[CR]re: Colnago show bike

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Cinelli)

Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2005 10:41:28 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
From: <chasds@mindspring.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]re: Colnago show bike

Tom wrote:

You are certainly right that chromed lugs, drilling and pantographing are not unheard of on pro team bikes, but 1) I question how many were tarted up to this level 2) I pointing out that Colnago put form before function, specifically corrosion resistance, when the lugs were chromed, and the anodizing removed. This form over function approach doesn't scream "made to be ridden" to me.

****

I hate to differ with Steve Maasland, since he clearly has more, and more direct, information than I do. But somehow, have to agree with Tom here.

I have a period brochure for the Colnago Super Pantografata, and the one Ken is selling is a distinct cut above the one in the brochure. The one Ken is selling has a number of features (chiefly, the polished aluminum parts), that mark it as something other than the standard pantografata model.

And the Pantografata model, while sold in some numbers in North America, was never that common, even in the period it was sold, and the usual variety (without polished parts), was available in that form for less than two years, as far as I can tell.

I don't doubt that Ernesto Colnago would regard any pantografata as just an old bike (I'd be sorry he felt that way, but it wouldn't surprise me), but that does not take away any of my own pleasure in the bike. Just as Ernesto's bikes remind him of special memories, my Pantograftas remind *me* of special memories too.

Finally...try finding a like-new Pantografata sometime. It ain't easy.

Charles Andrews
SoCal