I was fortunate to get invited to the Master’s 91st birthday at his museum, La Collezione in Cambiago by his grandson, Alessandro Brambilla…
Ernesto Colnago’s 91st birthday invite.
I was happy to see my friend Sr Alex Colnago, son of Paolino Colnago (Ernesto’s little brother)…
Alex Colnago
Here with Alessandro Brambilla , Ernesto’s grandson
Alex and Alessandro Brambilla Colnago
Also good to see my friend Sr Antonio Colombo..
Sr Antonio Colombo
Seen here with The Master …
Sr’s Ernesto Colnago and Antonio Colombo Sr Colnago cutting the cake Great to see Sr Gianni Motta again
Mr Stash and Nadir , the man who put the “Look Ma No Brakes” art exhibition in Toronto together , bring Mr Stash and Futura to design decor for Colnago Master Pista frames , and two roadbikes
1982 Colnago Super ‘Profil’ , Goodwood ‘82 World Champion Beppe Saronni bike.
(Photo author , at La Collezione private preview , 12/22)
A while back a bicycle enthusiast contacted me for Colnago information , stating he was writing an article , and wanted to link to my site (here). I refused, deciding it was plagiaristic and lazy.
Following one post which was written in 2020 and completely misleading, with false information, and seeing the writer choose to reference me , I sent confirmation of what Colnago stated the bike that won Goodwood is on their official Facebook page in 2021 .
The writer did not correct the misleading article once made aware, so it will now be addressed properly here.
“SARONNI’S 1982 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BIKE CONFIRMED “
“ Part of this confusion can be attributed to a sign that is attached to Saronni’s bike in the Colnago museum that says ‘SUPER – Acciaio’ which translates as ‘SUPER – Steel’. However, if you visit the Colnago website ‘Hall of Fame’ page, you will see Saronni’s 1982 World Championship bike with a caption saying he won this race on a Mexico. These two pieces of information are conflicting.
So I emailed Colnago with the question: Which bike was it, a Super (Profil) or Nuovo Mexico? I received a reply from Colnago’s Chief Press Officer advising that Saronni’s bike was a ‘New Mexico’, the website it correct, the placard in the museum was incorrect. So ‘case closed’ – you would expect.
However, I was recently contacted by a vintage bike enthusiast (refer comments section below) whom has written a long article discussing this same topic. The premise of his article contradicts the information presented on Colango’s website. The author states that he has confirmed with Mr. Alex Colnago and Mr. Saronni that the bike used to win these world championships was definitely a Super – that featured crimped tubes.
So, like you, I’m a bit puzzled as I would expect Colnago to be an authoritative source about their own cycling history?”
(Quote “Rouler” , author Cycling Obsession)
Well , the writer has no contact with the Colnago family , and never met Saronni to ask him .
Soon after , the official Colnago Goodwood info was posted …
The author posts a renovation thread , the only one on the whole site , re. a 1st gen circa ‘83/84 Nuovo Mexico , again with misleading info…
“The Nuovo Mexico is widely associated with Giuseppe (Beppe) Saronni and his successful Del Tongo team who raced on Colnago bikes. The Nuovo Mexico was no doubt instrumental in some of his victories which include the 1983 Giro d’Italia and Milan-San Rem”
As the above Colnago social media post states , Sarroni won the 83 Giro on a Super Profil.
Regarding “contradicts information”, one can find more misinformation on the authors site , eg, the C40 .
The first edition C40 had completely round tubes. As seen on one of the examples I owned….
Here in the writers article, he completely dismisses this as the first version C40 , simply because he hasn’t seen one ‘in the flesh’, or the correct catalogue …
“
“Colnago C40 Prototype (pre-1994)
When researching the C40 on the internet, there is mention of an earlier carbon lugged frame with round carbon tubes rather than the Master profile tubes usually found on the C40. However, I decided to only include C40 frames in this article that were listed in the Colnago catalogs and were therefore widely available to the general public.”
Quite arrogant to try and re write the history of one of the most iconic carbon racebikes .
Because of the authors lack of grasp of truth, one has to question his whole site . Titled as this…
“COLNAGO C40 – THE ULTIMATE GUIDE”
It clearly is not , it’s just an opinion of the C40 .
The other Sunday (December 18th) I went to Cambiago , Milan for the afternoon to attend the opening of Sr Ernesto Colnago’s collection at it’s new, publicly accessible home, La Collezione…
I thanked Sr Colnago again, he was in good spirits.
I also thanked Alessandro Brambilla ..
Alessandro Brambilla Colnago
The opening was attended by a small crowd, mainly familiar friendly faces. 2023 will see it open to the public, and become a UN site for World Cycling day.
All the best bikes Sr Colnago produced were there …
I took a ride out on my ’96 Master Olympic to a bike jumble at a cycling club, and bumped into a trader I know who had a stall there. here’s some of what he had
a nice De Rosa above, this circa ’96 Colnago Master Olympic, though the gruppo is a little earlier ..
a Colnago Dual CX frameset, which I had actually had a bid on via an on-line auction before, but pulled out as it did not have the correct forks, was missing cable guides, and was too small..
notice the Colnago headtube stamp, same as on my as yet unidentified carbon frame..
Both were made for Colnago by Alan.
The trader also had a beautiful Colnago C35, sadly only managed to get a silhouette…
probably the most understated example I’ve seen ( or touched!), Campagnolo Super Record 11 gears and brakes with an original Colnago C35 crankset, the trader seemed unaware of this less tasteful example for $22,500
Saarf London 