I have been moving over and needed to cull the herd, complete unfinished projects, and generally assess where I am at present regarding my hobby, business, recreation, and income (retired w/zero income at present!).
Having first rode a Colnago 40 years ago (started out riding entry-mid level Peugeot road bikes) I have always been a bit enthralled (before riding other bikes of similar design) with the marque early on; though upon purchasing it I had really never thought about any Italian bike (had probably only heard of Bianchi as a kid) nor considered Campagnolo anything special since I did just fine blowing away riders on bikes costing more than 10x the cost of my road bike (Peugeot $200).
Decades later, and I still have that Colnago (Peugeots: unwillingly "abandoned" one, the other sold) which was way over-sized (58cm; me 52cm), and with all its battle scars and still fit with mostly original parts used after 10000s of miles. Through the decades I picked up more appropriate sized bikes (#1 Super went into semi-retirement supplanted by a Tommasini and Super #2). I acquired more over the decades in a search for odd/different styles, components, etc; as well as just buying a couple on impulse (only good buys), or as a light investment (not enough to retire on though!).
In doing so I now have many Colnagos (and Raleighs!) I have ridden for many miles, and some unridden by myself for various reasons (size, condition, investment, etc.). I have directly obtained many of the bikes from original owners (I only have one as first owner) and thus I have some history/anecdotal provenance, but still to be taken with a grain of salt regarding past owner's recollections of when/where/how the frame/bike was obtained.
At this time I will attempt to document my frames/bikes as a reference source before I part with some in the coming year. This is not meant to be anything other than a basic reference, as the actual year a frame was built, year a frame was painted/"liveried", the model year, and/or year of purchase are all in question unless you are the original owner of a frame you factory ordered (which presents other problems for future owners who may not be aware of custom build features if any (factory direct order often does not mean custom build other than livery in many cases); e.g. paint, decals, chrome, braze-ons, geometry, components, etc.).
Also, realize that Colnago (as well as many other companies; by no means limited to Colnago!) used various inhouse builders, as well as multiple contract frame building shops and factories (e.g. Volta, Rauler, Vetta, et al.) resulting in frames that were not always consistent in frame features, frame building techniques, and/or in the quality of workmanship.
Because of those variables and the inaccuracies of Colnago catalogs (if you can even determine the actual catalog year; and many still not available online) I merely base my dating to +/- 1 year from estimated manufacture and/or model year. I will attempt to pick out features that provide a fairly definitive date; but as always just an attempt at an educated guess on my part. This will also apply to dating based on original parts where introduction/cessation of same might not be accurately documented in catalogs, brochures, advertisements, etc.
I will try my best to do by posting frames/bikes in a chronological order (old to new) before addressing the next in line. Photos of bikes/frames may be old seller's/owner's photos or my own (new and old); especially since some bikes presently in my possesion were owned by myself, sold/traded to another, and then reobtained by purchase/trade for various reasons. Final photos will be up to date, well lit, and in focus showing the bike and details as it stands ready to sell away, ride away, stash away, or hang.
I would appreciate any input regarding the accuracy and/or verification of my statements, and recommendations regarding appropriate parts selection when applicable (parts will be photo'd before installation on frame build ups and potential part swaps)
General line-up (yrs +/-1, except "*" denotes actual model year (not necessarily year frame was manufactured):
Super: '70, '78, '80, '81, '89, '93
Mexico (Nuovo): '86*
Asso: '01*
Carbitubo: '92
Saronni Criterium: '84*
Unknown & damaged (Super or Mexico): '83
Having first rode a Colnago 40 years ago (started out riding entry-mid level Peugeot road bikes) I have always been a bit enthralled (before riding other bikes of similar design) with the marque early on; though upon purchasing it I had really never thought about any Italian bike (had probably only heard of Bianchi as a kid) nor considered Campagnolo anything special since I did just fine blowing away riders on bikes costing more than 10x the cost of my road bike (Peugeot $200).
Decades later, and I still have that Colnago (Peugeots: unwillingly "abandoned" one, the other sold) which was way over-sized (58cm; me 52cm), and with all its battle scars and still fit with mostly original parts used after 10000s of miles. Through the decades I picked up more appropriate sized bikes (#1 Super went into semi-retirement supplanted by a Tommasini and Super #2). I acquired more over the decades in a search for odd/different styles, components, etc; as well as just buying a couple on impulse (only good buys), or as a light investment (not enough to retire on though!).
In doing so I now have many Colnagos (and Raleighs!) I have ridden for many miles, and some unridden by myself for various reasons (size, condition, investment, etc.). I have directly obtained many of the bikes from original owners (I only have one as first owner) and thus I have some history/anecdotal provenance, but still to be taken with a grain of salt regarding past owner's recollections of when/where/how the frame/bike was obtained.
At this time I will attempt to document my frames/bikes as a reference source before I part with some in the coming year. This is not meant to be anything other than a basic reference, as the actual year a frame was built, year a frame was painted/"liveried", the model year, and/or year of purchase are all in question unless you are the original owner of a frame you factory ordered (which presents other problems for future owners who may not be aware of custom build features if any (factory direct order often does not mean custom build other than livery in many cases); e.g. paint, decals, chrome, braze-ons, geometry, components, etc.).
Also, realize that Colnago (as well as many other companies; by no means limited to Colnago!) used various inhouse builders, as well as multiple contract frame building shops and factories (e.g. Volta, Rauler, Vetta, et al.) resulting in frames that were not always consistent in frame features, frame building techniques, and/or in the quality of workmanship.
Because of those variables and the inaccuracies of Colnago catalogs (if you can even determine the actual catalog year; and many still not available online) I merely base my dating to +/- 1 year from estimated manufacture and/or model year. I will attempt to pick out features that provide a fairly definitive date; but as always just an attempt at an educated guess on my part. This will also apply to dating based on original parts where introduction/cessation of same might not be accurately documented in catalogs, brochures, advertisements, etc.
I will try my best to do by posting frames/bikes in a chronological order (old to new) before addressing the next in line. Photos of bikes/frames may be old seller's/owner's photos or my own (new and old); especially since some bikes presently in my possesion were owned by myself, sold/traded to another, and then reobtained by purchase/trade for various reasons. Final photos will be up to date, well lit, and in focus showing the bike and details as it stands ready to sell away, ride away, stash away, or hang.
I would appreciate any input regarding the accuracy and/or verification of my statements, and recommendations regarding appropriate parts selection when applicable (parts will be photo'd before installation on frame build ups and potential part swaps)
General line-up (yrs +/-1, except "*" denotes actual model year (not necessarily year frame was manufactured):
Super: '70, '78, '80, '81, '89, '93
Mexico (Nuovo): '86*
Asso: '01*
Carbitubo: '92
Saronni Criterium: '84*
Unknown & damaged (Super or Mexico): '83
