Colnago C40

As long as the bike hasn't been crashed too hard it should be fine. A few things to look for are obvious scrapes on the frame, rear derailleur, and brake levers. Also, pluck the spokes. If all of the spokes on each wheel don't ring at about the same pitch (although the rear should be different on the right and left sides) it could be a sign that the wheel was badly bent and re-trued.

Thanks for the input, Is there a way of telling the true age of a bike via serial no etc,

sprocket3rtr said:

Thanks for the input, Is there a way of telling the true age of a bike via serial no etc,

If you can get good up-close pics of the drive side chain stay area- if anything there will be some chain slap/chain drop over the course of 3+ years of riding...... and you should be able to see some wear there.

Get multiple pictures of the bike/frame....

If its the B-stay C-40 , I believe those came out in 2000-2004. If its not B-stay(traditional seat-stays) its either a 1995-1999. In 1999 they beefed up/ovalized the seat tube at the BB ...... which helps. I also have good knowledge of frame year, given which paint scheme was employed on the frame you are inquiring about... which should help you out(mainly from 1995-2000).

If you can, post some pics here on the forums, or upload them to www.villagephotos.com , and just post the link here so we can all give you our honest opinions.

Adam-from-SLO said:

If you can get good up-close pics of the drive side chain stay area- if anything there will be some chain slap/chain drop over the course of 3+ years of riding...... and you should be able to see some wear there.

Get multiple pictures of the bike/frame....

If its the B-stay C-40 , I believe those came out in 2000-2004. If its not B-stay(traditional seat-stays) its either a 1995-1999. In 1999 they beefed up/ovalized the seat tube at the BB ...... which helps. I also have good knowledge of frame year, given which paint scheme was employed on the frame you are inquiring about... which should help you out(mainly from 1995-2000).

If you can, post some pics here on the forums, or upload them to

www.villagephotos.com , and just post the link here so we can all give you our honest opinions.

Thanx Adam check this photo see what you think? [font=&quot]villagephotos.compubbrowse.aspOpen ↗[/font]

sprocket3rtr said:

Thanx Adam check this photo see what you think? [font=&quot]villagephotos.compubbrowse.aspOpen ↗[/font]

I have some info. for you- but you will have to do a little digging yourself.

Its not the B-stay rear seat-stay version.... so rule out 2000+ years. Not only that, it has a LOOK all carbon fork on there.... which is a good fork, but the origional fork on that bike was the steel nivacrom painted-to match colnago fork ........ which does weight more then most carbon forks, but alot of top pros still employ the Steel fork in races(more stable on decents), and was standard issue on C-40s up till 1999 models, then from 2000+ I believe they all started getting the Star Carbon fork.

ASK the seller if there is a painted picture of a rider on the Top-Tube** 😉
It looks to have that rider on the top tube from your pic. , but I cannot be 100% sure given the angle. If it has the rider, its a 1997-1999 model frame. Also, ask the seller if the seat tube is "oversized - or ovalized" at the bottom braket. If so, it could very well be a 1999 model. The chain stay doesn't look to be protected with any tape, used inner tube wrap, ... so if you can get a good pic. of that drive side chain stay.... that can possible show you some use there as well.

Given what info you have provided up to this point(yes its limited , and I'm jumping the gun here a bit) , the frame looks to be a 1997 or 1998. Now, 3 years of use ?? Maybe it was stored in his garage for a while... without being ridden :o 😉

Adam-from-SLO said:

I have some info. for you- but you will have to do a little digging yourself.

Its not the B-stay rear seat-stay version.... so rule out 2000+ years. Not only that, it has a LOOK all carbon fork on there.... which is a good fork, but the origional fork on that bike was the steel nivacrom painted-to match colnago fork ........ which does weight more then most carbon forks, but alot of top pros still employ the Steel fork in races(more stable on decents), and was standard issue on C-40s up till 1999 models, then from 2000+ I believe they all started getting the Star Carbon fork.

ASK the seller if there is a painted picture of a rider on the Top-Tube** 😉
It looks to have that rider on the top tube from your pic. , but I cannot be 100% sure given the angle. If it has the rider, its a 1997-1999 model frame. Also, ask the seller if the seat tube is "oversized - or ovalized" at the bottom braket. If so, it could very well be a 1999 model. The chain stay doesn't look to be protected with any tape, used inner tube wrap, ... so if you can get a good pic. of that drive side chain stay.... that can possible show you some use there as well.

Given what info you have provided up to this point(yes its limited , and I'm jumping the gun here a bit) , the frame looks to be a 1997 or 1998. Now, 3 years of use ?? Maybe it was stored in his garage for a while... without being ridden :o 😉

Thanx Adam your a help, will ring him and ask somemore info, did ask about the Look forks, reply was previous owner got the frame without forks, prob a custom build? but i think it may be older than advertised.

sprocket3rtr said:

Thanx Adam your a help, will ring him and ask somemore info, did ask about the Look forks, reply was previous owner got the frame without forks, prob a custom build? but i think it may be older than advertised.

No problem. I'm far from being a Colnago expert , but I do own a 1997 Colnago... and have been following Colnago lines since 1995, or so.

Yeah, who knows about the fork situation. Could have been the orig. owner wanted to lighten up the front end by 2/3 of a pound, and put on the LOOK fork (at least its straight bladed like a Colnago raked fork) , or there is the slight possibility that the bike was in a crash/accident , and messed up the fork enough to be trashed(no so sure this would be the case... because if a Steel fork were to have gotten jacked up that bad, then the Carbon frame would also - more then likely have to be trashed as well).

At that price the seller gave you, it definitly sounds like a good buy (just make sure its the proper frame size to fit you well, Colnago is measured C-T, center -to - top of the top tube. That frame kinda looks like a 55cm..... am I right ??). Even if the bike was ridden 3-4 years , with 10K miles on the frame.... thats still a good price. I like to find out from sellers how much the weight as well ...... anyone over 200 lbs , I'd stay way from the frame. I usually employ the "buy NEW frame...... and buy used components" method when putting together a bike. However, I just bought a used Ti. hardtail MTB ........ so out the window goes that theory 😉 You just have to look at the overall deal.... and if it fits your budget , bike has proper fit ..... and has not been used that much , then go for it ! 🙂

Adam-from-SLO said:

No problem. I'm far from being a Colnago expert , but I do own a 1997 Colnago... and have been following Colnago lines since 1995, or so.

Yeah, who knows about the fork situation. Could have been the orig. owner wanted to lighten up the front end by 2/3 of a pound, and put on the LOOK fork (at least its straight bladed like a Colnago raked fork) , or there is the slight possibility that the bike was in a crash/accident , and messed up the fork enough to be trashed(no so sure this would be the case... because if a Steel fork were to have gotten jacked up that bad, then the Carbon frame would also - more then likely have to be trashed as well).

At that price the seller gave you, it definitly sounds like a good buy (just make sure its the proper frame size to fit you well, Colnago is measured C-T, center -to - top of the top tube. That frame kinda looks like a 55cm..... am I right ??). Even if the bike was ridden 3-4 years , with 10K miles on the frame.... thats still a good price. I like to find out from sellers how much the weight as well ...... anyone over 200 lbs , I'd stay way from the frame. I usually employ the "buy NEW frame...... and buy used components" method when putting together a bike. However, I just bought a used Ti. hardtail MTB ........ so out the window goes that theory 😉 You just have to look at the overall deal.... and if it fits your budget , bike has proper fit ..... and has not been used that much , then go for it ! 🙂

yes it is a 55cm frame, my slant has been always buy quality if you can afford or buy used, just make sure the used is in the best condition you can get for your money. The age of the bike doesn't worry me as i'm more a recreational rider, but like most i like a good ride😉 and would like to cycle in France/Italy in the future. I would guess it has had the steel forks replaced to shed weight? i think the paint is prob AD02 gleened from the Colnago site or a variation. As you own a 97 C40 what are your impressions of the bike and how do you rate it compared to other bikes you have had. 56cm is my optimum size? hope 55 fits? won,t know till i ride it.

sprocket3rtr said:

yes it is a 55cm frame, my slant has been always buy quality if you can afford or buy used, just make sure the used is in the best condition you can get for your money. The age of the bike doesn't worry me as i'm more a recreational rider, but like most i like a good ride😉 and would like to cycle in France/Italy in the future. I would guess it has had the steel forks replaced to shed weight? i think the paint is prob AD02 gleened from the Colnago site or a variation. As you own a 97 C40 what are your impressions of the bike and how do you rate it compared to other bikes you have had. 56cm is my optimum size? hope 55 fits? won,t know till i ride it.

I hear you on the quality aspect.
I hope to cycle Italy at some point in the future as well , the Dolimites 🙂

Actually, I occationally ride a 1997 Colnago Master Ti. 6/4 (double down tubes w/Diamond profile top tube) - I've got about 15K miles on it since new, I believe its color AD-10 - Mapei dark color scheme , and its a 56cm 😉 , which is actually just a tad bit small for me... but not that bad, with a 11cm stem on there.. it works fine( a 57cm Colnago frame fits me better.. with a 55.5cm top tube). Frame = 3 pounds , great ride... super comfortable..... yet stiff - it has the orig. Campy Record 9 speed group that made its intro that year of 1997 . What I mainly ride(till I sell it , probably sometime in '06) is a 1999 LOOK KG 286 Monocoque Carbon frameset(56cm), mix of Campy Record/Chorus 9spd.. gotta have some Italian spirit on the bike .... pastel Orange in color, so the cars can see me well 😉

I've ridden the newer B-stay C-40's ...... very nice , but cannot say I've ridden the orig. C40 - 1995-99 . I'm sure it would serve you well though.