Colnago celebrates 80th birthday with limited edition bike

6 comments
By Cyclingnews.com | Thursday, Feb 9, 2012 5.12pm

This article originally appeared on Cyclingnews.com (click over to see the full gallery).

Ernesto Colnago is 80 today and has celebrated his birthday with a special limited edition bike that is set to become a collector's item.

The special bike is called the C59 Ottanta – which means eighty in Italian and has a gold finish. It was inspired by the iconic Colnago bikes of the past that were used so successfully by so many legendary professional riders and loved by thousands of cyclists around the world.

The C59 Ottanta has Master-like arabesque lug decorations and Ernesto Colnago’s signature, yet is made from the best possible carbon fibre and fitted with Campagnolo Super Record EPS 11s electronic components.

Colnago is known for its iconic ace of clubs logo but the C59 Ottanta has a special head badge: the original ‘Eagle and Arrow’ logo that was created in 1954 inspired by a headline in the local newspaper that described Colnago as fast as an arrow when he won a race.

Just 80 examples of this very special limited edition bike will be made and 20 have already been snapped up by collectors around the world.

Ernesto colnago at 80: ernesto colnago at 80

Ernesto Colnago

Despite turning 80, Colnago was busy in his office in Cambiago, preferring to work than celebrate his birthday. He is still the first to arrive at the Colnago offices, just across the street from his home, and is always the last to leave. Most people are happily retired at 80 but Colnago does not intend to retire just yet.

“My 80th birthday is an intermediate sprint, it’s the not the finish of my race. I still love to work and create new bikes. I don’t want a cake or a big party, the special bike is my way of sharing my birthday,” he said.

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User Comments

There are 6 comments on this post

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 comments

  • ooh its like a grown up Raleigh Super Tuff burner...

  • It's like my 4 year old daughters attempt at keeping inside the lines whilst colouring with wax crayons. It is horrible, for goodness sake man, retire, leave modern bike design to your grandchildren

  • Despair at the childish comments above.

    He's forgotten more about bike building, running a successful business and life than most will ever know.

    Ask Eddy Merckx for his thoughts on the man.

  • The bike is ugly no question about it,but I wish Mr Colnago a happy and healty birthday and a long life.

    Mens like these are the last breed of the Italian dedication and passion to hard work and endless search for quality and perfection,something that now has been long lost and forgotten.

  • Anyo9ne wanting to see a truly fugly bike only needs to google Claud Butler 29er. This bike, no matter what you think of the colours or style, at least won't make you want to poke your eyes out with a big pointed stick like the CB 29er....

  • I like it - not so sure about the faux ornate lug detail, however I don't think it's too OTT colour-wise considering some of the completely over-ostentatious designs we see on other marques. Shame the Campag components don't have some special livery on them too to tie in with the colour scheme, If I had the cash to burn i'd have one in a minute though.

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