compiled research for the steel-loving tifosi: colnago master/mxl family tree

[wallymann]

EDIT: guys...i moved this content to a single, easily-updated PDF file (http://brown-snout.com/cycling/tech/_colnago-master-family-tree.pdf)

================================================== ============

in the beginning, there was the nuovo-mexico / esa-mexico -- arrived early/mid '80s:

basically, a super with “grooved” tubes.
nuovo-mexico had 2 light grooves, one on each side of the top- and down-tubes
esa-mexico had 6 deeply shaped grooves, initially on just the top- and down-tubes and later on all 3 main tubes.
there is evidence of transitional nuovo-mexico variants with 4 light-groove downtubes, as well.


then came the master / master-piu / master-equilateral -- arrived late '80s:

introduced the 4-sided “master-profile” gilco tubeset as standard-issue and alot more chrome!
master: external top-tube cable routing
master-piu: internal top-tube cable routing
master-equilateral: a modified seat-stay arrangement that bypasses the seat-lug.
early examples had curved forks and one set of bottle-bosses
later examples had two sets of bottle-bosses and the straight “precisa” fork was introduced (became standard-issue)


and then came the master-olympic / master-light -- arrived early '90s:

retain the 4-sided “master-profile” gilco tubeset
retain internal top-tube cable routing
integrated rear-mech cable-stop @ rear dropout
introduced the garishly-lovely "art decor" colorways
in the mid '90s rear dropouts were shortened (still horizontal), added a new integrated seat-lug w/ “plug-in” fastback style seat-stay attachment
some late examples went back to external top-tube cable routing
for a 1-2 year period, there was a version made with tange tubing (retaining the 4-sided "master profile")
eventually was re-christened the "master-light" probably due to trademark protection action by the IOC


which brings us to the well-known master-extra-light / master-x-light / master -- arrived mid/late '90s and continues to this day:

retain the 4-sided “master-profile” gilco tubeset, but introduced slightly oversize down-tube spec and larger profile chainstays
external top-tube cable routing across the board
return to “normal” rear-mech cable-stop on the chainstay
rear drop-outs now semi-vertical, yet still retain adjuster screw
some examples (sadly) fitted with a variety of colnago-branded cf forks
reconnected with its origins early in the new millenium with a return to the pure and simple "master" moniker
current production removes the down-tube shifter bosses, replaced with integrated adjuster-barrel bosses


lastly, there have been curiosities and offshoots of the master in the lugged-steel colnago lineage featuring variations on the geometrically enhanced tubing theme:

master-dual -- arrived in the late '80s, it is a "proper" master but was available for 1 year only and produced in such incredibly small numbers that was never really a mainline model. this model starts with the master-piu and splits the 4-sided master downtube into a wishbone structure that flares out to attach near the sides of the BB shell to increase lateral stiffness. colnago initiated this split-downtube with the "master-progress" concept bike before producing a series of related designs: the steel master-dual in 1987, the alumium "duall" in 1988, the carbon "carbi-tubo" in 1989, and finally the titanium "master-bititan" in the mid '90s. the steel master-dual is a true unicorn in the cycling world -- i have seen only 1 example ever "in the wild" which was listed for-sale in italy this year for over US$12,000!!!
arabesque / regal -- arrived early/mid '80s, there was a very small production run of these models that are basically nuovo-mexico / esa-mexico that featured very ornate/artistic lugs. produced in the '83 timeframe for 1-2 years only, the arabesque features lightly grooved tubes from the nuovo-mexico, the regal features heavily grooved tubes from the esa-mexico.
slx-conic-spiral -- arrived in the late '80s, the conic models featured a flared/conical downtube (the larger diameter making for a stiffer BB) with 8 deep grooves of the sort found on the esa-mexico. the balance of the tubeset was normal round stuff you'd find on a super. the flared downtube "conic" concept lives on today in the various lugged carbon colnagos -- starting with the c40-mk2 thru to the C60.
tecnos -- arrived in the mid '90s, available alongside both the master-olympic and master-x-light, featured lightly grooved tubing like the nuovo-mexico (5 grooves instead of just 2).
master-b-stay -- arrived in the mid/late '00s, it's another "proper" master but in reality it is a bit of a franken-bike that combines the master-x-light main triangle with a carbon rear end. some examples (early?) had only the carbon b-stays and steel chainstays, others (later?) had a full carbon rear end that added 4-lobed carbon chainstays.
arabesque (re-edition) -- arrived mid '10s, this is a very small production run of new-build master-olympic/light that feature the ornate/artistic lugs as found on the original arabesque/regal produced in the early '80s. apparently colnago found a box of original arabesque lugs gathering dust in a warehouse and decided to re-introduce this model to the delight of the tifosi!
others -- i should mention there were master TT, track, and even MTB variants, but this effort is focused entirely on the core road-variants.


disclaimer: keep in mind we're talking colnago here -- considering the vagaries of artisanal italian bicycle production control methods, there will always be outliers and exceptions! this effort represents the majority of cases. if anyone can ID errors or omissions, please comment!

of course, some bike-porn...my early '00s "freuler" master a-la rabobank and plenty of chrome, originally with a time club fork since retrofitted with a proper chrome precisa

http://majortaylorcycling.org/events/2013_mid-ohio-century/DSC07657_1.jpg
http://majortaylorcycling.org/bikes/walter_colnago_master-rabobank.jpg

[aingeru]

I own a 98 Master x light and it checks all this boxes:

retain the 4-sided “master-profile” gilco tubeset
external top-tube cable routing across the board
introduce slightly larger diameter down-tube and larger profile chainstays
return to “normal” rear-mech cable-stop on the chainstay
rear drop-outs now semi-vertical, yet still retain adjuster screw

[54ny77]

master x-light candy apple/saronni theme with chrome precisa fork = bucket list bike.

like this:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a3/72/75/a372753c084c91f6b88b63bfde09a12c.jpg

[Steve in SLO]

There was a Tange-tubed variant of the master olympic.

[CampyorBust]

This is super helpful thank you, I always wanted a Master with the precisa fork, actually pretty much like the one posted above, though I have a few niggles with that paint scheme. Its hard for me to find a Nag with a paint scheme I like, yet they are out there.

I never really had a handle on which Masters were the creme de la creme.

[LJohnny]

I have an earlier master with one set of WB bosses, curved fork and external routing. Nice bike, not twitchy, super smooth. Every time I ride it I think why have anything else, then I hit the hills and I realize why it's great to have lighter rides. :-D

[beeatnik]

92 Master Piu Belgian National Colors
Gilco by Columbus
Internal brake routing
Precisa Fork
Horizontal 130mm spaced rear dropouts
Head tube dropout has cutout (unlike the Olympic, I sink)

Rides like a harsher C59. To quote Borat, I like!
https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8464/28505135243_4e71baff69_o.jpg

[wallymann]

handsome master-piu -- love the belgian flag motif!

updates:
- added reference to tange tubed version of master-olympic
- added to "cousin" content -- conic and master-dual

[wallymann]

update -- added:
- master-b-stay

[Dana Kilalps]

Happy to get this paint scheme.

[wallymann]

added arabesque (original and re-edition) and regal

[Steve in SLO]

Great reference list. Thank you for doing this.

[wallymann]

+master-equilateral

[fiamme red]

I appreciate your work on this. I was curious to know where my Master Piu fit in on the Colnago timeline.

http://i51.tinypic.com/jjbn1s.jpg

http://i63.tinypic.com/21a0axf.jpg

[wallymann]

says right there on the top-tube: MASTER-PIU -- given the font and precisa and dual-bottles, i'd say it's around 1990 or shortly thereafter.

gorgeous bike, btw!!!

I appreciate your work on this. I was curious to know where my Master Piu fit in on the Colnago timeline.

[mktng]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161013/a933f1b350d9eeeef7aba96c7cf4287f.jpg

Here's my 2010 x light on 25th dura ace.

[wallymann]

siiiick!!!

Here's my 2010 x light on 25th dura ace.

[chismog]

That ^^^^ MXL Saronni is hot! HAAAWWWWTTTT!

[wallymann]

That ^^^^ MXL Saronni is hot! HAAAWWWWTTTT!

word! only change i'd make is a silver stem.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/utsAAOSwzaJX5bX7/s-l500.jpg

[mktng]

Ah mannnnn I know. But heck. If Saronni himself rocked a black stem with silver post. Why not ;)

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

[jds108]

If Saronni himself rocked a black stem with silver post. Why not ;)


That is some unassailable logic!

[wallymann]

Ah mannnnn I know. But heck. If Saronni himself rocked a black stem with silver post. Why not ;)

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

what reach you run? i have a couple silver stems in the ~130mm range that are just laying in my parts-bin.

[mktng]

It's currently a 130 on the bike. As seen

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

[ghammer]

Oh my goodness did you ever unearth some good memories and sensations (yes, sensations!).

I had the exa-mexico, circa 1991, after a guy I met at local races had purchased his from a former Malvor pro (late 80s-early 90s). His was the master, exactly THE very team edition, including delta brakes. Mine was more pedestrian w a mix of campy and shimano 600 parts. I eventually owned 2 more steel Colnagos: a master and a Master X-Light. I loved the handling, raced a bunch on all of them, and the pics that followed your thread lead made my day - thanks for the good memories.

[54ny77]

You win the internet. :cool:

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161013/a933f1b350d9eeeef7aba96c7cf4287f.jpg

Here's my 2010 x light on 25th dura ace.

[wallymann]

It's currently a 130 on the bike. As seen


hmmm...my inventory isnt quite what i remember!

but there a couple silver options on the market:
- controltech newton -5deg
- ritchey classic -6deg
- omni racer -6deg
- raceface cadence -8deg
- PRO XLT -10deg

[beeatnik]

Ah mannnnn I know. But heck. If Saronni himself rocked a black stem with silver post. Why not ;)

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

Yep, keep the black stem. It's PRO.

[galgal]

Hey Wallyman,
Thanks for research and info. Sure are some gorgeous bikes in this thread. And you've undoubtedly heard everything there is to say about your collection so I will just say WOW. My Colnago doesn't belong in such exalted company but would be curious to know where it might figure in the Colnago tree. A bit of an outlier it seems. Top tube says Decor, tubing is SLX Conic Spiral. Downtube is only tube with seams/grooves and has 8.

[wallymann]

the conic is in there, mentioned in the "curiosities and offshoots" section. i specifically added "conic-spiral-slx" so its clearer!

Hey Wallyman,
Thanks for research and info. Sure are some gorgeous bikes in this thread. And you've undoubtedly heard everything there is to say about your collection so I will just say WOW. My Colnago doesn't belong in such exalted company but would be curious to know where it might figure in the Colnago tree. A bit of an outlier it seems. Top tube says Decor, tubing is SLX Conic Spiral. Downtube is only tube with seams/grooves and has 8.

[galgal]

Ah, OK, thanks. Oddly, the downtube on this one has 8 rather than 6 seams.

[galgal]

Oops, sorry I misread slx as six. My bad. Thanks again

[innanzi]

The link below will take you to one of two Colnago bikes I own, one steel and one carbon. Fantastic bike to ride and the Shimano gears work like a dream.

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/extras/colnago-master-pu-extras.html

[C40_guy]

Thanks, great compilation.

You might want to add in the Colnago Crystal, which had Columbus Brain tubing shaped somewhat ovally on the down tube...

Decent riding...I bought one to race on years ago, and then my son mentioned that he had outgrown his first road bike, so he ended up on the Crystal...I think I continued to race my C40 for a while...

Also, for your comment: "others -- i should mention there were master TT, track, and even MTB variants, but this effort is focused entirely on the core road-variants"...there were a small handful of steel cyclocross frames built, one-offs for pro riders. I own a Master CX and I've seen pictures of a couple of mid-90s steel Colnago CX bikes that were lugless (not Dream CX).

My steel Master CX was built in the early-mid '90s. Round tubing, pure CX geometry, unicrown steel fork, no serial number (so Laura @ Colnago couldn't help with any historical details.

Also, btw, the early Spiral Conics had round tubes only, no flared. My '89 had a curved front fork and round tubes. My first Colnago, the one that started the craziness for me. :)

[KarlC]

Love this thread, here is how my Colnago Master X-Light in Saronni PR82 was last. Its now striped down to the frame waiting on me to rebuild with some Campy .....


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4373/37211161241_feb98b80b9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/YGdVPx)[url=https://flic.kr/p/YGdVPx]

[cadence90]

.... ..
.

[colker]

/3a/8b083a2e582f0df8c7fc4c51835d29ef.jpg[/IMG]
.

Cool.
Colnagos in the right paint scheme hit me like no other bike. "Hey.. I am YOUR bike and you know it."

[flyingPiggy]

Great info!

While dating my 1989 MasterPiu, I learned the following:

88-89 Toptube cable routing changed to internal but missing "piu" decal.
88-89 Seatstay cap stamp changed from "COLNAGO" to "Club" icon.
89-90 Bottom Bracket Stamped "BREV. COLNAGO" and "Club" cutout to Stamped "Colnago" *Not sure

89 the precisa fork was introduced but 'many' masters were ordered with older style fork or swapped fork later by the LBS.

Hope this helps too.

https://i.imgur.com/WOUOdI0.jpg?1

[tomgrooves]

Great thread by the way. I'v recently bought my first Colnago

Trying to identify it. Decals say Super but I'm pretty sure it's had a respray so not sure how much to trust them. A few folks have suggested it may be a Master so thought I would post. Apologies if it's not! Don't mean to crash your thread!

Internal cabling on top tube. Straight Precisa forks but might not be original to frame? Thought it might be a Super Sprint or Super Piu or possibly a Master? Can't find any serial number. I think it might be late 80s or early 90s. I'm no expert so looking for some advice. It's been stripped of all original parts which I'm looking to change but for the time being it rides well and is super light! Pics in link below.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/45719736@N08/54cL27

https://www.flickr.com/gp/45719736@N08/Sm95b0

[wallymann]

looks like a super to me. definitely not a master, no gilco profile tubes.

since it has internal routing, good chance colnago was still making the super in the early 90s and simply added internal routing along with the master-piu. or it's some other next-level-down model alongside the master-piu -- super-piu is likely based on images i can google about that model!

Great thread by the way. I'v recently bought my first Colnago

Trying to identify it. Decals say Super but I'm pretty sure it's had a respray so not sure how much to trust them. A few folks have suggested it may be a Master so thought I would post. Apologies if it's not! Don't mean to crash your thread!

Internal cabling on top tube. Straight Precisa forks but might not be original to frame? Thought it might be a Super Sprint or Super Piu or possibly a Master? Can't find any serial number. I think it might be late 80s or early 90s. I'm no expert so looking for some advice. It's been stripped of all original parts which I'm looking to change but for the time being it rides well and is super light! Pics in link below.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/45719736@N08/54cL27

[tomgrooves]

looks like a super to me. definitely not a master, no gilco profile tubes.

since it has internal routing, good chance colnago was still making the super in the early 90s and simply added internal routing along with the master-piu. or it's some other next-level-down model alongside the master-piu -- super-piu is likely based on images i can google about that model!

Thanks for coming back so quick. I thought a Piu was likely but couldn't find good proof a Super Piu existed or a Super with internal cabling. Some photos from other owners but nothing like a catalogue shot or something more concrete.

[bicycletricycle]

thanks for sharing. I have had a few of these over the years and I always want one when I don't have one. That one with the split down tube looks amazing.

[Cycling Fool]

Thanks for this great thread. I've always wanted a colnago but back in the early nineties I had to "settle" for a Pinarello Montello (vintage mid 80s) in Spumoni paint. This thread helped me figure on what I was looking for. Finally finished the build up today and went for a quick ten miles 😀. Per Laura at Colnago it's a 1996 in AD4 finish.

[velogeek.be]

This is mine, waiting to be equipped. I think it's a first generation Master, with external cable routing, although in most photos the cable glands are above and not below the tube. It was repainted by the previous owner. Is there a serial number that would allow me to identify it with certainty?

https://runninggeek.be/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_20190126_124718-01.jpeg

[paredown]

This is mine, waiting to be equipped. I think it's a first generation Master, with external cable routing, although in most photos the cable glands are above and not below the tube. It was repainted by the previous owner. Is there a serial number that would allow me to identify it with certainty?



Late generation Master--late 90s to 2000s when they switched those cable stops to the side of the top tube (you will see them in the same location on the CT1/2 (titanium) if they are original.

Serial may be on the face of the rear dropout.

[velogeek.be]

Thank you. I found a catalogue from 1997 and it matches, indeed. It's not bad news, it allows me a more modern group.

https://i0.wp.com/2velo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Colnago-Catalog-1997-2Velocom-1997051.jpg?w=600

[wallymann]

looks like an early master, definitely well before 1997! closer to 1987, especially seeing those heavily crimped chainstays.

further...while it does have 2 sets of bottle bosses, it lacks internal brake cable housing to be a master-piu. seat-cluster and rear dropouts do not match the master-olympic/light.

This is mine, waiting to be equipped. I think it's a first generation Master, with external cable routing, although in most photos the cable glands are above and not below the tube. It was repainted by the previous owner. Is there a serial number that would allow me to identify it with certainty?

[velogeek.be]

I just discovered this site: http://labibleduvelocataloguescolnago1.blogspot.com/p/colnago-1989.html?m=1

The right fork appeared in 1989, and this year's catalogue shows a model with hexagonal tubes very similar to those in my frame: ESA Mexico.

I'm a little confused, and no serial number to confirm!

[paredown]

looks like an early master, definitely well before 1997! closer to 1987, especially seeing those heavily crimped chainstays.

further...while it does have 2 sets of bottle bosses, it lacks internal brake cable housing to be a master-piu. seat-cluster and rear dropouts do not match the master-olympic/light.

Thanks--I was reluctant to post, since the combination of elements did not fully jive--I certainly don't recall an early Master with the top tube cable guides on the side like those, but I did notice the seat cluster detail did look like an earlier frame.

I guess it's possible the guides were redone before the repaint?

[oldpotatoe]

Thanks for this great thread. I've always wanted a colnago but back in the early nineties I had to "settle" for a Pinarello Montello (vintage mid 80s) in Spumoni paint. This thread helped me figure on what I was looking for. Finally finished the build up today and went for a quick ten miles 😀. Per Laura at Colnago it's a 1996 in AD4 finish.

The black Campag stuff looks awesome on that frame..NICE rig!!

[GonaSovereign]

Late generation Master--late 90s to 2000s when they switched those cable stops to the side of the top tube (you will see them in the same location on the CT1/2 (titanium) if they are original.

Serial may be on the face of the rear dropout.
That's pre-1996. The seatlug design changed to this kind around then. The seat stays slot in, as opposed to being brazed on. Here's the newer one:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56cb97c486db43e25e2b4aa2/5be4b61d88251b9595fceb31/5be4b6d14d7a9cd7d3a815e2/1541715682431/Colnago-Master-29.jpg

Edit: someone beat me to it, but I'll leave this up b/c it's a nice pic.

[wallymann]

definitely not an esa-mexico. late 80s master.

I just discovered this site: http://labibleduvelocataloguescolnago1.blogspot.com/p/colnago-1989.html?m=1

The right fork appeared in 1989, and this year's catalogue shows a model with hexagonal tubes very similar to those in my frame: ESA Mexico.

I'm a little confused, and no serial number to confirm!

[velogeek.be]

definitely not an esa-mexico. late 80s master.

Thank you all. I'll post some pictures when it's ready to ride!

[wallymann]

guys...i moved this content to a single, easily-updated PDF file (http://brown-snout.com/cycling/tech/_colnago-master-family-tree.pdf)

[pstock]

helpful thread.
I have a colnago up for sale and the potential buyer has asked me what the year of production is. I have no idea. I just enjoy riding the thing. But rather than get into a fight with him (does year matter?) I thought I'd seek guidance here.

mine is an odd one. because it lacks so many decals and features one might expect of a production Colnago, I wonder if It might have been repainted at some point. if it was, it was well done and nicely dressed up with the black Colnago lettering.

I was trying to follow the original list of features by era but got stumped.

this cable routing for instance enters underneath the TT but exits on the top.

the fork is carbon with a carbon steerer, but I can't know if it is original.

anyone know what the E204 stamped on the rear dropout refers to?

PS. no wisecracks please about the bit of shim showing at the seatpost lug. My seatpost was slipping.....

[wallymann]

master-olympic/master-light -- voila!

rear dropouts with integrated cable-stop is the key detail.

re: fork -- if indeed CF, 0% chance that it's original.

helpful thread.
I have a colnago up for sale and the potential buyer has asked me what the year of production is. I have no idea. I just enjoy riding the thing. But rather than get into a fight with him (does year matter?) I thought I'd seek guidance here.

mine is an odd one. because it lacks so many decals and features one might expect of a production Colnago, I wonder if It might have been repainted at some point. if it was, it was well done and nicely dressed up with the black Colnago lettering.

I was trying to follow the original list of features by era but got stumped.

this cable routing for instance enters underneath the TT but exits on the top.

the fork is carbon with a carbon steerer, but I can't know if it is original.

anyone know what the E204 stamped on the rear dropout refers to?

PS. no wisecracks please about the bit of shim showing at the seatpost lug. My seatpost was slipping.....

[Bob Boberson]

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/921/tsugUa.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pltsugUaj)

sorry for the horrible image but here is my Master.

[Kleist]

This is mine Master X-Light :-) One of the best bikes I have ever had.

[gngroup]

Here’s one I no longer own. Built with NOS Dura Ace 7400.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190919/7d49ce01b902f21841b73739f29e01e5.jpg

[paredown]

If we're sharing--two shots from when I was still trying to figure out sizing...

The first is an '80s Master Piu, Decor paint. I started the R&R by getting the fork rechromed, but decided it was too big for me. The second is also an '80s production late Super with the 'retinato' (fish scale) paint that I picked up NOS... that I decided at the time that it was too small. (If I still had it now I would build it up....)

[X Light]

Have this Master X Light with Ceramicspeed krank bearings. Dura Ace 7700. Painted front fork - not chromed. Any body know what year this could be from ?

[Razzle]

Any for sale in size 57-58?