lsberrios1 

Hello guys,

Quick question, A dealer nearby is offering me a brand new Colnago Extreme Power for $2,700 (frameset). Is this good deal? I know they bike is very old but it was $4.4 back then and I've lusting after an all Italian made frame and components which I'll get from Merlin Cycles for the build. I was thinking Chorus Carbon 11spd.

Thank you,
Luis

Silvercivic27

I don't think that's a good deal.

lsberrios1 

Thank you, I know very little about Colnago so just checking out. I like having dealer support but the price may not be all that great at only 38% off after almost 7 years.

rpenmanparker 

It's so hard to say, but that was a crazy original price for the frame in the first place. Just because a manufacturer says something costs a price doesn't mean it is worth it. They just pulled that MSRP out of their asses at Colnago. The frame is lost money to him right now. I can't see paying more than $1,000 for it. Maybe $1,500 in deference to the marque, but no more. Go in lowball.

Make no mistake, it is a great find, but I would hate myself for overpaying for it.

lsberrios1 

Thanks, Robert. Thanks for helping me come back to reality. It's very easy for me to get on a cloud.

cale

It's not a bad price compared to what R&A is asking for the same. https://www.racycles.com/road/colnago...-2008-frameset

cale

I think you may be underestimating the value of rare frames. There are a lot of folks for whom the starting price was worth it to ride that frame when it came out. It's still a nice frame but it won't get much respect in the circles that buy high end frames.

rpenmanparker 

OMG, I just looked at it. I thought you wanted Italian STEEL. I have to say I don't really go for tube and lug carbon bikes. Just my opinion.

lsberrios1 

That was my reference at first but I think that ad may be a little dated.

cale

How badly to you want this frame? It's a rhetorical question because bikes like this tend to go to fanatics.

Silvercivic27

The thing is OP wants to ride it, not hang it up in the wall. Granted, colnagos are all made in "Asia" now except for the c60, but you can get a brand spanking new Colnago frame in the Mid range for about that much, and frankly, it will probably be a better performing frame than that 2008 Extreme power. That's a lugged frame so it was actually probably made in Italy. All that being said, I'd probably pay about 2 grand for that frame. THAT would be a "good" deal. Not necessarily what it's "worth", but that's what it's worth to me. And I'd ride it, not hang it up on a wall.

Silvercivic27

Also keep in mind that 4.4k retail means your dealer probably got it for 2.2k back in 2008. It's a bike frame, not the Mona Lisa. Would you buy a computer from 2008 that was the best computer at the time today brand new for 38% off retail?

rpenmanparker 

Rare is not sufficient to drive up cost. It has to also be desired in greater quantity than its supply.

lsberrios1 

Frankly, I've never ridden it so I am going based on the looks, Italian build and price. I've wanted a nice Italian frame for a while, just because it's in my bucket list and this seems to fit the bill given that it's a top of the line Colnago, hand painted and made in Italy.

Surprisingly the frame is under 1kg (not great compared to today's run of the mil works).. It's lugged which tends to be on the heavier side of things but I am more curious about ride quality than anything else. My TCR SL will probably be faster but that's not everything sometimes. Some people would rather drive a 15 yo Ferrari than a brand new Nissan GTR.

The dealer paid exactly what he's selling it me for. This would be my 4th bike from them plus a fair amount of accessories and they were honest to show me their cost on their own invoice.

lsberrios1 

Agreed, and given that the frame has hung there for 7 years it probably doesn't draw much desire. However my price is a good 20% lower than advertised.

lsberrios1 

This is the exact frame and it is not a 2008 but 2007. R&A cycles has it for $2,995 as an outlet price.

Silvercivic27

I guess but your dealer should accept the fact that he will take a loss on that frame after 7 years, and is probably expecting you to haggle a little, which you should. It sounds like you really want it, so I would offer 2k and see where you wind up. Kind of like an episode of Pawn Stars or something.

Silvercivic27

trust me, dude. I totally get it and I have an old Colnago too. I understand some people would rather have a 15 year old Ferrari than a brand new GTR. But if you pay the same for a 15 year old Ferrari as a brand new GTR, I think you're nuts. What ride quality are you looking for? Comfort? Because you can buy a brand new CX Evo zero for about the same money and I guarantee you the comfort will be greater. Granted, it's made in "Asia".

cale

The sig says, "Cat 6 going on PRO..." If that's the case Isberrios1, you should qualify for sponsorship and ride what your sponsor gives you.

Fiery

No, it won't. It will maybe feel faster, but how fast any of those two frames will actually go is completely up to you (assuming functioning parts and a somewhat similar build).

topflightpro

No. It is not a good deal. You would be buying a seven year old frame that was overpriced to begin with. And RA is a terrible place for price comparisons. They have 10-15 year old items on closeout for 10-20 percent off MSRP. They do not seem too concerned with moving old inventory.

If you want a Colnago, Excel Sports is selling 2014 M10s for $2900. That's a much better buy.

coolcamaro12

I remember when this frame came out. I found it very overpriced IMO, I have no clue where colnago got that price from. There are much better offerings for the price.

rpenmanparker 

Thing is that straight, round tube and lug construction cannot match the performance characteristics of monocoque. It is one thing if you want Italian vintage steel for aesthetic and sentimental reasons and understand the compromises you will be making in weight and ride characteristics, but another to pay for an inferior modern technology that has no history or cache. That is how I look at it.

I think the place to get what you want is Italy. Next time you are there with your wife, that would be a good opportunity to search out something special in used, old steel. If it is from a still operating manufacturer (like Tommasini, Bianchi, Colnago, etc.), you can discuss with the LBS where you find it whether it can be factory refinished for a decent price. Assuming it is not NOS or like-new used, of course. Another idea is to cruise the Italian ebay site. With your wife to help you communicate with the sellers and ask pertinent questions, you should be able to find something special. She can also help you inquire from the factories about refinishing.

Just some alternative ideas. Good luck.

BTW, the Euro is down, so shopping in Italy is an even better idea now.

himespau 

Don't think I'd drop that much on something used, but I'm more of a steel man myself.

zatopek

I've got a 2008 Extreme Power. Bought it used on eBay for $1200. I thought it was a good deal when I bought it in 2011. I've built and ridden over 20 bike frames: CF, Al, steel, Mg and boron carbide. I'd rate the Extreme Power as one of the greatest frames I've ever ridden. It is plenty stiff but also quite comfortable. It mutes road vibrations and I find it comfortable on 100+ mile rides. $2700 sounds high to me.