OLMO with Aelle tubing
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OLMO with Aelle tubing
I absolutely love the paint, it's a medium pink on the tops of the tubes that fades to silver, with a little bit of metal flake. It does have some scratches, but overall I think it's in "good" condition. The stickers aren't great (but not the worst), though the headtube sticker is quite good. Italian BB is very smooth (surprising). The headset (no branding on it) isn't bad either. The fork is pantographed on the caps. I can't find a serial number anywhere. Recessed brake mounts, looks like a 26.8mm seatpost should fit, 123mm spacing at the back.
I'm guessing it's early 80s (bc of the Aelle). Roughly, what does C&V think it's worth? I feel I got a great deal at 50euro (+shipping). The Dura Ace dt shifters could be worth nearly that much.
I'm guessing it's early 80s (bc of the Aelle). Roughly, what does C&V think it's worth? I feel I got a great deal at 50euro (+shipping). The Dura Ace dt shifters could be worth nearly that much.
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...despite their generally good performance, a Tres Tubi Aelle Italian frame is not especially valuable. I have one or two of them, and I like the road feel. But given values in general for all things old and steel these days, probably not especially valuable. Which, combined with what seems to be some fading of the paint, probably explains your great deal. And it is a good deal, if your size, and you're looking for a rider or a project.
I don't think that paint fade is how it looked when new.
I don't think that paint fade is how it looked when new.
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...despite their generally good performance, a Tres Tubi Aelle Italian frame is not especially valuable. I have one or two of them, and I like the road feel. But given values in general for all things old and steel these days, probably not especially valuable. Which, combined with what seems to be some fading of the paint, probably explains your great deal. And it is a good deal, if your size, and you're looking for a rider or a project.
I don't think that paint fade is how it looked when new.
I don't think that paint fade is how it looked when new.
Sure, it's not SL or SLX (unfortunately). I have an old Gara tubed bike that rides beautifully; I'm expecting this to be similar.
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...painting a fade color scheme is not usually done in that manner. If I had to guess, I'd guess sun fading to a non colorfast pigment. That it appears on both sides is simply an indication that the bike spent some time in the sun in both directions. But it's just a guess. You can tell more certainly by looking under the decals in the lighter, silver areas. But if you like it, why mess with it ?
Edit: maybe you're right. I did find one image on a Google search with an Olmo Sintex with a similar fade. That one is blue.
Edit: maybe you're right. I did find one image on a Google search with an Olmo Sintex with a similar fade. That one is blue.
Last edited by 3alarmer; 01-14-20 at 12:05 PM.
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A 26.8mm post would be correct for an Aelle seat tube . Based on the presence of what appears to be Columbus dropouts, the decal styles and a G. Olmo fork crown, I'm inclined to place this circa 1986-1987. The paint fading around the circumference of the tubes, as opposed to the more traditional along the tube length, is intentional. This style was by some Italian brands such as Olmo and Ciocc around this time. We've seen other Olmo with this style of fade, in other colour combinations (see attached pic). Enjoy your new acquisition.
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Very neat paint scheme - I love it !
My first nice bike was Aelle --- I felt good enough about its performance that I was compelled to throw a lot of cash at it a couple of years ago when I restored it. I recall the Bicycle Guide article from 25 years ago where they took 5 or 6 identically painted custom frames built up identically with the only difference being the tubing and had a review - the Aelle bike compared favorably to the Columbus MAX tubed bike in performance
My first nice bike was Aelle --- I felt good enough about its performance that I was compelled to throw a lot of cash at it a couple of years ago when I restored it. I recall the Bicycle Guide article from 25 years ago where they took 5 or 6 identically painted custom frames built up identically with the only difference being the tubing and had a review - the Aelle bike compared favorably to the Columbus MAX tubed bike in performance
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It looks like your frame has a Columbus Cromor decal. If so, and providing it's OEM, your bicycle isn't any earlier than a 1987 model. Cromor didn't exist in 1985 or 1986. Prior to 1987, Cromor had been called Matrix but Trek launched legal action, as it infringed on their Matrix rims. As a result, Columbus Matrix was renamed Columbus Cromor sometime during the 1987 model year. The Columbus decal layout was revised for the 1988 model year and your frame does not wear the revised version but manufacturers often had old stock to use up, so a 1988 model would also have a relatively high probability.
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It looks like your frame has a Columbus Cromor decal. If so, and providing it's OEM, your bicycle isn't any earlier than a 1987 model. Cromor didn't exist in 1985 or 1986. Prior to 1987, Cromor had been called Matrix but Trek launched legal action, as it infringed on their Matrix rims. As a result, Columbus Matrix was renamed Columbus Cromor sometime during the 1987 model year. The Columbus decal layout was revised for the 1988 model year and your frame does not wear the revised version but manufacturers often had old stock to use up, so a 1988 model would also have a relatively high probability.
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Very neat paint scheme - I love it !
My first nice bike was Aelle --- I felt good enough about its performance that I was compelled to throw a lot of cash at it a couple of years ago when I restored it. I recall the Bicycle Guide article from 25 years ago where they took 5 or 6 identically painted custom frames built up identically with the only difference being the tubing and had a review - the Aelle bike compared favorably to the Columbus MAX tubed bike in performance
My first nice bike was Aelle --- I felt good enough about its performance that I was compelled to throw a lot of cash at it a couple of years ago when I restored it. I recall the Bicycle Guide article from 25 years ago where they took 5 or 6 identically painted custom frames built up identically with the only difference being the tubing and had a review - the Aelle bike compared favorably to the Columbus MAX tubed bike in performance
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OK guys, I'm curious: I'm measuring the fork stem inner diameter, and I'm coming up at 22.0mm . Would this be normal for this fork to use a 22.0mm quill stem? I tried putting a 22.2mm stem (a quill stem adapter I had laying around), and it goes in about an inch or so but does not want to go more... maybe the fork stem just needs a good cleaning, if there's crud buildup in there, and it'd take a 22.2mm stem? What are your thoughts?
A threadless stem should match the outside diameter of the steer tube; a reducing shim may be employed to match a 11⁄8" stem to a 1" steer tube. On the other hand, a quill stem must be sized to match the inner diameter of the steer tube. Thus a quill stem made to fit a 11⁄8" steer tube has an outer diameter of 1". For 1" steer tubes the quill diameter is most often 7⁄8" (22.2 mm) but some older American bicycles used 21.15 mm. Some older French bicycles used 25 mm steer tubes with 22 mm diameter quill stems.[6]
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Alright, I've finally gathered up all the bits and put it together. Can't wait to get it on the road beyond a short test spin, but the weather here has been abominable.
If the frame & fork were worth 100eur before, it's gotta be worth 150eur now, right?
OLMO: I Can?t Resist a Beautiful Italian
If the frame & fork were worth 100eur before, it's gotta be worth 150eur now, right?
OLMO: I Can?t Resist a Beautiful Italian
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Some really interesting choices of components. Very eclectic mix! Love it.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
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Hoodless, yes - I didn't want to have to consider black or white (pretty sure gum would look odd), and in the end I thought it might all look kinda neat and minimalist to go bare, even matching silver bar tape (which I had on hand).