Colnago Saronni
- Thread starter giancarlo F
- Start date
jim haseltine
Senior Retro Guru
Even for the murky world of Colnago and associated brands that's something of an oddity. The seat lug cluster with the shot-in stays is similar to that used by Colnago in the 1990s but by that time Saronni frames were made by Tecnotrat - if they were still being made at all. The tubing decal says Tretubi Aelle but I've never seen crimped Aelle. However, there is some suggestion (no proof though) that some of the latter lower-spec Colnago built Saronni frames were built to look like Colnago Supers but with three tubes of Aelle. Saronni's 1982 World Championship Super had two crimps in the top and down tubes but the frame pictured appears to have 4 in the seat tube too.
Has it got a frame size stamped under the bottom bracket shell? A picture of the cable guides under there too would be useful.
Has it got a frame size stamped under the bottom bracket shell? A picture of the cable guides under there too would be useful.
Sarroni was not a "builder" for Colnago, but this was a model that was sold by Colnago, trading on the name of the famous racer Giuseppe Saronni. In general they were sort of a "basic" model frame, some were all SL tubing, others were "tretubi": 3 main tubes SL with lesser stays/forkblades. Certainly built by the Colnago, maybe just a bit less chrome than the 'top-shelf" models.
giancarlo F
Retro Newbie
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the info. Attached pics of the cable guides. Frame Stamp is 63.
Attachments
jim haseltine
Senior Retro Guru
I'd agree with that, it doesn't look like a Colnago product to me either. I'd go for it being a Tecnotrat frame (the size stamp in that position on the BB is common for Tecnotrat) and a medium/good spec one at that, especially with that amount of chrome. I've recently read that once Colnago and some other Italian frame builders had made a feature of crimped tubing Tecnotrat followed suit with 4 crimps in both Aelle and Oria tubing.
Tecnotrat was started in the early 80s by Guido de Bernardi who had worked for Legnano in the 60s and 70s. As well as taking over the Saronni brand from Colnago the company also supplied frames to be sold as own-brand to shops all over the world, often with English or French BB threading. Sometime during the 90s (I think) the Tecnotrat name disappeared, being replaced by De Bernardi branding. Don't know if the company still exists.
Tecnotrat was started in the early 80s by Guido de Bernardi who had worked for Legnano in the 60s and 70s. As well as taking over the Saronni brand from Colnago the company also supplied frames to be sold as own-brand to shops all over the world, often with English or French BB threading. Sometime during the 90s (I think) the Tecnotrat name disappeared, being replaced by De Bernardi branding. Don't know if the company still exists.
Canuk
Old School Grand Master
There are a lot of Spanish frames that have similar or identical tubing, not copies as much as a homage to Colnago. Contini were famous for using multi shaped tubing, as were Marotias. I've started a very small collection of Spanish high end frames and each one is a real surprise. Spain is a country worth visiting for bespoke and artisan frame builders! And cheap!
It does have the look of A Contini to me. I'll look out my own for Frame numbers, details etc.
It does have the look of A Contini to me. I'll look out my own for Frame numbers, details etc.
giancarlo F
Retro Newbie
Thanks Guys,
Really appreciate you taking time to comment. Now I'm really intrigued. Any further info or where to search would be welcome. Could this be a really good fake? or were they being made under licence. The paintwork seems too good to be a rip off.
Really appreciate you taking time to comment. Now I'm really intrigued. Any further info or where to search would be welcome. Could this be a really good fake? or were they being made under licence. The paintwork seems too good to be a rip off.
