BrettG

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

HigherGround

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

55/Rad

Nice looking bike:

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

55/Rad

cryogenic

Can't that be said for nearly every Colnago?

55/Rad

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

HigherGround

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?

sydney

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

531Aussie

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.

55/Rad

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

sydney

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.

55/Rad

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

sydney

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.

Patriot

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.

BrettG

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

sydney

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.

BrettG

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.