[CR]Aelle or Aelle R?

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2002)

Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2001 16:57:02 -0500
From: "Robert Murray" <robertmurray@sympatico.ca>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]Aelle or Aelle R?

Where does the Aelle tubing fit in the Columbus line? Is it straight gauge? Saw a bike called a Gobietta (sp?) which looked great. But it's labeled Aelle.

Scott "somebody stop me before I buy another bike" Smith

Hi Scott This was the budget Columbus tube wich has been discontinued some time ago. It was described as being suitable for touring or entry level racing. Bikes with this tube tended to be considerably less expensive and were often equiped with Shimano 105 or Campy Gran Sport. Aelle was plain guage Manganese Moly as opposed to Chrome Moly of the more expensive SL and SP butted tubes. Aelle R was a later version that was butted. Obviously you should be careful not to pay too much as this type of frame as it is not as collectable as the SL/SP. 531db etc. Having said this, I have had over 20 yrs of enjoyment riding my 1979 Marinoni with Aelle R tubes and last winter spent some cash and had the frame re-finished by Guiseppi. I find the ride characteristics similar to my more expensive SL frame. Aelle tubing is cold drawn and is of excellent quality. There are some handmade frame examples like mine, but most are production bikes that can be brazed faster at higher tempertures using Aelle. hope this is useful.
Robert (Bob) Murray
Toronto