cockbag

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone could help out in determining what bike this is, whether it would be an authentic Colnago, and what identifying features would lead to a conclusion either way ? I'm looking into purchasing this off someone, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Picchio Special

It's hard to tell much from that pic - better detail pics would help. Look for a Colnago "C" in the fork crown and/or "Colnago" stamped into the frame bits anywhere. Also, a club is good to find - often as a BB shell cutout. With lesser models (that looks at a brief, distant glance to maybe be one), even those aren't always going to be present.

cockbag

Here is a slightly larger version of the same pic (all I have from the seller)

unworthy1

It's not enough detail in that pic to decide...ask the seller to provide close-up pics of all the lugs, the BB and fork crown, etc. Ask to see anything that says "colnago" in the metal, not decals. The good clue is that it has some good Campy stuff on it, so it might not be a total dog.

cockbag

Sweet, thanks a tonne for the replies.

So, I should be looking for:
- "C" cut out on the fork crown (is that on most of the forks?)
- any club cutouts in the BB shell
- any "Colnago" etched into the frame (any particular areas?)

Just snooping around online, it seems that a lot of them have "Colnago" etched into the seatstays - this one doesn't. Is that problematic? Also, are there any particular things I should be looking for in the lugs?

Thanks again, this is really helpful.

Picchio Special

If I didn't see clubs, "C"s, or "Colnago" anywhere, I'd be concerned. Some Colnago frames have clubs or "Colnago" cast into the top of the bottom bracket shell. Most Colnago forks have the "C" and/or a club inside the "C". Lugs usually have a club somewhere - usually lower headlug. You can also check the block on the rear brake bridge. If there's no "Colnago" or club on the top of the seatstays, it's not always a deal-breaker - depends on the way the attachment is done, but I'd rather see it there than not.