Great build up Sean...I absolutely Love the Frame BTW. Wouldn't mind a Colnago on my list at some point...

Thanks all, and hopefully it will only be a matter of a couple of days before it is rideable - the last time I had a proper ride on a road bike in anger was 1995

Well the cranks came today so as works quiet I got on with finishing it.

The ebay cranks were actually better than described, nearly new condition really as is the BB.





It was a lovely sunny afternoon so I went for a spin along Brighton seafront and got in 7 miles before the sub zero temperatures made my lungs bleed!









I've got to be honest and say the first few miles were very odd, I guess it's been 16 years since I last cocked my leg over a road bike !! My usual ride is a full sus modern mtb with 740mm wide bars !! It didn't take long though and before long I could hold a good speed and felt right at home, the frame dimensions appear to be good for me too which is lucky. My pocket multitool meant I could make a few adjustments to the gears and seatpost height along the way. The shamals surely make acceleration a bit less snappy than some lighter wheels but on the positive side once rolling they fly along!!

Well happy! Can't wait for the London to Brighton bike ride in June

Really chuffed for you. As said already gorgeous bike.

Thanks, shame the camera phone pics aren't as sharp blown up as they look on the phone screen

Beautiful build ... altho I would change the striped motif handlebar tape.

Beautiful bike....

I'd tweak a few things for my own personal taste, but it certainly looks lovely as it is

Thanks

I decided to email info@colnago and see if they could shed any light, indeed even get back to me with any information on my bike or colour. I wasn't holding my breath but I did get a reply within 24 hours from a laura thanking me for my choice of bikes and to state the frame number ! I replied immediately and again within 24 hours got a reply.
'Dear Mr. Brown, your frame was made for a Belgian customer to custom paint code'.

In my words that's unique. In other peoples, bloody good job too

Maybe it was painted up for a flush / pro rider after all.......
Maybe actually painted in Italy too......

Absolutely Stunning.
Campag equipped Colnago with Shamals - ultimate class.

Chapeau, wonderful stuff

Thanks lads. Just back from a few days away visiting my parents in Devon where I used to live. I took my bike with me and did 20 odd miles around the old lanes I used to ride 17+ years ago. It was a beautiful summer like day with butterflies and the ever present smell of manure. Heaven. Don't mind admitting this hairy arsed builder got a bit emotional remembering the all old roads

marvellous stuff!
i'm from Devon too - Brixham, then near dartmoor, Dawlish (bmx years), Shaldon , Torquay, Totnes now exiled up north but planning the move to Brizzol as we speak!

I was in NZ for 4 years, pining for home - then last summer i took my bike to Shaldon and rode up to Haytor (forgot how hilly it was!) happy days!!!

the orchard/drive of our old house


my old primary school

Looks like you had a good ride there ^^^^^^

I rode around Membury / Axminster which really is out in the sticks ! My parents have since moved to Sidmouth on the south coast though.

Forgot the great feeling of riding roads like that (apart from the potholes and hedge cuttings everywhere) busy city centre or seafront rides just aren't the same, it's a job to even find a nice quiet lane in this neck of the woods Just the other day I hit a pedestrian hard with my bike who jaywalked right across in front of me in the seafront cycle lane

I grew up just outside Exeter and now live in Southern France. I have to say, Devon and Cornwall must be two of the most beautiful places on earth... Loved the description of riding along with the smell of manure and the butterflies!!! Really brought it all back.

That's a superb Colnago. There used to be a great Colnago dealer in Nimes (France) which had lots of steel frames hanging up with all kinds of weird and wonderful paint schemes. When you say yours is unique you've hit the nail on the head.