Canyoneagle’s new ride
 

I’ve recently acquired a hardly used Torelli Nitro Express, circa 1998.
The frameset was made by Mondonico in Columbus EL-OS, my favorite tubing, and is stunning.
I have checked and verified that all of the lugs are pinned in traditional Mondonico style, and the frame is in near mint condition.

I acquired the bicycle with era appropriate Campagnolo Record nine speed components.

I realize some may feel that Torelli is not a fully legitimate frame, because of the fact it was an American company that contracted with Italian framebuilders. However, this is a beautiful frame in my opinion. The quality of workmanship is incredible, and I look forward to getting this bicycle on the road soon.

I am including some initial photographs as I slowly rebuild the bicycle, and will post my progress. Enjoy.

The frame is 62cm c-c with a 60cm TT. I’m running an 80mm stem to accommodate my optimal saddle-bar reach.

I sourced a set of Nitto Noodle bars and lugged stem from Rivendell.
The bike arrived with a Nitto lugged stem (110) and 3TTT Forma SL Due bars, but the reach was not right


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That thing looks great. Congratulations. I loved my Torelli.

You’ll also notice my c&v car, a 1970 Volvo 1800.

That’s how I roll.


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thanks!!!
I look forward to riding it.
I’ve developed a love for EL-OS through the years, starting with my Tommasini Tecno, then my Zullo.

Amazing tubing.
I feel humbled to be building up a Mondonico frame.
🙂

That bike is pretty and that Volvo is pretty.

Very nice.

That should be a fun bike, also looks like a pretty cool car. Who cares what people think about Torrelli, if the bike is well made and rides nicely it don't matter.

yup.
to me, Mondonico is Mondonico.... a rose by any other name, and so forth. 😎

Sweet looking bike for sure. But that Volvo, WOW!! I have always admired just how stunning they are.

thanks! The Volvo is really nice. I bought it from a man in Canada who spent 35 years restoring it. I have since completely redone the interior, but it is a work in progress.


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That car is CUTE!!

Beautiful Torelli! I always like them and thought they were great frames at a great value. Sadly the stars never aligned for one t come my way.

I admired the several Torellis that I’ve seen through the years, mot knowing much about the brand, but seeing the quality in what I was looking at.

This one popped up on eBay, and I did the research/education at that point.
I had previously known of Mondonico, so was thrilled to see a frame from their shop in my size (and in great condition). AND with my favorite tubing.

I was concerned about the tt length (it is 60cm and 56-57 is the sweet spot for me with a proper 110ish stem), so I also bought a Merckx Corsa-01 frameset at the same time, figuring I’d keep whichever frame fit best, and build it up with the components.

The Merckx is still en route from Holland. Not nearly as mint, but still decent based on the pics.

so, until it arrives, I’ll continue rebuilding and polishing the components 🙂

I’m pretty sure the Torelli will work with the 80mm stem.
nice to have some options.

Quick update...
I'm taking things in a different direction. As much as I wanted to make the Torelli work for me, I feel it is just not a good fit for my body.

This has been my challenge since day 1 on a bike. I'm tall (6'2) with a long inseam (37") and long arms, but shorter than average torso for my height. Most bicycle fit calculators show my optimal seat tube at 62-63 cm c-c, with a 56-57 cm top tube. No frame I have ever seen possesses this odd combo, and I'd imagine it impractical even with a custom frame - something would probably have to give.

After having my Zullo a couple of years ago (62 cm) and now this 62 cm Torelli, I'm going back to my old ways - getting a frame with shorter seat tube and top tube, with the TT being the controlling factor. My favorite road bikes have been 57-58 cm, with a couple of 60's that worked for me too, but of all the bikes I've owned, my 57cm Tommasini Tecno fit me best (56.5 TT if memory serves).
With the Torelli, I needed an 80 mm stem to get close to the ballpark, and the bike just felt big.

Fast forward to my current situation, and I've acquired a mid 90's 58cm Merckx Corsa-01 frameset (with the Deda-01 ovalized tubing) - EM century geometry. With a 110cm stem the saddle-bar dimension is within 10mm of optimal, and the seatpost exposure isn't too offensive (about 6-1/2 inches of seatpost showing) and 4" saddle-bar drop with the stem set reasonably low (but not slammed as I once would have done). The saddle-bar drop suits my long arms, as I've learned through the years.
I've always wanted a Merckx, and it seems the jury is out on whether the Corsa-01 or MX-Leader takes top spot for ride quality for tall guys like me. I look forward to experiencing the Corsa-01.

So, I'm building the Merckx with the Record 9 and will sell the Torelli frameset. All good things.
More to come!


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@canyoneagle

Huh, good stuff, especially the Volvo, always have had a liking for them.

You and I have the same problem, I'm 6' 0.5in with 38 in. inseam/pbh with not too long reach.

Been riding bikes too small most of my life, so many "unique" setups as being discussed in the "What bugs you thread".

Couple years ago stepped up and bought the silver 66cm Merz and voila, way better ride on longer ones, a 26in. Paramount confirmed the change but has an even longer TT but still rides better than the smaller ones even being stretched out too much. ;)

Still plenty of adjusting of the bars, levers as the reach did not improve the situation so still plenty of "unique" setups, still. ;)

I definitely relate to your challenges in finding the right fit.

For years I have wanted to build a bike with the Rivendell / French / Herse fit philosophy, and I think I will need to go the custom route to make something work for me that I will also enjoy looking at (I suffer from aesthetic perfectionism). Any of my attempts to do this in the past have resulted in setups that were either functionally (stem too short, etc) or aesthetically unworkable for me.

I've been test sitting on the Merckx, and I've had a refreshing sense of satisfaction - I think this one will do the trick as my primary "sporty" road bike.
My other bike is the polar opposite - a 29+ titanium mountain bike, fully rigid, with a swept handlebar. Well, I guess the true polar opposite would be a full downhill bike ;)

I know I'll find the right bike to fill the randonneur/French fit ethos one day. In the mean time, I'll see how my 50 something body copes with a sporty road bike setup that I've enjoyed in the past.

I should finish the build today. Looking forward to it!!!

@canyoneagle

:thumb: Tx.

Yessir, all about the aesthetic perfectionism, my version of it anyway.

I would encourage you to do the custom so long as you are prepared for the $$$$$ shock and can find a builder that you trust to share your vision.

I assume you saw the Strawberry in my other picture post, it is a home run, Dave Levy at TiCycles did a phenomenal job fleshing this out for me, it rides like a dream, and turned out exactly how I wanted, couldn't be happier, worth every penny.

Big long winded build thread here. ;)

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ou-decide.html

Done
 

Build complete.
Initial dial-in ride felt really good.


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Great looking build, hope it rides as good for you as it looks, ;)

Looks fantastic, enjoy!

Thanks!!!
I hope to get it out for a ride today.
my short dial-in test ride before sunset was encouraging. Super smooth.

I did a short test ride today and dialed things in. The bike rides beautifully.
I am a big fan of waxed chains.
The bike is amazingly smooth. I look forward to many miles to come.

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New pic
 

New photo session, after taking photos for the Mondonico Torelli once I got it was not a good fit. Soon to be listed here.


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That Volvo is nice! My garage houses a 73 1800ES and a 64 220!

I’ve been able to get a handful of rides on the bike in the past week, and am very happy with how it rides.

The ride quality is sublime - smooth, stable and very comfortable. I’m hooked!
There is no discernible frame flex when I get out of the saddle for short climbs, and the handling is incredible.

This bike is easily my favorite bike, tied with the Tommasini Tecno (of the same era) that I rode from ‘98-‘01.

I would be curious to ride a MXL for comparison, but cannot imagine how it could be any better.

Viva Merckx!!!!!!