e_bike_101

Hi,
I am looking to buy a Colnago bike as I always liked the quality of these machines. Recently I came across two Colnagos that I am trying to decide between: Colnago Super 1983 and Colnago Technos 1992. Both bikes are in very good condition. Super has a mix of Campy components including SR brake levers, Nuvo Tipo hubs, Grand Sport derailers. Technos has all Campy Record except for derailers. It looks like 1983 Colnago has all the original parts that came with the bike. Which one has more value as a collector's item. They both ride great. Thanks.

evwxxx

Hmmm,,,I would have thought that an 83' Super would have come stock with Campy NR or SR, not Grand Sport, Tipo, etc.

Picchio Special

Good call, or +1, or whatever.
At least some of those components have minimal collectibility and/or add nothing to the collectibility of the bike. My question would be: how do we know the bike is an '83 Super?
Generally, I would peg the Super as more collectibe, but it might depend somewhat on how long-term you're thinking and how good your crystal ball is.
BTW, if you're looking for a "quality" Colnago, the early-80's tree might be the wrong one to bark up.

vjp

It is probably a Super but the parts mix sounds like maybe a "Sport" or "International", although you could get them as a frame and fork, so it could have been built up with anything.

Picchio Special

Good points, though my reason for asking whether or not the OP was sure it was an '83 Super had more to do with the year than the model, as this could also influence collectibility.

vjp

Agreed. I would think that an 83 in general would be more "collectible" also, but who knows.

I am personally starting to pay attention to 90's steel bikes, lugged, tigged or a combination. I just bought a 1995 Brodie "Rodie" , tigged Tange Prestige "Ultimate, Ultralight" tubing. With a Tange Silhouette fork and Miche Headset it is a pinch over 5 lbs. in a 56 x 56. I think they will be come collectible sooner than you think and they are a relative bargain. There are also lots of NOS sets of Shimano and Campagnolo Cranksets with internal BB's available right now for under $200 (without bb), used sets for $90 or so.

Picchio Special

That's the "crystal ball factor" I was alluding to. One determinant of future collectibility is nostalgia. How many 90's steel frames were lusted after by post-boomers who will eventually have plenty of disposable cash? Tough call. Except for those Motorola Merckx jobs and a few others with racing pedigree (Kelme Gios, Telecom Merckx). Road cycling was not as popular as mountain biking during much of the 90's, and some of the earlier mountain bikes are definitely increasing in value. I think some early carbon fiber bikes (Carbitubo) have upside as well. I'm keeping my eye out for 90's steel that may have upside, but I'm definitely not doing any heavy investing. I also think that some of the NOS stuff in the supply chain is still in possession of bike shops that don't want to let it go yet at a loss. So the price on some of those frames still has to come down before they look like a good longterm investment. You can get so many 70's and 80's frames with clear pedigree for a lot less in many cases than what NOS 90's frames are still going for. I agree that the tide may be turning price-wise; hard to tell.

e_bike_101

Thank you, guys for reply. I am not sure that the frame is Super. It does not say it anywhere. I looked up the pictures for Super and the chromed fork looks slightly different than one that I am looking at. It has the clover inside the C letter as opposed to the clover and the word "Colnago" around it. Also the bike has the pump peg with the pump under the top tube. It also looks like the frame has bosses for the fendor or the rack but I am not sure. The look of the frame is pretty much the same as one selling right now on e-bay under colnago super 1983. Same blue color, same decals except for the Colnago Super. I know that Colnago was making some lower quality frames in the beginning of the 80's. The question is how to identify it. There is no serial numbers anywhere on the frame.
As for Colnago Technos, does anyone know what the frame was retailing for? Was it an entry level, intermidiate, or high-end steel frame? I appreciate the help.

e_bike_101

Well, I think that I was able to identify the componets on the bike. It looks like it is equipped with the Campagnolo Victory group. All components jave just a simple campy logo. Can anyone tell me the diffrence between the first c-record and the victory group. Is it of any collector's value? Thanks.

Picchio Special

The Colnago on eBay you referred to is probably an '82. Does the one you are looking at have the white panel decals? Also, are you saying the fork crown has a clover inside a C? That would be odd for a Super. Does the crown look like the one on this bike?:

https://cgi.ebay.com/COLNAGO-with-Cam...QQcmdZViewItem

If so, it's probably a lesser model. That bike has a lower-level Campy group, by the way - Victory or Triomphe. An example of a bike Colnago probably should never have built, IMO. A reason to be careful of "always liking the quality" of Colnagos.

Are the chainstays and seatstay caps stamped "Colnago" as on the eBay "1983" frame?
The first C-Record has a rear derailleur on which the lower pulley is enclosed. Also, the outer chainrings are curved where they extend from the spiders to the teeth, rather than straight. Victory has minimal collector value at present (and perhaps future, but who knows?)
I don't know much about the Technos, though I do believe Colnago was still selling them not that long ago - early 90's?