Dear List Members,
I have the opportunity to purchase a Colnago, but the seller (who in turn purchased it second hand) has no idea of the age of the bike. Apparently the frame was stripped of all it's original gear prior to him purchasing it and was replaced with low end Shimano parts (RSX gearing and brakes and shimano chain rings) and some low end wheels (wide alloy rims but brand unknown). The seller does recall seeing it prior to purchase with older looking Campag equipment. So nothing about its present running gear can help date the bike.
Details of the steel 52cm x 52cm frame:
Original paint work, plain bright red, with white "Colnago" lettering on the down tube and seat tube; "Ernesto Colnago" signature in white on the top tube near the seat post. There is also a Colnago decal (the word Colnago and the distinctive stripes) on the front of the head tube. The only other decals are of the clover, in white, on top tube and the down tube in the middle. Paint work and decals look genuine and original.
Straight chromed forks with the Colnago clover embossed on the crown of the forks. The clover is also embossed on the seat stay tubes; the word 'COLNAGO' is also embossed on the underside of the bottom bracket. The head tube and down tube lugs are chromed and have the Colnago clover cutouts in the lug. So it would appear to be a genuine Colnago frame given the embossing.
The frame bears a genuine Columbus Brain decal on the seat tube
My questions:
1. Can anyone figure out the age of this frame and model? 2. What level of Columbus tubing is "Brain"? How does it compare to other levels of Columbus tubing? 3. The seller wants Aus$580 for the bike (about US$308), which is really for the frame considering the running gear is rubbish. The frame is in good condition, no rust, minimal paint chips, chrome is excellent, decals good condition. Is this good value buying???
Many thanks in anticipation.
Peter Palamara Perth, Western Australia
Peter Palamara Senior Research Officer Injury Research Centre Department of Public Health Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry The University of Western Australia
Tel and Voice Mail +61 8 9380-1262 Fax +61 8 9380-1199 Mobile 041-222-8510 Email peterp@dph.uwa.edu.au
Mail 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley 6009 WA
Courier 1st Floor, 45 Stirling Highway, Nedlands 6009 WA
Homepage http://www.meddent.uwa.edu.au/