Hi Tom:
I have a 1970-ish orange and white Stella (with its original finish), and it is Columbus tubing (metric diameter, i.e. it takes a 26.6 post). It has the early foil Columbus decals on the ST and fork blades (en francais, naturellement). It's a bit rough, but I really like the details of the frame, so I've chosen to leave the finish in its original "patinated" state. ;-) Just to be funky, I have it built up with mostly Zeus parts, with Ghisallo wood rims....
When I saw my first Stella in about 1973, I thought it was Italian at first (full NR, Columbus tubing, forged Campagnolo dropouts, etc.). It was a gloss black one with gold-anodized Nisi (IIRC) rims - bella!! Definitely pretty exotic in Beloit, Wisconsin at that time.
Greg Parker Ann Arbor, Michigan
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2005 15:06:16 -0800 (PST) From: Thomas Adams <thomasthomasa@yahoo.com> To: Brian Van Baush <bvanbaush@ameritech.net> Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR]Classic Bike Dimensions, 60's to 80's
Nice collection, Brian.
Two bikes generate questions for me. Do you have any guesstimate for the vintage of the Stella? The geometry looks classic 60's early 70's, but the bike uses Columbus tubing. I always thought the French makers were almost 100% Reynolds until the early 80's, with the occasional Vitus tube used, but usually not on the top end frames. I presume we can get a clue from the anniversary year of the TDF which the bike commemorates, but I won't attempt a translation.
Second, is the Cooper a purpose built racing bike? Was it designed for US criterium racing? The angles seem plenty steep for an early 70's bike. Looking at the numbers, I'd guess she'd zing around the corners, but be a bit fatiguing on long rides. What's the reality?
Thanks for sharing.
Tom Adams, Shrewsbury NJ 1/4
Brian Van Baush <bvanbaush@ameritech.net> wrote: Claude Butler #62535 1960's seat tube 53 c-c seat tube angle 72 top tube 53.5 c-c head tube angle 73 chainstay 44 wheel base 104.5 rake 8.0
Stella, Vainquer Du Tour De France Cinquatenaire, #03755 Columbus tubes seat tube 56c-c st angle 72.5 top tube 56 c-c head angle 73 chain stay 41.5 wheel base 99 wrap-over bridge stays
Ron Cooper, #540 early 1970's st 54.5 st angle 74 tt 55.2 ht angle 74 chainstay 41.5 wheelbase 99.5 rake 3.5
DeRosa 1976, no serial # st 52.5 st angle 74 tt 53.5 head tube angle 73.5 chainstay 41 wheelbase 98 rake 5.5
R&E Rodriguez #430 Touring 80's st 53.2 c-c st angle 72.5 tt 54 ht angle 70 chain stay 46 wheelbase 104.5 Rake 5.2
R Sachs #5365 '81(?) st 55.5 st angle 74 tt 55.5 ht angle 74 chainstay 41.5 wheelbase 100 rake 5.5
San Rensho, #A834, 1983 st 54.5 st angle 74 tt 55 head tube angle 74 chainstay 41 wheelbase 99 rake 3.8
Brian Van Baush
Poulsbo, WA