robertorolfo

So, like a lot of people here, I'm checking out the local ads despite absolutely, positively not needing another bike... and woah, what is that?

Exact same paint scheme as one of my bikes (which seems pretty rare), and that price seems quite reasonable. But something isn't right. Those seat stays aren't right. That's no Loto (said in the Obi Wan Kenobi "that's no moon" voice). Let me text this guy and see if he can send me a pic of the tubing decal...

Tretubi? In that paint combo? Hmmm. So it's a Paris-Roubaix? Oh, no, it might be an Arenaccia, but I don't know when Basso changed the name of their entry level bike to Paris-Roubaix (and they don't seem to like putting the model name on their lower end stuff)?

Anyone have any ideas?

It was in pretty rough shape when I went to see it, and it's actually a 52 (despite the ad saying 54), but I bought it anyway because the Athena group was complete and in pretty good shape. The rear wheel was really out of true, but it didn't feel too bad to ride despite being so small. I was actually thinking I could enjoy riding it despite being 5'11".

Anyway, here are some pics of the long lost brothers side by side again:

stardognine

Well, that sucks. Now you have to change a saddle, tires, & who knows what else, so they really do match properly. 🙄
No wait, if you did that, you'd have to put numbers on them, just to tell them apart. 🤔😁😉

squirtdad

I like the turbo saddle

robertorolfo

That's why I said fraternal twins, and not identical. Even if I matched all of the components 100% and removed the name decal on one, the seatstays and chrome lugs would be an easy giveaway. Still a fun idea, though.

I like it too. Shame that it's so ripped up (on the side not pictured). Funny thing is that I tried a Turbo on one of my bikes last year (a newer one, in black and with seemingly less padding), and I thought it was rather uncomfortable. This one feels nice though. I'm going to try it out a little more, and then see if I can somehow fix it up.

Slightspeed

Same here. I have had my blue Legnano Roma Olympiade for 55 years. Then coming home from Eroica this year, I came across another blue Legnano, a Gran Premio at a price I couldn't pass up. My Roma is a 56cm, the GP, a 54, and I'm right at 6 ft. I swapped out another Ambrosio stem, but would like to find a longer 26.4 seat post. It almost fits, at least enough to complete the $100 Clunker Challenge. I didnt need it, but it is a fun bike, and almost fits.
Family portrait, GP on the left, as bought, Roma on the right.



The GP after a cleanup, used bar tape and used Gators, finished with Clunker Challenge.

The Roma at Eroica.

robertorolfo

Nice bikes and nicely done. I think there is something fun/cool about having similar variants from the same manufacturer and period. Do you feel a big difference in ride quality?

Slightspeed

The Gran Premio seems to be quicker and more nimble, maybe due to the smaller frame size. I'm still working on the GP fit, but my Roma cruises like a locomotive on the flats, but is not especially fast to accelerate and change direction. Could be my imagination. Not sure if the crank arms are the same length, which may have something to do with it, as well as gearing. The GP is slightly lower geared front and back than the Roma. Both have great ride quality, and are fun to ride. the Roma has a Falke Tubing sticker, no such sticker on the GP, which is an older bike by about 3 years, and a slightly lower level model.

I've also got two Super Courses, a '73 and a '78, both same frame size. The '78 is still in process, but I read that it has slightly different geometry, and it sure feels lighter lifting on and off the rack to work on it. I haven't ridden it yet, but have nearly 3000 miles on the '73. Both frames are 531 tubing.

Two Raleigh Super Courses. '73 on the left built from a scrapped, mutilated into a "fixie" frame. Gold '78 on the right, a $20 Craigslist find, missing wheels and drivetrain ... still gathering pieces for it. I didn't post these at first. Not really twins, maybe cousins?

robertorolfo

Interesting. I love little comparisons like this, and I'm also curious about the effect of frame size.

I have a 1990 Paris Roubaix that is Tretubi and size 56, and now this one from 1989 in Tretubi and size 52. I don't think they made any changes to geometry, so it should be a good opportunity to zero in on sizing. I'm also at the limit mark for the seatpost on the the 52cm bike, so I will need a longer option as well.

John E

See my signature. Two Capo Siegers, very close in serial number, both white-with-red. (As if I needed another project bike. )

I am keeping the complete one with the original paint pretty original, but updating/upgrading components on the repainted one.

P!N20

Triplets? (Not mine.)

robertorolfo

Awesome, just 27 numbers apart from one another. I don't know why, but I love stuff like that.

And yeah, I definitely don't need more projects, but somehow they keep finding me...

Cougrrcj

I had two bikes that were VERY close in serial number. Orange 23"-frame 1974 Fuji Special Tourers, both bought new by me... First was F9B18529, which was stolen from my high school bike rack at just three months old. I replaced it with F9B18546 - same make/model/size/color. That later one was kept for two years, and sold to my friend's sister to finance my '75 S-10S, bought new in Oct '76.

jdawginsc 

As a Basso-ite, that is too cool. I didn't think the Paris Roubaix came in with chrome forks and stays. Arenaccia sounds more likely...?