COLNAGO Master Bititan Mapei – authentic bike of Andrea TAFI (Team MAPEI 1995) – 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.

In years between 1960s to 1980s Colnago was producing high-end steel bikes, later in early 1990s they began to produce bike frames made of titanium.  Titanium frame is lighter than steel and has an enviably smooth ride quality, but on the other side, it’s very expensive. In 1992, Colnago released the ”Bititan”, a unique completely titanium frame with iconic dual titanium down tube. A titanium bike has a reputation as being a ”bike for life” and, whether or not that’s true, even nowadays in a world dominated by carbon fibre, titanium remains an excellent metal from which to make a frame.

The MAPEI Team domination

Mapei was an Italian-based pro cycling team active from 1993 to 2002, named after sponsoring firm MAPEI. They were the biggest and most ambitious team that cycling has ever seen and won practically everything. Looking back from another decade, we examine that Mapei team earned a unique place in cycling history. For 7 years in a row (1994-2000) they won UCI Team rankings. Stars riders included Abraham Olano, Johan Museeuw, Michele Bartoli, Franco Ballerini, Óscar Freire, Frank Vandenbroucke,  Andrea Tafi, Tony Rominger, Paolo Alberati among the others…

Andrea TAFI – Team Mapei 1995

COLNAGO was an official bike suplier for MAPEI team in years 1994-2002. In 1994 some of their ridders were still using steel Master Olympic bikes, but in 1995 they got offered steel Master Olympic and  titanium Master Bititan bikes.

Andrea TAFI – Team Mapei 1995

Proudly presenting this legendary and one the most very desirable team bikes  – COLNAGO Master Bititan MAPEI, ridden by Andrea Tafi “The Gladiator” back in 1995. The frame is made of super light and very durable titanium tubes with iconic dual down tube and octagonal Master top tube, shining in legendary MAPEI paintjob and build with superb Shimano Dura Ace 7402/7410 groupset. Completely original condition, 177.5mm cranks, Vittoria Servizio Corse tubulars, original Bassano saddle are  giving a special value of this racing machine. No much words needed.

The LEGEND. For true collectors. All original condition.

Frame & Fork: Colnago Master Bititan Mapei (marked with M13) – titanium frame / steel fork

Size:

– seat tube (c-t): 64 cm

– top tube (c-c):  59 cm

– headset tube: 16.7 cm

– standover: 84 cm

Crankset: Shimano Dura ace 7410 (177,5mm)

Front Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace 7410

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace 7410

Levers: Shimano Dura Ace 7410

Brakes: Shimano Dura Ace 7403

Headset: Shimano Dura Ace 7402

Seatpost: Shimano Dura Ace 740 (27,2mm)

Rims: Fir Pulsar Squadra Corse

Hubs: Dura Ace 7410

Cassette: Dura ace 7410 8s

Saddle: Selle Italia Tri-Matic

Stem: ITM Eclipse (135 mm)

Handlebar: ITM 260

Pedals: Shimano 7401

Tubulars: Vittoria Servizio Corse (original)

Condition: Used, but good condition. Original paint and decals. No dents, no cracks, no bends. Some signs of normal use. Groupset and components are in good condition and are working fine.

Year: 1995

Price: SOLD (June 2021)