Colnago
Colnago is a manufacturer of road racing bicycles founded by Ernesto Colnago in 1954 in Cambiago, Italy. In 1960, Colnago first saw fame as Luigi Arienti rode to a gold medal at the Rome Olympics on a Colnago bicycle. In the 1970's, Colnago sponsored the Molteni team which included star rider Eddy Merckx.
Since the 1980s, Colnago has worked with Ferrari to develop new carbon fiber technology in the construction of bicycles and components. Its recent flagship frames, such as the C-40 and the C-50 -- respectively named for Colnago's 40th and 50th birthdays -- are lugged carbon frames with carbon lugs manufactured by ATR.
In the recent years, Colnago has become successful in cultivating its image as the world's leading artisanal bicycle frame maker, stressing its Italian heritage and artistic, eye-catching, hand-painted, artwork lavished on its frames. This is in contrast to its reputation in the 1970s and early 1980s when it was (and in some part still is) outsourcing its production to the far east.
Colnago has pioneered several design features, such as using smaller-dimensioned frames, the use of carbon lugs, its B-Stay construction for seat stays, and its HP-chain stay design for carbon frames. It is said that Ernesto Colnago dislikes the use of aluminum as a frame material, preferring either carbon fiber or steel.
Colnago sponsors the top cycling team Rabobank, and was known as the sponsor of the discontinued team Mapei (cycling team) in the 1990s.
Current models
- President LdV (special ed.) -- carbon fiber
- President (special ed.) -- carbon fiber
- Brerart (special ed.) -- carbon fiber
- C50 Crono (special ed.) -- carbon fiber
- C50 Pista (special ed.) -- carbon fiber
- C50 -- carbon fiber
- E-1 -- carbon fiber
- Dream -- aluminum
- CT2 -- titanium/carbon
- Mix -- aluminum/carbon
- Active -- aluminum
- Rapid -- aluminum
- Master -- steel
Old models
- C-40
- Bitatinio
- Master X-Light
- Master Light
- CT1
- Super (1970s and 1980s) cylindrical tubes in main triangle. Columbus SL and SP tubesets.
- Mexico (mid 70s?) cylindrical main tubes with "special" alloy, (Columbus?)