kiwifraser
Devout Dirtbag
This is both an introduction for me, and a request for help from a keen novice. Reading the forum posts, I think I'm in the right place 
Apologies for the long first post, but here goes.
My father in law was hugely into cycling (primarily road racing), and a big Colnago fan. He recently passed away, and we have a plan to build a tribute bike from the many frames, parts, and a lot of lovely nos kit that he has in his garage.
There are three or 4 Colnago frames from the 70s/80s that are very well used, but there are also a couple that I think are circa 1995 which are great build candidates. The photos are a bit washed out, but they give a good idea
The first is a blue Master Olympic frame which he rode most often as a summer bike for the last 5 years. It has a few marks/ stone chips underneath, and on close inspection a touch of surface rust on bare steel lugs (although that would probably clean up pretty well). As he rode it circa 150 miles a week in mainly dry weather, it has been fitted with what looks like more modern componentry/ bars/ seat/ etc.
The second frame on close inspection looks almost brand new, and is only part built currently. We think it is a Team Rabobank Master Olympic from around '96, and all of the components look older than the blue frame, but almost new condition. It has probably only been ridden a few times in the dry. At the moment, this one looks like the better frame to choose, unless anyone knows better?
In addition to the kit already on the 2 frames, the spare componentry looks like high quality kit, some of which is nos still in packaging. There is a very wide selection of chainrings, cassettes, race blocks, chains, derailleurs, brakes, seat posts, tyres, etc. There is a brand new white Regal seat, and loads of bars and wheels, which I will work through this weekend. He liked using collecting appropriate era parts for the bikes, although the blue frame obviously has some mix of old and new.
I have a very experienced road cyclist who was a good friend of his helping me put together the best of the parts. He has obviously moved on with the times, as he is on a Felt F1 now!
I have found a couple of pics from internet searches to give me ideas:
This Rabobank Master in the same colours, albeit a CX setup
This bike I guess is a slightly different year (?) Rabobank frame, as the crank paint is blue, and it is white at the seatpost rather than blue.
Where I need some advice is on what the build should be like, so I have a few questions please:
Is there any specific brands/ designs/ models/ 'looks' I should try to find and use from the collection of parts?
I have considered keeping a full set of age appropriate parts for a later retro build, but using some more modern kit now while it is being used by me on the road. It seems to be what he has done on the blue frame. Good idea, or not?
Any thoughts on keeping the downtube shifters, or changing to more modern brifter combination units to make it more user friendly for a novice? (The is what I am used to currently). I assume they can be changed back and forth if I do a rebuild?
Within his weekly group he was known for always using clips and straps, which I may keep on unless there is a better suggested alternative.
I need the bike set up suitable to actually ride rather than keep as a beautiful showpiece. He loved the Bealach Na Ba which we have done together before (I was on a Cannondale CX bike then), so I will do this climb on the new build and therefore need appropriate ratios fitted. I'm not sure what these should be yet though.
Am I better to start with the better condition Rabobank colour frame?
What else am I missing that I should consider?
All thoughts and ideas much appreciated, and I'll update this thread as I get on with the build
Cheers
Apologies for the long first post, but here goes.My father in law was hugely into cycling (primarily road racing), and a big Colnago fan. He recently passed away, and we have a plan to build a tribute bike from the many frames, parts, and a lot of lovely nos kit that he has in his garage.
There are three or 4 Colnago frames from the 70s/80s that are very well used, but there are also a couple that I think are circa 1995 which are great build candidates. The photos are a bit washed out, but they give a good idea
The first is a blue Master Olympic frame which he rode most often as a summer bike for the last 5 years. It has a few marks/ stone chips underneath, and on close inspection a touch of surface rust on bare steel lugs (although that would probably clean up pretty well). As he rode it circa 150 miles a week in mainly dry weather, it has been fitted with what looks like more modern componentry/ bars/ seat/ etc.
The second frame on close inspection looks almost brand new, and is only part built currently. We think it is a Team Rabobank Master Olympic from around '96, and all of the components look older than the blue frame, but almost new condition. It has probably only been ridden a few times in the dry. At the moment, this one looks like the better frame to choose, unless anyone knows better?
In addition to the kit already on the 2 frames, the spare componentry looks like high quality kit, some of which is nos still in packaging. There is a very wide selection of chainrings, cassettes, race blocks, chains, derailleurs, brakes, seat posts, tyres, etc. There is a brand new white Regal seat, and loads of bars and wheels, which I will work through this weekend. He liked using collecting appropriate era parts for the bikes, although the blue frame obviously has some mix of old and new.
I have a very experienced road cyclist who was a good friend of his helping me put together the best of the parts. He has obviously moved on with the times, as he is on a Felt F1 now!
I have found a couple of pics from internet searches to give me ideas:
This Rabobank Master in the same colours, albeit a CX setup
This bike I guess is a slightly different year (?) Rabobank frame, as the crank paint is blue, and it is white at the seatpost rather than blue.
Where I need some advice is on what the build should be like, so I have a few questions please:
Is there any specific brands/ designs/ models/ 'looks' I should try to find and use from the collection of parts?
I have considered keeping a full set of age appropriate parts for a later retro build, but using some more modern kit now while it is being used by me on the road. It seems to be what he has done on the blue frame. Good idea, or not?
Any thoughts on keeping the downtube shifters, or changing to more modern brifter combination units to make it more user friendly for a novice? (The is what I am used to currently). I assume they can be changed back and forth if I do a rebuild?
Within his weekly group he was known for always using clips and straps, which I may keep on unless there is a better suggested alternative.
I need the bike set up suitable to actually ride rather than keep as a beautiful showpiece. He loved the Bealach Na Ba which we have done together before (I was on a Cannondale CX bike then), so I will do this climb on the new build and therefore need appropriate ratios fitted. I'm not sure what these should be yet though.
Am I better to start with the better condition Rabobank colour frame?
What else am I missing that I should consider?
All thoughts and ideas much appreciated, and I'll update this thread as I get on with the build
Cheers
