Image courtesy of premium-cycling.com
The Colnago Nuovo Mexico was released approximately 1983 and available for only a few short years. It was easily identified by a single crimp on either side the top tube and two offset crimps on each side the down tube (total of 4 crimps on down tube). As a result of the crimping applied to the down tube, the Nuovo Mexico was the first frame to feature Colnago’s iconic club shaped down tube. This frame is easy to identify and well documented in Colnago’s literature (below).
These frame tubes were also used to manufacture some of the most collectible early Colnago Arabesque frames. The Arabesque was in production at a similar time as the Nuovo Mexico. The Arabesque however, was built with more decorative lugs.
In the early 1980’s Colnago began experimenting with crimping main frame tubes to increase stiffness. Colnago referred to these crimps as ‘ribs’ in their early brochures.
Predecessor’s to the Nuovo Mexico.
There were several earlier crimped frames that preceded this Nuovo Mexico frame. Both of these earlier frames featured a single crimp on either side of the top tube like the Nuovo Mexico, but the differences being that one frame had no crimps on the down tube, and the other frame had 2 crimps on the down tube. The Nuovo Mexico was clearly documented in Colnago’s catalogue has having 4 crimps on the down tube.
Interestingly, the frame with only 2 crimps on the down tube is often referred to by many as a Nuovo Mexico as well, however it still remains unclear if this is accurate. You can read more about those early crimped frames in my How to Identify a Colnago Super Profil article.
Before you start with the identification process, you should start here;
How to identify a Colnago vintage bike.
The original Colnago Mexico (released in the 1970’s) was built using only Columbus Record tubes which are thinner and lighter than the Columbus SL tubes used to build the Colnago Super frames. Unlike the Nuovo Mexico, it did not have crimped top or down tubes.
The Colnago Nuovo Mexico however was built using a combination of Columbus SL and Columbus Record tubing. But, it is not clear as to which frame tubes were SL and which were Record. The following chart provides specifications for both types of tubes. Ultimately a Nuovo Mexico should be a little lighter than a Super for the same frame size and era.
Image courtesy of www.steel-vintage.com
Image courtesy of premium-cycling.com
Image courtesy of premium-cycling.com
Image courtesy of www.steel-vintage.com
Image courtesy of www.steel-vintage.com
Sloping fork crown with ‘Colnago’ lettering and club symbol
Image courtesy of premium-cycling.com
Club symbol on top of bottom bracket.
Image courtesy of premium-cycling.com
I don’t think the Mexico decal was standard on this model.
Image courtesy of premium-cycling.com
No chain stay bridge.
Image courtesy of premium-cycling.com
The following extract from a Colnago catalogue (circa 1985) specifies the number of crimps (ribs) on the top tube (2) as well as the down tube (4) and the tube diameters. Interestingly this brochure also refers to the model as a Mexico rather than a Nuovo Mexico.
Saronni’s 1982 World Championship Bike.
In 1982 Giuseppe (Beppe) Saronni won the World Championships in Goodwood, England on a bike with crimped frame tubes. This bike is on display in the Colnago museum. Read more..
Check Out My Bike Build Project
I recently restored a Colnago Nuovo Mexico frame. Read more about the project including the wheel build, Campagnolo Super Record components and finishing kit choices.
Colnago Literature.
The following websites have a large selection scanned Colnago literature including reviews, catalogues and brochures.
Article References.
I hope you found this article interesting. I have listed the following website pages as general references.
www.steel-vintage.com
premium-cycling.com
www.pezcyclingnews.com
Disclaimer!
Please remember that this information is only to be used as a guide.
I consider myself an enthusiast, not an expert. The information I have presented in this article is based on my many hours of online research.
In addition, there will always be frames that don’t quite match the characteristics of a particular model as they could have been a custom build, prototype etc. Note: forks can also be swapped between different frames.
About Me.
I have been riding and working on my own bikes for many years now. I wanted to share my experiences, knowledge and research with others. My aim is to inspire people to get involved in all aspects of this amazing sport. Cheers.
Comments.
I welcome reader feedback in the comments section. Should you wish to suggest an amendment, please include a note advising the source of your information so that myself and other readers can ascertain the accuracy of your information. Note: Trolling or argumentative comments will be removed as they are counter-productive.
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I have what I believe is a vintage Nuevo Mexico but I’m not sure. It has all the decals and crimps as you describe. But the cable routing bosses are on the lower side of the top tube and not the top. Were the versions of the frames built like that?
Hi Keith, can you post a link to some photo’s?
Hello,
Great post!
I am a bike enthusiast and love working on steel bikes, but I need help.
Found a Colnago Nuovo Mexico online, but unsure if it is a Colnago.
It lacks the ace of spades on the top down tube, but has them on the bb.
Would you be able to give me a hint?
To add to my above post on the “so called” Colnago Mexico here is the link to a couple pics.
Hi, Just looked at the https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0o5nhQSTcVhfE and it looks like a genuine Colnago frame (with an old Super logo). Not sure it is a Nuovo Mexico with the 4 offset crimped downtube, it could be a Super Profil with only 2 crimps in the downtube. Some also refer to this frame as an early Nuovo Mexico.. Cheers.
Hi Christoph, thanks for your comments, I replied in your following post.
Hello, I picked up 2 Colnago’s recently.
I think one is a Nuovo Mexico and the other is an early Super? but I’m not sure.
Can anyone offer some thoughts ?
I’ve read the details on the site,
Hi Kev, I cant access the photos as I dont have an Instagram account. But the blue/silver Colnago showing on the main page looks like an ESA Mexico. Can you post the images for public access?
Hi, great information here. I hope it’s ok to leave a comment? I’m about to purchase what I believe to be a “nuovo Mexico” but was after some advice on whether or not any of you may know the authenticity of this particular frame.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174310764230
Many thanks in advance
Ashley
Hi Ashley, of course happy for any cycling enthusiast to leave a comment. I looked at the pics in the link and the frame is advertised as a Colnago Mexico (not a Nuovo Mexico). The Nuovo Mexico has crimped top and down tubes. The Mexico has plain round tubes, just like a Super. The frame shown in the ad has plain round tubes like a Mexico, but my best guess is this frame is a Super from the mid 1980’s. I’m not sure the original Mexico was ever produced with rounded cap’s on the top of the seat stays. The most important feature of the Mexico was the frame was built from Columbus Record tubing and therefore a bit lighter than the Super. The seller might be able to provide you with further info to confirm the frame is a Mexico.
Hi , I have found your articles most informative. I have a Colnago frame that has the characteristics of a Nuovo Mexico , two crimps top tube and four crimps down tube . What is puzzling is the seat tube takes a 26.4 seat post not a 27.2 , the seat post is not loose in the seat tube so I don’t think it has been pinched at the top.
Thanks David, unfortunately I am not able to explain that one, maybe this frame was a custom build. Is the frame a very small size? My understanding is 27.2mm was the standard seat tube diameter. Have you tried to fit a 27.2mm post? With my first Colnago frame, I was told it required a 27.2mm post and I seriously doubted it because it was a super tight fit, but I discovered the clamping area was pinched and the inside of the seat tube was lined with light surface rust & residue. After I cleaned the inside of the seat tube and rectified the frame clamp, the greased 27.2mm post moved in/out smoothly, but with resistance. The post needs to be a firm fit so the frame clamp doesn’t need to be overtightened. I knew my frame clamp was pinched because the surface of the seat post was scratched when I rotated the post in and out of the seat tube.
Hi, good info for Colnago steel bikes. I am doing restoration on my bike and i find your website is very useful. But i am confused wether my Colnago bike is Mexico or Super Early version. There’s a Colnago D 41 printed at the chainstay.
Hi Rozha, I think that is just a serial number. Read my how to identify a Colnago Mexico to learn the difference between the two models.
Question. I just purchased what I was told was a ESA Mexico. However, upon receipt, I noticed that the tubing has 4 crimps on both the Top and Down Tube. The seat tube is similar to the Gilco tubing in the Master. Could this be a late Nuovo? or a one-off ESA? https://photos.app.goo.gl/Qp9k7Hf76wNBZwtK8
The frame is an unusual combination of tubes. It is quite large, features a race number hanger, has curved forks and a water bottle cage mount on the seat tube. I suspect it is a custom build. Looks like a master seat tube and 4 x crimp Nuovo Mexico tubes used for top and down tube. It doesn’t match the regular Master, Nuovo Mexico or Esa Mexico (which was advertised with 6 x crimp tubing in the Colnago catalog). But anything is possible in the world of vintage Colnago frames. I often read online that Colnago used other companies to build frames back then. Enjoy.
Thanks for all the info on these beautiful road bikes. I have saved a lot of vintage road bikes from the scrap yard but I don’t restore them, I just make them road worth again with whatever patina they have (after a thorough detailing and then protect them with car wax) I have a Colnago Nuovo Mexico, per most info, but it is enigmatic in the things that are missing, eg. stamping and especially the club under the bottom bracket. I hope you or one of your followers may have some insight as to what I have. Photos are on Pinterest titled Pink Colnago Nuovo Mexico. Unfortunately the reason I want to identify it is to sell it as it is 1 size too small for me.
Cheers
Michael
Hi Michael, happy to take a look, but that Pinterest search returns nothing. I also tried the same search on Google with no luck. To post images another way refer to How to share images on Cycling Obsession
Sorry, not exactly a big time pinterest person. If you search Michael Clapp you will find my board. I am starting to think it may be a 2nd edition Profil CX but there are still anomalies.
Cheers and my thanks
Michael
Same, I don’t even have an account on Pinterest. Probably why I don’t see much on your board with that search.
I think that this is what I needed to do 😊 bike images on pinterest
Hi Michael, yes I had a look at the photos and see the dilemma. The tubes look crimped like the Colnago Nuovo Mexico, but I don’t think the Nuovo Mexico ever had a rear chain stay bridge. This bridge was commonly featured on the Super of that era, but the Super didn’t have that style of crimped down tube.
I would say if it were a Colnago frame of that era, the frame would feature multiple locations of Colnago branding eg. cut-outs or stampings with their name or ace of clubs logo as shown in the many photos on my site. If the frame has none of these features I doubt it is a Colnago frame..
Thank you for your help!
Cheers!
All good, enjoy riding it!