COLNAGO Arabesque Oro 24k, Campagnolo 50th Ann, NOS, 59cm (1985) – SOLD

Ernesto Colnago was born on February 9, 1932 in Cambiago, near Milan, Italy. At age 13 he entered in world of two wheels and immediately he fall in love with bikes and cycling. In 1952 he founded Colnago and started to work as mechanic for several professional teams. Colnago’s bikes still have a domination of the world’s cycling sports because Ernesto was always an innovator and pioneer of new technologies which supposedly provide more efficency or comfort.

The Colnago Arabesque bicycle is a wonderful example of Italian craftsmanship. In the early 1980’s Colnago began experimenting with crimping main frame tubes to increase stiffness. Colnago referred to these crimps as ‘ribs’ in their early brochures. We would expect that like the Nuovo Mexico, the early crimped versions of the Arabesque were built from a mix of Columbus SL and Record tubes. The most instantly recognisable feature of the Colnago Arabesque are the special decorative frame lugs (2 on the head tube, 1 on the seat tube). These lugs were said to be crafted by an Italian master of hand crafting known as ‘Rauler’.

Proudly offering one of the most exquisite steel jewels by great Ernesto – Colnago Arabesque Oro. This fully 24k gold plated masterpiece dates back to 1985-86, made of crimped Columbus SL tubing (2 crimps on the top tube, 4 on the down tube), built with Campagnolo 50th Anniversary groupset (no.12407),  3ttt Colnago cockpit, Selle Italia Turbo Colnago saddle, Almarc leather handlebar wrap. No much words needed.

A museum piece. One of a kind.

Frame & Fork: Colnago Arabesque Oro 24k / crimped Columbus SL

Size:

-seat tube (c-t): 59 cm

-top tube (c-c):  57 cm

-headset tube: 15.7cm

-standover: 83 cm

Crankset: Campagnolo 50th Ann (no.12407)

Bottom Bracket: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Front Derailleur: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo 50 Ann

Shifters: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Brake Levers: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Brakes: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Hubs: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Rims: Mavic

Headset: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Frewheel: Regina Oro (6 speed)

Chain: Regina Oro

Seatpost: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Saddle: Selle Italia Turbo Colnago

Stem: 3ttt Colnago

Handlebar: 3ttt Mod Competizione

Pedals: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Toe cages: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Leather straps: Christophe

Tubulars: Continental Giro  (new)

Handlebar tape: Almarc leather wrap

Condition: New old stock. A few tiny signs of storage.

Year: 1984/85

Price: SOLD (June 2021)