1972 Colnago Super Pantografata

Purchased on eBay in June 2012 as a frameset. Back on the road 14 October.

An original condition early example of the Colnago Super Pantografata, this was very unfortunately parted out and the components apparently dribbled out over time, the stem sold separately one week before the frame auction. Fortunately, it and the original bar plugs were subsequently acquired and reunited with the frame; sad when this happens and a rare, possibly complete machine reduced to a frame, stem and bar plugs but there you have it! The Merckx pattern drilled chainring which was fitted to many of these pre-1973 Pantografatas is a modern replica as is the pantographed seatpost. Only the rare pantographed brake levers are missing.

The original finish was in fair condition (maybe a 7 out of 10) with good decals, poor chrome and a great many paint chips entailling extensive touching up. The results are not perfect by any means (perhaps passing the "five-foot test"!) but I preferred not to have this completely repainted and lose its originality.

This is a very early Pantografata and the only one I've seen without bottle cage bosses on the downtube. These initial models are also without the "wreath" style seat tube decal.

The Ride
This is an exceptionally sensitive and responsive mount, a true racing machine. The characteristic very tight, almost track bike like front end of Colnagos of this era is even more apparent in this large frame size where the head tube angle is just shy of 75 degs. making the steering instanteous and the front end feels exceptionally light with only the one and three-quarters of an inch fork rake preventing toeclip overlap and dampening the ride somewhat . Mating the steep head tube to the traditional 73 angle seat tube gives an almost perfect balance and stability to the machine overall and a perfect pedaling position to provide a responsiveness and thrust to the pedals as suited to sprinting as to out of the saddle hill climbing. A brilliant ride that is exhilarating, challenging and immensely satisfying.

Frame
Material: Columbus double-butted frame and forks
Finish (original): Molteni Team orange enamel, chrome-plated fork crown and head lugs, "club" cut-outs on lugs and fork crown black-filled.
Size: seat tube 64 cm (c to t) (25”), 61 cm (c to c) top tube 60 cm (c to c)
Chainstay length: 42 cm (c to c)
Bottom bracket height: 10.75 inches
Wheelbase: 101 cm (40) inches (c to c)
Angles: 75º head 73º seat
Fork offset: 4.30 cm (1.69 inches)
Rear spacing: 120 mm
Lugs: Colnago pattern with large club cut-out on lower head lug, smaller club on top head lug and top seat lug
Fork Crown: Investment Cast with chromed cap with club cut-outs black-filled
Dropouts: Campagnolo long forged
Braze-ons: Campagnolo cable guides top of bb shell and chain stay cable stop
Frame/fork features: Colnago club cut-outs on heads lug and top seat lugs, fork tangs with two holes, fork crown caps and bottom bracket shell. Fluted seat stay caps and oversized chain stay bridge
Serial nos: none but stamped "49" on driveside drop-out and fork steerer tube.

Components
Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1020/a pat. 72
Front deralleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1052/1
Gear levers: Campagnolo 1014 (cut-out) with Campagnolo clamp
Chainset: Campagnolo Record Strada 1049, 52t x 45t, 172.5 mm cranks, no date code. Drilled Colnago "Merckx" pattern on large chainring
Bottom bracket: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1046 Italian thread
Headset: Campagnolo Record 1039 Italian thread with stamp on lower crown race
Stem: Cinelli 1A Colnago Pantographed, 120 mm, bolt fixing (original to frame)
Handlebars: Cinelli Criterium No. 65, 39 cm, Velox black cotton tape and REG Colnago club white plastic plugs (original)
Brakes: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 2040 side-pull, nutted bolt fitting
Brake levers: Campagnolo Record
Brake cable clips: Campagnolo chrome-plated
Seatpost: Campagnolo Record 130mm Colnago pantographed (reproduction) 27.2 mm
Seat binder bolt: Campagnolo
Saddle: Cinelli Unicanitor no. 4
Pedals: Campagnolo Record Superleggera
Toeclips and straps: ALE chromed steel clips, Binda leather toe straps
Rims: Nisi polished alloy 700x20mm 36-hole sprints
Hubs: Campagnolo Record 36-hole low-flange with Campagnolo straight-lever quick release skewers
Spokes: 3x 15 straight-gauge stainless steel
Freewheel: Regina Oro, 12-14-15-17-19t, five-speed
Chain: Regina
Tyres: Tufo Jet-Pro sew-ups 700x19
Accessories: Colnago bidon and REG bottle cage
Weight: 22.1 lbs.