Just thought I'd add a little to the discussion, since I've already talked with several list-members about the "transitional" Colnago Super that I have. Based on input I had preveiously received, I suspected that the frame was of 80's vintage, which seems to be reinforced by the latest discussion. However, my frame seems to have some other "transitional" details that have not yet been discussed.
It's a gray, rainy day, so I just shot a few pix of my frame in my shop this morning. They are not great pix, but good enough for the discussion and a visual reference.
http://www.wooljersey.com/
My frame has most of the details associated with an 80 model, but also has mounts for two bottle cages and braze-on front derailleur mount. My Super also has an interesting paint/graphics scheme, dark metallic green with a silver head tube and seat tube panel. The seat tube panel uses the earlier wreath and worlds bands graphic elements. Since no one has mentioned the front derailleur and bottle-cage details, I'd like to hear about or see other examples of these features on other frames.
Chuck and others - what is your opinion of where these features fit in the time-line (even though I still think that there is no "absolute" in defining this, and that there will always be anomalies)?
Wayne Bingham
Lovettsville VA USA
>
> >>>>
> >>>> Need input on the following:
> >>>> -- Last year for club cutouts in all three lugs (changed to
> >>>> single club cutout in lower head lug)
> >>>> -- Plus anything else that's questionable... (thanks to those of
> >>>> you that have responded)
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> =================================
> >>>> Colnago Frame Dating, Version III
> >>>> =================================
> >>>>
> >>>> 1969 and earlier?
> >>>> 1969 -- Playing card decal graphics
> >>>> 1969 -- Fork crown (sand cast) with two holes in each side
> >>>> 1969 -- Fork tangs wide, no cutouts
> >>>> 1969 -- Club cutouts in all three lugs
> >>>> 1969 -- Bottom bracket shell with drilled holes in circular pattern
> >>>> ----
> >>>> 1970 -- Fork crown (investment cast semi-sloping) with two holes
> >>>> in each side
> >>>> 1970 -- Club cutouts in all three lugs but club in lower head
> >>>> lug is now larger
> >>>> 1970 -- Bottom bracket shell with club cutout
> >>>> ----
> >>>> 1971 -- Fork tangs narrow, no cutouts
> >>>> ----
> >>>> 1972 -- Club/COLNAGO decal on head tube/seat tube (seat tube
> >>>> Worlds bands) and COLNAGO on down tube
> >>>> 1972 -- Fork crown with clubs in top and two holes in each side
> >>>> 1972 -- Fork tangs with two holes
> >>>> ----
> >>>> 1973 -- Wreath seat tube decal with two Worlds bands
> >>>> 1973 -- Fork crown with clubs on top but no holes in each side
> >>>> 1973 -- Water bottle braze-ons on downtube
> >>>> ----
> >>>> 1974 -- Fork tangs with club cutouts
> >>>> 1974 -- Club cutout in lower head lug only
> >>>> 1974 -- Shifter braze-ons on down tube
> >>>> ----
> >>>> 1975 -- Vertical COLNAGO seat tube decal with diagonal worlds
> >>>> stripes
> >>>> ----
> >>>> 1976 -- Fork crown with COLNAGO added to clubs on top
> >>>> 1976 -- Short Campagnolo dropouts
> >>>> ----
> >>>> 1977 -- Top tube cable guide braze-ons
> >>>> ----
> >>>> 1979 -- Fork crown for recessed brake bolt with shallow
> >>>> triangles cut into back
> >>>> 1979 -- Brake bridge for recessed brake bolt
> >>>> ----
> >>>> 1980 -- Short COLNAGO drop-outs and COLNAGO fork ends
> >>>> 1980 -- Fluted seat stay caps engraved COLNAGO and straight seat
> >>>> stays, no longer biconical
> >>>> 1980 -- Brake bridge with cast square boss for recessed brake bolt
> >>>> ----
> >>>> 1981 -- Chain stay bridge is small spool shape, no longer tube
> >>>> ----
> >>>> 1982 -- Chain stays stamped COLNAGO on sides
> >>>> 1982 -- Cable routing on underside of bottom bracket
> >>>> ----
> >>>> 1983 -- Aerodynamic fork crown