Colnago Master XLight Vs Olympic Frame Weight and Performance

PBL450 said:

Right? Every modern steel frame I looked at seriously had a CF fork.


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The C-40 is/was a carbon bike manufactured by Colnago (its up to the C-64 at this point). It was ridden by the Mapei bike team -- masters of the Spring classics.


Up until the late 1990's it came with a steel Precisa fork much like the steel Colnago bikes do. I have a 2001 with a carbon Star fork. Carbon fiber was an exotic material with a lot of doubters back in the 1990's. I bought a carbon Kestrel 200 Sci in 1992 and got a lot of guff for my plastic bike. I told the guy I shared an office with at the time, a self proclaimed bike expert, that you had to be careful and not ride it in too hot weather or it started to get mushy -- never put it in the trunk of your car in the summer because it would melt. And watch out riding it in the cold because it would shatter if you dropped it. He was shocked. Why would anyone buy a bike made of that stuff? I'd guess everyone of those people who laughed at it back then is riding a carbon fiber bike, if they're still riding bikes.

I think Mackers is implying that I advised Colnago to start using carbon forks. HUHUHUHUHU -- really funny dude.

pmf said:

The C-40 is/was a carbon bike manufactured by Colnago (its up to the C-64 at this point). It was ridden by the Mapei bike team -- masters of the Spring classics.

Colnago C40 - The Ultimate Guide - Cycling Obsession

Learn about the Colnago C40 including the history, how to identify the different frames, a geometry chart plus specifications. Read more.

www.cycling-obsession.com

Up until the late 1990's it came with a steel Precisa fork much like the steel Colnago bikes do. I have a 2001 with a carbon Star fork. Carbon fiber was an exotic material with a lot of doubters back in the 1990's. I bought a carbon Kestrel 200 Sci in 1992 and got a lot of guff for my plastic bike. I told the guy I shared an office with at the time, a self proclaimed bike expert, that you had to be careful and not ride it in too hot weather or it started to get mushy -- never put it in the trunk of your car in the summer because it would melt. And watch out riding it in the cold because it would shatter if you dropped it. He was shocked. Why would anyone buy a bike made of that stuff? I'd guess everyone of those people who laughed at it back then is riding a carbon fiber bike, if they're still riding bikes.

I think Mackers is implying that I advised Colnago to start using carbon forks. HUHUHUHUHU -- really funny dude.

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Wait... So it was a CF frame with a steel fork? Boom. Mind blown. But innovation is what it is... It’s all good, even when it doesn’t pan out, like Ti/CF frames. Glad they do this stuff even if it doesn’t solve any problems or offer and improvements. But the innovation is still cool.

If I do another build, I think I’d start with a semi-custom CF Parlee CF so I can order an exact geometry. I’d run up to Boston for measurements and discussion. I came very close to buying a CF Parlee in my last search. It’d be mechanical SRAM Red 11 speed. Wheels would be the big decision, but it would weigh 15lbs finished. For cost savings, I’d go Super 6 top of the line. I’m pretty sure they make them in Taiwan so you know you are getting insane build quality. Building up a new bike is a ton of fun!


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I purchased a Master X-Light in 2002. I had it built up with Campy Record/Chorus , Mavic OP wheels, Campy hubs. Rode the cra* out it for 5 years, averaging 7,000 miles a year, which included one year when I was down for 3 months after breaking my hip. Loved it. Colnago bikes have short top tubes. Old man Colnago says it helps the handling. Fast forward to 2007. I got the urge for a carbon bike. Took out a Trek Madone 5.9 SL for a test ride and liked it as soon as I turned the pedals. I rode the MXL once and awhile. Still liked it, but felt like it was beating the heck out of me after two days. I never ride it now. Stays hanging in my garage. Haven't the heart to sell it. I'm on my third carbon bike since. Gave the '07 Trek Madone to by son-in-law, who never rides it. I paid $3000 for my MXL out the door. Now you can't buy the frame/fork for that. I still have urge to clean up my MXL and start riding it again. The Master X-Light was the bike the peloton rode back in the 80's. Eddy Merckx rode one. If you want an old retro steel bike with a flashy paint job, this is your huckleberry. It would be different.