just out of curiosity, what size are you (height/inseam) and what size frame do you ride? Is the MXL a sloping frame or a horizontal top tube?

If anyone else reading this is familiar with Colnago sizing (specifically on the larger "Freuler" frames), what size would you recommend for someone 6'3 with a 37.5" inseam?

Thanks.

Steve

the 2005 Colnago Master has a carbon rear http://www.colnagonews.com/cat2005/popup/master/PR06.jpg

http://www.colnagonews.com/cat2005/popup/master/index.htm#

It's my understanding that the Freuler geometry has been standard for a while for all traditional frames =>60cm: http://www.colnagonews.com/cat2005/popup/master/frame.htm
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=BRAND_GEOMETRY&BRAND.ID=10 but the

It's a bit tricky to give you an exact size without all your dimensions. Here's a couple of online calculators that'll give you a rough idea.

http://www.wrenchscience.com/WS1/Secure/Fitting/Height.asp
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

One aspect of geomtery that people often overlook is the headtube length and bar height. If you have no flexibilty problems, and no qualms about a 'pro' setup, with low bars and a long stem, you could probably go for a smaller frame, otherwise.......

If it has chrome stays, then it's definitely older than a 2005. I have a mid-90s version with chrome stays and straight blade chrome fork. It's fairly light if you think 20lbs is light. I have another steel bike that weighs in under 17lbs. As for the ride, it's smooth as butter.

Yeah, I forgot about the carbon mod in 2005. They went back to all steel in 2006.

One easy way to check the model:

pre 2005 = Master Light - Lugged Steel, chrome real triangle
2005 = Master Carbon - well uh its got carbon
post 2005 = Master X-light (2005 and later) - Lugged at the headset, but fillet welded everywhere else (some have chrome rear?).

I'm not too sure about the model year vs calendar year overlap for the one year that there was no all steel model...it might be 2004 and not 2005

The MXL is a tad lighter than the Master Light due to lack of lugs and slightly lighter tube set. I have a 2003 Master Light, lugs all around and chrome in the back (I think its a 2002 or 2003 - I bougt it used). Make sure it fits...due to their classic italian geometry they tend to feel short in the top tube.

I ride a 62 cm bike and generally the problem is finding a bike that's stiff enough.

I had one of the original Colnago Masters from the mid-90's and it was like riding an anvil. I have no idea how it could have been that stiff but I simply couldn't ride it and ended up selling the thing.

Later models used progressively thinner tubes and that might had moderated the ride.

Over the weekend I was riding with someone that had a Master Olympic which was, I believe, essentially the same as the Master Light sold in the USA but this was sold only in Europe. She complained for two days that she could feel every ripple in the road through her feet.

She normally rides a C40 so it might just be the contrast and not the rigidity of the frame.

Now I have a Basso Loto from circa '96 with oversized round tubes and it rides like an absolute dream. I also have a Merckx Corsa 0.1 with oversize and funneled tubing and it is extremely stiff but doesn't slap me around like that Master did. I recently sold a Bottecchia made from Aelle tubing, which was pretty heavy stuff, that was one of the best riding bikes I've ever owned.