COLNAGO Arabesque Regal, Campagnolo 50th Ann, 57cm (1986) – 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. His first big success as a frame builder dates back in 1960 when Luigi  Arienti won gold medal at the Rome Olympic games. 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.

In response to criticism that Colnago frames were not stiff enough, Ernesto experimented with various crimped-tube frames. In 1982 he introduced their top model ”Nuovo Mexico”, 2 years later he released Colnago Master (and Master Arabesque) with Columbus S4 tubing. In 1986 Esa Colnago was released,  even more exclusive tubing – 6 crimps on the top tube, 6 crimps on the down tube and none inside the chain stays. The ESA tubing were used for Arabesque Regal and Esa Mexico, for sure the rarest of all models, it has been built for a short time and in small numbers.

Since Colnago came up with the beautifully ornamental Arabesque lugs, bicycle lovers all over the world tried to get hold of a one of the rare bikes with these iconic pieces. Unfortunately the number of frames with Arabesque lugs is limited and the number of collectors is high enough to have quick and totally absorbed each piece that has ever entered the market. Even nowadays you can find some mid 1980s Arabesque bikes on the market, but Arabesque Regal are extremelly rare to see for sale.

Proudly presenting one of the most exclusive steel masterpieces that ever left Ernesto’s factory – COLNAGO Arabesque Regal. This jewel dates back to 1986, shining in beautiful Oro Retinato paintjob, made of crimped Columbus SL tubing (6 crimps on top tube, 6 on down tube), built with Campagnolo 50th Ann groupset (serial number 1207), 3ttt Colnago cockpit, Almarc leather wrap, San Marco Regal saddle The trandescent beauty of this steel icon remains unrivalled.

A real jewel. Very rare. For all Colnago enthusiasts.

Frame & Fork: Colnago Arabeque Regal, crimped Columbus SL tubing

Size:

–  seat tube (c-t): 57 cm

– top tube (c-c): 55.5 cm

– headset tube: 14.2 cm

– standover: 80.5 cm

Crankset: Campagnolo 50th Ann (no. 1207)

Bottom bracket : Campagnolo 50th Ann

Front derailleur: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Rear derailleur: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Headset: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Shifters: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Brake Levers: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Brakes: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Stem: 3ttt Record, Colnago pantograph

Handlebar: 3ttt Super Criterium

Hubs: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Rims: Mavic GP4

Freewheel: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Chain: Regina CX

Seatpost: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Seat: Selle San Marco Regal

Pedals: Campagnolo 50th Ann

Handlebar Tape: Almarc, leather

Condition: Very good condition. Ridden a few times. No cracks, no dents, not bent. Comes with Campagnolo 50th card. All parts are working fine.

Year: 1986

Price: SOLD (June 2021)