Re: [CR]Cinelli bikes and their parts

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2002)

Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2005 12:13:49 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]Cinelli bikes and their parts
To: kohl57@starpower.net, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <380-22005811185429453@M2W126.mail2web.com>


Actually I beg to differ - at least partially. I personally think Super Vitus and some of the other best Vitus steel tubesets were as good or better than 531 - they just never got enough respect. So France did make a complete group of top quality components, tubesets included. But in terms of top model complete bikes not having French tubing, you're probably right, as Vitus tubes were often relegated to the third best model, the first being full 531 DB, the second 531 DB 3 Tubes, probably with Vitus forks and stays. I don't think this reflected lower Vitus quality, just less galmorous image. The good news is some third tier French frames can be real bargains.

Regards,

Jerry Moos Houston, TX

"kohl57@starpower.net" <kohl57@starpower.net> wrote:

Original Message: ----------------- From: rudy43norvelle@comcast.net Date: Mon, 01 Aug 2005 18:27:57 +0000 To: chasds@mindspring.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR]Cinelli bikes and their parts

"My Cinelli SC which I purchased from Spence Wolf in 1969 Has TA Cottered/Cotterless Cranks Mafac Top "63" Brakes with Weinmann levers. The only Campagnolo items were the hubs, derrailuers, seat post, bottom bracke t (part of it) and head set. Also the Pedals. Of course that was befor e Campagnolo had brakes so that part doesn't count.

Rudy Norvelle San Jose, CA"

So where and how did Spence Wolfe get his Cinellis? Were these bought fr om the factory as frame sets and fitted it out in his shop with his choice of

components?? If so, we're back to framesets which is not quite germain e in discussing STOCK components for complete machines supplied by the factory.

I am sure someone could buy a Cinelli or Masi framset and put on a Sears Free Spirit "gruppo" (threading issues aside) but it still doesn't jibe with the spec sheets, catalogues and photographic evidence that there were

lots (like zillions) of totally Italian component'd bikes out there during

this period. They were the rule not the exception. The idea that this is something unusual is patiently absurd.

I think it would be accurate to say that the ONLY country in the world (aside perhaps from Japan of which I am even more ignorant) that produced every single top-end cycle component from Columbus tubing to Binda toestraps to Campagnolo derailleur to Universal brakes to REG waterbottle cage etc. etc. c. 1965 to the end of the CR Period was indeed ITALY.

Britain loses out because of the derailleur issue and France is disqualified because of the frame sets (I think). A PX-10 is 100 per cen t French manufacture (except maybe for the Brooks saddle, many had Ideale) except for the tubing. I don't know of any top-end French racing bike of

this era with French lightweight tubing.

Peter Kohler Washington DC USA

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