Colnago CT1 Sizing

Lysander
Lysander Posts: 349
edited July 2008 in Workshop
Since I discovered a hair line crack in my alloy Ciocc; had it for seven years so can't complain. I have become interested in a 2003 Colnago CT1 that a shop near me has built up with full Record. Its a 56 frame which is the frame size I take. I have been reading that you should get a Colnago frame that is two sizes up from the size you normally take due to the different way Colnago's are sized. Is that right?

Comments

  • nick hanson
    nick hanson Posts: 1,655
    Dunno about that.Best way is to measure,horizontally,from the centre of the seatpost,to the centre of the head tube,& see how it compares with your old bike.You can tweek out a centimetre or so either way by buying a longer/shorter stem.
    Seat tube length is virtually immaterial,as you can buy a long enough seatpost to allow for if the frame is a 'compact' size or has a horizontal top tube.
    Hope this helps
    so many cols,so little time!
  • deal
    deal Posts: 857
    instead of measuring etc. couldnt you just go and sit on it, and maybe get a test ride ?
  • Captain Fagor
    Captain Fagor Posts: 739
    Lysander - the rule I heard (and used) for Colnago sizing is that you should get a top tube 1cm shorter than you'd normally ride, and fit a lay-back seatpost. It certainly resulted in a beautiful ride with my Colnago.
  • Rob Sallnow
    Rob Sallnow Posts: 6,279
    Lysander wrote:
    Its a 56 frame which is the frame size I take. I have been reading that you should get a Colnago frame that is two sizes up from the size you normally take due to the different way Colnago's are sized. Is that right?

    Colnagos are simply measured centre to top rather than centre to centre....if it's labeled 56 it's like a 54.5 from whatever make uses c to c. In the days of steel tubes bikes either was easy to use...in these days of weird shaped carbon tubes or the bladed top tube of my Colnago Ovaltitan centre to top is far easier to establish.

    I'd give it a quick test size up before buying.
    I'd rather walk than use Shimano
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    I had a CT1 in that size and the tt was 54.8cm. which seemed a little short.I prefer a 56 square or a sloping tt of 55 The CT1 was nice. Is it a 'B-stay' model ie the rear fork is like a wishbone. if it's new remember it's still a 5 year old bike and the price should reflect that.
    M.Rushton
  • Lysander
    Lysander Posts: 349
    Unfortunately the shop will not allow a test ride. I have sat on it with my cycling shoes on and my pedals fitted. It feels ok apart from when I'm in a full tuck position on the drops then I get my thighs on my chest but they say they can sort that. I have also given the shop the measurements from a bike fitting I had for my last bike and they say they can set up to those measurements. The bike is the B Stay model and it is new. As far as I can tell they built it up as a display. The price is £2450 which seems quite good for a titanium Colnago with full Record even if it is five years old.
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    Lysander wrote:
    Unfortunately the shop will not allow a test ride. I have sat on it with my cycling shoes on and my pedals fitted. It feels ok apart from when I'm in a full tuck position on the drops then I get my thighs on my chest but they say they can sort that. I have also given the shop the measurements from a bike fitting I had for my last bike and they say they can set up to those measurements. The bike is the B Stay model and it is new. As far as I can tell they built it up as a display. The price is £2450 which seems quite good for a titanium Colnago with full Record even if it is five years old.

    For £2450 of your hard earned money they should allow a test ride. if they don't walk away. My partner tested a Sunday the other week and she was out in the hills behind Macclesfield for about 2 hours. Any good bike shop should let you test ride your potential purchase. That frame is old stock, I'd certainly think about negotiating on it. What version of Record? Does it include wheels? For the money cam you not get a Cervelo R3?
    M.Rushton
  • Lysander
    Lysander Posts: 349
    The Record on it is 2003 so no nice carbon chainset and the wheels are Campag Proton. I'm going to fit the Campag Nucleon I had fitted on my Ciocc to it so not too concerned about that.
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    You can buy a 56cm Cannondale 6:13 with Ultegra for £1100 from Edinburgh Bike. £2450 for a 5 year old bike/gruppo is imo expensive. The fact that they won't let you ride it would deter me from buying it. Lots of bikes out there and a lot of them are cheaper and as good.
    M.Rushton

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