[CR]Colnago show bike

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Chater-Lea)

From: <themaaslands@comcast.net>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org (Classic Rendezvous)
Subject: [CR]Colnago show bike
Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2005 02:30:09 +0000


Eddie wrote:

"BTW....Ernesto has his own museum of bikes. And, correct me if I am wrong, those bike don't get ridden. In addition, they aren't show bikes but rare collectibles of irreplaceable value."

Ernesto gave me a personal tour of his "Museum", as well as in his two mausolea (actually the cellars of his factory and home), he does indeed have some incredible collectibles, but they are all bikes of a completely different class from the Ebay bike, as they all come with impeccable provenance. The ones that he assigns great value to are bikes from the likes of Merckx, Saronni, Rominger... The one that he values most of all, however, is the gold-plated one that he donated to Pope John Paul II. The story behind it now being back in Colnago's hands is quite humorous and from what Ernesto told me, differs somewhat from what is written in the cycling news interview.

I can furthermore state, without the slightest doubt, that Ernesto would not place a very high value on the bike presently offered on ebay. To him, it is merely an old bike with no historical relevance. To him, the old bikes only have relevance when they hold special memories, involving special elements that highlight research or technology; or racing results, all of which are lacking from this bike.

As far as it possibly being a SHOW bike, as opposed to it being a show bike, as per Brian's post classification, I can categorically state that it is not a SHOW bike. Ernesto has told me that he has never sold any SHOW bikes in New York, only show bikes. The show bikes put on display in New York have never been in any way particularly special or distinct. At most, they might have little elements like extra pantographing on rims or such, all missing from the ebay bike. Quite to the contrary, the show bikes are generally the most 'common' versions. All New York SHOW bikes came first from European trade shows and followed on to other trade shows before ultimately ending back in Italy. As far as the bike being a true New York 'show' bike, this too seems rather unlikely to me, as at the time there was no special 'value' to the builder or distributor to hang on to it. In fact, the longer one held onto it, the less it would be worth, as Colnago was continually 'improving' his bikes, thereby devaluing the older ones. This whole discussion has however made me ponder the possibility fo selling "authentic 2005 Interbike Colnago show bikes", complete with certificates of authenticity. Anybody interested in purchasing an authentic interbike show Colnago for a mere 20 % additional surcharge?

--
Steven Maasland
(sitting on all but one of the 2005 Interbike Colnago show bikes in Houston, Texas, USA. All of which will be sold as quickly as possible following the show!)