I have a Confente for sale.
It is Confente #016 built in Monterey, it is painted a fire engine red and it is the original paint job. Jim Cunningham sent me the original build card for this frame and it is listed as pearl white on the card. The original owner changed his mind at the last minute and the build card was apparently never updated.
Here is what the original owner told me,
"I remember the color "controversy" of the frameset very well. For unknown reasons, I became enamored with the idea of a white bike (probably because I saw a Masi "Mexico" frameset in the group of riders I rode with at the time). At the time I was configuring the Confente, my local bike shop received a beautiful Colnago frameset in white. Unable to resist the temptation, I ended up buying both the Confente and the Colnago. Since I was getting a white bike I told Mario to switch the color scheme on the Confente."
The BB is stamped 016 and 61.5. The frame measures 59.5 cm center to center on the seat tube or 60.5 center to top. It has been discussed on the forum that Mario had is own way of measuring frames hence the 61.5 number.
The top tube measures 57.5cm center to center.
There are a few small rust spots around the top tube cable guides and the paint has small chips in various areas. Overall, it is in good condition. The original owner rode the bike for a few years and then loaned it to his cousin. It was ridden a few more years and them put away for the next 15+ years. The bike was moved around in California and Texas as the owner moved. So many of the chips are from the many moves and the bike sitting in storage.
The original owner bought the frame and assembled with parts on hand. So some parts are are older than the frame and others were apparently upgraded later, like the Pat. 82 Super Record rear derailleur.
The components
* Campy NR brakes, the levers are missing the hoods and there are some scratches on the levers, the calipers are in good shape. The calipers have the flat quick release levers which would pre-date the frame
* 170mm cranks with 54/46 NR chainrings
* SR headset that is in great shape, it does not have the SR "indexed" steering problem.
* 1st generation SR seatpost, fluted with the two bolt NR style clamp
* Brooks saddle, leather is cracked
* SR rear dearial Pat. 82
* NR front derail, flat outer cage
* Wheels are 36h Campy low flange hubs with straight QR levers, silver non-descript clincher rims, Specialized tires that are dry-rotted!
* Cinelli bars and stem - Stem is 12.5cm, old style with oval logo on the extension. Bars are 66-42 Campione de Mondo
* Campy Portacatena shifting device, rear shift lever has a detente button allowing the chain to move down below the bottom cog onto an aluminum hanger.
* NO PEDALS - the pedals that came with the bike are Suntour Superbe!
NOTE: The rear dearil. cable is routed throught the right rear chainstay.
Comments from the original owner on the Campy Portacatena device,
"Mario kind of talked me into some things. One was the chain holder and the other was the size of the frame for my body. Regarding the chain holder, I think this was an idea that was supposed to "come in" with all high end frames. In fact, I think the actual piece that the chain falls onto (aluminum) is made by Campy. I think I saw this on another bike around the same time frame and I sort of assumed this was going to become standard on this quality of frameset in the future. But, in fact, it never took off because the component makers need the extra space for more cogs. I did use the chain holder but not in the field. Whenever I did some work on the bike it came in handy but on the road I'm not sure I ever had an occasion to use it. Actually, I ordered the frameset only and Mario agreed that once it was completed I could bring over all my components and he would build the bike up. In fact, it was after we setup the bike that Mario and I went out to some titty bars in the Alhambra area. All the girls loved him but they couldn't care less about me. But we had a good time."
One of the reasons the owner gave the frame to his cousin is that he was never completely comfortable with the fit., as he mentions above that he was talked into the frame size for his body.
Since I've had the frame, I removed the BB, cleaned and waxed the frame. Currently, all of the parts above are hung on the frame but all need a good cleaning and the bike needs to be properly assembled.
I'm asking $6250 or BEST OFFER.
I have a few photos of the frame available now, I will be taking more photos over the weekend.
Regards,
Russ