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Maestro, still recommended seller?

13294 Views 54 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Jono47, Sep 22, 2017

Zampano

Discussion Starter · Feb 13, 2017

I'm considering going back to a Master Light (AD10). Any comment on recent experience, including satisfaction with Belgian paint finishes would be appreciated.

His prices are about $1000 less than R&A.

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pmf

· #2 · Feb 13, 2017

I bought an Arabesque from him last Spring. His prices are quite a bit lower than R&A. He had it in stock, but apparently that's not the always the case. He's just a one man show. If you include a phone number when you email him, he'll call right away. I got the frame in about a week. I had to pay an import duty of around $180. I doubt he'd sell a bike that didn't look up to snuff. He doesn't carry anything made in China either.

He told me that Giant owns 40% of Colnago, and when Ernesto dies, his relatives will sell off the rest of the company "and that'll be it". I very much enjoy the bike. Tempting to get a C-60, but I have a C-40 and I hate pressed in over-sized bottom brackets. Especially proprietary ones.

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Zampano

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 14, 2017

Thanks, pmf. Great looking Arabesque! In terms of Colnago, all good things must unfortunately come to an end right?

pmf

· #4 · Feb 14, 2017

Zampano said:
Thanks, pmf. Great looking Arabesque! In terms of Colnago, all good things must unfortunately come to an end right?

Sadly, that's the way the bike industry is going. At least Colnago has managed to keep some production in Italy -- the C-60, Master and Arabesque (which is just a Master with fancy lug work). Get em while you can is my take on it. Then again, there's still a cottage industry of steel bike fabricators in the U.S. who make beautiful bikes. Hopefully, that will persist.

MXRacer986

· #5 · Feb 14, 2017

I am looking at a C60... bucket list thing and saw your post. I decided to email Mike regarding stock/colorway/pricing and he got back to me within 30 mins. Pricing after import duty (shipping to GA) is very good. R&A and Competitive Cyclist both have my size at a comparable price but in a colorway I could live with, but don't LOVE. Really want the PLAN colorway. Mike said lead time is about 6 weeks. It was a little strange looking over his website and seeing bikes on what appeared to be his dinning room table.

Mike offers a 2% discount if you pay by wire transfer. That make me a little nervous, but savings can be used on new "stuff". Have many of you from the States ordered from him? What do you guys think. Am I over thinking this .... I am itching to pull the trigger so I can have it when Gran Fondos start back up.

Thanks
Brian

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colnagoG60

· #6 · Feb 14, 2017

FWIW, "from what I've read", everything seems to be cool ordering via Maestro. I myself am looking to get a C60 via Bellatisport.

pmf

· #7 · Feb 14, 2017

MXRacer986 said:
I am looking at a C60... bucket list thing and saw your post. I decided to email Mike regarding stock/colorway/pricing and he got back to me within 30 mins. Pricing after import duty (shipping to GA) is very good. R&A and Competitive Cyclist both have my size at a comparable price but in a colorway I could live with, but don't LOVE. Really want the PLAN colorway. Mike said lead time is about 6 weeks. It was a little strange looking over his website and seeing bikes on what appeared to be his dinning room table.

Mike offers a 2% discount if you pay by wire transfer. That make me a little nervous, but savings can be used on new "stuff". Have many of you from the States ordered from him? What do you guys think. Am I over thinking this .... I am itching to pull the trigger so I can have it when Gran Fondos start back up.

Thanks
Brian

I looked into the wire transfer thing and my bank charges a fee for that that would have exceeded the 2% savings. Got a credit card with cash back? That might at least cover the foreign currency conversion charge these @ssholes hit you with. Whatever you do, don't settle just to get it six weeks sooner -- you'll spend years regretting it.

colnagoG60

· #8 · Feb 14, 2017

MXRacer986 said:
...R&A and Competitive Cyclist both have my size at a comparable price but in a colorway I could live with, but don't LOVE. Really want the PLAN colorway. Mike said lead time is about 6 weeks. It was a little strange looking over his website and seeing bikes on what appeared to be his dinning room table.

Am I over thinking this .... I am itching to pull the trigger so I can have it when Gran Fondos start back up.

Thanks
Brian

If you really need it soon, also check out "Slane Cycles"...pricing is a little higher than Maestro, but they may have some in stock.

Also, Bellati Sport has some left over C59s, price cuts on (2) C60s, and a 55cm Master AD10 for a steal. Just check under: >Colnago >Last Season

Zampano

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 15, 2017

Received a prompt reply from Mike at Maestro. Steel build times run about 6-10 weeks, and is the product of 3-4 builders.

pmf

· #10 · Feb 15, 2017

Zampano said:
Received a prompt reply from Mike at Maestro. Steel build times run about 6-10 weeks, and is the product of 3-4 builders.

I got lucky and was lusting after a frame he already had in stock. Same model, color and size. Coincidence, or was it meant to be?

Not looking forward to the ride home in a 20+ mph headwind.

colnagoG60

· #11 · Feb 15, 2017

Zampano said:
Received a prompt reply from Mike at Maestro. Steel build times run about 6-10 weeks, and is the product of 3-4 builders.

What size are you looking for?

Zampano

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 15, 2017

colnagoG60 said:
What size are you looking for?

56, steel sizing.

pmf

· #13 · Feb 15, 2017

Can anyone explain C59 sizing to me. I too ride a 55 or 56 traditional frame (Arabesque is a 56). I know they come in regular and compact geometries. Compact ends with an "s". So a 52s is roughly a 56 normal?

Also, Bellati Sport, which has a C59 for $2700 has different sizes (apart from colors) that end in 'GDLS', '12WH', 'TSCV', or 'GDBL' --- what do those mean? Can you put mechanical components on a frame outfitted for electronic components? Its just some holes, right?

colnagoG60

· #14 · Feb 15, 2017

Zampano said:
56, steel sizing.

I'll post up if I see any "in stock"...I know of two different places that have 55s. I'm still kicking myself for not picking up a 53 PRZA a few months ago...figured I already had a Master, why get another, if it may be a little too big, as I could never get setup right on my 52, after 18 years. Now I'm thinking it is just the cranks are too long. Just got in a compact handle bar today, hoping it does the trick.

colnagoG60

· #15 · Feb 15, 2017 (Edited)

pmf said:
Can anyone explain C59 sizing to me. I too ride a 55 or 56 traditional frame (Arabesque is a 56). I know they come in regular and compact geometries. Compact ends with an "s". So a 52s is roughly a 56 normal?

Also, Bellati Sport, which has a C59 for $2700 has different sizes (apart from colors) that end in 'GDLS', '12WH', 'TSCV', or 'GDBL' --- what do those mean? Can you put mechanical components on a frame outfitted for electronic components? Its just some holes, right?

The different 4-letter codes are the different paint schemes.

As far as sizing, Colnago measures "from about the middle of the seat post collar, to center of bottom bracket". Some say to "add 3-4cm to the sloping size to get the equivalent traditional size", while others say "subtract 2cm"...you just really have to check the geo charts. The more I'm reading, the consensus is that they are designed to be more of a "small bike", to get that "pro look", of high saddle/low bars, and it supposedly handles better with longer stems, 100mm or more.

I'm kind of between, as the 48s and 50s have the same reach...50s would allow me to not have to run spacers, but I may be hitting the TT when standing over. I'd also not be sure if I'd need to run a stem shorter than 90mm, which is what I was running, on a my Focus frame, with a TT only 3mm shorter...the geo on my current Colnago, a smaller frame that feels too big (reach), is throwing me off. I actually just put a 100mm stem on the Focus, which has 537TT, and I don't feel as stretched out as I do on the Master @ 90mm and 530TT.

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pmf

· #16 · Feb 16, 2017

No, they have a separate drop down for color scheme on Bellati site. Or is their website goofy?

colnagoG60

· #17 · Feb 16, 2017 (Edited)

I think its that they are listing the color and its respective size that they have in stock as the C59 is no longer being built...e.g. - "size 52s 12BK" is the 52 sloping, in the Black with white stripes, or the Colnago paint code for "12BK". I think when the order goes in, the first field is just ignored for the ones that are "in stock", versus new frames, where you first select the color, then size, so they can order it to be made.

FWIW, it I got an email from Bellati (Swiss store...wrote back in English) the next day when they opened about the custom C60. If you decide to order, and have a question, just shoot an email. At this point, I think I may just try to wait, and pick up some closeout C60, and shop for a painter.

colnagoG60

· #18 · Feb 16, 2017

Zampano said:
56, steel sizing.

I've never shopped here, but they seemed nice when I called a few years back, and it looks like there are some Masters in stock...though not quite 56cm and AD10:

https://the-old-bike-shop.myshopify.com/collections/colnago?page=1

Zampano

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 22, 2017

colnagoG60 said:
I've never shopped here, but they seemed nice when I called a few years back, and it looks like there are some Masters in stock...though not quite 56cm and AD10:

https://the-old-bike-shop.myshopify.com/collections/colnago?page=1

Thanks, I've seen them recommended elsewhere, but a few years ago. They have an AD11 56 listed, which is 2nd on my list, and matches Maestro's price. Not sure if I'll pull the trigger.

I see well used Colnago steel going for what seems like highly inflated prices, though not sure if they are actually selling.

colnagoG60

· #20 · Feb 22, 2017

Zampano said:
Thanks, I've seen them recommended elsewhere, but a few years ago. They have an AD11 56 listed, which is 2nd on my list, and matches Maestro's price. Not sure if I'll pull the trigger.

I see well used Colnago steel going for what seems like highly inflated prices, though not sure if they are actually selling.

AD11 56 at "The Old Bike Shop"? If so, I spoke to someone there on Monday who seemed pretty accommodating...may want to see if they can order a new AD10 for the sale price.

FWIW, I had a slow speed uphill fall on my Master, which bent my rear DR hanger inward, and "open", and was luckily able to have it bent back in place (Hooray Bilenky Bikes!), without too much trouble, and damaged area is barely visible, and covered when wheel is mounted. Though they cautioned long term stability. I also have some surface rusting on one of the openings to the top tube cable routing, which is under the paint, yet the paint as a whole looks almost new over 95% of the frame, even after 19 years. So if you were considering used, I'd think twice about it, at least, especially if they are charging a premium.

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