Chuck,
Interesting question. I have my 1970 Colnago super sitting right behind me. At first I said to myself, self, I don't see a lick of any investment cast parts on my Colnago. Prugnaut pressed lugs, some bulge formed BB shell, and a semi sloaping crown. I just realized, and I've questioned this in the back of my mind over the years; what kind of fork crown is that? It looks like it is an early Cinelli IC type crown (MC I think it was). But I always said to myself, no, it's not an IC crown, it's too old, it's just some type of crown I've never seen a raw one of. I just realized that maybe it is IC and Colnago had it made before anyone else did. It sure looks IC to me. I know what most of the die cast and other types of old crowns look like. I think this crown is IC after all! Mike 1970 bike has one; I've never seen a '69 Colnago but it probably has the same crown. Holy Moley!! I would be VERY curious to see a genuine 1968 Colnago. The interesting thing is that Masi was probably the first to have made and use IC lugs. Colnago persisted with the pressed lugs and bulge formed BB's much longer than most Italian builders did. But when he changed he had all of his own parts made, and has done so since.
That Ernesto, ya gotta admit, we keeps his eyes on the future.
Brian Baylis
Vintage Cycle Studios
El Cajon, CA
http://www.vintagecyclestudios.com
Chuck Schmidt wrote:
>
> This is the history from Colnago's web site.
>
(cut)
> 1969: Colnago introduces microfusion casting of fork crowns and lugs,
> which are much more reliable than those obtained with the traditional
> system of forged fork crowns and pressed lugs.
Lower head lug:
http://www.colnagonews.com/
Bottom Bracket:
http://www.colnagonews.com/
Fork crown:
http://www.colnagonews.com/
Seat lug:
http://www.colnagonews.com/
That's the one I question... the fork crown in particular does not look like a 1969 design to me at all, more like mid 1980s. Of course maybe a lazy web site designer just grabbed a photo of some mid 1980s Colnago lugs for the web site???
Anyone else out there have info on or remember Colnago intro'ing investment cast lugs on their late '60s bikes?
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California
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