Old Colnago questions?

Ted said:

I have a 1981 Colnago frame that I use for riding that is built up with more modern components. I
originally bought the frame in 1981, but I don't know what the model was called at the time. Did
they make more than one model then? It is a 59cm c-t size frame, does anyone know the frame
angles? I think the frame is made of either Columbus SP or SL tubing. Does anybody know which?

The standard model of the era was the Colnago Super, which was a Columbus SP/SL frame. That is to
say 50cm would be SL and 63 were SP.

Like any conscientious builder, the middle sizes of a Colnago should be mixed gauge. SP/SL is
intended to allow the builder a continuum, with progressivley more SP tubes as the frame size
increases. So SL is not "better" than SP. The main tubes are 0.9-0.6-0.9 versus 1.0-0.7-1.0.

IIRC, a 1980 looks similar to this 1990, full chrome fork but without the chromed lugs, right?

yellowjersey.org90COLNAG.JPGOpen ↗

--
Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April, 1971

A Muzi <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Ted said:

I have a 1981 Colnago frame that I use for riding that is built up with more modern components.
I originally bought the frame in 1981, but I don't know what the model was called at the time.
Did they make more than one model then? It is a 59cm c-t size frame, does anyone know the frame
angles? I think the frame is made of either Columbus SP or SL tubing. Does anybody know which?

The standard model of the era was the Colnago Super, which was a Columbus SP/SL frame. That is to
say 50cm would be SL and 63 were SP.

Like any conscientious builder, the middle sizes of a Colnago should be mixed gauge. SP/SL is
intended to allow the builder a continuum, with progressivley more SP tubes as the frame size
increases. So SL is not "better" than SP. The main tubes are 0.9-0.6-0.9 versus 1.0-0.7-1.0.

IIRC, a 1980 looks similar to this 1990, full chrome fork but without the chromed lugs, right?

yellowjersey.org90COLNAG.JPGOpen ↗

The frame looks pretty similar to that one, except that at the top of the chain stays instead of a
clover leaf cut-out it has "Colnago". The top of the fork crown has a clover leaf cut-out as well as
on the bottom of the bottom bracket. The lugs on the 1990 look the same as mine do. The bike has
been repainted and I don't remember exactly what the original paint job looked like, it's been about
10 years since it was painted.

Thanks for the info, Ted

"Ted" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have a 1981 Colnago frame that I use for riding that is built up with more modern components. I
originally bought the frame in 1981, but I don't know what the model was called at the time. Did
they make more than one model then? It is a 59cm c-t size frame, does anyone know the frame
angles? I think the frame is made of either Columbus SP or SL tubing. Does anybody know which?

Thanks for any info, Ted

Your bike have the folded, spindled, and mutilated tubeset (ie: the DT and TT are diamond-ish
shape)? If so, then it probably isn't SL/SP.

Mike

"Mike S." <mikeshaw2@coxDOTnet> wrote in message news:jXwlb.72519$vj2.2098@fed1read06...

Quoted message said:

"Ted" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have a 1981 Colnago frame that I use for riding that is built up with more modern components.
I originally bought the frame in 1981, but I don't know what the model was called at the time.
Did they

make

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

more than one model then? It is a 59cm c-t size frame, does anyone know the frame angles? I
think the frame is made of either Columbus

SP

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

or SL tubing. Does anybody know which?

Thanks for any info, Ted

Your bike have the folded, spindled, and mutilated tubeset (ie: the DT

and

Quoted message said:

TT are diamond-ish shape)? If so, then it probably isn't SL/SP.

IIRC, The next greatest thing in 1981 was SLX and not the fluted stuff whose name escapes me now.
But, as Andrew says, the Super was made with SL or SP in 1981. I think all sizes were made with SL.

This was a dark period for Colnoago. Bikeology was selling the Super for $299 or thereabouts via
mail order. The paint was bad and so was the craftsmanship. I was thinking of buying one just
because they were comparatively cheap, but I was worried about getting a large frame made with SL.
Nowadays, SL is the equivalent of galvanized water pipe in the minds of the ultra-light crowd. I
think trans-con touring bikes are now made out of SL. Oh, how things change. -- Jay Beattie.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have a 1981 Colnago frame that I use for riding that is built up with more modern
components. I originally bought the frame in 1981, but I don't know what the model was called
at the time. Did they

make

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

more than one model then? It is a 59cm c-t size frame, does anyone know the frame angles? I
think the frame is made of either Columbus

SP

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

or SL tubing. Does anybody know which?

Thanks for any info, Ted

Your bike have the folded, spindled, and mutilated tubeset (ie: the DT

and

Quoted message said:

TT are diamond-ish shape)? If so, then it probably isn't SL/SP.

IIRC, The next greatest thing in 1981 was SLX and not the fluted stuff whose name escapes me
now. But, as Andrew says, the Super was made with SL or SP in 1981. I think all sizes were made
with SL.

This was a dark period for Colnoago. Bikeology was selling the Super for $299 or thereabouts via
mail order. The paint was bad and so was the craftsmanship. I was thinking of buying one just
because they were comparatively cheap, but I was worried about getting a large frame made with SL.

Nowadays, SL is the equivalent of galvanized water pipe in the

Quoted message said:

minds of the ultra-light crowd. I think trans-con touring bikes are now made out of SL. Oh, how
things change. -- Jay Beattie.

Ain't that the truth!

I still lust after a Master Olympic in blue and gold with Superbe Pro parts... Mmmmmm, Colnago....

Wasn't the tubing called "Gilco" or something like that?

Mike