here's how I built it ...

Nice ride. I've always liked the older Colnago paint scheme better then the newer flashy art deco finishes. Also a good compliment of Campy to fit the frame. I'm not crazy about the 3T Mutant stem though. From an asthetic point of view, something like the ITM Millenium stem looks better and still maintains the traditional theme. Very good overall though.

Suh-WEET!

Tech72 said:

Nice ride. I've always liked the older Colnago paint scheme better then the newer flashy art deco finishes. Also a good compliment of Campy to fit the frame. I'm not crazy about the 3T Mutant stem though. From an asthetic point of view, something like the ITM Millenium stem looks better and still maintains the traditional theme. Very good overall though.

The Mutant isn't perfect. Is the Millenium available in Silver? I really wanted to minimize the black components on the bike -- not for any particularly great reason. It just seemed right when I was laying down my 'ground rules' for the build.

NO Carbon
Not a historical recreation, but maintain a classic feel
Nothing rediculously expensive, it's a rider's bike, not a showpiece
Modern conveniences - 10 spd, indexed shifting; clinchers, etc
Less black -- seems all components are black now -- I like natural Al and chrome.

Anyway, thanks for looking. It has been a fun exercise that has led to a bike that substantially exceeds my expectations for looks, performance and comfort without blowing my budget.

jim

BMAFG said:

I posted a poll and several questions in late 2007 into 2008 for suggestions on a build...

Here's how it turned out. It looks better in person and rides better than it looks.

😄 😄 😄
jim

Beautiful. Hard to beat a classic steel Italian rig. Looks great, lasts forever, rides like a dream..what else is there?

That's a sweet looking Colnago.

Like some have said already, the stem looks a little out of place. I'm sure there's a classic looking stem out there that'd fit. That bike is almost begging to have an old Cinelli 1R or 1A stem instead of the new 'aheadset' style.

Nicely done, even with the stem.

that is very masterful ! 😉

I hope to one day build up/ride a Colnago Master.
Weight aside, as long as its my size , a good color scheme , and not too much wear on it.. I'll rock it 😉

BMAFG said:

The Mutant isn't perfect. Is the Millenium available in Silver?

You could chemically STRIP the finish off a black stem ... and then, leave it as-is or polish it.

alfeng said:

You could chemically STRIP the finish off a black stem ... and then, leave it as-is or polish it.

yeah, I thought about that... but have a few concerns.

Does the stripping process require 'perfect' masking of the threads and machined surfaces where the stem grips the steerer and handlebars?
Does the stripping process affect the heat treatment of the aluminum?

I get chills thinking about doing something which might lead to a broken stem :eek:

Does anybody have any links to info about stripping anodizing from heat treated aluminum parts that have machined surfaces to be protected?

jim

BMAFG said:

yeah, I thought about that... but have a few concerns.

Does the stripping process require 'perfect' masking of the threads and machined surfaces where the stem grips the steerer and handlebars?
Does the stripping process affect the heat treatment of the aluminum?

I get chills thinking about doing something which might lead to a broken stem :eek:

Does anybody have any links to info about stripping anodizing from heat treated aluminum parts that have machined surfaces to be protected?

jim

Simple: use over cleaner. It doesn't hurt the aluminum and strips the anodization off really nicely. I've seen bits that people have stripped and polished, and they've turned out very nice.