Colnago master light - ? 2001?

Hi there!
I'm interested in buying a similar bike here: https://lincoln.craigslist.org/bik/d/colnago-masters-bike/6339202442.html

I was wondering if this is a good price? I have a pawn shop in town selling one for $1k, with spinergy sr-3 with ultegra comps.

I can't find much about blue book value on these bikes, but they seem to be many enthusiasts. I'm really interested in the riding on steel. On eBay, these bikes can be fairly expensive. Is there someone who know's which bikes are worth the investment?

2001 catalogs : http://velobase.com/Resource_Tools/CatalogScans.aspx

 

A grand is about top dollar for that, but if it were straight, no dents or cracks and it was something I wanted to ride...I would offer $$800 and go to $900 as a counter offer.

The Master series was always a good frame to train and race on.

 

I agree with Campy Bob as well. Make sure it fits before you buy it of course, but they made excellent steel lugged bikes that lasted a long time, and that one you're looking at has the fluted design tubing, that is really cool, as is the color scheme and decals. I would buy it as well, but as Campy Bob pointed out make an offer.

 

The pictured frame size looks to be about 52cm ... which means that the top tube (c-c) is only about 53cm ...

The particular frame which will work well for a person between (roughly) 5'2" and 5'7" AFTER possibly changing the stem length and/or handlebar.

So, it is fairly critical that you know the frame size on ANY bike you are looking at ...

If you don't already have one, you can buy a METRIC tape measure from WalMart.​

FWIW. I reckon a rideable, used steel COLNAGO frame (alone) is worth between $400(US) and $850(US) depending on the condition & model-and-vintage ...

A used threadless COLNAGO fork is good for about $200 +/- ... maybe more for straight leg'd PRECISA forks, and maybe less for the older curved forks (which are probably ONLY threaded) ... rusts negates value heavily, IMO.

Although the particular fork which is pictured may not be aesthetically pleasing (to me), I recall that it was very popular amongst Tandem riders; so, it is a good fork which should provide excellent handling.

The 9-speed Shimano components are what they are (I happen to love them ... except for the shifters!) ... regardless, the value depends on the condition.​

 

This post is old now, but i didn't notice the first time I looked at that the fork isn't original, which in my opinion makes the bike worth less, but it raises a question...was the bike in an accident that destroyed the fork? which makes me wonder about the condition of the frame.

 

FWIW ...

The frame possibly dates to 1999 ...

And, a threaded Colnago fork was probably the standard off-the-peg option ...

You may recall that in 2000, threadless forks were NOT common on Road bikes.
​

Possibly, a painted (vs. chrome) steel fork ...

As I recall-and-indicated, the particular fork which is on the pictured bike was a popular choice amongst Tandem riders ...
​

Of course, the Colnago frame was not necessarily sold with the fork ... so, the bike may have been assembled with the particular fork AND 9-speed Shimano Ultegra components which date from roughly 1998-2002 ...

And at the time, the particular popular-with-Tandem-riders fork could probably be considered to have been an upgrade BECAUSE even if the particular frame was available with a carbon fiber fork, the standard off-the-peg option would have been the least of the three available (aluminum shoulder with CF legs vs. an all CF fork vs. the "Star" fork which had a CF steerer + CF legs).​

 

Colnago and Pinarello in complete bikes are REALLY expensive even if the parts are cheap. If you buy frames for these two in good condition you would pay as much as you are quoting for a full bike.

Just remember - for these two bikes you're paying for the name. (Might include DeRosa in that group as well.)