Colnago Master X-Light

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Down by the River

Bike Setup:
Campy Daytona 10 speed, Ambrosia 32H/3X wheels, Hoskar saddle, Colnago badged stem.

Summary:
The first thing people notice about the colnago is the paint. Brilliant use of color, intricate detail and more than the average blocked off color schemes. The chromed lugs and stays are also attention grabbers. the frame provides a great ride, comfortable and responsive over a variety of road surfaces. It tracks straight and goes where you point it. The straight blade Force Carbon fork seems to illicit a snappy response to steering input.
Campy Daytona 10 speed components are a dream and still have the campy finish for those who miss that in the day of carbon everything.
Daytona/Ambrosia 32H wheels are solid but definately not lightweights.

Strengths:
The frame is as much art as it is functional. Outstanding ride that only can come from great steel frames.
Campy components can't be beat.

Weaknesses:
Finish can be delicate, especially the chrome, IMO.

Similar Products Used:
Douglas Fusion with Ultegra then Record
Basso with Campy Athena

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at The Old Bike Shop He

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere along 101 in San Diego

Bike Setup:
Campy Record, Mavic Ksyriums, Carbon post/bars

Summary:
After years on aluminum, titanium and high end carbon, I'm back to steel and couldn't be more happy. Ten years ago I had a Milano (Masi) 3V and really have never been happy with any bike since, despite spending $2-3K on other frames. I read the reviews on the Master Xlite and spoke with a few shops. The first thing I found was the ML only weighed 500grams more then my 1100g Orbea Orca. I know it's a pound, but for the plush ride it is very well worth it. Right now with Campy Record and Mavic Ksyriums, the bike weighs a little over 17lbs. The ride is unreal. No more getting out of the saddle over every little bump afraid my teeth would get knocked out. Descents are fast and confident. Climbs are comfortable, and out of the saddle sprints are amazing. I can't say enough about this bike. The biggest challenge was finding one. Most bike shops don't even stock steel bikes anymore, and Colnago shops told me 18 wks plus to get one. The Old Bike Shop in Hermosa had several in my size, and sold me one for $600 less then the other shops wanted including carbon fork. If you want a great looking, classic bike which rides like a dream, give the ML a try.

Strengths:
Smooth ride, great looks, classic name

Weaknesses:
Weight if you are looking for a sub 16 lb bike.

Similar Products Used:
Milano 3v Wing, Litespeed Vortex, Orbea Orca

Price Paid:  $2800.00 at World Cycling Produc

Favorite Ride:
L'Etape du Tour 2001/2002

Bike Setup:
Campy Chorus 10-speed with Mavic Open Pro rims, Michelin Pro Race tires, Weyless Stem and Deda 250 bars.

Summary:
I bought a Colnago Super in 1983 and rode it for severaly thousand miles in comfort. I was out of cycling for several years and when I bought my 2000 Colnago Master, I noticed that the frame angles were the same as on my Super. I figured it would ride just as comfortably... I was right.

I always feel rock solid on the bike. Like we were one unit.

It's not a 16-17 pound TREK. It probably weighs at least 20 pounds with 2 full water bottles.

At age 56, it's always easier and cheaper to lost 5 pounds to dieting than it is to pay big bucks for ounces.

Strengths:
Frame angles, solid ride. The name.

Weaknesses:
They're a little pricey I suppose. You can get custom frame bikes for the same price.

Similar Products Used:
1983 Colnago Super

Price Paid:  $4000.00 at cycles 360

Favorite Ride:
out bee caves and up 71

Bike Setup:
record 10 speed, Nucleon tubulars, flite 3 carbon saddle with neat turned up back like an old Concor but just 99 grams,

Summary:
I, too, am a 50+ rider, but I still like to go fast head to head with whowever is out there, and this bike inspires me. I heard about the short top[ tube, but wiht a nice length stem it all works just fine, a lot my old Olmo leader did for 15 years! The way I have the bike set up it is more than light enough (about 17 1/2 punds), and it is comfy enough to ride all day and very reliable.

Strengths:
responsiveness

Weaknesses:
it's embarrassing to ride such a wonderful bike when you pull up beside others whose tongues are hanging out

Similar Products Used:
Olo with old C-Record, Deltas, and Sigma tubulars

Price Paid:  $2800.00 at R/A cycles in Brookl

Favorite Ride:
BearMt. LIE service road.

Bike Setup:
Dura ace with Mavic open pro rims.

Summary:
I have owned over 10 bikes so far in my life. They were all high end bikes. I loved them all but my favorite is my Colnago. Handles great and is comfortable on long rides. The bike is considered a dinosaur in compared to some newer high tech models but I still get plenty of respect.

Strengths:
Climbling ability,handling and comfort are tops.

Weaknesses:
Heavier than most bikes in this price range.

Similar Products Used:
Most of my other bikes were either aluminum or carbon fiber. In fact, I had a Kestrel that sustained a crack in the downtube right where the seatpost goes in. I only logged 36 miles on it too. That is