juxin

Hi. Just a bit of background. Got into cycling about a year ago. Then recently I've been looking around here and the thought of getting an older bike intrigued me. So, I began looking around and this caught my eye.

The bike is located 1.5 hours away, therefore, I wanted your opinion before I take the trip. The owner is not so knowledgeable about bikes (not unlike myself) as the bike was only given to him and he hasn't used it.

The description in the ad is this: "old school racer bike colnago frame / campagnolo chainwheel / shimano components..... triathlon handle bar set up ... very good condition".

First question, is this a real Colnago? Secondly, if so what model and approximate year? Lastly, how much you pay for it considering its condition? I intend to fix it up and replace those bars. What do you think?

Thanks.

Ron

azshtr

I would make sure it really was a Colnago first. If it really is a Colnago it should have a club cutout on the under the bottom bracket. Many Colnago lugs have cut outs as well. Look for a club stamp on top of the rear brake stay. The forks should have a marking on the top of the crown area. All these would be what I would look for. If this bike has NO club markings at all I would say it's a painted frame with new logo's added.

Also, the lack of any chrome may be an indication of a lower end frame.

repechage

The transfers are Colnago, just the transfers.

wrk101

+1. Fake.

juxin

All indicators seem to point to fake. The guy was too quick to accede to my offer of 40% off the price, he claims he it was given as a payment for a debt and doesnt know much about bikes, and when i emailed about the above markings and cutouts he hasnt responded.

Thanks so much guys for saving me a disappointong trip.

The search continues...

bobbycorno

Now that you mention it, the seat cluster and rear dropouts are pretty strong indicators that it's not a 'Nago (but may be something else interesting - vertical drops and fastback stays. Hmmm.....)

SP
Bend, OR

Carchico77

Does anyone know how to identify a colnago ? Not sure how to upload pictures

ramzilla

Colnago produced plenty of bikes with Shimano components for the lower budget market back in the early 80's. (I've got one hanging in the garage). But, all of their bikes were built with Columbus tube sets and, most had Campagnolo cranks. Don't give up so quick. Ask the owner to flip the bike upside down. The letters SP should be stamped into the bottom bracket indicating a Columbus tubing frame. If my memory serves correct, those bikes went for around $650 - $800 back around 1982.

Carchico77

Can anyone tell me how to identify a colnago

repechage

That is a big ask.
You need to get familiar with the brand, study, compare to the velo-retro Colnago timeline.
Even with that understand the eras, as time goes on things get more complicated.

CliffordK

Go to the advanced editor.
Click on the paper clip icon.
Upload JPG images (around 100 kb) to your heart's content

Send some photos of the underside of the bottom bracket, and the top of all the lugs, the top of the seat stay bridge, and the side of the seat cluster.

And anything else interesting on the bike.

bargainguy

Here's a real one I picked up recently. Notice the details:

--Club cutout on the BB shell

--Club cutout on the head lug

--Pantographed stem and seat stays

--Pantographed "C" and club on the fork crown