so what is the date of the X/A? --Paul
After the 1R (I think someone mentioned that the 1R appeared in 1975 and coexisted with the 1A) the next new Cinelli stem was the XR -- which was advertised during 1986 and apparently failed in the marketplace.
The XR had the same outer shape as the 1R. The difference is that the XR had no sliding internal clamp; instead its forward extension was partially cut in half through the middle (separating it into top and bottom halves) and the fixing bolt (which is located just like the 1R bolt, vertically upward on the underside of the extension) squeezed the halves together to retain the bar. In order to make the stem look less empty, the slot was filled with a rubber slab which came in different colors.
I don't know why the XR stem was discontinued -- but I would expect the horizontal slot to reduce the vertical stiffness of the extension. I have an XR in a box somewhere, but I've never ridden on it. Anybody have any experience with one?
The XA was a cross between the XR and the 1A. From scanning through the Merckx "Fabulous World of Cycling" series I see that it appeared in the pelloton in 1988. There were still plenty of riders using the 1A and 1R, however.
Also of note in 1988: at the Nissan Classic on Sep 27 of that year, Phil Anderson showed up with (gasp!) Shimano combined brake/shift controls.
On the topic of bolts: the 1R expander bolt is aluminum. In 1982 I was riding my bike on a training stand and the bolt head popped off and hit me in the chin. Thereafter, I always replaced the 1R expander bolt with a steel one.
Brad Stockwell
Palo alto
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