So I’ve been doing a bit of snooping around regarding Colnago frames. My best guess is this frame dates from the 80s or possibly even the 70s. I stripped off the paint this evening (again…I will upload the pics when I get a chance) and there is some surface rust but I knew that going in.
Once I get all of the paint taken off and once I hit the surface rust spots with my dremel tool (wire wheel) I plan on taking it to Big Bang Cycles in West Mifflin. They are the only authorized Colnago dealer in western PA. I’m hoping that Glen (the owner) will be able to give me some information.
From what I have been able to gather it is very hard to really pinpoint an exact year on these frames. If I can get it close I need to figure out if its worth painting this frame the color it should be and then getting the accurate decals clear coated on to the frame or simply painting it whatever color I want. Then it gets in to the situation of whether I want to keep this frame or sell it.
I just wish it was an inch taller. Glenn at Big Bang would also be able to hopefully be able to offer me some suggestions regarding the proper fit. He has a pretty solid rep in these parts as being a guy who knows how to fit a person on a bicycle.
Then….there is the matter of the wheels. Now, these are tubular wheels designed for a person weighing a 100 pounds less than me. They are certainly getting cleaned up and sold. They are in exceptional condition. They really should be worth some money.
UPDATE
I have made arrangements to show the frame to Michael Brown from this place. He actually used to sell Colnagos in the mid 1980s. I believe this frame dates to that period. I’ve traded some emails back and forth with him. I’ve stopped in at his shop on two different occasions but he hasn’t been around.
I imagine within the next couple of weeks I will get the frame to him and I will get an assessment regarding how he suggests I should proceed.
Again… if this was a frame that I knew I’d be keeping for me…then I would do things a bit differently. As it is what I need to determine is whether I should sell it “as is” (the thing I want to do the least) or paint it up and put on the proper stickers.
Now its possible that this guy would look at this and convince me that it would fit me. Then I need to decide how to proceed.
Part of me wants to get this restored to an original condition, but like I said…I’m not an Italian racing frame kinda guy.
I’ve been spending quite a bit of time on the wheels and I will take some pics and get them uploaded. I’m really curious as to their worth.
UPDATE
Well,
The wheels are in a box and will be appearing on eBay in the very near future. I’m trying to sell them as a set to save on shipping. They have cleaned up nicely. I’m really unsure of their value and its possible that I will be shocked by how little they may be worth. We’ll see.
Regarding the frame I took it over to Big Bang Bikes today in West Mifflin and I had just a few minutes to speak with Glen. He mentioned there was definitely some value to the frame but it will come down to what exactly I want to do with it. Do I stick $500 into it and get the proper stickers painted on it with the proper period paint and try and sell it for $1000 or so I simply spray it with frame saver and sell it “as is”? Or…do I keep it myself and get it painted semi professionally (I’m thinking a local auto body shop) and then maybe try and build up a proper road bike. The missus is still getting up off the floor over my comments earlier in the day and how I was thinking of doing that.
I left the frame there and will follow up with Glen sometime next week. I’m really curious of his opinion. He has been an authorized Colnago dealer for 10 years.
UPDATE
Well, I had a good conversation with Glen yesterday about the Colnago. His opinion is to be certain regarding fit I really need to come into his shop and have them take my measurements for a similarly oriented frame. That way I will know what I’m really getting into.
I have decided I am not going to sell this frame. I will build it up. And after our conversation yesterday I’m fairly convinced that I will build it up as a fixie to be ridden around the track. It will not be a cruiser but will instead be a bike that I take to the track and pedal hard. The slightly smallish frame would certainly fit me better if I oriented it that way.
So…the next step is to go and get measured…and then figure out stem height and length. Then I start the process with the frame.
I’m still holding out hope that one or both of my boys will eventually catch the cycing bug like I have. This frame needs to stay in this family. I’m going to bring it back to life in my own way.
Now I just have to figure out a color…
