80's Colnago project

[munga]

could I put colnago stickers on my repco and come along?

[lunar_c]

I'm in Perth sorry

[lunar_c]

It's finally finished .. been busy riding it and working on my fiance's new Peugeot Tourmalet to post up pics but here they finally are! Came in at 9.6kg without pedals which is okay but there's room for improvement there by upgrading pedals and wheels in the future!

FIrst impressions .. it turns FAST, very sharp handling, it's much lighter than my other bike, I need a shorter stem (that's why it's up high), slightly longer seat post, and my headset keeps coming loose. Lots of fine tuning to do but I really like it. Rolls saddles are really comfy too.

Pics!









If anyone has a nice CInelli, 3ttt etc 1" quill stem in 80-100mm let me know..

[HappyHumber]

[/lurk]

Nice work Ben. Gotta get my Ken mobile in some form or another. Maybe that 9sp 105 RD you're trying to flog is looking more appealing as part trade on the Big Ricky frame

[lunar_c]

Thanks Kym. You've been PM'd.

[lunar_c]

Another ride on the Colnago this morning.. and I'm slowly getting to grips with it. A 100mm stem is on it's way (thanks utedeej) so that should save my neck and shoulders a bit.

It climbs fantastically well compared to what I'm used to.. an all-out effort up Empire Ave (Wembley Downs for Perth people) this morning was nicely rewarded with a responsive "swoosh" forward from each pedal stroke.

As a non-racer I'm glad I went for the compact cranks even though it means more double-shifting for me.

I think I've finally got the A9 Stronglight headset adjusted right also.. but I think I'll start looking for a Campagnolo one and transfer the A9 (which is French) to my fiance's Peugeot Tourmalet.. don't want any cross-breeding going on..

[lunar_c]

Got my 100mm Cinelli stem on now .. thanks utedeej. Big improvement .. I'd like some wider (44cm) bars on there as well as the 40's are a little narrow, but for now it's a decent imrovement in comfort.

[lunar_c]

After doing a 40km ride on it yesterday it's still pretty damn uncomfortable. Basically the position is causing me to be considerably flexed at the hips with neck hyperextended to look up at where I'm going. I ride on the tops or at a stretch, the hoods, the drops are virtually inaccessible as they're too low.

I ran myself through the measurement calculations from Lennard Zinn. They recommended a 60-62cm frame based on my measurements. Even with a 60cm frame, I have my seat post (~250mm Campagnolo aero post) at the limit and still need another 20mm or so to get full leg extension, my saddles pretty much all the way back to get my knee somewhere over the pedal spindle and I've put a 100mm stem on to improve the reach somewhat (still not ideal, a 70 or 80 would be better) .. I'm 6'4" with a long spine and arms, I know bike fit is difficult for tall people but this is getting ridiculous! Is it possible This frames' head tube is just too short for me?

At this point I'm considering putting a quill stem adapter on and running a 1 & 1/8" stem and modern size bars to get a bit of rise (with the stem flipped up) and an easier time finding shorter stems.

Would be interested to hear thoughts from taller riders..

[utedeej]

Glad the stem helped a little, sorry that it's not enough but. Great looking bike still, i hope you can sort out the fit.

[rkelsen]

Are you sure that's a 60cm frame? From the photos, I would have said 57 to 58cm.

Either way, it doesn't look big enough for me and I'm 100mm shorter than you. How much space is there between your nuts and the top tube? These older bikes are meant to be a tighter fit. Zinn's recommendations might be referring to a more modern, compact geometry frame.

If you're unable to get a full leg extension, then it is too small. Shame, because it's a lovely bike. At least you won't lose any money on it.

[lunar_c]

Remember the old saying assume makes an ass out of u and me?

In the excitement of buying a real Colnago I never actually measured the frame.. it had 60 stamped into the BB shell, and I always figured it was 60x60 or 60x62.

It's actually 57cm TT x 60cm ST. This means the seat tube is layed back a lot, which means I have to crank my seat post up to maximum and still can't get enough leg extension, and the head tube is short and makes the bars very low, which is probably why I can't get comfortable on the bike.

This makes restoration #2 on a frame that doesn't fit me properly because I was too eager and didn't measure it properly. How embarassing.

[lunar_c]

This just makes me want to give up and build up a frame from Soma or Surly or something

[singlespeedscott]

You see it alot with people rushing to convert an old frame into a modern retro ride. They take all their measurements from fit guides used for modern bikes and don't realize the fit of older bikes is different.

It wasn't about top tube length back in the day, it was all about the length of the seat tube. Old seat posts usually only had useful range of 140mm. Add a Brooks or Cinelli saddle on it and you only have around 190 mm to play with between your max saddle height and the seat tube length of your frame. Most newbies think that they just need a longer post but that increases the drop to the bars and IMO ruins the proportions of a classic bike. It's like putting 700c wheels in a frame clearly designed for 27" wheels, it just looks wrong.

[lunar_c]

I'm not willing to put a tall dorky stem and 300mm seat post on this to adapt it to my size, so if anyone wants to express their interest in the Colnago PM me.

All components are brand new having covered only about 80km.

Specs are as follows:

Frame: 1990(ish) Colnago Super Sprint 57.5cm top tube x 60cm seat tube. Super Cromor special tubing.
Headset: Stronglight A9.
Bars: Cinelli Campione Del Mondo 40cm, classic bend, Fizik Microtex tape.
Stem: Cinelli 100mm 1A.
Groupset: 2012 Campagnolo Veloce 10 speed, 34/50 175mm compact cranks, 12-25 cassette.
Wheels: 2011 Campagnolo Khamsin red/black.
Tyres: Continental Ultra Sport 700Cx23mm, Continental Race Lite tubes.
Seat post: Campagnolo Chorus aero 27.2 x 250mm
Saddle: Selle San Marco Rolls with pro "Non slip system".
Weight: 9.5kg without pedals.

[lunar_c]

You see it alot with people rushing to convert an old frame into a modern retro ride. They take all their measurements from fit guides used for modern bikes and don't realize the fit of older bikes is different.

It wasn't about top tube length back in the day, it was all about the length of the seat tube. Old seat posts usually only had useful range of 140mm. Add a Brooks or Cinelli saddle on it and you only have around 190 mm to play with between your max saddle height and the seat tube length of your frame. Most newbies think that they just need a longer post but that increases the drop to the bars and IMO ruins the proportions of a classic bike. It's like putting 700c wheels in a frame clearly designed for 27" wheels, it just looks wrong.

It's worse (more embarassing) than that.. I've had this frame for a year at least, but I got caught up in the "oh my god it's a Colnago" and assumed it was 60 x 60 or 60 x 62 just on the feel of it. It is odd somewhat, being a 57.5cm top tube and 60 seat tube. I guess when I hastily measured it last year when I got it I figured it was 60x61 or something.

Zinn's measurement calculations are good because they alter for traditional geometry and straight top tubes vs. modern compact geometry (which frankly I know nothing about) so those weren't the problem. Just me.

[rkelsen]

"oh my god it's a Colnago"

Yes indeed. If I were you, I'd put it on ebay with a starting bid of your total cost plus $100. It will sell.

[vaeske]

yeah, when i saw the bike and then heard you saying you were 6"4...i wondered whether you were getting your legs fully extended.

you will get bang for your buck on ebay for sure!

[lunar_c]

Just in case anyone is interested, I'll sell the frame and fork for $350 ono and hunt around for another Italian frame in 60-62cm.

BTW: thanks for not ripping on me too much for getting my frame size wrong (twice)

It's hard to size it up when you buy a bike in bits ..

[LoveMiyata]

Personally I think you could get more than $350 for it on ebay! Make that your starting price and it will climb in no time, giving you the funds to track down the perfect frame for yourself! Don't shoot yourself in the foot

[LoveMiyata]

have you seen this Guerciotti?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Guerciotti-C ... 554wt_1246

[lunar_c]

That Guercotti is certainly very interesting to me. I've emailed the seller about the exact size of the tubes so it'll be one to watch.

Thanks guys. I'm thinking now after my initial reaction to see what I'd get for the complete bike, it'd be a better idea to keep everything bar the frame/fork and use the group and wheels on the next build.

[lunar_c]

I've sold the frame and forks to a fellow forum member so hopefully he will enjoy this great bike.

Onto the next project for me .. will be transferring my groupset and wheels onto the new frame, most likely steel, hopefully Italian!

[humanbeing]

Looking forward to the frame arriving from the west
If my wife doesn't kill me
Stay tuned.
Thanks Ben,
Peter

[humanbeing]

My Colnago Super Sprint frame set from Columbus Cromor arrived safe and sound - thanks Ben

I got out the tape measure and it's 58 cm cc seat tube and 57.5 cm cc top tube. I was worried it might be a little big for me but those dimensions are perfect.
Those seat stays are a bit nasty

I sanded the blemishes back and they don't seem bad, in fact clean steel underneath.
Repacked the frame and fork and sent them off to Electroplating Technologies in Queanbeyan, Star Enamellers chromers of choice. Yes going the whole hog and blowing a few hundred trying to restore the frame to near perfect
Don't worry I already know it's foolish.
Any colour suggestions? Pearl white appeals, Saronni red.
Cheers,
Peter

[HappyHumber]

wow... a born again thread!
Great to see the continuity...