Happy Birthday to me! Colnago Master.

I turned 40 yesterday. As a reward for ‘getting halfway’, I decided to treat myself to a classic frame. A real ‘keeper’. After 8 months of waiting, it actually arrived on my Birthday. Perfect timing. Thanks to Mike at Maestro

A very gloomy day here in sunny Surrey, and the photos don’t do the paintwork justice. It is really bright, zingy and a work of art. Most Colnago’s I have seen have a dodgy bit of masking or overspray somewhere on them, but not this one. My bikes tend to be on the monochrome side, but this one is wild!

I lusted after a Colnago Master (Olympic back then) when I first started riding on the road seriously, but by the time I could afford one times had changed and plastic and aluminium were all the rage. What goes around comes around though, and with age and maturity, I can now appreciate the finer things in life rather than the latest things in life. This will be an unashamedly ‘Sunny Days and Sundays’ bike. As if Ernesto Colnago knew that I was turning 40, he kindly produced the 30th anniversary model in my favourite ever colour scheme, AD10. The ride is sublime. Not sure of the weight, but it is surprisingly light for a large steel frame, and rides light thanks to the wheels.

Arguably it should be kitted out with some NOS Shimano 8 or 9 speed Dura Ace (Mapei-stylee), but I have ridden Campagnolo for too long to change. So, I have gone for a mix of modern NOS Record and Super Record components. I wanted polished silver components with white decals. I happen to think that the 2011 vintage Campagnolo looks much nicer than the current crop of black/red components, and there really isn’t much difference in the performance. All 11 speed, apart from the brakes, which are the pre-skeleton variety (and much prettier IMHO).

Maybe the Zipp bars are wrong but I use these on all of my bikes in either carbon or aluminium, and I just love the shape.

Frame - Colnago Master 30th AD10 (59cm)
Fork - Colnago Prescia
Aheadset - Chris King Sotto Voce Aheadset
Chainset – NOS Campagnolo Super Record 2011 (175mm 53/39)
Pedals - Look Keo Carbon Titanium
Front Deraileur – NOS 11 speed Campagnolo Record 2011
Rear Deraileur – NOS 11 speed Campagnolo Record 2011
Shifters – NOS 11 speed Campagnolo Record 2011
Brakes – NOS Campagnolo Record 2006
Chain – 11 speed Campagnolo Record
Cassette – 11 speed Campagnolo Record 12/25
Wheels - Campagnolo Hyperon Ultra 2 (but with NOS 2006 Record skewers)
Tyres - Continental Competition
Stem - Deda Zero (130mm)
Bars - Zipp SL Alloy Traditional Bend
Seatpost - Deda Super Zero
Saddle - Fizik Arione
Handlebar Tape - Colnago Cork

So, just to pre-empt the usual comments:

Yes, I know the grass needs a cut. Yes, I know there a lot of spacers, but I ride with quite a high front end, and at least 1, if not 2 will be removed once I have dialled the position. Yes, the gunmetal stem looks wrong, and a black version has been ordered. Yes, I know a pair of Veloflex would be better, but I happen to like Conti Comps. No, it is not for sale, and nor will it be for a very, very long time!

As if Ernesto Colnago knew that I was turning 40, he kindly produced the 30th anniversary model in my favourite ever colour scheme, AD10. The ride is sublime. Dare I say it, much nicer than my Pegoretti’s. Not sure of the weight, but it is surprisingly light for a large steel frame, and rides light thanks to the wheels.

Mega frame. 100% agree about the colour scheme. Is it for sa... oh. ;)

Dare I say it, much nicer than my Pegoretti’s. I have Super Record EPS on the Moots,

Frame - Colnago Master 30th AD10 (59cm)
Fork - Colnago Prescia

boast post

;)

Lovely.

Duly edited Tenderloin! Just an informed comparison rather than a boast post. I know I am a lucky chap, but this one takes the biscuit.

^ aw, no need to edit that out, I for one was actually interested to know that you felt it rides better than a Pegoretti, seriously. I'd always wondered if the current Master was kept on more as a nostalgic model. Quite glad it acquits itself on the road.

It definitely holds its own with modern frames.

Haha that's not at all what I was getting at!
I don't think I've seen pics of any of them, so if you wanted to re-edit the post and also include those, I won't complain!

The Colnago is a beaut (although the Deda stuff makes me a little sad) the hyeprons look awesome.

hubba hubba!

Not sure about the Deda myself. Any alternative suggestions? Not trying for a true retro look, but something more in-keeping might be good.

I read the `boast post' and felt so much better about what I have spent on my bikes :)

Lovely birthday treat .. I'm not sure on the Deda stem, as it looks a bit 'bulky' for the slender tubes, saying that the majority of the currently available stems are going to be the same. Have you looked to FRM or WR Compositi? They both used to do a slimish stem (probably flexy) which was a carbon tube bonded to aluminium fork and stem attachment points.

Also boast post aside .. let us see the Pegoretti ..

Thats really sweet!

I had the exact same colortheme (edit: nope not identical but very similar) on a master. But dident fit it with modern group or wheels.

Looks super!

nice piece of kit!!!

Love this. And +1 for the peg requests.

That is a beautiful bike is there any reason you didnt go bigger on the frame as i see 3cms of spacers on the fork tube?

What a build you did it right

wowza

Quite a few spacers, but only a pre-fit fix. Now reduced to a 1.5cm stack, 12ck black stem and looks better, fits better and handles better.

The frame size has a perfect tt length for me, and now also the perfect reach and drop. I love my Moots RSL, but it is a toss up between this and my Brompton as to which actually puts the biggest smile on my face when I ride it.

Your stable of bikes, sounds like the best thing ever.

Do you have a full family portrait?

No group shot, but here they are individually.

The current collection is the Colnago Master, Moots RSL, Turner Sultan and Brompton S2. Somebody also requested some pictures of the Pegoretti's, so they are attached too but now sadly sold. Currently all boxed up in a container to Hong Kong. Roll on May 4th when they arrive. We fly this Sunday. Goodbye London weather (for a while at least!).

And the dearly departed Pegs....

Thats a nice and classy stable you've got there!

Wow! How will you decide which to ride out of the Moots and the Master?

^ a nice problem to have haha!

When in doubt, it's the Brompton!