How to Identify a Colnago C40 Frame (Second Version)

This article is only part of my ULTIMATE GUIDE to the Colnago C40 which I recommend you start reading first. This guide includes a lot of information about this legendary frame such as;

• An overview of the Colnago carbon bikes that preceded the C40.
• The brief history of the C40 including major race wins.
• Discussion of the C40 lugs and how the frame was assembled.
• How to identify the different versions of the C40.
• The different forks that were supplied with the C40 over the years.
• Frame geometry and build specifications.

Overview

The Colnago C40 was manufactured for approximately 10 years (1994 – 2004) and over that time, 4 different versions of the frame were released. This article discusses the second version of the C40 frame that was sold for about 5 years (1997 to 2001, dates are approximate).

General Features of a C40 Frame

All 4 versions of the C40 frame were made from carbon tubes and carbon lugs. They were not a monocoque design, which has a flowing style – like modern carbon frames. The top tube and down tube featured a distinctive 4 sided Master profile as shown in the images below. The majority of C40 frames were built using traditional geometry (that has a horizontal top tube). However in 2001, their catalog listed sloping geometry for the small frames sizes (46,47,48).

The C40 logo was located at the top of the seat tube as shown in the following image.

How to Identify the 2nd Version Frame

To quickly identify the second version of the C40 frame, check for these 2 things on the frame;

1. Look at the location of the shift cable stops on the frame. As shown in the below, the cable stops are located on the head tube lug unlike the first version frame which positioned the cable stops lower and on the down tube.

2. Look at the seat stays. They are traditional looking narrow seat stays, not the chunkier B-Stay’s which came later. Please refer to the image below.

New Features of the 2nd Version Frame

The second version of the C40 frame received some notable updates which include;

• New Ace of Clubs logo carved into the top of the head tube lug (just like their steel bikes).
• The chain stays have a higher profile than the first version. Presumably to enhance stiffness.
• Whilst it is not mentioned in the Colnago catalog, I have read that the down tube on the second version C40 flares out wider where it meets the bottom bracket. The first version down tube had a constant diameter. This is a little tricky to see in the photos.

Carbon Star Fork is Released

Colnago finally released it’s carbon forks (Star and Force models) somewhere between the late 1990’s to early 2000’s. Up until this point, the second version of the C40 was sold with a steel Precisa fork or possibly a Time ‘Colnago’ carbon fork. Once Colnago released it’s own carbon forks, I believe the customer could order either the Star fork or Force fork, depending on their budget and preference.

C40 Gold – Limited Edition Bike

This limited edition bike is built from the second version C40 frame and was listed in a Colnago catalog (circa 2000). In the top paragraph it explains that only 400 were produced. This model was supplied with the new Colnago Star carbon fork.

About Me.

I have been riding and working on my own bikes for many years now. I wanted to share my experiences, knowledge and research with others. My aim is to inspire people to get involved in all aspects of this amazing sport. Cheers.

Comments.

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