Colnago master / best road frameset ever ???

[Deleted member 24574]

Re: Re:

I want to actually buy a new frame ASAP.

Thanks for the help

If you want a new frame that leaves you a range of options.

There are a whole host of boutique brands, the Colnagno Matser which you have identified .... But if I wanted a new steel frame I'd buy a modern SuperCorsa.

 

[Lemond75]

Re:

Have you considered a Tommasini Tecno? Like you I was looking at buying a Colnago Master, having had 5 Colnagos over the years. However, I decided that rather than spending the best part of a grand on a second hand Master which may have had some chips, scratches etc, I could have a brand new Tecno with custom geometry and custom paint for around £1100 if bought directly from Tommasini.

Whilst a Colnago is a better known brand, Tommasini have an amazing reputation for quality and have made frames for many of the greats over the decades. It also looks and rides fantastically and I know that it is completely unique as it is made to my personal specs.

Just a thought!

 

[Chapeau! Velo]

Re:

Do you specifically want something European? As you seem to be leaning towards some of the iconic Italian brands. Also your 10 year time span (mid 80s to mid 90s) can yield some very different frames as steel frame technology was being refined all the time. If you are open minded then I can vouch for a Serotta and I personally think their Colorado CRL is a very fine frame for an early / mid 90s. For an 80s frame I'd have to go with a Pinarello Montello. The Serotta is the lighter and more responsive of the 2 - but that's probably because it's a generation on from the Montello.

 

[John J]

Have you considered trying to find a Serena?
Hand made in Brescia by a real craftsman.

 

[JSH]

Re:

It think there is a public perception surrounding Colnago and the uninitiated see the as the holy grail. I don't have one but have often lusted after a Sarroni Red master. Do your research, there is loads of forum chatter around the deterioration of quality over years. There are also loads of panto parts available for Colnago.

There are indeed loads of other brands out there and I agree if you want something new, a Cinelli Supercorsa is a lovely thing. Keep an open mind

 

[Deleted member 24574]

Re: Re:

- not sure the Montello was top of the range,

Here is a price list ... the Montello was top of the range. It was used by Delgardo and Indurain (at the start before other tubing cam over SLX) however it was rumored they switched to a rebranded TVT for the mountain stages ...

************************/images/montello/price-list720.jpg

 

[pigman]

Re: Re:

It think there is a public perception surrounding Colnago and the uninitiated see the as the holy grail. ............ Keep an open mind

I agree.
Back in the 80's I had a few Colnagos, ending with a master with C-record Deltas. As this cost me much money and I wanted to look after it, I ended up needing an intermediate bike. The one I went for was a Raleigh 531C Luxe with Tricolour first generation kit. I was astonished to find that the Raleigh, at a fraction of the price rode better, was lighter and was the better bike for racing, both for the frame and for the groupset. I shortly sold the colnago after that, my illusions having been somewhat shattered.

Colnago is the name if you are one for the style, the showing, for propping up outside the pub on a lovely summer day, but I wouldn't pay the premium if I simply wanted a rider.

I've always seen 531C as the best lugged steel tubeset, so now lean towards British names, with some Dutchies like Gazelle thrown in.

 

[Deleted member 24574]

Re: Re:

It think there is a public perception surrounding Colnago and the uninitiated see the as the holy grail. ............ Keep an open mind

I agree.

Colnago is the name if you are one for the style, the showing, for propping up outside the pub on a lovely summer day, but I wouldn't pay the premium if I simply wanted a rider.

Is Colnago the Ferrari of the bike world?

You can't go wrong with a Ferrari if you want a sports car but there are probably other cars that are a better drive ...

 

[jalfk]

Thanks for all your replies!

So we have decided that the colnago master is not the holy grail.

To me it is important that my bike looks extremely nice and rides extremely nice. Because I also ride carbon, I define "nice" as not too heavy but also stiff.

A new supercorsa looks cool but it is 2000€ which is at least double my budget for frame and forks, and then I might as well just go berserk and buy a pegoretti.

Because there is so much influence in the build quality, and the fact that columbus frame stickers are available on ebay, it is difficult to just buy anything SLX and assume it is the bomb. That's why I'm trying to get a feel for specific framesets which are excellent AND somehow available to buy.

 

[Deleted member 24574]

So we have decided that the colnago master is not the holy grail.

I don't think we have decided that ... I think we have decided we each have our own grails ...