[CR]Cinelli Bivalent wheels on eBay.

(Example: History)

Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:00:18 -0400
From: "Harvey Sachs" <hmsachs@verizon.net>
To: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, Harvey Sachs <hmsachs@verizon.net>
Subject: [CR]Cinelli Bivalent wheels on eBay.

A couple of list-friends have approached me, asking if I have parts that would be required to complete the pair of Cinelli BiValent wheels being sold on eBay, item 320243101833.

If you don't have any Cinelli BiValent wheels, before thinking about bidding, please check listmeister's lovely photos at http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Italy/Cinelli/Cinelli_parts.htm. Compare the parts pictured with what is offered on eBay.

The parts missing from the eBay set are necessary for installing and using the wheels. There are four different "receivers" that attach to the four drop-outs, well illustrated in Dale's pictures. One is the special splined Regina FW with bearing assembly. Ah, and one of the fun facts that Bob Freitas and I discovered is that there are two, non-interchangeable, thread patterns for the skewers and receivers. One uses a conventional single helix. The other uses a double helix (two threads that start 180 degrees apart on the circumference). In any event, I don't think I have a set of the parts missing from this auction.

The BiValent wheels don't work with conventional QR skewers or w/o the special receivers that attach to the drop-outs, because they have very unconventional spacing and relationships between the axle ends and lock nuts. On the other hand, there is nothing absurdly difficult about making replica parts. I had three naked skewers made, but it cost me beaucoup bucks each, counting the fixture (there are three different sets of threads, one of which is left-handed). Some of the parts would be harder to copy, and would require plating. but nothing that Jamie Swan or Peter Johnson couldn't manage.

Now, the Disclosure: you may want to discount what I say, thinking that I might bid on these myself. To avoid this conflict of interest, I've decided not to bid on these, even though these wheels are in much nicer condition than my own, which they could replace.

Bottom line: great for upgrading your present BiValents, but chancy if you want to leverage these into having a full pair, I think. I have no idea of the market value of these things, so please don't ask.

I'm reluctant to post this, because I don't want to rain on buyers' or seller's parades. But I'll be out of contact for a few days, and would hate for folks to feel that I ignored requests for help with this auction. As I said, I've already been contacted by two potential bidders. I hope I'm doing the right thing for all the people in the CR community.

thanks for your understanding.

harvey "BiValent or Schizoid?" sachs mcLean va usa.