Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2005 14:54:29 -0400 From: "kohl57@starpower.net" <kohl57@starpower.net> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR]Cinelli bikes and their parts
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 bracket (part of it) and head set. Also the Pedals. Of course that was before 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 from 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 germaine 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 cent 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
Whoa there, pardner. Put your six-guns down for a moment.
AFAIK, the vast majority (nearly 100% maybe?) of the top-line Cinellis only came into the US as framesets. (I'm sure the tifosi (Cinoscenti?) will correct me if I am wrong). Remember, these are contract-built framesets. No big bike factory was pumping them out. They were then either sold at retail as framesets, and built up by the end user, or built up into complete bikes by the retail shop. Spence sold A LOT of them, and was perhaps the only source for them at first, so many were built his, um, preferred way.....
Bottom line: youse can build one up any way you see fit! Ain't no such thing as a 100-point correct one, IMO.
Greg Parker
Dexter, Michigan