It has been quite a while since Ive pulled the trigger on adding another bike to the stable but that all changed on this beautiful Friday afternoon. Hard to believe that I managed to not add another one since 2022. The Wilmington market isn't the greatest for vintage italian steel frame bikes and I really didn't look hard in Charlotte either. Occasionally one comes up for sale that's really nice and really expensive, so it's rare to get too excited about the possibility of adding something interesting to the collection. However, today was a bit of a jackpot. A nice gentleman from Wilmington listed two steel beauties for sale on FB marketplace for only $1200! The first is a 2000 Colnago Tennos, The second is a Casati Gold Line (more on that later).
The Colnago has all the detailing that makes those frames sublime. The frame is 56cm, Columbus Nivacrom Tecnos tubing(which is shaped and fluted), Campagnolo Chorus Racing Triple 9 Speed Groupset, Campagnolo Headset (Ugly) Salsa stem (replaced already with a VO), Nondescript seatpoat and saddle (replaced with a Campagnolo seatpost and Brooks professional Saddle). Campagnolo Hubs laced to Mavic OpenPro SUP rims.
It was so clean and dailed in for my specs that I was literally able to drive home from the sale and ride it immediately, which felt amazing!Considering the Master Olympic was a 58cm frame, it just never really felt comfortable riding. This one however is sized perfectly. For a steel frame bike it weighs in less than 19 pounds and rides like a dream. Now Im back up to 13 bikes, so something has to go. Might be time to part with the Serotta. Im getting used to that notion, I think.