Colnago C50 vs. C59

[Moose McKnuckles]

Looking for some thoughts on the differences between the frames. I am considering a NOS C50 in the PR00 scheme, which I really like. The C59 is $500 more, but I'm not crazy about the colors, since they are not doing GDOB anymore.

Is the C59 that much better? Thanks.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Looking for some thoughts on the differences between the frames. I am considering a NOS C50 in the PR00 scheme, which I really like. The C59 is $500 more, but I'm not crazy about the colors, since they are not doing GDOB anymore.

Is the C59 that much better? Thanks.

C50 was the last bike I raced as a USAC license holder, which was basically a stiffer C40. The C50 and 59 are really close in terms of ride feel, the nod goes to the new one though. I'd say go with the new 59, and you can get pretty much any of the old paint jobs from previous years. Colnago is really flexible with paint, always has been.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

C50 was the last bike I raced as a USAC license holder, which was basically a stiffer C40. The C50 and 59 are really close in terms of ride feel, I'd say go with the new 59, and you can get pretty much any of the old paint jobs from previous years. Colnago is really flexible with paint, always has been.

Thanks, RVD. They're not as flexible as before. Mike mentioned they're not doing GDOB anymore. I had entertained the hope of getting the PRAL scheme, but no chance. I have my eye on a white C59. Shame that Colnago stopped doing their fantastic colors. Totalcycling has a C50 PR00 in stock.

 

[42x16ss]

Thanks, RVD. They're not as flexible as before. Mike mentioned they're not doing GDOB anymore. I had entertained the hope of getting the PRAL scheme, but no chance. I have my eye on a white C59. Shame that Colnago stopped doing their fantastic colors. Totalcycling has a C50 PR00 in stock.

I'd be going for the C59 in that gorgeous matte black. MMMMM

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

What ever you end up with just don't hang a ScRAM group on it!

And it's RDV, not RVD!!!

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

What ever you end up with just don't hang a ScRAM group on it!

And it's RDV, not RVD!!!

Ah, sorry! No, I'm planning on SR11 with the Ti spindle and DP brakes and a pair of Shamals.

I like that matte black C59, but the wait could be significant.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Ah, sorry! No, I'm planning on SR11 with the Ti spindle and DP brakes and a pair of Shamals.

I like that matte black C59, but the wait could be significant.

Too funny! I thought you meant weight!

 

[pedaling squares]

I checked out totalcycling but I couldn't get past that white Master XLight. Ok, it's not at all what you're looking for, but damn that's a nice looking frame (with a reputation as good as its looks). Don't mind me, just wasting your time and ogling nice frames.

 

[Master50]

I considered an Extreme Power and a C-50, choosing the C-50 for enough stiffness. I had a Master Olympic and a c-40. The MO was very stiff steel. A real fantastic ride. The C-40 was more comfortable while lacking a little in the stiffness but not much. I am around 170 pounds and not hard on the gear but I wanted more stiffness than the C40 but not much. I chose a c-50 and am very pleased. Stiff enough to compare to my steel MO yet possessing the silent buzz free ride. Now offered a choice I too would want the C-59 as long as it hasn't gotten much stiffer than what I have. I am not a pro and need to pay some attention to comfort over raw performance.
SR-11 and Shamal wheels just makes it perfect.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

I considered an Extreme Power and a C-50, choosing the C-50 for enough stiffness. I had a Master Olympic and a c-40. The MO was very stiff steel. A real fantastic ride. The C-40 was more comfortable while lacking a little in the stiffness but not much. I am around 170 pounds and not hard on the gear but I wanted more stiffness than the C40 but not much. I chose a c-50 and am very pleased. Stiff enough to compare to my steel MO yet possessing the silent buzz free ride. Now offered a choice I too would want the C-59 as long as it hasn't gotten much stiffer than what I have. I am not a pro and need to pay some attention to comfort over raw performance.
SR-11 and Shamal wheels just makes it perfect.

The C59 seems to be along the same lines in terms of stiffness as the C50, the difference was the change from the HP stays to what it is now. Master50, you would appreciate the ride of the EPQ over the C59. It's all about the shape of the tubes, the C59 is diamond shaped just like our old steel Masters, the EPQ tubes are round, much more forgiving ride.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Thanks for the comments, folks. Saw that white Master that pedaling squares pointed out.

Thinking of building that up with Athena 11 (non-carbon). Silver stem, white bars. Both Deda.

 

[Parera]

Thanks for the comments, folks. Saw that white Master that pedaling squares pointed out.

Thinking of building that up with Athena 11 (non-carbon). Silver stem, white bars. Both Deda.

You sir have excellent tastes. Love the silver alloy athena stuff.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Thanks. Silver Athena is sweet. I have a soft spot for Campy since they have a factory in my homeland. Same with Mavic, though I'm disgusted with the recent Mavic prices in the States.

 

[42x16ss]

Thanks for the comments, folks. Saw that white Master that pedaling squares pointed out.

Thinking of building that up with Athena 11 (non-carbon). Silver stem, white bars. Both Deda.

If you go for this build, I want to see pictures! IMO the Master X is possibly the best looking (and riding) frame ever made. I'm drooling thinking about it

 

[jamiephillips]

Is there much difference between the Master X lite and the old Master Olympic?

I see it is made from Deda tubing instead of Columbus. I presume it is lighter but by much? I can see it has a threadless stearer tube and a feature that I think isn't an improvement and that is the external rear brake cable routing. Are steel tubes no longer manufactured with internal cable routes? Is this just a matter of sacrificing aesthetics for a little weight saving??

Genuine questions as I have an old Master Olympic and as much as I love it, it is a tad on the heavy side.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

I'd be going for the C59 in that gorgeous matte black. MMMMM

That is the best looking bike in the world

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Is there much difference between the Master X lite and the old Master Olympic?

I see it is made from Deda tubing instead of Columbus. I presume it is lighter but by much? I can see it has a threadless stearer tube and a feature that I think isn't an improvement and that is the external rear brake cable routing. Are steel tubes no longer manufactured with internal cable routes? Is this just a matter of sacrificing aesthetics for a little weight saving??

Genuine questions as I have an old Master Olympic and as much as I love it, it is a tad on the heavy side.

That's not Dedacciai tubing, It's Columbus GILCO DT15V. There are some older Masters out there that had odd tubing specs, I've even seen them with Tange tubes, but the vast majority of Masters out there are built with Columbus. There were also some variances in the rear stay tubing, but not enough to make a significant weight difference. What's your problem with the weight of a steel bike? They're all going to be around 20lbs no matter what era Master you have. I have a 1996 MasterXLight, 59cm, it builds to 21lbs and I'm not complaining.

 

[Master50]

Master Olympic was pretty much the same as Master light. Mostly a name change to accommodate the "Olympic" brand or the Olympics didn't like Colnago calling their bikes by that name.
My Master O with a 10 speed record group, carbon fork and Shamal wheels built up at 18 1/2 pounds and I made a big mistake selling it. It is hard to equal that bike for beautiful or ride.
The C-50 is a better race bike but not as pretty.

 

[jamiephillips]

That's not Dedacciai tubing, It's Columbus GILCO DT15V. There are some older Masters out there that had odd tubing specs, I've even seen them with Tange tubes, but the vast majority of Masters out there are built with Columbus. There were also some variances in the rear stay tubing, but not enough to make a significant weight difference. What's your problem with the weight of a steel bike? They're all going to be around 20lbs no matter what era Master you have. I have a 1996 MasterXLight, 59cm, it builds to 21lbs and I'm not complaining.

It's not a problem like I said I love that bike. It's a genuine query as to whether there is much weight saving with the new "X Lite" frames that's all!
Hell I love steel framed bikes. I own three and ride them all the time. Of the three however, the Colnago is the heaviest. Nay problem, just an observation...

 

[Master50]

It's not a problem like I said I love that bike. It's a genuine query as to whether there is much weight saving with the new "X Lite" frames that's all!
Hell I love steel framed bikes. I own three and ride them all the time. Of the three however, the Colnago is the heaviest. Nay problem, just an observation...

So true. There is nothing "light" about Colnago. He tends to increase his safety factor over many builders. Even his Extreme Climb frames were not Super light. Still light. My C-50 With 2 bottles, seat bag, Mini pump, and computer it is under 20 pounds with room for lunch. Plenty of room for less of me too;-)
I'd have to switch to tubulars to make the UCI limit as the bike is like 17.2 pounds bare with pedals and cages. I have seen this bike at the minimum weight and below.

 

[pedaling squares]

Thanks for the comments, folks. Saw that white Master that pedaling squares pointed out.

Thinking of building that up with Athena 11 (non-carbon). Silver stem, white bars. Both Deda.

Nice. Athena in that finish is exactly what I thought when I saw the frame. I'm not too proud to say that I think aesthetics are important. I kind of jacked your thread... at least it was you who took the ball and ran with it.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Nice. Athena in that finish is exactly what I thought when I saw the frame. I'm not too proud to say that I think aesthetics are important. I kind of jacked your thread... at least it was you who took the ball and ran with it.

I had seen that Saronni red one too, but a white Master with silver alloy Athena and a set of Ambrosio Excellence rims on Record hubs would be sweet.

Trouble is, the C50 in PR00 is really tempting.