How Much Faster Are Modern Super Bikes? | Colnago C68 VS Master Olympic
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- čas přidán 3. 08. 2024
- The brand new Colnago C68 is the latest offering from the Italian cycling brand but how does it compare to the best they used to make back in 1992? Tech writer Simon Smythe put the Colnago C68 and the Colnago Master Olympic to a test of two halves to see which one conquered the other. The results may surprise you on this one...
00:00 - Intro
01:14 - The TT
06:41 - The Hill Climb
08:59 - The Verdict
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My 1992 10-kg steel bike was way faster than my 2022 7-kg carbon bike, because at then twenty I was much stronger, leaner and fitter than now at fifty😉.
Lmfao nice!!
Ditto! What I wouldn't give to re-experience a 1992 training ride on my old Cannondale with its grab-bag of borrowed parts from my roommate.
My 1991 aluminum, 2x7 was faster than my current carbon bike as well. But, it's now slower. I think I need to grease the bearings.
I might remind you that your steel steed can at the very least mount 25 if not 28 tires. This makes a huge difference in both speed and comfort. Sure you can't climb faster than a lighter bike but then you won't be getting a phone call from Colnago's lawyer while you're recovering in the hospital telling you that Colnagoes only have a three year warranty and your nearly critical injuries are on your own dime.
I am 78 and have over 4,000 miles and 100,000 feet of climbing for the year. I was hoping that get more but the rain has arrived in the forecast.
Perfect video! I was going to spend $10,400 for a new bike! I decided to keep my excellent condition 2007 Trek Madone 5.2SL 100%carbon frame with carbon rims. Ultegra components . Today bikes are way over priced!!!!
I have the Trek Madone 6.5SSL of the same era & it's my pride & joy. Great to ride & beautiful in my eyes. Came with full Dura Ace 7800 & 53-39/12-25 ratios. Swapped front to Ultegra 50-34 as I ride in the Chilterns & I'm getting on a bit, oh & 12-27 at the back. Agree modern bikes are ridiculously over priced & my Trek is so good I don't really want one. The only thing is I would like to try 28mm tires but 25s are the biggest I can fit.
$10K for a bicycle is just stupid.
@@ParzivalPlaysAtari Not if it is your hobby and use almost every day. Look how much Evga 3080 gaming cards $1700. How about a Bucatti $2,000,000 and so on.
@@crazycomments8038 It's stupid. You can buy a brand new motorcycle for less than that, such as a Honda CBR500R for $7,199 that goes 112 mph.
@@ParzivalPlaysAtari True but you won’t have a healthy body. Most cyclists use it for a part of their workouts.
I used to be a pro triathlete in the 90s. I had a Colnago Tecnos (crazy it costs 2000 Eur used). It was such a weapon, incredibly quick. I tried several Colnagos back then, including the Master Olympic, but the Tecnos was the most responsive in every kind of way, therefore it was also way ahead in speed - at least for me. I wanted to get back to cycling for the benefits of weight loss, so I did look into new Colnagos as now I can actually afford one (when I was a teen - 20yo we got it from the sponsors), but the prices went exuberantly expensive for such top line models to validate me as an amateur with a belly riding on it. I don't think that it would be any noticeable difference in performance from a 1000 Euro road bike with a 105 Shimano groupset for that matter. So I stopped looking. :D Back then I was always laughing at amateurs riding crazy expensive bikes without the actual performance to benefit from the price point and the small advantages that comes with the "space tech". I don't want to become that person.
Another point would be talking about weight of a bike, when one is 20kgs overweight. It's just laughable inmo.
The modern Shimano 105 groupsets knock spots off even Dura-ace from 25 years ago. You'll love it!
Also - splooge on a on a decent wheel upgrade when, for example, you reach a weight-loss goal. Modern performance road wheels are quick, and absolutely lovely to ride. :)
I like to wear board shorts and a tee. Hilarious to pass people in their spandex as well. I’m not even that fast anymore either. I’m on the wrong side of forty with plenty of extra pounds and not enough saddle time these past several years.
Losing 2kg off your body is more beneficial than losing 2kg off your bike.
absolutely hilarious. the old bike is exactly as fact as the new one, no matter how much you praise the new one. keep you money boys, steel is real!
That is true about the steel. I have a gravel bike, frame made of steel and I really love it and enjoy:)
I'd like to see the results of a rim brake super bike from the 2010s
@@MrWaggerz it's funny, my 2012 tcr is way lighter than that Colnago. Imo the differences are so slight, it's really the rider that makes the difference. Mamils who believe the can stay on the couch, bling out their bikes to buy speed are deluding themselves.
Marginal gains…. 😂😂
Exactly, bikes are not fast, the rider is what matters.
My Colnago Master is my “Sunday ride” bike and I am, somehow, faster on it by an average of 2mph per 30-mile loop, sometimes even faster. The steel is supremely comfortable, it’s a racing position, but doable, even at my age (going on 56). I love it. My other, main, ride is a 2020 Basso Astra, which is also lovely, but the Colnago is just special. Fun video, thanks for it!
you could always switch the stem and bars for comfort if need be
Basso Astra! My dream bike build, but I have no space for another one, I just finished building my Bottecchia 8Avio (105 disc hydraulic groupset, carbon stem seatpost all by deda, vision handlebars, astute saddle, 40mm carbon wheelset from Ridley) and making another build right now would be too costly. Still, I have a soft spot for any fine italian bike/frameset!
I am your age, just bought a Colnago Master for the weekend rides, hope to enjoy as much as you do.
My other bike is a Dogma , and as you said, it’s less agressive position than the Master.
Its not fun. Its painful to look at it. Utterly stupid people riding these stupid modern bikes with sloping tubes, completely out of position, too low down because their stems are slammed. I guess you cant fix stupid.
So amazed at how closely matched they were. It would add up to a significant amount over a long distance, but it is unlikely you’d be racing them head to head. It makes me realise that my 15 year old Trek, with relatively up-to-date Ultegra group set and wheels will serve me very well for a few more years…. Probably!🤣
What one calls a "significant amount" may mean "an irrelevant amount" to others. Whether I finish my 100 km ride in 3 hours and 55 minutes or 4 hours and 5 minutes is hardly relevant to me.
I'm very happy with my Master Olympic with C-Record. I recently switched from 23mm Corsa CX tubs and 13-21 to 28mm heavy clinchers and 13-26, and enjoy it more than ever, hopefully for another 30 years! I am really impressed with the C-68, and it's at the top of my wish list, along with an equally-affordable trip to space.
Great video! On my Master X-light, I switched from 23mm clincher tires on tal carbon rims to 25mm tires on wider tubeless alu rims - and it improved comfort significantly. So a 30 year old bike can be greatly upgraded for 500 gbp.
True story. Tires (or tyres) are so unglamorous that people overlook their importance. For the money, they are the most important upgrade. New, good tires on an old bike make a massive difference, and crappy tires can make a Superbike feel like crap.
I have an 1984 Colnago Master. I do ride her every single sunny day,approx. 30 km around my City of Pécs,south of Hungary.
38 years old lady and works extremely perfect.
No problem at all.
I do love her.
I am planning tu buy a brand new C68,as well...
It goes to show just how good the modern marketing machine is. I ended up selling my carbon bike because every time I went out I found myself reaching for my steel Tommasini because the ride quality is so much better. Stick a Di2 groupset and compact crank on that Master and your mind will be blown. I’d say 28C tires as well but that Master frame is probably too tight for them. Nice video, thanks 👍🏼
Don't you also have the impression that a modern. bike makes your legs feel weak, as where a steel bike gives strength.
This is why I no longer ride carbon. It cracks, it scratch, is just pure marketing. Got myself a nice Moots Vamoots RSL with rim brakes and I am very happy. My next bike will be a steel one for sure
@@thedronescene7474 Nice, I already have a motobecane mirage with new components, what's your opinion on alu frames?
@@DietrichStockman I do not like Alu to be honest. For me, alu rides harsh. The moots is Ti.
@@thedronescene7474 I would like to see them back in the pro peloton, lotto did well with litespeed back in the days.
I’d love to see how close the groupset would make the Olympic to the c68. Where in my experience running retro mods the jump from 9 to 11 speed is massive. Running both bikes on the same ratios would close the gap even more especially on the climbs.
Yes please
Yes, I was thinking that myself. I would like to see how much of a difference there is if both bikes had the same groupset.
@@triode1212 when climbing having the correct gears available for your ability and style are far more important. If you sit and spin then an 11 speed block with a 30 is much more efficient than grinding to a stand on a 25. When the Olympic wax built we planned our routes to avoid steep hills or stood and stomped the Olympic was designed for riders that where efficient with a cadence of 60 to 80 big calves and thunderous thighs where what we developed before the dawn of EPO.
I put 6800 Ultegra on my old Trek, which had 9 speed Tiagra. The difference is immense! It’s like having a different bike.
I just recently delivered my steel 1996 custom Landshark to my favorite bike shop for an upgrade from 1996 era Campagnolo Chorus 9 speed to a modern 2021 Campagnolo Chorus 12 speed. Really looking forward to experiencing to difference.
Biggest difference is that gear ratio, it would be a very interesting test to have the same gear ratios on both bikes and try again. Especially on the climb. High cadence and spinning the legs is going to be more efficient than grinding up the hill. I bet that difference would come down to a handful of seconds.
I thought that too. Those of us into experimental design will see that the group set - particularly the lower ratios - is a confounding factor in this comparison/
YES ! Proper hill climbing gear ratios makes all the difference.....
En todo caso las tendría que conducir diferente, ya casi nadie sabe pedalear en una bici de acero.
The biggest difference in modern vs retro is the clothing and the wheels. I would love to see comparison of modern vs retro frame sets with exact same parts (wheels, groupsets etc.)
Sobre todo las ruedas
The 80's Colnagos have always been my dream bikes. I just love the way they look.
The C68 looks like every other "super bike" on the market. The Master Olympic is a timeless classic.
The Master Olympic looks like every other “retro” bike on the market. The C68 is a modern classic.
See how useless that statement is?
Absolutely. It’s like comparing the Rolling Sones to Stormzy. One will age well like a fine wine, the other…
@@hail_sagan2830
Only a blind person who knows nothing about road bikes could fail to differentiate a Master Olympic from other road bikes from that era. "Useless" is augurate.
@@redrocker1055 or you could just admit that it's entirely subjective and a matter of internal biases
The new bikes have no soul.
Back then,
“The goal
Is soul!”
Bought one of the first colnago that arrived in Canada in 1972 .
Super Record came out a few years later ,it had Campag Record,Green and Yellow lettering
Paid $500 ,one over 90 races on it,
Those Colnago paint finishes were mobile art ! My 2 favourite bikes are my Colnago C40 Mapei and Bianchi steel(Columbus Genius-came with 8spd Record) from the90's.Both sweet riding bikes,no way can I afford a C68.
You said it " Every Colnago is a winner". Love those bikes, the classic one the "Master"and the latest one "C68".
I would take the steel bike myself with its heirloom appeal. That said I suspect the real performance gains of the modern superbike would be seen on a twisty decent.
All my bikes are slow uphill. I can’t figure out the problem 🤔😂
I just built up a lovely 30th anniversary edition In Sarroni red with modern components (record 12) Lovely bike and very close in speed to my carbon bikes. Colnago clearly know what they're doing when it comes to steel frames.
I have an '89 Master Piu upgraded with SRAM Force AXS eTap and Campagnolo Bora WTO 45 carbon wheels with Pirelli P-Zero 25s. Still significantly heavier than the C68, but I'll wager modern drivetrain and wheels/tires on the vintage bike would cut that 14 seconds in half.
The master was my dream bike when I started riding and I think with modern wheels and groupset it would be as fast and comfortable as the c68
Love see Cykling Weekly's videos!
Ive got a Master PIU and every time I ride it I ask myself the same question. Am I faster on this than my carbon Colnagos? Its a serious thought. The Master frame by far is one of the most brilliant frames ive ever ridden. The geometry is tight and the handling, ride quality, and acceleration are superb. I own 5 other Colnagos, carbon, and I love them all. Perhaps the C50 stands out more than the others. But the Master PIU is just a glorious ride. I took it to Italy with me, scorched through the Dolomites on it, descended and climbed unbelievably, and finished my trip riding it from Milan to Cambiago to meet the man himself.
Awesome video! I ride a 1986 Klein Quantum that hangs with friends' bikes worth several thousands of dollars. In the amateur ranks, an old, high quality bike is just as good as a new bike, and old bikes have soul!
I really enjoyed this comparison and it is very cool and genuine that you own the 30-year-old classic model. And now it'd be fun to see a couple of temporary mods compared--such as narrower bars on the new Colnago and modern wheels on your Colnago. But yeah, at the end of the day, woohoo to steel, a steal of a deal. And now I am looking down at the carpet and apologizing for that pun. :)
😂
Cool video; one of the best of the new vs retro vids. Ride quality of the steel bike could probably be improved by switching to a wider tire, if you’ve got clearance-and it turns out rolling resistance will drop too!
My favourite retro loving cycling journalist.
Thank you Chris - my favourite commenter 😊
I wonder what time the master will do up hill if it had a nice pair of carbon rims with a climbing cassette?
Good test, and the results are about what I'd expect. Same same on the flats, carbon goes up the hill a little quicker. In my view it's mostly due to the stiffer carbon frame, though weight difference plays a role too. I was working in a pro bike shop when that Colnago Master came out. It was kind of a crazy era. I still think modern steel is a better choice for most recreational riders.
I think the wide gear ratio played a much more substantial role in the "hill climb".
@@ronbell7920 right on point.
Excellent comparison. Both bikes are just superb
3:32 The artwork on the seat is gorgeous. Do they even do that anymore ?
Very interesting results, more on this subject!
I built up my dream Colnago C60 race bike several years back!
I wanted 100% Italian-made, but could not find pedals, so got top-end Look carbon/Ti.
Obviously, I would not put ugly, bland, boring Shima(NO!) on it, to ruin it's stunning looks.
Why pay big money to make it look like the majority of "Clone Bikes" out there.
Top-end Campagnolo Super Record EPS/Bora Ultra tubular wheels only!
Although its been rumoured Ernesto will personally slap you with a fish should you actually put Shimano on the C68, turns out thats probably unlikely to happen.
Love it!! Great video.
Like most modern, aero (at least semi- aero) bikes, the C68 makes no discernible difference on rolling roads. By 28mph average, the difference is huge. Do you ride at 28mph average? Put modern tyres, wheels and gear ratios on the Master and there would have been almost no difference on the hill climb either. This is pretty sad - in most sporting goods, 35 years would result in night and day, significant difference. I simply can't understand why Colnago don't make a modern steel frame that accepts modern tyre widths and a modern stem.
I'll have one of each please, to complement my Colnago C60 rim bike. Sublime ride.
I upgraded my master from 9 speed to 12 Speed drivetrain, 40mm wheelset, 28mm tires, compact handlebar and stem.
Now my master is a different animal!
I enjoy it more than any of my other up to date bikes…Master frames are magical.
I’d like to see you do a comparison between your Cafe racer Chas Roberts bike build and a new modern Carbon bike, similar comparison, to see a older steel bike with modern group set against new carbon with similar group set.
I did a couple of road bike TTs on the Roberts with modern Chorus last year and it was much faster than I thought I was going to be. Thanks for the good idea for another retro v modern video 👍👍
I would like to see a test of the C68 vs a 2022, 105 Carbon, Giant, Trek or other new mainstream 105 carbon bike. I think that will highlight just what a sham the C68 is. Don't get me wrong I think the wheels and Dura Ace group are great but I really question if that frame is much better than a TCR or Domane. Would love to see a test that would prove it either way.
Me too!
I have a steel fleet + one lightweight carbon bike which only comes out very rarely. On the topic of comfort, I have modern wheels on all the old bikes and wide tires (25, 26, 28). H+S box section rims on various hubs for the retro look or Campagnolo wheels for the neo look. I'm loving Pirelli Cinturato rubber at present, that really makes a difference. Modern gearing as well even on the vintage drivetrain. Comfort, handling and braking performance sorted right there.
The carbon bike rides and handles differently and certainly accelerates harder. But its rarely ridden, despite being a pretty good ride. The steel bikes are just more compelling to ride.
Interesting vid x
Lovely review and comparison. Really enjoyed watching this video: thank you, well done.
No question for me, it's the Master Olympic. I LOVE smoking the tech-addled fancy-pants on his 5-digit carbon frame with my steel (LeMond Tourmalet) or titanium (Merlin Extralight) road bike. As Eddy Merckx once advised: less upgrades and more riding up grades. 'Nuff 'ced.
I almost bought that same model in 92!! It had super record and the paint job was awesome!! But my 85 Trek 770 pink was my all time favorite bike! And I still ride Trek today!
@Cycling Weekly... This is the first documented video where two bike were compared head to head with power meter pedals.
Obey your Master, your climbs come faster, obey your Master! Master!!!
Master of Pelotons I'm pulling your strings, twisting your mind and smashing your premes
Thank you for the video my choice is the master with a revised rear sprocket set its a beauty.
Great comparison and interesting results (my Arabesque is quite zippy too) but tbh without Ernestos signature on the C68 I won't be buying one. The C64 was sadly the last true carbon offering from the Colnago stable.
@John Flynn welcome to the world of corporate investment funds where owning an epoc defining bike company is no different from squeezing returns from any other asset. So 100% with you 👍
I have come back to this video at least 3 times, when I am tempted by "upgrades" and thinking a claimed 5W improvement is going to make me drop the bunch on my group ride.
I enjoyed this video very much. I own several steel vintage bikes from the 1980s and love the aesthetics of them, although I will admit that the componentry is perhaps not so great, with weak brakes, overly big gears and stupid toe clip pedals. Downtube friction shifting works fine and is generally pretty fast due to the short cable runs. But I think that bicycles from the late 1990s and early 2000s might be a better comparison with the C68. The beautiful Master in this video has good brakes and integrated shifters and it is easy to change out the pedals to clipless so it is only the gearing and a slight weight disadvantage that really tells against it. However, I have two bicycles, a 2006 Specialized S-Works Tarmac and a 2005 Lemond Tete de Course that, to me, are Peak Bicycle: each weighs around 7.8 kg, both full Dura-Ace, with good dual-pivot rim brakes and Speedplay pedals. In their day these bikes were arguably the best you could get and with inflation each would cost around $7000 in today's money. I do not see how the C68 can be double that, even with the more expensive technology of electronic shifting and disc brakes, which add to cost as well as complexity. I am no retro grouch but as so many have pointed out here, you can have the best of both worlds: in 2014 I had a steel Tommasini custom-built with 11-speed Campagnolo and it is a beautiful object that is a pure pleasure to ride.
Colnaghi from the 90s and 00s had in my eyes the best paintwork designs of any bikes. The new one here would be great if it had the old "Colnago" writing style on it.
The Gen 1 and 2 were the best IMO. Retinato paint scheme and still with the curved fork.
After they introduced the Precisa fork they started to get pretty WILD colors.
What a coincidence...just seen this 1992-frame on our version of Craigslist for around 1500 Dollars.
6:04 a top of the line super bike with 44cm handlebars? 🤣 Overall I’d say this goes down as another one of a handful of videos on YT that goes to show that if you take a step back from all the marketing, a budget bike that is set up to give you a comfortable aero position is all the bike you will ever need.
44 cm are what I need, very broad shoulders, you may do better with 38 cm. Back in the time before one piece carbon bar and stem, you got the bar YOU wanted and was most comfy to you!
With updated wheels and tires on the Master the difference will be even smaller.
And a bigger cassette on the back (modern day 9 speeds go much bigger than 23), but I guess the point is to compare it close to its original spec.
That Colnago C68 will never last as long as that vintage bike has. For me price matters more than gaining 14 seconds and if I'm going to spend more than $10,000, which I did, for a bike it is going to be a bike that will last.
great comparison..... I remember my Condorde with Super Record back in about 1988-89?
If you had the dura ace wheelset on older bike, the diff is probably closer yet? It is a nice looking bike but the Look Blade 795 is best looking bike made, my opinion.
Have a 84 super Colnago, and 86 celo europa. Fantastic rides.
I have an old steel Pegoretti similar to this master, however I have upgraded to 24m wide rims with 28c tires, low gear= 39/ 28 and more modern compact bars, rides like a velvet Cadillac 😎
As an owner of a steel Superissimo, I have to say the results on the flats wasn't surprising to me. With some deeper section light weight wheels the steel bike would have been even faster on the flat and the climb deficit of 14s would be even lower.
I've never ridden electronic gears but is it just another part of automating the bike? The simplicity of the Master is its great joy. I also thing Mapai was riding C40s but the time you show in your film.
I have a new Trek Madone, Ultegra di2. It’s nice. Great fun. Feels fast, effortless. I guess people notice it but no one ever says anything. I also have a 1989 Merckx Corsa Extra in 7-11 livery. Folks notice, smile, wave, comment. I love them both. Lucky guy.
So on the uphill, the difference was the modern groupset? (And possibly the narrower handlebars working in the opposite direction?) But the new groupset can be fitted to the Master. I'd take the Master every time - it' the only one with Ernesto's signature after all, and put a modern groupset on to get those better gears.
spot on , this test was BS
the difference on the hill was the 2kg weight difference
@@CarlForde and gearing, possibly more significantly.
@@CarlForde Also immaterial, who of us is not at least 2Kg over racing snake weight...I know I'm 20Kg over my younger race weight.
No, the groupset was not a factor.
DA 9 speed group is as good as it gets. They make other cassette options you know, a 12-25 is the option I would choose, mated to 39/53. If you need granny gears lower than 39/25 for a 6% grade then you are really out of shape.
The biggest thing I noticed when switching to carbon from 531 was the rigidity, especially when climbing steep hills. The old 6 speed Campagnolo Super Record could not go lower that 42 at the front & the back was limited to 28 so the heavy grinding when it got steep. The Mavic rims were pretty narrow too. Used to ride 21mm tires.
@The serial Aquascaper ? care to explain
I bought a new Scott carbon fiber last year, and I am also riding a 24 year old Carrera steel bike. Amazingly, when I look at the ride times I cannot tell which bike was ridden which time. However, the carbon fiber bike does feel more comfortable. I think there would be a small difference if I did a Cat 2 climb.
You have two more test rides to make. Please do two more rides, but install 23 mm tires on the C68. Yes, sacrilege, I know! However, the ride will be slightly (a lot) more harsh, but the main thing is, regardless of Rolling Resistance???, more mass equals slower acceleration and slower deceleration, a little thing called Newton's second law of motion. Please bring reality, sanity, equanimity, and ity-bity (as in 23 mm) back into road bike tires, after all who ever said road bikes were supposed to be comfortable? Just an after thought, it would also be worth the effort to build a superlight wheelset and switch to rim brakes with a modern carbon non disc frame. Thanks, great comparison.
Wow....I love the looks of the C68 (but not the pricetag). Wish I had the money to buy it though. I guess I keep saving up a bit longer until it gets cheaper and keep cycling on my old Pinarello Sestriere. I never did ride Colnago before myself, but loving Italian design I bet the Colnago will be a step up in the end to Pinarello (unless you go Dogma or something).
The C68 is a beautiful looking timeless masterpiece of engineering with aero design, supreme comfort and powerful disc braking ability 👍
The Master Olympic is a beautiful looking timeless masterpiece of engineering with aero design, supreme comfort and powerful braking ability 👍
My mind says C68, my heart-Master X Light. In Saronni.
Great test but no one will remember the C68 in 30 years time 😉👌🏽
I would love to have both in my collection. I am old school, retired so I stick with my Wordperfect Colnago Masterlight. I love the asethetics and memories Ihave logged onto my Masterlight. Memories that are irreplacebable.
Try a carbon rim brake bike from 5-10 years ago, something like a Specialized Roubaix SL4 or similar. It will be faster then this awfully heavy gravel bike.
Have to say, That c68 is a thing of beauty.
In 1972 I put a down payment to buy a Colnago frame w/ headset and bottom bracket for $150. It arrived about 6 months later but they wanted $225. It was too much of a difference for me make up delivering newspapers ($40 a month).
I was told by an old mechanic that Italian companies even up to the 1980s didn't even put bottle cage thread mounts on the seat tube. So only one bottle and the other in your jersey pocket
Always wanted an art deco Colnago. Beautiful. The C68 is really nice but as with most modern carbon bikes, beautiful is not a word I would use to describe it. And I agree with most comments…the gear stack is the big game changer in this comparo. I guess you didn’t have any horrible brake shriek from those disc brakes? LOL.
They shouldn't ever shriek, as long as someone knows what they're doing!
Put the same gearing, wheels and tires on both bikes, there would almost nothing between them. Maybe you could squeeze 25c on your vintage Colnago.
Thanks for the review and congrats on owning such a wonderful vintage bike. Lovely.
PS. I believe Colgano has suffered the most in transitioning to the modern era of bicycle design where bigger companies like Specialized, Trek and Giant have superior CAD aka computer aided design methods using Finite Element Analysis for optimizing frame section modulus i.e better engineering which includes carbon layup. Lugs in 2022 is not very elegant whether distinguishable or not. I personally would not own a modern Colnago carbon roadbike.
PS. The fastest guy in my cycling club would be the fastest guy on any bike.
They race the V3RS in the World Tour and it doesn't have lugs. This bike is just attempting to hold onto heritage and still make a competitive bike at the same time.
Nice comparison video :) I have to admit liking the steel Colnago a bit better, though you l👀ked more relaxed on the carbon bike. My favorite ride is my 1987 Eisentraut 'Rainbow 🌈 traut' with Mavic SSC and sew-ups.
I also ride a steel track bike I keep at work (both have toe clips and straps) ... Guess I'm a bit of a dinosaur, but I do ride 2 to 3 times a week.
I would be interested to see the stack-reach ratio for the two bikes. If you were more upright in the c68 it would make sense that it hurt aerodynamics.
Also, vintage groupsets are gorgeous.
Loved the spearpoint lugs on the steel Master Olympic. So the old steel frame built with modern parts could be the ticket.
Great test, makes me glad I kept my custom 80's Proctor Townsend racer! Too bad you didn't maintain the same wattage in the road test, maybe just repeat to get a true comparison? Regardless, very surprising how well the steel frame compared in the road test! Weight was a big factor on the short hill test, I imagine. On a long hilly ride that would really add up.
Exactly - it would be nice to know the weight of each bicycle, because the 14 seconds might be only from that extra weight, not because of other factors between the bicycles... For what I see, the old Colnago is impressive.
I have a C50 and a steel Conic. The carbon bike is more comfortable to ride and certainly lighter, and easier up hills, but the visual aesthetic of the steel Conic, with a full Superbe Pro group, is sublime. I love to go out to the garage, look at it, touch it, and then go ride it. The silver color of the rims, crank, seatpost, brakes, bars and so on of the vintage bikes just looks so superior to the hideous swaths of black on modern bikes, to my eye. They just LOOK lighter! I’m tempted to hang my Conic in the living room as art.
Looking to get back into riding again and I'm finding myself loving the bikes of the 90s and early 2000s. Are the new style bikes really worth it? Not sure where I stand with this all. Have to watch more videos to see if you cover this topic. Good subject and thoughts in this piece!
Those are my favorite as well.newer bikes are more comfortable. I have a Colnago from 2021 but..I always choose my C40 or my Colnago Master from 92. It just feels great in a way I can’t explain.My wife also rides a Master with Super Record 11 and she has never asked for a new bike
Nice comparison. I would be curious to know if the difference is greater as you approach your maximum output.
In 30 years time the steel colnago will still exist and the carbon colnago will be landfill.
Exactly. Unless one is racing, that steel colnago is perfectly fine to train on today.
gREAT VID. i HAVE A 1984 oLMO, SO VERY RELEVANT
7:31 thats ((7*60)+53) / (7*60) +39) = 473 / 459 = 1.0305 means 3.05% slower with the Master Olympic. This seem significant yes.
Just ordered a Masters xlight cant wait,,,
You cycled up Leaf hill with 39-23?! Wow. Impressive! How are the knees?
I really miss my Bianchi Columbus SLX steel frame. Sadly, the chain stay gave out after years of punishment, but I still remember the feel. I don't really know how to explain it, but it felt like every push on the pedal went directly into the frame. So much so that my bike fit me like a well worn slipper. I was one with the bike. I don't get that feel with my KHS, but maybe it's because I don't ride as much as I used to.
I’d like to see a comparison between a contemporary bike and a classic 90s frame with 2x12 and modern wheels/parts. Should be a very small difference
Bugno' Titanio Bitan my fave one I have. 19mm Pro-Michelin tyres too !
Testing a v3rs instead of the c68 might have changed the outcome a bit more, BUT, as others have said, I suspect the difference would be significant over longer courses especially with technical descents. 30-40 miles would probably be enough to bare it out.
I love it.....My old Bianchi TSX is set up the same way....Dura Ace 7700 with a 12-23 in back. (for flat criteriums, I would use a 12-21)
U could have easily equalized the 2 bikes (on the hillclimb) by just NOT using any of the cassette gears on the modern C63 that would deliver a gear ratio below 39/23. That, alone, might have pushed the old Master into the lead with it's 39/23 limitation . And it's valid, for the purposes of this test, as this was not a nostalgia test. It was a performance test and things like a modern 23c designed tire and a sensible gear spread are "must haves" for a fair comparison today. Of course, the next equalization is taping 4 16oz water bottles to the C63. But that is debatable for this thread.
I raced a almost identical Colnago Master during the 1993 racing season the only difference it having Dura Ace 7400. The new bikes are great but I can't imagine racing on something so over priced!!
Indeed. I wouldnt dare to ride it...
If you realise that pros 30 or 50 years back were not that much slower on average, even with longer races, less efficient nutricion and all, it shows how wonderfull an invention the bike really is. Stiff wheel and decent tires and you're off! In the end, it's the rider that makes the difference (and thet causes the drag, haha.)
My Sunday Best ride is a Master Olympic with downtube shifters and Delta brakes. Set up with the same position as my modern Fuji carbon bike with Ultegra Di2, wide tubeless tyres, etc.
I honestly don't notice any difference in speed between the two on my local hilly Cornish roads.
The Colnago is definitely more direct / twitchy / alive. The Fuji much more laid back and comfortable. I enjoy riding both equally - the Master definitely attracts more attention (even from non-cyclists)!
Between those 2 bikes minus the gruppo, I’d prefer the Master Olympic. I’ve been cycling since 1982 with a decade of racing early on an I’d be totally stoked to own the Master Olympic. I’ve owned a C40, a C50, two Dreams and a Master Ti … the Master Olympic would be super cool towards the tail end of my cycling life.
Which one do I like the best? That depends on who is paying. If I’m paying I’d go with the Master Light. I’m sure it doesn’t cost nearly as much as the carbon bike and there’s just not enough performance gain or difference in ride quality unless you’re riding at a very high level and need those seconds. Performance wise they are both excellent bikes. I could never look at a Master Light and view it as a step down.
As a science geek though there were several things I would have liked to have seen.
What would be the results of the two frame sets if they were normalized (in as much as you could) for the differences in the drive train, wheel set and cockpit.
Also, what would have been the difference in descending for wattage, speed and time?