Classic & Vintage - 1983 Colnago Master Modern or Vintage Components

1983 Colnago Master Modern or Vintage Components
(originally put this message in the wrong forum section)

I recently purchased a 1983 Colnago Master in near mint condition. The owner replaced the Super Record Components with a Veloce 9speed gruppo over 10 years ago. I having trouble deciding whether to keep the current set up or bring the bike back to its original condition with Super Record. I have most of the super record parts except for brake levers, hubs and brakes. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks

Here is a photo-and yes the bar tape has to go.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66271322@N05/6450646251/in/photostream
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/6627132...7628155132541/)

Hi Perseus,

Welcome to the forum!

I grabbed a link from your previous post, so here's your Colnago!

She has big time potential.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6035/6367743573_35f95eef82_b.jpg

I noticed your link in the post above came up with an error message. Please check it!

Change the tape, match the tires and you are good to go!

you can change it, and i expect you want to. i know how it is. but don't expect your friends, even bicycling friends to notice or care very much. i know how it is...

edit. but do replace the tape and tire.

I vote keep it modern, my similar vintage Mexico
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/toytechthefirst/colnagp/IMGP3012.jpg

Master frames are good ones to play with, as far as build, since the same basic design existed over a long period, and it works aesthetically. '83 is really early for a Master frame, though - I don't believe the Master was being produced in 1983, though pretty sure it was by '84.

Master frames are good ones to play with, as far as build, since the same basic design existed over a long period, and it works aesthetically. '83 is really early for a Master frame, though - I don't believe the Master was being produced in 1983, though pretty sure it was by '84.

1984 sounds about right.

We had a long talk at the shop the other day about framesets that sit unsold in their basement.

When a buyer purchases a frameset, this often is mistakenly imprinted in their memory as the "year" of that particular bicycle.

Case in point. I purchased a used Chris Kvale frameset early last summer from a fellow in Iowa. He told me on the phone that he had purchased the bicycle from a gent that worked in a local shop.

He told me the year of the frameset based on the receipt he received, not on the actual build date.

I've figured out the actual date by talking to the builder, and from a trusted local bicycle historian.

Again Picchio, it is always helpful having your eyes on these Colnagos.

Sorts some of the nonsense quickly and efficiently.

1984 sounds about right.

We had a long talk at the shop the other day about framesets that sit unsold in their basement.

When a buyer purchases a frameset, this often is mistakenly imprinted in their memory as the "year" of that particular bicycle.

Case in point. I purchased a used Chris Kvale frameset early last summer from a fellow in Iowa. He told me on the phone that he had purchased the bicycle from a gent that worked in a local shop.

He told me the year of the frameset based on the receipt he received, not on the actual build date.

I've figured out the actual date by talking to the builder, and from a trusted local bicycle historian.

Again Picchio, it is always helpful having your eyes on these Colnagos.

Sorts some of the nonsense quickly and efficiently.

I've been a bit out of the loop and my chops aren't what they were, since I've been doing more of a thing I call "riding my bike."

I've been a bit out of the loop and my chops aren't what they were, since I've been doing more of a thing I call "riding my bike."

Wondering where you were.

Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?

FWIW We had a great ride Saturday, and fairly long at that.

Snowed Saturday night, so we broke out the cross country skis yesterday.

Wondering where you were.

Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?

FWIW We had a great ride Saturday, and fairly long at that.

Snowed Saturday night, so we broke out the cross country skis yesterday.

I haven't ridden a ton the past 3 years because of a bad hip, which I've been aggressively rehabbing. I've ridden with the local bike club the past couple of weeks in my winter gear. I'm determined to be ready to go in the spring. Plus have a new Kurt trainer. It has taken a bit of focus away from the vintage stuff, temporarily.

I haven't ridden a ton the past 3 years because of a bad hip, which I've been aggressively rehabbing. I've ridden with the local bike club the past couple of weeks in my winter gear. I'm determined to be ready to go in the spring. Plus have a new Kurt trainer. It has taken a bit of focus away from the vintage stuff, temporarily.

Much luck with the rehab!

I gained a ton of weight after knee surgery, and various complications.

Staying on my bicycles has been the best path for me, as I've lost most of the weight gain last riding season.

I'll be returning to racing for the first time in twenty years with a off road race called the Almonzo 100.

So it should be worth all of the hard work and miles.

FWIW I won't be riding vintage for this event.

I vote to leave it modern, and ride it.
Based on the photo, I'd:

sell the Super Record stuff for a ridiculous price

install a black saddle
install pedals
wrap the bars in black Lizardskin
Turn the front wheel around
Get rid of both tires for some Conti's

take some good photos so we can all drool over it
ride it about 10,000 miles.

Welcome to the forum.

Much luck with the rehab!

I gained a ton of weight after knee surgery, and various complications.

Staying on my bicycles has been the best path for me, as I've lost most of the weight gain last riding season.

I'll be returning to racing for the first time in twenty years with a off road race called the Almonzo 100.

So it should be worth all of the hard work and miles.

FWIW I won't be riding vintage for this event.

I have some longer rides picked out as goals for 2012, if the hip holds up. Weight is actually the lowest it's been in years, oddly. Now just need to get the climbing legs back.

+1 for riding it how it is. I agree with RT black saddle and wrap.
Looks like a lovely ride.

Jake

I vote modern,but campagnolo record 10 sp instead of veloce,rims are ok.
very nice frame.

Re: modern vs. classic components.....

Sophia Loren looks no less fabulous in today's fashions.

I love the old stuff for how it looks, 232302
but,
I love the modern for the ease of it and it really works well. 232301

If you want to make this a daily rider, keep the modern, if it's to be a Sunday stroller the SR.http://www.bikeforums.net/images/misc/pencil.png

I sold the super record parts off my '83 colnago super and am in the process of converting it to campy 10 speed... Don't know if you've ridden on SR but IMO the brakes alone are a deal breaker :(

I see a sharp eyed member has alerted you to the untraditional front wheel quick release placement from your pic..I read it has something to do with ease of tightening /adjusting though how that could apply equally to righties and lefties is beyond me,maybe in a race situation where your wheels were both being changed out by a crew woud it be more convenient, who knows..if you persist in that goofy footed placement no doubt some one will point it out as a newbie error whilst on the road...I have even been informed that you will be running the bearings backwards with all that potential for ruin..... and as a cotrarian view you could always use a mix of old and new parts if it suits you ..its your bike ...have fun

I would go with Super Record because you would be a more active part of the bike. Index shifting takes some of the skill and thought out of riding. Don't lose you skills!

U can even put SR11 in that bike man. Personally I like more old bikes when they find the new stuff. My steel rides have everything new, tossed all the classic campy stuff long time ago, got tired of it. The other thing is that prices for the old stuff are so high that the bike will look sexier and cheaper to build using new stuff.

The same is happening now with NOS campagnolo record 10 stuff, is cheaper go to 11.

I currently have an early/mid '80s Concorde with a modern-ish SRAM Rival 10 spd gruppo.

I also have a 1985 Raleigh Racing USA Team frame with period correct components Suntour Superbe Pro; friction downtube shifters; etc.

Both are excellent riding and handling bikes.

I ride the Concorde WAY more than the Raleigh.

I want to thank everyone for their input and time they took to help me out. As a newbie, my learning curve is going through the roof. I have decided to keep it modern. The modern is in perfect condition. I just purchased a Pinarello frame for the Super Record Components. I am going to post pics tonight.

I currently have an early/mid '80s Concorde with a modern-ish SRAM Rival 10 spd gruppo.

I don't think I've seen this. I'd love to see pics of it.