C50 v. C60

[LegendRider]

Has anyone spent time on both a Colnago C50 and C60? If so, how would you characterize the differences? (The 54s C60 in the classifieds is extremely tempting, but I have a perfectly nice C50.)

[beeatnik]

It goes to 11. :banana:

[beeatnik]

Regularly riding a 1992 Master Piu, a MK2 C40, Extreme Power (C50 on roids), C59 and now a C60. My unscientific breakdown:

They all descend as motorcycles.

The Master is the prettiest

The C40 has the best ride feel

The Extreme Power feels the lightest

The C59 is the best climber

The C60 is the World's Best Road Bike

[christian]

The Extreme Power feels the lightest
Hum what? I have a 54s 2008 EP. I love it, but even built with lightweight Record 10, carbon bars, Deda Superleggera stem it's around 17 lbs. It's an awesome bike, but definitely more for ride weenies than weight weenies.

[beeatnik]

I mean it feels more, um, springy. They're all porky bikas.

[joosttx]

C60 is awesome.... very comfortable and very fast.

[scpknees]

I own a 50 and 59 and the 59 doesn't feel comfortable at all after riding the 50. they both have the same parts except for the seatpost. the 60 is stiffer than 59. If you have a mint c50 than I wouldn't be too curious about anything else except maybe a Ti frame. you already own a great frame. enjoy it.

[beeatnik]

^It's a race bika, not a BarcaLounger.

[cadence90]

Regularly riding a 1992 Master Piu, a Mk2 C40, Extreme Power (C50 on roids), C59 and now a C60.
Wow, nice collection!




I am curious too.
I probably cannot afford a C60, maybe not even a C59, maybe not even a...but...

...for a taller (62 Trad), heavier (220#) rider, non-racer, are the differences between C50, EPS, C59, and C60 very evident? Is there a real recommendation for one model over the others or are they "all good"?
.

[beeatnik]

Short answer: not really. IMHO, w/ modern Colnagos it's geo first.

Other than that it's pretty subjective. C50 rides more as a steel bike. C59 has a hollow feel to it. C60 gives a sense of "immediate power transfer." Honestly, i think it all comes down to aesthetics.

[cadence90]

^
Thanks. That reads as a pretty wide range to me, though, with the C50/C60 as more positive.
How do you describe "hollow"? "Muted"? "Wooden"? "A bit dead"?

[beeatnik]

Off the top of my head, plasticky (sp?). Interestingly enough, as an all around bike, the C59 is my favorite.

[KJMUNC]

^
Thanks. That reads as a pretty wide range to me, though, with the C50/C60 as more positive.
How do you describe "hollow"? "Muted"? "Wooden"? "A bit dead"?

Why not buy a C40? I've had 3 C50's and wound up selling them all and keeping my C40 as I think it has the best ride out of all of those I owned. Takes a bit more hunting, but they can be found cheaper than C50s.

Here's one in "big size": http://www.ebay.com/itm/Colnago-C40-HP-Carbon-Fiber-Road-Frame-59-64cm-Carbon-Fork-Chris-King-Headset-/172432855090?hash=item2825cc9032:g:mQ8AAOSwux5YJy~ f

if you can handle the paint that's a good deal......

[joosttx]

Wow, nice collection!




I am curious too.
I probably cannot afford a C60, maybe not even a C59, maybe not even a...but...

...for a taller (62 Trad), heavier (220#) rider, non-racer, are the differences between C50, EPS, C59, and C60 very evident? Is there a real recommendation for one model over the others or are they "all good"?
.

My C60 might be for sale..... 54s black, record 11, bora ultra 2 35, fizik 00

[ultraman6970]

Some people cant even tell when their car has new tires or if they got an oil change.

If you can tell the difference between one steel bike and other ones, then sure you will be able to tell the difference between a c40 and upper models. They made them to behave different...

That C40 at ebay looks like super nice, good price aswell.


Wow, nice collection!




I am curious too.
I probably cannot afford a C60, maybe not even a C59, maybe not even a...but...

...for a taller (62 Trad), heavier (220#) rider, non-racer, are the differences between C50, EPS, C59, and C60 very evident? Is there a real recommendation for one model over the others or are they "all good"?
.

[wallymann]

technically, they're "later" models...the C40 was colnago's top-shelf model, and the envy of the entire pro-peloton, for many-many years.

...the difference between a c40 and upper models. They made them to behave different...

[shepxputnam]

The C60 is built to be much stiffer than previous models. The bottom bracket shell and down tube are huge and I definitely feel the difference in that area of the bike.

The overall ride is still really smooth. Doesn't feel harsh like other chunky carbon bikes that I've ridden.

[cadence90]

Off the top of my head, plasticky (sp?). Interestingly enough, as an all around bike, the C59 is my favorite.
Interesting indeed. I really like the C59 in MTBK. What scheme is yours?

Why not buy a C40? I've had 3 C50's and wound up selling them all and keeping my C40 as I think it has the best ride out of all of those I owned. Takes a bit more hunting, but they can be found cheaper than C50s.

Here's one in "big size": http://www.ebay.com/itm/Colnago-C40-HP-Carbon-Fiber-Road-Frame-59-64cm-Carbon-Fork-Chris-King-Headset-/172432855090?hash=item2825cc9032:g:mQ8AAOSwux5YJy~ f

if you can handle the paint that's a good deal......
I have had my eye on that one for awhile.

Herr Doktor-Professor Wallymann, President of the Colnago Institute of Michigan Aficionados (CIMA), has been very generous in educating me on Colnago sizing and C-series lineage, and pointed that one out a few months ago.

I can handle the paint, easily, which I can't say about a lot of Colnago schemes, but the 1" HT worries me a bit, also aesthetically.

technically, they're "later" models...the C40 was colnago's top-shelf model, and the envy of the entire pro-peloton, for many-many years.

Is my 1" HT concern misplaced? Comparisons to C50, EPS, C59?
I know that you and beeatnik, and maybe a few others here, have ridden all those models.

My C60 might be for sale..... 54s black, record 11, bora ultra 2 35, fizik 00
Much too small for me, but the OP LegendRider might be interested.

[beeatnik]

My C60 might be for sale..... 54s black, record 11, bora ultra 2 35, fizik 00

Houston, is that a black arione?

cadence90, it's a PR99
https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7362/27938435686_0e86266c22_o.jpg

https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7340/27895407231_82279c4a54_o.jpg

[ultraman6970]

What sucks for me is that I wont be able to buy a c60 or c59 maybe till colnago gets easily to C100 or maybe C150 :D

[cadence90]

cadence90, it's a PR99
Gorgeous. PR99 is such a class scheme.

I love those Elite CR cages, but...no?
http://www.chaindrop.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/elite_custom_race_winner_porta_borraccia.jpg


What sucks for me is that I wont be able to buy a c60 or c59 maybe till colnago gets easily to C100 or maybe C150 :D
Same here, I fear....:(

Still, it's fun to dream.

[KJMUNC]

1" headset is fine....steel bikes had them for decades. Presents a slight challenge in finding a headset and stem, but typically lots of options on eBay.

[beeatnik]

The C150 will retail for 1 million dollars!

https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/714/30822388603_1f3c57a82f_o.jpg

[KJMUNC]

The eBay frame comes with a CK headset....that's all you need. You'll need to find a 28.0 seatpost too, but those are on eBay too for a price (several for $150). Stem should be easy and then all the other parts are standard.....

[ultraman6970]

THe 27.2 to 28 shim works pretty well just in case.

I think thomson made 28.0 seatpost aswell.

[oldpotatoe]

THe 27.2 to 28 shim works pretty well just in case.

I think thomson made 28.0 seatpost aswell.

Don't think so, not on their website.

Here plus USE makes a 28mm-27.2 shim

http://www.slanecycles.com/colnago-reducer-sleeve-280mm-to-272mm-p-22117.html?language=en&currency=USD&fo_c=322&fo_k=636d4fd35118c30ecebc8339138d6058&fo_s=gplaus&gclid=CNHZk8rV89ACFUO2wAodJQcFkw

And for right below..'beauty, eyes, beholder'..I think these wheels look awful on this semi-traditional, lugged, level top tube, bike. BUT at least tubulari/non-nancy..BUT yeegads, strap that spare under the seat...gadZOOKS!!!

YMMV, IMHO, and all that.

[soulspinner]

Houston, is that a black arione?

cadence90, it's a PR99
https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7362/27938435686_0e86266c22_o.jpg

https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7340/27895407231_82279c4a54_o.jpg

Looks so right. Level tt, stem with no upturn, saddle not tilted into wonkiness, killer wheels.:hello:

[cadence90]

Don't think so, not on their website.
Odd, because they make the Masterpiece in almost every diameter in the known universe, and I know for sure that they used to make a Masterpiece in 28.0.

And for right below..'beauty, eyes, beholder'..I think these wheels look awful on this semi-traditional, lugged, level top tube, bike. BUT at least tubulari/non-nancy..BUT yeegads, strap that spare under the seat...gadZOOKS!!!

YMMV, IMHO, and all that.
Man, I really quake at the thought of ordering wheels from you now.

On the one hand, I believe that they would be great wheels. Even avowed nancies say that they are. And, to me, a nancy's word is at least as good as a fred's.

On the other hand, the very idea that for every turn o' the spoke wrench you would be muttering, "nancy, nancy, nancy..." kinda scares me half to death, and makes me want to glue my checkbook shut with massive amounts of Vittoria mastic and Tufo tape.

As "Pre-Planned Retribution", I did try to organize a group Christmas buy for you of one of those "Campagnolo" laser-cut beer holders in the Classifieds, but nobody was interested. Nancies, every one of them.

It's really too bad, because I was going to ask Leoner to custom engrave "NANCY CHISHOLM" across the top, as a nice reminder for you every single time you reached for yet another Coors Banquet.

:banana:

[livingminimal]

Houston, is that a black arione?

cadence90, it's a PR99
https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7362/27938435686_0e86266c22_o.jpg


I met this fine machine once.

[beeatnik]

And for right below..'beauty, eyes, beholder'..I think these wheels look awful on this semi-traditional, lugged, level top tube, bike. BUT at least tubulari/non-nancy..BUT yeegads, strap that spare under the seat...gadZOOKS!!!

YMMV, IMHO, and all that.

That's kind of the point. Take a look at the sticker on the top tube.

In any case, they're not wheels; they're Campagnolo Bora Ultra 80. IMHO, the only Campy wheels which would not look good on that frame have zero spokes and are a bit deeper.

Oh, and I don't do under the saddle stuff. Can't ruin Bicycling's favorite bibs of 2016.

http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/tested/tested-catella-gmr-jersey-and-bibs

[wallymann]

1" headset is fine....steel bikes had them for decades. Presents a slight challenge in finding a headset and stem, but typically lots of options on eBay.

i think for big guys, the 1" front-end can offer a different riding experience compared to the beefy modern front-ends. which may not line up with expectations.

as i recall, cadence90 is a bigger guy -- 6'1" or a bit more, something approaching 200#, and rides aggressively.

that being the case, if his expectation is to have a really solid front-end, the traditional 1" front-end might be lacking.

that said, i'm similarly sized and find my C40 in 61cm to have a wonderful ride!

"I think thomson made 28.0 seatpost aswell." Don't think so, not on their website.

thomson does (or did) offer seatpins in 28.0. i own a few masterpiece 28.0s in silver and black -- may not be current production, but they exist!

[cadence90]

i think for big guys, the 1" front-end can offer a different riding experience compared to the beefy modern front-ends. which may not line up with expectations.

as i recall, cadence90 is a bigger guy -- 6'1" or a bit more, something approaching 200#, and rides aggressively.

that being the case, if his expectation is to have a really solid front-end, the traditional 1" front-end might be lacking.

that said, i'm similarly sized and find my C40 in 61cm to have a wonderful ride!

I think this is spot-on. I am all that, but I bet that the expectation thing is the key, especially given the C40's stellar reputation.

My bicycles are all 1 1/8". A couple of years ago I bought an old Scapin TSX, with a 1" head tube. That thing weighed more than my 3 bikes, my car, and me combined, and yet I could never reconcile with the "skinny" 1" head tube, which I guess is also "exacerbated" by the longer hts in your/my size.

If I found a C40 that I really loved, I think I would get over it.

You have as close as one can get: C40 Mk4 and C50 (Mk1?)...the difference between the two must be pretty small, right?

[KJMUNC]

mk4 is essentially a C50 with 1" steerer and slightly larger tubes.

if you're worried about front end stiffness and the 1", just get a C50. You can still find them for relatively cheap and they are more abundant than C40s, which seem to go for a premium.

C50 pricing is all over the place though.....people on eBay routinely ask $1200 or more for them, but realistically if you're patient, you can find them in the $800-$900 range. in the last 6mo I've sold two of them, one for $1200, another for $700.....mostly a function of paint job, size, and condition.

Only issue is that the larger sized C50's don't come up for sale every day (nor do C40s) but again, if you're patient (or if you post a WTB ad here) you will find something. Or that C40 on eBay is a mk4, so it's as close to being a C50 as you can get. For my $0.02, I think that frame is a great buy because if you don't like it you should be able to resell it at/near the same price. My guess is someone is going to try and snipe it for less than the BIN price.