Winter bike makeover - now I need a winter bike !

shipley · August 2013

I bought this frame on eBay a few years ago and built it up as a winter bike. I love Colnagos, and this one, like the others I've had is super comfortable.
This is how it looked when I bought it..

..and this is how it looked built..

In the spring I debated replacing it with a Boardman CX for winter use but its such a good fit I couldn't part with it so sent it to Neill at Atlantic Boulevard for a respray while the carbon lovelys are in use for the summer. I've always wanted a Saronni red Colnago. Neill has done a stunning job on the paintwork so I have rebuilt it with trinkets from the garage and this is how it now looks.

I think its stunning..and am delighted with it.

The only trouble is, I now need a winter bike, but I'm at N+3 so am not sure whether just to get on with it, or buy the Boardman CX anyway

declan1 · August 2013

Beautiful paintjob!

dwanes · August 2013

Nice, I think you've made the very best of the frame.
What are the wheels? They finish it off nicely.

Declan1. I like your Photography, please take time to look at mine at http://www.tpphotography.eu

shipley · August 2013

Thanks....the wheels are Halo '.38 calibre'. Very noisy free hub but they are very robust wheels with great hubs and so great for winter

holiver · August 2013

That's a beauty. Good work!

jezzasnr · August 2013

Bit nice that!

autobahn · August 2013

Thats fantastic - I would still use it as your winter bike - it will give you pleasure riding through the winter and you've got your carbon jobbies for the spring/summer. The winter won't be that hard on it, a quick regular clean and bob's you uncle!!

shipley · August 2013

Autobahn wrote:

Thats fantastic - I would still use it as your winter bike - it will give you pleasure riding through the winter and you've got your carbon jobbies for the spring/summer. The winter won't be that hard on it, a quick regular clean and bob's you uncle!!

I think you're right, apart from the white bar tape

but I had to go for white as it finishes it off properly.

napoleond · August 2013

That paint job looks fantastic!

Kimble · August 2013

smashing bike, it seems way too good for the winter hack... i've gone and got the cx, currently shod with gatorskins and it's great for commuting (fast reliable comfortable) though not sure if i'll ever fully get on with the apex shifters or even my upgraded bb7's. if you've got a decent commute it won't take long for salt and grit to destroy drivetrain and paint so good to have a reliable fast hack to trash thru the winter... am saving my carbon and vintage bikes for the drier / hotter days. Woo.

bencolem · August 2013

That paint is awesome - mind sharing how much it cost?

johnnymcg259 · August 2013

That's lush....don't let it anywhere near winter slush!

shipley · August 2013

bencolem wrote:

That paint is awesome - mind sharing how much it cost?

Hi Ben, it was £400. I thought long and hard about putting so much into this bike considering it was about 50% of the cost of a Boardman CX. I then remembered how comfortable it was and the fact that I always wanted a Colnago in this colour. I tried a local guy who said he'd 'give it a go' :shock: , I then spoke to Argos in Bristol who gave me no confidence and then, via The LFGSS forum heard of Atlantic Boulevard.

Neil is such a nice guy and has done such a good job (lacquering the decals etc) that I'm delighted I went for it. In the flesh it is simply stunning and money well spent.

If the winter is bad this year I may turn to the mtb