[CR]To Build Up or Not To Build Up?

(Example: Production Builders:Pogliaghi)

From: "Angel M Garcia" <wa2vuy@mindspring.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2003 16:30:35 -0400
Subject: [CR]To Build Up or Not To Build Up?

I have a feeling that I missed the boat on a discussion about this topic. I have one set of NOS, I think RECORD, brakes that are what I describe as having an almost jewel-like highly polished finish. Other sets have a duller (anodized?) finish. Was the finish dependent upon model type? or ??.... These leads me to the main question:

I have a 1973 (or 74) NOS Colnago Super frame in Molteni Orange. Colnago in Cambiago has confirmed the year(s). It has spent it's entire life packed away (long story; the build of the bike in the early 70s got as far as the install of an OMAS BB and Campy headset). I also have all the NOS Record components from that period that were intended for the build. I have been struggling on deciding whether to continue to drool over the frame (it is absolutely gorgeous) and it's associated components (it is easier to examine and appreciate the components when they are not on the bike) or build it up. I lean towards building it up. But, then worry about riding and having an accident. I imagine that there are list members that have incredible bikes that are ridden and others that have incredible bikes that are not. Perhaps having survived for so long in this state it should remain so? Or, bikes were built to be ridden and that's the path to take. What would you do?

Angel Garcia
Morris, NJ