Thanks for the heads-up
@Kombicol !
Jake you provided some very good photos of the frame details that really save a lot of time and trouble. I wish Colnago had done that in their own catalogs for what they are worth. What you mentioned about the Columbus decal on the frame's image example being in contradiction with the Tange tubing in the description is not a one time anomaly with Colnago catalogs; they make me cringe!
Those lugs on the head tube have cutouts similar to some late 80s frames, and the seat stay cap was definitely being used by at least 1988 and possibly by 1987 for the 88 model year frames. The frame that was using the internal cable routing with the "Piu" designation was the Master Piu in the late 80s, the Super did not get that designation until some time in the early 90s (maybe as early as 90 since the 91 catalog has the Super Piu model listed). If you have referenced the 91 & 92 catalogs then I would certainly agree with your assessment for the earliest model year being as 92 given that specific cable routing in relation to your frame (then again we have to trust THOSE CATALOGS as being accurate!). If you can match the paint scheme to an available catalog that might pinpoint the actual model year of the frame. The Columbus decal even though an earlier version (early/mid 80s and later) without the tubing designation was used for many years; sometimes to denote a mixed tubing frame (SL & SP/ SLX & SPX), but that would generally occur on a much larger frame (58cm+) and/or a custom built frame. Your fork (if original) and headset issue may be an indicator of a custom frame (or at least a custom fork) if someone wanted to be able to have a higher bar profile with a limited height stem. The rider could gain a couple cm's of height without having the stem extended past its minimum insertion mark. That would not be improbable if wanting to use a specific stem that wasn't available with an extra long quill. You could easily order a fork with a longer steerer if desired.
Most of the parts seem to be early to mid 90s so depending on what is original to the bike it would help with the dating; it appears previous owner(s) tried to keep within the proper period when replacing/renewing parts. Killer monoplanar brakes (early 90s; need to verify with a catalog)! Rear mech is a later (mid-late 90s; again, need to verify with a catalog) Chorus model with the hidden lower pivot bolt. Nice pedals (late 80s-very early 90s), SGRs, self levelling. I believe their first clipless style before going to Campy badged LOOK pedals in the 90s. Your seat post might be a Croce d'Aune; not sure since a couple others are similar, but with the engraved logo it should be either CdA or Chorus (maybe even Victory). I think the CdA version had splines internally and may have been lighter than the Chorus version; both post circa late 80s-early 90s (Victory gone by the late 80s). Wheels are mid 90s depending on the logo design.
Overall a very good buy for the $. Value w/o the wheels is probably about $800 give or take $100; the seller certainly wasn't trying to high-ball the price at a reasonable $700. I'd have advertised it under $1000 ($900ish) and hoped for $800ish if I was selling it. The paint appears decent except the BB shell (is that a plastic sheet under the cables?) which doesn't show anyways; but I would paint it up under there to protect from rust.
Was the previous owner the original buyer of it when new?
Update us when you get it all together for a ride.
