Maestro / Colnago

Jashin
Jashin Posts: 164
edited June 2007 in Workshop
Ok, thinking about buying a C50 from Maestro. Just got a couple of questions for anyone that knows:

1) I read on the WW forums that frames from Maestro are painted by the Belgium distributor (but sanctioned by Colnago) rather than in the Colnago factory. Anyone know the gen on this?

2) Are the frames sold at Maestro 2006 / 2007 unless stated?

Comments

  • kellys_heroes
    kellys_heroes Posts: 88
    Hi .
    i Have bought 2 Colnago`s From Maestro and a Ciocc frame in the past. never heard of them being painted in belgium before.always found Mike Perry - Owner very helpful in the past when dealing with him and frames have always been delivered on time and the usual quality craftmanship and paintjobs of italian frames...i do know that he drives over to the Colnago Factory a few times a Year to collect and process customers details...its usually a 2 - 3 month wait for a Custom Colnago build thats not if its in stock.hope this helps
  • Jashin
    Jashin Posts: 164
    Yeah, that really does help, ta. Just want to put my mind at rest before I spend so much money. Anyone eles got any experiences they want to share?
  • kellys_heroes
    kellys_heroes Posts: 88
    Yeah Agree,its a lot of Money to spend,it was a choice between a Litespeed and a Colnago for me a few months Back,litespeed won..both frames about same price. but like you i wanted to be sure so i visited the bike shop in Poole and i live 450 miles away In Scotland. it was for peace of mind too. C50` s are Gorgeous Frames .i would like to do what some of the americans have done in the past is to fly over to Colnago`s Factory and get measured up for a frame...you would prob pick up a nice Chorus or Record Groupset at a nice price too [:)]
  • Jashin
    Jashin Posts: 164
    Yeah, that would be cool :)

    Still having problems with the frame painting thing though. Just comparing paint jobs from Maestro with those on other websites, and there are definate differences there in terms of decal placment and the actual paintjobs themselves. Seems a bit odd, even given the possible slight variations given that each frame is hand painted. This is going to drive me insane >_<
  • Cyclistm
    Cyclistm Posts: 758
    I bought a Colnago Dream from Maestro and the paint was exactly the same as the one in the Colnago catalogue. The finish was great and overall very pleased with the service.
  • currieinahurry
    currieinahurry Posts: 2,695
    have you asked him??
    tikka

    hi my name is adam... and i have a problem with posting on cycling forums.
    hi my name is adam... and i have a problem with posting on cycling forums.
  • Jashin
    Jashin Posts: 164
    No, but I will.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    My understanding is that Mike sources his Colnago frames via the Benelux distributor rather than through the official UK distributor. Madison, who were the UK importers but have been replaced by Windwave, tried to put an end to this but Mike cleverly used EU pressure on price fixing to scare them off. Colnago know what's going on but, frankly, they are a business and Mike is selling a lot of frames for them.

    All the frames are painted by Colnago at source. I bought a C40 from Mike just over three years ago and had a stress free transaction. I'd recommend him but would advice that he isn't one to suffer fools gladly.
  • monty_dogcp
    monty_dogcp Posts: 382
    Mike buys his frames from the Benelux distributor and indeed some frames are finished 'locally'. Colnago are well known to outsource their painting anyway and variations are to be expected. Some of the best paint finishers in Europe are in Belgium anyway - that's how Ridley started out. I expect that Mike sells as many frames as Windwave the 'official UK' distibutor which frankly counts for nothing in the EU, unless of course you like to pay a 20% premium and limited availability for the privelege. I've known Mike for a few years and would recommend his straight no-nonense approach - tyre kickers stay at home though.
  • Il Duce
    Il Duce Posts: 2
    <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Jashin</i>

    Ok, thinking about buying a C50 from Maestro. Just got a couple of questions for anyone that knows:

    1) I read on the WW forums that frames from Maestro are painted by the Belgium distributor (but sanctioned by Colnago) rather than in the Colnago factory. Anyone know the gen on this?

    2) Are the frames sold at Maestro 2006 / 2007 unless stated?
    <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
  • Il Duce
    Il Duce Posts: 2
    Jashin

    I guess you would have made your mind up by now but I thought I'd lend my weight to your question. I've known 'The Don' at Maestro for years and have purchased a number of bikes from him. He did once comment that due to the weather in benelux the paint jobs he has are usually 'stronger' to deal with the harsher conditions. (only a small point I know)

    I would recommend Mike, he builds excellent bikes, with great deals (dont ask for discount though, he calls a spade a spade and dosent like time wasters as previously posted but he is a genuine nice fella).

    Good luck

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