Colnago Asso (02) - worth upgrading?
crimsondynamo
Posts: 246
My wife has a 2002 Colnago Asso - a compact alu frame kitted out with Xenon/Mirage mix with Veloce crankset. Forks are clonago steel.
I expect the drivetrain will need to be renewed before too long (she'd prefer a compact chainset anyway) and I was wondering whether the frame justifies pushing the boat out and getting an Athena gruppo and freehub? There is next to no chat about this frame easily searchable online.
My wife's cycling is purely recreational, 35m with her mates once a week, 2 or 3 50m sportives a year.
Wheels and forks look ripe for improvement (though they're mechanically sound), but all of a sudden we're talking serious wedge which might not be well spent on the existing frame.
Any advice gratefully appreciated.
I expect the drivetrain will need to be renewed before too long (she'd prefer a compact chainset anyway) and I was wondering whether the frame justifies pushing the boat out and getting an Athena gruppo and freehub? There is next to no chat about this frame easily searchable online.
My wife's cycling is purely recreational, 35m with her mates once a week, 2 or 3 50m sportives a year.
Wheels and forks look ripe for improvement (though they're mechanically sound), but all of a sudden we're talking serious wedge which might not be well spent on the existing frame.
Any advice gratefully appreciated.
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Comments
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I had exactly the same frame - a 56cm version with a gorgeous black and yellow piant job, easlly the prettiest bike I've owned! You're right about limited info - I really struggled to find out much about it as well!
In the end though. I sold it because I liked looking at it a lot more than I enjoyed riding it - it was without doubt the most brutal frame I've ridden, every imperfection of the road translated into vibration and jolting. Such a shame, I wish it had been more comfortable but with the aim being to ride some big sportives this year it had to go.
As for whether it is worth keeping and upgrading, I would say absolutley YES - unless your wife finds it uncompromising to ride like I did. The Athena groupset would make the perfect choice IMO as well, as the chrome look components will look a treat on that particular frame. It would have to be a Campagnolo groupset to do it justice! The frame is so well made it will last a lifetime.
It's not the lightest of frames, that's for sure, so ultimately it depends on budget and what you wife wants form her bike. If it's a lightweight comfortable steed for long distances maybe consider a change. If, as you mention she rides more casually and hasn't complained of discomfort, I think it is worth investing in a nice groupset and quality wheels.0 -
You may also want to think about fitting a carbon fork - it'll save a bit of weight too.Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
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I thought about that option long and hard too, but couldn't bring myself to fit a carbon fork to a handpainted Italian beauty!0
