Colnago C64 or V3rs? (Last rim-brake frame)

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simbikotic
Posts: 154
Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2020 12:52 am

by simbikotic

Maybe I am paranoid, but I have an urge to snap up a rim brake frame-set before it is - possibly - too late. Looks like both the Colnago C64 and V3rs are for sale in rim brake versions. Interested to hear comparisons between the two. Happy to take opinions too. Which would you go for?

hannawald
Posts: 1706
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 7:28 pm
Location: Czech Republic

by hannawald

Comparison? V3RS is the stiffer and lighter one, C64 is the classy one and made in Italy. For rim brake probably C64, you can get it to 6.8 kgs or lower anyway and it is more the classic, like rim brakes. But it may be due to update soon.

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ironman1
Posts: 215
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:51 pm

by ironman1

Just received my rim version V3rs frameset today. Purchased because I'm fine with rim brakes and afraid shortly they won't be avaulable as more and more manufacturers are dropping rim brake frames completely. Just going over frame and checking all threads are clear,checking for nicks, ect. Everything seems fine but disappointed in my Black / White frame isn't even painted or decaled. Just colored plastic adhesive. How much more can they cheapen a quality frame?

KCookie
Posts: 1963
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2015 9:40 am
Location: Pom living in Australia

by KCookie

ironman1 wrote:Just received my rim version V3rs frameset today. Purchased because I'm fine with rim brakes and afraid shortly they won't be avaulable as more and more manufacturers are dropping rim brake frames completely. Just going over frame and checking all threads are clear,checking for nicks, ect. Everything seems fine but disappointed in my Black / White frame isn't even painted or decaled. Just colored plastic adhesive. How much more can they cheapen a quality frame?
I have ordered the same frame as yours, unfortunately had to be sent back due to a manufacturing defect in the carbon. So now a 4 month wait.
The supplier did tell me that the decals on the forks are actually stickers.
I was a little shocked as I thought they were hand painted.
Im actually going to get it custom painted so not overly bothered. But yes seems a little cheap considering the price if the framset.

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ironman1
Posts: 215
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:51 pm

by ironman1

KCoolie, sorry to hear about your frame. When you do get it and repaint it please let me know what is below the stickers when peeled off. wonder if it the natural carbon like rest of frame or what ?

simbikotic
Posts: 154
Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2020 12:52 am

by simbikotic

ironman1 wrote:
Thu Jun 10, 2021 10:03 pm
.. isn't even painted or decaled. Just colored plastic adhesive.
Oh wow. Which bits exactly are you referring to? You mean all the lettering and logos on downtube, headtube etc? Stickers on the surface? Any clear-coat over them?

c60rider
Posts: 872
Joined: Mon Feb 27, 2017 11:12 pm

by c60rider

Having got into frame painting, the process, the difference between an ok finish and a high end finish I can tell the finish on my C60 mhcf is pretty average. Though all of it is painted rather than decals, what they haven't done is to sand it down after the initial layers of top coat and then top coated again so you can't feel any of the bumps or lines where the changes in paint are. To be honest it's pretty rubbish and wouldn't have taken that long at all to take that extra step. If the choice is purely between those two frames (C64 or V3r) I'd go for the lugged made in Italy C64 but I just couldn't bring myself to spending so much money on what is a pretty ordinary frame. I'm really not sure what I'm paying all that money for beyond the name. I would definitely consider a custom paint job but you're looking at £1000 plus for higher quality jobs. The more intricate the design the more costs go up due to the masking and labour time required. But when you're already spending the best part or more than £10k it's only a bit more to get a totally unique frame.

one60
Posts: 57
Joined: Sun May 31, 2020 1:37 pm

by one60

Unless the OP is set on a Colnago, there are still quite a few rim brake options at similar pricing. If staying Italian, Pinarello F12 (F14 ?) , Basso Diamante, Cipollini NK1K and the ONE. A 2020 LOOK RS Blade would be on my short list too

ironman1
Posts: 215
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:51 pm

by ironman1

The color changes on the V3rs ( white, red, green, ect. are plastic colored adhesives . Almost like a chainstay protector.

KCookie
Posts: 1963
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2015 9:40 am
Location: Pom living in Australia

by KCookie

ironman1 wrote:KCoolie, sorry to hear about your frame. When you do get it and repaint it please let me know what is below the stickers when peeled off. wonder if it the natural carbon like rest of frame or what ?
Sure will, but will be a long time yet. Still got another 3 months until the frame arrives then i need to make a decision when to get the frame painted, well its mainly the fork.
The warranty is two years and Colnago have said that will be void once the work commences.

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hannawald
Posts: 1706
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 7:28 pm
Location: Czech Republic

by hannawald

ironman1 wrote:
Sat Jun 12, 2021 12:22 am
The color changes on the V3rs ( white, red, green, ect. are plastic colored adhesives . Almost like a chainstay protector.
If true you can probably save some weight going custom painted:)
And the paint is not very good considering price of the frame, I have a 2 tiny cracks and bubble on a new V3RS. But i have seen worse Bianchi. One of them is pictured here on weightweenies and the other one had Spceialissima instead of Specialissima:) and they let it leave the factory and sent it to the dealer.

simbikotic
Posts: 154
Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2020 12:52 am

by simbikotic

Thanks everyone for the info/thoughts!
one60 wrote:
Fri Jun 11, 2021 4:42 pm
Unless the OP is set on a Colnago...
I am considering others, was just hoping to narrow it down to one Colnago on the list. For example I really like the look of the Specialissima rim. But, according to this thread, Bianchi cannot paint a bike either! Look/Time climbing bikes are very appealing too.

nafaiutb
Posts: 77
Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2016 9:51 pm

by nafaiutb

one60 wrote:
Fri Jun 11, 2021 4:42 pm
Unless the OP is set on a Colnago, there are still quite a few rim brake options at similar pricing. If staying Italian, Pinarello F12 (F14 ?) , Basso Diamante, Cipollini NK1K and the ONE. A 2020 LOOK RS Blade would be on my short list too
Pinarello is Italian in name only - the firm is owned by a US private equity group and the frames are made in the far east.
The finish on the Look and Time bikes I've seen has been excellent.

one60
Posts: 57
Joined: Sun May 31, 2020 1:37 pm

by one60

simbikotic wrote:
Sat Jun 12, 2021 6:04 pm
Thanks everyone for the info/thoughts!
one60 wrote:
Fri Jun 11, 2021 4:42 pm
Unless the OP is set on a Colnago...
I am considering others, was just hoping to narrow it down to one Colnago on the list. For example I really like the look of the Specialissima rim. But, according to this thread, Bianchi cannot paint a bike either! Look/Time climbing bikes are very appealing too.
I've spent time on the Pantani edition of the Specialissima. The paint is phenomenal. I prefer subdued paint w/o logos but would make an exception for the Pantani version. Can't speak to the more standard paint colors/jobs though.

frommel
Posts: 98
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2018 8:00 pm

by frommel

simbikotic wrote:
Fri Jun 11, 2021 1:17 am
ironman1 wrote:
Thu Jun 10, 2021 10:03 pm
.. isn't even painted or decaled. Just colored plastic adhesive.
Oh wow. Which bits exactly are you referring to? You mean all the lettering and logos on downtube, headtube etc? Stickers on the surface? Any clear-coat over them?
I just received my C68 Black (HRBK) and was actually very surprised that all the logos seem to just be stickers. I didn't try and peel it off, but there is a distinct edge to the lettering (which is shiny lettering on the matte black of the frame). Perhaps this is only true for the matte frame but I am frankly a bit disappointed. Looking at the super smooth coats on the Look and Time frames, this is a bit of a let-down.

Wondering whether it is worth coating it before building up the bike? Although that would obviously mess up the matte finish (which may be ok).

by Weenie


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