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Colnago restoration
#1
Hi everyone. A bit repetitive from my intro in GF, but this is the correct section for this post. I’m new to vintage bikes, but I’ve been eyeing a vintage Colnago to restore for a long time. Finally found one and the timing was right to pull the trigger. I’m still trying to identify the exact year, but from my research it’s 1991-1993 Colnago Super PiU. Mostly original, I think, apart from the headset, pedals, and seat I assume. Not sure about the top derailleur either. I did order a 1990s era Campagnolo headset and pedals as I embark on the restoration. I know nothing about restoring a bike other than the 100s of YouTube videos I’ve watched. Here goes nothing!

Oh, if you’ve got a better idea on the exact year of the bike, let me know! Also, does that top derailleur look like part of the original Campagnolo set? Is it the Chorus line? Thanks!

Luka


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#2
I'm not sure that it is a Super model. Did they change tubing for Supers in the 90s? 60s through late 80s had Columbus sl tubing.

The front derailleur is unknown to me. All the Campagnolo units I have seen have logo marked cages. It looks like a nice one aside from the cage damage (limit screw improperly set).
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#3
I believe they introduced Thron tubing in the 90s, but don’t know about the Super line. I just see that it says Super on the sticker, and matches some of the Super PiU pics I’ve been able to find online. Identification is still a work in progress I guess.
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#4
Brakes and rear derailleur look like Campagnolo Athena circa early-mid '90s. Front mech is Shimano 105 from same era.

Lovely frame! Nice tube set. Should be a lot of fun reviving that bike.

Thron is a mid-high range tubeset made from Cyclex. As it was introduced in the mid-90s, I assume that lowers your frame's age slightly.
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#5
(09-19-2023, 03:57 PM)enkei Wrote:  Brakes and rear derailleur look like Campagnolo Athena circa early-mid '90s. Front mech is Shimano 105 from same era.

Lovely frame! Nice tube set. Should be a lot of fun reviving that bike.

Thron is a mid-high range tube set made from Cyclex. As it was introduced in the mid-90s, I assume that lowers your frame's age slightly.

All true. The "super" on the tubing decal relates to the tubing itself and not the frame model. There are features that need to be shown in detail (bottom bracket, stay caps, etc.). "SL" was also "Cyclex" alloy, but "Thron" (introduced was butted differently. It weighed more than "SL" for a frame the same size which may be due to the stays.


(09-19-2023, 02:15 AM)Sybian Wrote:  I'm not sure that it is a Super model. Did they change tubing for Supers in the 90s? 60s through late 80s had Columbus sl tubing.
The front derailleur is unknown to me. All the Campagnolo units I have seen have logo marked cages. It looks like a nice one aside from the cage damage (limit screw improperly set).

I agree on the FD not being a Campy part; but I don't know its make either.
Take care,
Jesper

"I am become Death, the destroyer of bicycles." NJS
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#6
Yes, after further research I have identified the rear derailleur, brakes, and crank as the Athena D100 / D010 groupset. I ordered the correct front derailleur to match, and I guess I’ll have to stick with the Chorus headset since I ordered it before correct identification, oops.

I’ll try to take more pics of the requested part for frame identification.
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#7
(09-20-2023, 12:15 PM)Colnago_zuub Wrote:  Yes, after further research I have identified the rear derailleur, brakes, and crank as the Athena D100 / D010 groupset. I ordered the correct front derailleur to match, and I guess I’ll have to stick with the Chorus headset since I ordered it before correct identification, oops.

I’ll try to take more pics of the requested part for frame identification.

If the original groupset was Athena as sold then the bike is not a Super model. If sold as a frame to build up then it is still a possibility that it is a Super if frame features match; but I doubt it.
Take care,
Jesper

"I am become Death, the destroyer of bicycles." NJS
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#8
Looks like my frame is this exact frame from the listing below. If that seller is correct:

Colnago C94 racing frame red

Columbus Thron Super tube frame

year : circa 1994



https://www.ebay.com/itm/166309633343?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=2l30OZiTT1m&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=7mgOEtP4RiS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
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#9
(09-20-2023, 06:04 PM)Colnago_zuub Wrote:  Looks like my frame is this exact frame from the listing below. If that seller is correct:

Colnago C94 racing frame red

Columbus Thron Super tube frame

year : circa 1994



https://www.ebay.com/itm/166309633343?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=2l30OZiTT1m&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=7mgOEtP4RiS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Check this page and scroll down to the section on what came after the Superissimo.
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#10
(09-21-2023, 05:22 PM)enkei Wrote:  
(09-20-2023, 06:04 PM)Colnago_zuub Wrote:  Looks like my frame is this exact frame from the listing below. If that seller is correct:

Colnago C94 racing frame red

Columbus Thron Super tube frame

year : circa 1994



https://www.ebay.com/itm/166309633343?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=2l30OZiTT1m&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=7mgOEtP4RiS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Check this page and scroll down to the section on what came after the Superissimo.

Looks like a C-96 based on the pic in that article.


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#11
Mid 90s "C" (steel frame not CF) series was my initial assumption (per PM to OP); but photos did not detail the stay caps. Super model stay caps would have had "clubs" pantograph.
Take care,
Jesper

"I am become Death, the destroyer of bicycles." NJS
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#12
Thought I’d post some pics here of the journey to restore the bike. I’m watching YouTube videos and following along…hopefully I remember how to put it back together lol. I did order the correct front derailleur, as the one on the bike was not from the Athena D100 groupset.

Question, I have not removed the brake line from the top tube as I don’t know if I need to attach some type of guide to the existing ones to make the new one easier to thread through the frame tube, any suggestions?

Also, what type of degreaser do you like to use? I’m thinking of using the 3D Orange Degreaser. Then some metal polish on the brakes and derailleur.


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#13
cut your new housing to length, run your new brake cable in from the back, slip your new housing on the cable and carefully push the new in while pulling the old out
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
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#14
Any tips on how to repair chipped chrome?


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