joe englert

This seemed to be my year for "repeats". Two Colians and this time my second colnago equilateral. Same color..different size and parts and much much better condition. I actually like the slightly larger 56 over the 54 that i had. It is a real joy to ride. I actually got this as part of a 3 bike deal for me and my friend. He got that 63 paramount repaint i posted a bit ago as well as a mid level faggin and i got this one. I think we got a pretty good deal so it was worth the 150 mile round trip. Even though the 9 speed stuff works great...I think I need to put the period correct super record bits on it to make it complete.

DRietz

I've never seen a triple triangle Colnago!

Drillium Dude 

That's the way to end the year - with an Equilateral

Nice score!

DD

Henry III

What did the other person get in the trade. Seemed like a trade of some pretty high quality stuff. Very cool and not very ordinary Colnago. I didn't even notice the ergo stuff mixed with the SR crankset. That's a first in my book. How does it shift?

joe englert

thanks much. actually we didnt trade just paid 1500.00 for the three bikes. He paid 600.00 and i paid 900.00. The colnago does have some of its original parts but for some reason, the original owner modernized it a bit. Shifts suprisingly well! I wish the guy had all of the original sr group but, alas, he didnt.

gomango

Super cool Joe.

I ended up with three Colnagos this year, and I would love to ride yours.

She looks fantastic!

joe englert

Hey...any time your in my neck of the woods i would be happy to let you take her out! bring your own pedals (unless you also ride the older look style)

repechage

I liked those way back, The Italian Hellenic. Joe, I think I would just leave it as is.
Maybe in 2012 one will cross my path, but I doubt it.

mazdaspeed

That frame is blowing my mind right now

gomango

Careful, I've been known to drive hours just to pick up Colnagos.

Just ask Bibliobob.

I may just show up one day.

That is a nice offer and I'm sure it would be fascinating to see all of your wonderful bicycles.

The one in question here though, is so interesting.

Any strong opinions on the handling at this point, or haven't you had enough of an opportunity to give her a thorough test ride yet?

What is the theory behind this unusual frame build? Is it a sprint bike, a climber? Marketing device?

Always interesting to consider purpose!

...and yes, I have three sets of Looks and a pair of dedicated Sidis just for those pedals.

joe englert

That would be great. Love to meet and talk to other vintage bike lovers.....bty anyone out there feel free to give me a call if your going to the great hand made bike show this year....very close to me indeed! Be happy to have you check out and ride any of my stable! Took out the colnago once only on a nice 30 mile hilly ride. Very impressive solid feel and very fast. Stable ride. I felt secure going down some sharp turns and i am a "white knuckle" desender. I believe there was a pretty famous pro rider who was behind this particular bike...kind of like Saronni with his red master...but i forget the whole story and the rider. I dont believe that Colnago was just copying another frame builder or trying out a new gimmick...but who knows? Happy 2012 by the way. Hope all of you have a great vintage bike year!

repechage

Many builders did this type of seat stay treatment prior to Colnago, I used "Hellenic" as it is often known by the Hetchins with this feature, and some French builders had their take too much earlier on this style. Even the straight bladed forks were not "new". Ernesto was continually bringing out new models, different lugs, tube sets...paint schemes. At a time when "improvements" were incremental at best for a steel frame, just styling exercises. Many are appealing, a number are over the top. From a business plan view he is/was very savvy. The steel frame does not really wear out, so demand is created by introducing something new, one cannot hope the old one gets wrecked. The General Motors (of the 50's and 60's) of high end bikes.

thirdgenbird

It is a first for me too, but now I am lusting after one... I hate this place.

joe englert

That leaves me out! Im more of a hill man myself