meese

hi, i bought this awhile back and would like to build it up as a road bike again. it had been stripped of parts and turned into a single speed unfortunately. it still has shimano dura ace and ultegra brakes though. i recently bought a 1988 schwinn circuit with full shimano sante and was thinking of swapping and putting the sante on this cinelli. any thoughts? should i find a campy groupset instead? let's say i don't want to pour too much money into this build. also any information about this cinelli would be helpful. i don't have it with me but i know it has columbus tubing and it is stamped made in italy on the under side of the frame. please help!

https://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...er/photo-6.jpg
https://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...er/photo-7.jpg

gioscinelli 

Can you provide better pictures. Such as the seat cluster, head tube and bottom bracket shell. The fork looks like a Cinelli crown, but as in the past, Cinelli sold lugs, bottom bracket shells to frame builders. Usually the serial number would tell the year of the frame.

Bianchigirll 

I was leaning the same way. the graphics don't look like most of the Cinellis you see here.

meese

hi, thanks for your help. i am posting more pictures. and i think the serial number stamped on the bottom reads "W 9002." i'm not sure if that is an M or an upside down W.

With this info, should i throw a sante groupset on this? or should i try to come across a campy groupset? again, don't want to shell out too much money on this, cause i live in sf and don't want to have to constantly worry about someone stealing my bike.

https://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...er/photo-8.jpg
https://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/photo-10.jpg
https://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/photo-11.jpg
https://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/photo-12.jpg

JunkYardBike

Do a search for "cinelli cromor" on Google. You'll find some information, and most of it points to your frame being an entry-level Cinelli model from the mid-80's. A nice frame to be sure, but not as collectible or valuable as high end Cinellis.

I'd say build it up as inexpensively as possible and ride it. Some might not think Sante is 'correct' because it's Japanese stuff, but if it doesn't bother you, go with it. You might, however, want to carefully (but not irretrievably) cover the Cinelli markers on the frame, because an undiscerning thief will interpret the flying 'C' logo as $$$.

wrk101

Circuit has pretty good value as well. So if they both fit, I would ride them first before stripping that Circuit. If the Circuit is the wrong size, then doing a swap is almost a no brainer.

JunkYardBike

Good point. A Circuit in very good to excellent condition with a full Sante group might be worth more than the Cinelli built up, unless you dress with with C-Record or some equivalent high end gruppo (in which case the gruppo would far outstrip the frame in value).

dynne

I'd say that in the Bay Area, you'd be best selling that bike as is, it looks rather trendy and Cinelli is certainly a highly regarded brand mark many are looking for.

Take that money and put it towards a used early 2000's "entry level" road bike with Tiagra or better (ebay is great for deals on the millions of Treks, Giants, and Specializeds that have never seen more than 1000 miles). If cost is a factor, you'll get much more value and save money this way.

You guys have some nasty hills, no?

meese

thanks everyone for the input! yes, sf has some gnarly hills, but it is probably one of the best bicycle riding cities in the US, regardless. i think that i am going to keep my 2 schwinn circuits in tact and keep hope that i will build that cinelli back up one day. i still can't place the year or make. it reads W9002 on the bottom. does that mean it is a 1990?

wrk101

Pull the fork, often the steering tube has a date code. Or use a date code on any component you think is original. Most components are marked.

Catnap 

this bike is a 1989 Cinelli "Mens Sana In Corpo Sana" road bike. I just finished restoring one. There's not a lot of online info on these bikes, but check out my blog post about it: https://djcatnap.com/?p=1043

gomango

Very nice!

You did a great job with the restoration!

Catnap 

thanks! hopefully someone will buy it soon. there's another on eBay right now for $700 in slightly less nice condition, but with a Phil Wood wheelset.