Colnago Altain info
 

Hi

Does anyone know how to determine the age of a Colnago frame? I am looking at buying a Colnago Altain that is sitting in a guy's shed and he has no idea of what he wants for it. He says it is about 4 years old but I need to make sure.

Thanks

BrettG

I've had a Colnago fetish for quite a while, but the "Altain" model doesn't ring a bell...

Nice looking bike:

http://bicykle.szm.sk/bike/altain.jpg

55/Rad

Can't that be said for nearly every Colnago?

Maybe, but it takes a true forum fluffer to be able to distinguish between the ones that look nice and the ones that don't.

I have taste that way.

:)

55/Rad

Hmmm, I don't know how I missed the Altain. That is a sweet looking bike! I would have killed to have that when I raced for Penn State! :) I'm sure that one of the reasons I have been drawn to the Colnagos are the paint jobs. However, here's an example of Colnagos Gone Bad: Too much vino and mushrooms?

I think he is blowing smoke in ya.You tried googling it?

I've only seen a couple of Colnago Altains, and they were way older than 4 years.

I saw somewhere that they have serial numbers on the inside on the right chain stay. Perhaps could give you an age.

Not many sites out there with info on this model, but certainly enough to indicate that it is legit. It appears to be from the mid to late 90's - if your browser can translate foreign languages, (or if you can) you could find more pertinent details.

55/Rad

Given this is 05,that makes it longer in the tooth than 4 years.The shifters in the picture are older style. I have about a 99 colnago catalogue and it's not in it. Probably predated the calssic.

Would Colnago have a different catalog for the U.S. as opposed to other markets or just one for worldwide?

I get the impression (I certianly don't know) that the Altain wasn't available here in the U.S.

55/Rad

Good point.The model does not ring a bell with me.Don't recall the name from old adds in mid to late 90s in cycling mags.

If in fact it is a model not readily available her in the U.S., being a cyclist who like bikes that are not the most common, I would probably pick it up just for that reason alone. There's nothing like having a bike that expresses your own personal taste that not everyone else is riding around on.

If nothing else, it would sure be nice to enter a local ride with that classic design, when everyone else is riding around on a shiny new Giant, Trek, C'dale, etc etc etc. That alone would make it worth having in my book.

I really like the classic geometry of it.

BretG, if you don't want it, PM me with your friends address. I may just get it for myself. I would love to add a hard to find steel Colnago to my stable. :)

I went to have a look at the bike last night and it is in mint condition. I could not find a serial number though which bothered me a bit. I know the store he bought it from so I will try and get some info out of them. I am looking at the bike for another friend of mine who is making the transition from MB to road and he needs a bike. This brings on my next question:

Would you buy a classic Colnago for say $1000 or a new lower end bike from another manufacturer?

This friend of mine is trying to decide if the money will be better spent on the Colnago or a new, more modern, unridden bike of lesser quality.

Thanks

Did you look on both the inside and outside of the rear dropouts for that serial #?? Better colnago steel frames go on ebay for $500. I'd have to think real hard if it was campy 8 speed,and even harder if it wasn't chorus or record. But I might bite anyway if it was my size. I like Colnagos and $1000 won't buy near as much bling and chi-chi new.

It was a bit dark when I saw it last night so I could have missed the serial number. The bike has 9 speed Campag Veloce with Avanti brake calipers. He is looking at around AU$1000 which is about US$780 and I don't think there is much out there brand new that will match the quality or the ride.