Re: [CR]1981 Cinelli Laser?

(Example: Framebuilding:Tubing)

Date: Mon, 07 May 2007 19:52:25 +0000 (GMT)
From: <gholl@optonline.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]1981 Cinelli Laser?
In-reply-to: <c61.122d50c4.3370b184@aol.com>
To: BobHoveyGa@aol.com
References:
cc: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>

Hi Bob: I think your comments on the Laser are quite accurate. Having given some time to the study of this bike before and after its purchase, I'm pretty sure the reson it's included in so many bike and also design collections is it's striking, original design. When when realizes that it probably was conceived in the late '70's, it's the more amazing. The notion of somehow comparing it to the work of current retro-builders and restorers is completely specious. It's a comparison that I'm sure that even these men themselves would never dream of making. Their genius is of a different sort altogether. Given the comments of many people on CR lately regarding the variation in more standard Cinelli models, it's not difficult to imagine variation in the Laser series. It would appear that the low number road versions were similar and, given their appointments, most likely were intended as show bikes. The pista versions I have seen were either show pieces or intended for a specific rider or event. I've been told that the very high price of the model during the early '80's and the difficulty of servicing the brakes (Kronos) and wheels (Roval) greatly inhibited sales. But a bike such as this had but small utility anyway. As in all areas of our hobby there's a lot of dis-information about the Laser, too, i.e., that the tube shapes were done with bondo--(nonsense), and that the Kronos brakes wouldn't stop the bike--(not true either), etc. The real shame is that, for all I can see, no one has had the capacity or energy to become the "Cinelli-Hovey."
Cordially,
George Hollenberg, MD
CT, USA


----- Original Message -----
From: BobHoveyGa@aol.com
Date: Mon, 07 May 2007 12:45:00 -0000
Subject: [CR]1981 Cinelli Laser?
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


>
> In a message dated 5/5/07 1:12:19 PM, Alan writes:
>
>
> > From: ABB3330002@aol.com
> >
> > Many of you may know that a Cinelli Laser was in the permanent
> collection of
> > MOMA ( Museum of Modern Art in NYC). They should look at
> Weigle's work where
> > the beauty runs more than skin deep.Alan Bernstein ( about to
> ride my Weigle
> > tt
> > bike in Ct-- don't time me, please.)
> >
>
>
>
> Nothing at all against JP, he certainly builds amazing
> bicycles, but I think MOMA's selection criteria was not
> about the quality of construction or the finessed details
> most list memembers are apt to zero in on, but more
> about the way a builder pushed the envelope in terms of
> pure design. In other words, looking at the bike as a whole,
> in what unique or interesting ways does it depart visually
> from what one would normaly consider the conventional
> image of a bicycle?
>
> Was the Laser in the MOMA collection the pista version? For
> the time it was quite a spectacular piece of work, especially
> in the way that the stem was designed to appear to be
> almost a continuation of the top tube.
>
> http://dolcn.com/gallery/itdesign/074laser.jpg
>
> http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2004/g/denny10.htm
>
> Here's another stem/bar configuration, the frame's different
> as well, perhaps a later variant?
>
>
> http://www.mediadigitali.polimi.it/ddd/ddd_001/articoli_01/gasparini/img_a01/82laser02_i.jpg
>
>
>
> Bob Hovey
> Columbus, GA
>
>
>
>
>
>
> **************************************
> See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>

George Hollenberg MD
CT, USA