Colnago Arabesque Rare Anniversary Road Bike 1984

When it comes to classic bicycles, the Colnago Arabesque is undoubtedly THE must have for any collector. Very hard to find, the original Arabesque might be the most well-finished bicycle that Colnago has ever manufactured.

It was produced around 1984 to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the company: Ernesto Colnago wanted to create a bicycle which would be a milestone, both for himself and for the bicycle industry.

By looking at the lugs, it is simple to understand where the name "Arabesque" comes from. Those "arabesque shape" lugs were made by Rauler and actually remind of Gloria Garibaldina bikes, an Italian company Ernesto Colnago worked for. As for the tubing, the Arabesque was built in different versions both with Columbus SL tubes and specially profiled Colnago tubes (the later ones similar to the Columbus Gilco of the Master and Esamexico).

The frame became so popular and legendary that for 2016, Colnago started to produce a number of reproductions from a stash of leftover lugs. But unfortunately this reproduction looks (and is) just like a "normal" Colnago Master with special lugs. It somehow lacks the elegance of the original.

This Colnago Arabesque is simply a breath-taking beauty from 1984 (Se. No. 281). The frame and parts are in a really great condition, which shows that it has seldomly been ridden. We got this rare piece of cycling history from an Austrian guy who once received it as a gift from his father. Well who would not have wished for such a sweet manifestation of fatherly love? Now we are the happy ones as after many years the former owner was willing to let go of this fine machine.
The frame of this Arabesque was built using a special tubing with a profiled shape, very much like for the Nuovo Mexico model. And it perfectly matches the "Arabesque" lugs.

But what makes this Colnago even rarer is the Campagnolo Super Record groupset specially designed for the Colnago 30th anniversary and which sports golden clover inlays. Most of the produced Arabesques were sold as framesets and very few bikes were equipped with the special anniversary components, indeed. The parts also show a pantographed Colnago logo, even the pedals!

And it is not even a bit heavy. In size 60 with leather bar tape, a leather seat and steel spindle pedals it weighs just 9kg!

There is nothing more to say about this masterpiece. One of the rarest (small series) produced collectible bicycles: for true collectors!