Colnago Master Xlite
Built-up and ridden by CAB’s wrenchmeister Bob Dent

Afficianados of carbon fibre can look away now - having flirted with an (expensive) Italian carbon job I hankered after a steel frame with retro looks but with a ride for moderns.

Having regrettably sold a Colnago Master some years ago, I placed an order with Maestro UK for a
new Master XLite. Mike Perry, the proprietor, informed me of a possible 10-week wait for my particular colour. That morphed into nearly five months - Colnago must be doing something right, such is the demand
.
Was the wait worth it? Well, on collecting the frame from Mike, I was amazed that the colour looked even better in the flesh (computer images don’t do Colnagos justice). I suffered neck-ache just staring at the gorgeous array of frames hanging up in Mike’s premises.

After preparing the frame for me and kindly setting me up position-wise, Mike asked what headset I intended to fit. “Campag Chorus” I replied smugly. Mike recommended Cane
Creek but I ignored him. It would be advice I would later regret

Anxious to keep the retro look of the frame in company with the Centaur alloy groupset, I managed to acquire N.O.S. ITM Pro 225 silver alloy handlebars and a now-rare Campag Record
titanium seatpost. Carbon just doesn’t look right on this frame.

Gleefully anticipating an easy assembling I fell at the first hurdle - the Chorus headset thrust washer refused to fit onto the fork steerer. A phone call to Mike confirmed that these headsets can be problematical and after blanching at the thought of getting a file out, I took his advice and managed to acquire the last Silver Cane Creek S2 headset in captivity. It fitted like a dream!

No real grief was encountered with the rest of the equipment, but be warned, the new Campag Ultra-shift levers are fiddly when it comes to fitting the inner transmission cables. Ensure
you loop the cables immediately after passing the ends through
the lever bodies. Having said that, their operation is a revelation - Shimano-like smoothness!

The day dawned for the first test ride. I had a rude awakening! I almost fell off turning out of my driveway; the handling is that sharp, turning like a criterium racer. Fortunately, I quickly fell into the routine and was amazed at the stiffness and responsiveness the XLite afforded.

Even better was the total absence of road buzz through the
`bars as suffered by my previous carbon encounter. My local roads are liberally sprinkled with horrible granite/tarmac chippings, accompanied by the now obligatory potholes, drain covers and road-menders’ tar banding - not a recipe for smooth riding, but the XLite shrugged it all off.

A particularly bumpy, downhill bend was a delight to encounter and hands-off riding to extract a race cape proved no problem.

Long-distance riders may find the handling a little urgent and perhaps tiresome but for me, it’s a delight - like riding a thoroughbred after a slow, predictable riding school nag.

Against? Price (£1,000 is a lot for what is really old-school
technology); headset foibles; long delivery time.

For? Sharp handling, stiff and responsive; great looks. Oh, yeah, I nearly forgot - the whole kit weighs 19.2lbs. but it feels lighter.

Specification: Colnago Master XLite steel frame; size tested 56cms. Campag Centaur groupset with compact chainset. Cane Creek S2 headset. ITM stem and `bars. Campag titanium seatpin. Wheels: Campag Centaur; DT Revolution spokes; Mavic 32H Open Pro rims. Michelin Pro Race 3 tyres.