In 2004, the Colnago C50 was released with a wider range of frames in sloping geometry (45s, 48s, 50s, 52s). Larger size frames had FREULER geometry which means the head tube and seat tube extend higher above the top tube than a regular sized frame to reduce stand-over clearance on large frames. Looking at the list of C40 frame sizes in the 2001 Colnago catalog (below), you can see that Colnago was selling the small sizes of the C40 B-Stay frame (46, 47, 48) with sloping geometry. Image courtesy of Speed Bicycles C40 in Sloping Geometry Images courtesy of Speed Bicycles.Ĭolnago C40 third version features regular chain stays. Please refer to the image of the regular chain stays below. The 3rd version of the C40 frame has regular looking chain stays whilst the 4th version of the frame was built with distinctive triangular HP chain stays. On earlier versions of the C40 frame, the seat stays are 2 seperate pieces.Ģ. The seat stays are a bulkier design (usually labelled B-Stay) than the previous 2 versions of the C40 and they originate from a single point on the seat post lug as shown in the diagrams below. It’s simple to identify the third version of the C40 frame, just look for these 2 features ġ.
Image courtesy of Speed Bicycles How to Identify the 3rd Version Frame No Colnago Ace of Clubs featured on this seat tube. The C40 logo was located at the top of the seat tube as shown in the following image. Colnago C40 frame tubes Colnago C40 B-Stay top tube with Master Profile shape. However in 2001, their catalog listed sloping geometry for the small frames sizes (46,47,48). The majority of C40 frames were built using traditional geometry (that has a horizontal top tube). The top tube and down tube featured a distinctive 4 sided Master profile as shown in the images below. They were not a monocoque design, which has a flowing style – like modern carbon frames. General Features of a C40 FrameĪll 4 versions of the C40 frame were made from carbon tubes and carbon lugs. This model was sold for about 3 years (2001 to 2003, dates are approximate). This article discusses the third version of the C40 frame, known as the C40 B-Stay.
The Colnago C40 was manufactured for approximately 10 years (1994 – 2004) and over that time, 4 different versions of the frame were released. Frame geometry and build specifications.The different forks that were supplied with the C40 over the years.How to identify the different versions of the C40.Discussion of the C40 lugs and how the frame was assembled.
The brief history of the C40 including major race wins.An overview of the Colnago carbon bikes that preceded the C40.This guide includes a lot of information about this legendary frame such as This article is only part of my ULTIMATE GUIDE to the Colnago C40 which I recommend you start reading first. Colnago C40 B-Stay – Third Version of the Colnago C40 frame