I: [CR]Umberto Dei

(Example: Framebuilding:Restoration)

From: "The Maaslands" <TheMaaslands@comcast.net>
Subject: I: [CR]Umberto Dei
To: Classic Rendezvous <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 20:43:49 -0500

Ray wrote:
> I have had a few requests to post photos of my Dei that I mentioned in an earlier posting. Actually most of you probably already have seen this one. I got here
> from a link on the CR site and yes this is the bike I own. I purchased it from a fellow member who I will not name not having their permission to do so.
> http://www.blackbirdsf.org/magpie/dei/1933route.html

I don't mind that it be known that this bike was purchased from me. I purchased it when I lived in Italy. I had searched for a bike with a Vittoria Margherita gear for my persoanl use for quite some time without success and was beginning to believe that I would never find one. I therefore bought it even if it was too small for me from day one. I rode it a bit and found the shifting to be easier with the Vittoria Margherita than with either the Campagnolo Corsa or Campagnolo Paris-Roubaix gears. The Dei in question has the first variant Vittoria Margherita gear which required one to move the chain from one cog to the other with your finger tips. Later variants had the chainstay clappers that were activated via a swivel mechanism on the jockey pulley wheel lever. One of the truly intriguing features of this particular bike is the seat tube oiler. You fill the seat tube with oil and when the chain needs lubrication you turn the spigot towards the chain, this opens a valve and allows the stored oil to dribble onto the chain (the spigot is perfectly lined up with the chainring) From memory, I believe the bike weighs right around 20 lbs. Not bad for something made about 70 years ago.

Steven Maasland Moorestown, NJ

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