I finally finished the build on my steel Colnago cyclocross bike. I think it dates to about 1995 or so...I was not able to get any details from Colnago on these frames, and it does not have a serial number anywhere.

Due to its classic build style, I think this post is appropriate for this forum. I have "hotrodded" it with more modern components.

I purchased the frame from a collector in the UK early last year. The frame originally came with a straight steel unicrown fork, an exact match to the fork on my Dream cyclocross. I found the carbon Colnago fork on ebay. Those 1" canti forks are pretty tough to find!

I've built it up with Record 10 components, single chainring in the front. Finding brakes was a challenge -- these older frames have a 60mm gap between cantilever bosses rather than the current 80mm gap. Brakes with threadless posts seemed to work best (the Spooky is a Mafac derivative).

It's a beautiful bike to ride...very well planted on the ground and good application of power. I'm still sorting out gearing and tire pressures. My comparison is to my old Hot Tubes bike, which Toby built for me. A great bike as well and it had essentially the same components.

I still haven't built the Dream cyclocross and will be curious to see how it compares. One of these two will be my primary racing bike...probably the Dream.

Colnago Steel Cyclocross at Cutler Park.jpgColnago Steel Cyclocross in the Marshes.jpgColnago Steel Cyclocross up a tree.jpg

Thanks,

Lee

Looks great and rugged too!

The diameter of those tubes look larger than most steel framed bikes. Is that because it is a cyclocross bike?

It is so much fun riding this bike on MTB trails.

Yes, the downtube is larger than standard...Colnago has done this on traditional road bikes as well (Colnago Crystal). You should see the secondary bracing on the Colnago Dream Cross under the top of the top tube.

Thanks,

Lee