90's Colnago Altain

Allow me to offer up a bit of non-80's vintage eye candy as a change of pace. Here's my 90's Colnago Altain I built up a few years ago. This bike was a first in many areas for me. First Italian frame, first bike with brifters, first experience with Campy parts, first 130-spaced frame, first bike to break the $1k barrier...

I don't know much about the exact year or history of this model, but from what little I've found on the web, it's a late-90's model that was most likely released in the European market. I got the frame off ripmeBay one infamous evening in 2002 when I was rip-roaring hammered and woke up the next morning the proud owner of the frame. The frame sat around with me for several years as I collected parts for it, intending for it to be 100% Italian. Over the next several years, I searched off and on for Campy parts for the build. Well, costs and impatience began to reach critical levels and I finally settled for some inexpensive non Italiano parts in some not-so-prominent areas. The final piece of the puzzle was put in place sometime in the Spring of 2007 when Nashbar offered OEM Mirage Ergos for about 80 bucks. Shortly thereafter, this baby was born!

While not the lightest bike around at around 22 lbs, give or take, this bike is plenty stiff for a lightweight like me, but won't punish you for day-long rides. Ride comfort has improved a bit since I replace the Michelin Speediums with the higher tpi Hutchinson Fusion 2's. Handling is quick and agile and seems to read your thoughts when leaning through the corners. The chainstays are so insanely short you have to deflate the rear wheel a bit before removal or it won't clear the seat tube. Great for climbing, a bit of a pain for maintenance. It's a great bike for fast rides, but recently I've found the Circuit a bit mellower and more to my liking.

Here's the specs:
Frame: 56cm Colnago Altain - Columbus "Altain" oversized steel tubing.
Fork: Colnago Precisa - steel, chrome (re: bling bling!)

Drivetrain:
Shifters: Campagnolo Mirage 9-speed Ergopower
Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Veloce
Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Veloce
Crankset: Campagnolo Chorus (39-53)
Cassette: Campagnolo Chorus 9-speed (12-23)
Chain: Campagnolo Record

Wheels:
Wheelset: Campagnolo Vento G3 (front + rear)
Tires: Michelin Speedium (yellow) (pictured). Replaced with Hutchinson Fusion 2.

Components:
Brakes: Campagnolo Chorus Differential
Handlebar: 3TTT Prima 220
Tape: Performance gel cork
Stem: 3TTT Ernesto Colnago signature
Headset: Ritchey Logic
Pedals: Miche 502 w/ Colnago logos
Seatpost: Performance
Seatpost binder: Campagnolo
Saddle: Colnago Selle San Marco Era Ti



Here's how she appeared in the Spring of 2008. I've since replaced the screaming, all-yellow Michelin Speediums with Hutchinson Fusion 2's which feature a less ostentatious look.


The first bling is for the chrome Precisa forks. The 2nd bling is for Simichrome polish. Put them both together and you get: Bling Bling!



Some of the custom Colnago graphics on the top tube. I have seen examples of Altains that have additional color airbrushed on the design.



What is Columbus Altain tubing? Heck if I know! It rides great though!



More bling.


Oops! Missing the dropout screws!



A nod back to the 80's C-Record with the hidden 5th crankarm. Dig it.



I got both the Veloce derailleurs at a garage sale of all places. I just happened to drive by and decided to take a look. I saw a box with an almost complete late 80's Exage road group inside. My addiction kicked in and I just said "F it" and picked up the whole box and asked the guy for a price. His wife, probably seeing the crazed look in my eye said, "Hon, why don't you show him the Campy stuff?" My eyes widened and I started salivating. I ended up leaving with the Exage group and the Veloce derailleurs for something like 40 bucks. I haven't and probably never will score a deal like that again... (Side note: The Exage group hasn't been touched since then, except maybe a couple raids for small parts. Just sitting there cuz it's vintage, it's 80's, and I like having it around. Another testament to my addiction.)


I don't even want to admit what I paid for this stem, but I think it really finishes off the complete look of the bike. Well, the truth is I can't remember what I paid since I've wiped it from my mind, but I do remember it was a lot for a stem and that's one of the reasons I call it ripmeBay.