After following this thread, like many other folks, I feel it necessary to chime in. For me, I wouldnt think of riding this bike, mainly? cause it isnt my size and I just dont like riding bikes that arent my size and not fitted/adjusted to me.
Now seriously, I have always looked at a new bike as one that is just waiting for the right owner to come along and throw a leg over the top tube and turn the pedals. I for one dont think that riding this bike would devalue the bike that much if care was taken when and where to ride it and the miles limited. After all, what did that De Rosa sell for a coupe of months ago, $7,200 or so and it had been ridden. That being said I just might not be the right owner in some folks eyes. My blue Rauler is a very rare bike, there isnt another one around in know captivity, yet when I ride it, or any of my other bikes for that matter, the wild mountain biker will come out in me. I will wheelie the bike off curbs; up a couple of steps and just plain have fun like I was a kid. Must say at this point I really enjoy riding with Harvey Sachs, hes got a mean bunny hop going! Ask Lou about bunny hopping one of those cement bumpers for cars in the parking lot on my Tommasini. Many might look at me and say I wouldnt do that, well many of us would say I wouldnt hang something that was meant to be ridden on the wall. For me, I wouldnt say that, although I just did. To each there own and use or just view the bike as you wish, it is your bike and no one should be the judge. We as different owners might do it differently if it was in our possession.
Many have pointed to bikes with a race history and have asked would you ride these bikes? Cant figure that one out as they were already used bikes so why not ride em. Four years ago when Lance was closing in on his 4th Tour win one of his Motorola team bike came up on Ebay. I believe it was the bike he dropped out of the Tour on. I thought about bidding and thinking that this bike will go up at least $1,000 in value for every Tour he wins and probably more. The bike sold for just over $3,000 and then it was sold again in October of the year for just over $4,000. There went my quick buck. The main reason I didnt buy the bike, it didnt fit me therefore I wouldn't be able to ride it. Next time I will just think about the money to be made and bid on the dany thing!
This brings me back to this Colnago. I was thinking about all the pantographing on it and just wondering if Raul Gozzi had anything to do with it. He would have been at Colnago at the time as it was 3 or 4 years before he started up Rauler and that was his specialty. From their website Raul and Reclus Gozzi Bros., the first one known for its specialization in pantography. Sure would be nice to have someone that spoke Italian to dig a bit deeper here to find out more on the connection and working/business relationship with Raul, Reclus and Ernesto.
In closing I would just like to say that I would sure like to see this on a club ride, or a ride at the Cirque, but wouldnt criticize anyone that would hang it on a wall for show.
Mark Poore in
Slatyfork, WV wishing Dale would have a bunny hop or wheelie contest at the next Cirque
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