What Kit for a Colnago C40?

Carleton has a great frame, a Colnago C40 and wants our suggestions as to what equipment he should be mounting on it. With a frame like this it’s crying out for Campagnolo and other Italian goodies, here are our ideas

Question:
I am looking to outfit a Colnago C40 with components. Any suggestions? I stand 6′-3″, ride distances (50-60 miles), need light components, but also durable. I need tips on derailleur’s, cranks, cassette, handlebars, etc. All that I have now is Campy seat post, Chris king headset, and a saddle. Looking forward to your input. Thanks.

Hi Carleton,

If you have a Colnago and better still a Colnago C40, then you have to fit it with Campagnolo. The two top class Italian companies are made for each other, you could mount Shimano components on the Colnago, but it wouldn’t be right to the perfectionist eye.

OK what to go for? Get the best that you can afford or can justify spending the money on. There is the new 11 speed Campagnolo Super Record, but 10 gears are more than enough, so Record would be the first choice and then if you didn’t want to spend the cash, I would get the Chorus group set as it is nearly as durable as Record.

Now you don’t say were you live, so I don’t know if you are in a hilly area or flat, you must be fairly fit if you are doing 50 to 60 mile rides, but you might want to consider a compact chain set with 50 and 36 tooth chain rings and mated to a 12 to 23 tooth cassette, and as you are tall you would probably need 172.5 or 175 length cranks. Buying a group set is cheaper than buying the components separately.

There are lots of stems and handle bars to choose from and as you are not small you would be looking at deep and wide handle bars probably with an outside measurement of 46 or 44 middle to middle. ITM make very nice bars and stem, carbon is light, but how durable it is I’m not convinced, especially for a big guy. The length of the stem you will have to work out yourself, measure your old position and if you were comfortable then just replicate it.

Again there are many pedals to choose from, we like Look, Time and the Campagnolo pedals, all work much the same, Look Keo is a good pedal to start from. Do you have wheels and tires? If you need them also, then go for Campagnolo or Fulcrum, they will go with Campagnolo and ITM kit very well. Tires could be Conti, Vitoria or Hutchinson.

Basically we are going for a Euro or more specifically Italian theme which you should stick too as you have an Icon of a Colnago frame. Let us know what you decide.