sunday

I am planning to get a new bike, and I am aiming for vintage steel. I own a few modern bikes but I have no knowledge on 70's or 80's bikes. Except they look cool.
I am not looking for undervalued treasures or top performance stuff, just want a good bike with a fair price.

Do you think this one would do? It's for sale for about $400, the owner says it's steel "Columbus Tubi Speciali Rinforzati".

Thanks!

(It seems I can't post images yet, so please have a look at my profile for the red-silver Basso)

Erzulis Boat 

Does it say "Tretubi" also on the sticker?

If it's a Basso with Tretubi, and it's in great shape, and it fits, then go for it. If it's not in great shape.............we need the pictures.

Great shape= Shiny paint, clean components, complete etc. etc.

If it's a Tretubi Basso the ride is good, it's a mid level bike. For that price it should look really good, if it looks even a little ratty, then walk. This is the assumption that it is the bike I am thinking of.......................I own one (in the collection somewhere)

T-Mar

The subject bicycle is a Basso Gap, in the Canada livery, with Shimano 600 Ultegra (and an aftermarket FSA large chainring). The tubeset is full Columbus SL. I believe the first year for that livery was 1992. Cosmetic and mechanical condition looks good but that's excessively long derailleur cable housing, the saddle tilt is extreme and the stem looks like it may be above its maximum limit. so other aspects of the set-up may leave something to be desired. Personally, I'm not a fan of the huge bars, cheap pedals, ultra long valve stems or two tone bar tape. However, these are minor issues, compared to the overall level and apparent condition of the bicycle

In 1992, MSRP in the USA was $1925.00 US and it would have been considered upper mid-range, bordering high end. That would be a good price in my region but I don't know the current market conditions in Romania. Photo assist...

krakhaus 

The Faggin Tretubi is pretty great. SL main tubes, with Aelle rear triangle, from what I'm told. Mine is my favorite riding frame, and weighed in exactly the same as another full SL frame I had.

jdawginsc 

Nice Gap...Tricolor and a Titanium Flite saddle to boot. Might be a Campy post as well..?

Thing that stuck out to me was the Randonneur Vittorias...interesting choice of tires. Didn't think there would be much room to squeeze them in there. Might make me rethink the tires on my Gap.

sunday

Thank you all.

curbtender

The frame would be worth that around here.

clubman 

Probably gone by now.

Gitane1

As stated above, it's a Basso GAP with a Columbus SL steel frame. The frame itself should be worth the asking price, depending on the shape it's in. The groupset and the wheels are basically an added bonus. Great bike and lovely to ride. Used to own one with the higher grade Dura Ace Groupset. A good friend of mine has a early 80s Basso (one generation younger than the one you'd be purchasing) and he says it's the one bike he'll be taking to the grave. He's owned numerous other exotic and more "high end" bikes in his lifetime, but in his eyes, the Basso is the best of em.

sunday

Just bought it, so it's out of the market as of today.

Turned out you people have very good eyes, it's exactly as you said. Columbus SL, Tricolor, Titanium Flite with Campagnolo seatpost, FSA chainring, Vittoria Randonneur tires and all.
Judging by the frame serial number it's from 1990 and it seems to be in quite good shape.

Not sure if I'm allowed to post pics, added them to an album just in case.

Next step is to give it a test ride, then I will think of maybe changing/upgrading some parts, although it looks new and shiny and I am suspecting real improvements might be expensive.

Thanks again for your help, It's my first steel and I'm rather excited


(edit - can't post neither pics nor links, so it's up to you to find the album)

Clang

pic assist

I'd say "good shape" is an understatement :]

SurferRosa

It's a really good looking frameset. Along with T-Mar's suggestions above, I think I'd have to change the chainrings as well. Reminds me too much of Mr Dingle's obsessively repeated line, "damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!"

Charliekeet

Congratulations!

gkamieneski

Looks to be a great find. Enjoy.

One comment I have is that both the seatpost and the stem may be above max level. You'll want to level the saddle and rotate the bars down somewhat. Cockpit looks like it could be Cinelli?

sunday

The stem reads "3ttt" and the bars "Modolo".

I'll have a look at the seatpost/stem limits, thanks.

jdawginsc 

That's the correct order! I'd be more worried if it were Modolo stem and 3ttt bars...

Welcome to the "Club de Gap". You will love it.

sunday

Is the maximum between Max and Italy?
Or between 22 and Max?

unworthy1

line looks to be between the 22.2 and MAX

sunday

That's a bit low for me. I guess I need a new seatpost :/

jdawginsc 

The second is safer...I would pull it out and see what is hiding below. Sometimes folks lopped off the ends of seat posts for weight loss.

22.2 is on odd stamp though. Should be 27.2.

Hudson308 

There is usually a line around the post to indicate the max. If not, then the middie of "MAX" should suffice.

unworthy1

that's a stem (see the top nut?) not a seat post

jdawginsc 

Dooohhh...that's what I get for having to view it on my phone!

sunday

I'm the stupid one here.





But the seatpost is rather short, could it be sawed off?
Limit to end is about 6 cm.

jdawginsc 

the bottom should have a finished, somewhat beveled edge, but that looks close to standard.

Besides, the cat approves...