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Question about Italian Steel bikes.

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Question about Italian Steel bikes.

Old 09-17-19, 03:38 PM
  #51  
Slightspeed
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Don't forget Legnano. I got this Roma Olympiade new in '64, still have it, still ride it, still love it! This one is Falck steel tubing. I raced it back in the day, commuted to college on it, ride it now and still enjoy it, been thru two Eroicas too.


And now I have two!

My '61 Gran Premio, $50 barn find, couldn't pass it up!

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Old 09-17-19, 03:53 PM
  #52  
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I didn’t see Antonio Mondonico mentioned, he has built some nice frames.

Last edited by type36; 09-17-19 at 03:55 PM. Reason: Added photo
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Old 09-17-19, 05:43 PM
  #53  
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My first real (ie Italian) bike was a SLX Pinarello Montello (that I still own - you'll find pictures on other threads here). I always wanted a Gilco tubed Colnago, which I now own in the form of a mid 90s Master light. Never having enough steel (or Pinarellos), I just added an early 80s pinarello Record (Columbus SL). They all ride slightly differently but Italian steel is in a class by itself. (probably BS, but if you haven't tried one you'll never know).
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Old 09-17-19, 06:40 PM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by ironmirage
I have a pro Miyata and I've had a centurion Iron Man with tange 1. I can definitely say the Merckx rides better than both. Does this bike have tange prestige?
Seeing as I own 2 Japanese bikes, I agree and disagree to a point the nishiki I have fits great and handles well, but the ride is a bit harsh, the miyata rides like a dream. For the Italian bikes, I've had a bianchi that rode nice, but was not wild about the fit.

At the moment I'm trying to find a de rosa.
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Old 09-17-19, 06:55 PM
  #55  
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Originally Posted by ironmirage
Just to let you guys know. I ended up buying a gios compact pro. I got it at a great price and now Im in love with
the azure color.
I would go White or Blue tape. Handsome bike.

And still look for a Colnago Super.
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Old 09-17-19, 07:09 PM
  #56  
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Originally Posted by ironmirage
Thanks for the responses. I guess i will be getting an Italian bike soon if the price is right.
Go for it...

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Old 09-17-19, 10:18 PM
  #57  
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Originally Posted by eja_ bottecchia
I ended up getting a Gios Compact Pro.
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Old 09-18-19, 06:44 AM
  #58  
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,,

Last edited by Cyclist753; 01-11-20 at 10:57 AM.
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Old 09-18-19, 07:06 AM
  #59  
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Originally Posted by ironmirage
I ended up getting a Gios Compact Pro.
Beautiful bike. As someone else remarked, old Italian bikes are works of art that can be ridden on a regular basis.

Ride safely.
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Old 09-18-19, 08:03 AM
  #60  
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Originally Posted by repechage
Many good points of view.
but to cut to the chase and save money in the long run, buy a Colnago Super in your size and be done with it.

I agree
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Old 09-18-19, 08:12 AM
  #61  
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Since this is becoming a pic thread

I kinda like Italian bikes too

My Ciocc


Gone but not forgotten modernized DeRosa


Pinarello Opera with faithful guard critters protecting it


DeBernardi in a place of honor in my rec room


Vianelli project still waiting to be finished


and --- one more pic of that Super for posterity
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Old 09-18-19, 08:27 AM
  #62  
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Much as I love Italian bikes, I really want a high-end Japanese (Tange 1 or similar) bike just to see if the whole "Italian bikes ride different" thing is true .Time to check around for Centurion Prestieges, I guess...


(there's also Jack Taylor which has a "this is the best bike I've ever ridden" cult fanbase, but I've got zero chance at finding one of those)
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Old 09-18-19, 08:56 AM
  #63  
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Originally Posted by type36

.......
I love Italian bikes in the national colors! There are some Gianni Motta bikes with green/white/red paint too. Very fun!

Have you considered wrapping the left side of the bars with red tape, so that it matches the paint on the fork? That would be cool!
Or maybe do red/green harlequin wrap? So many options (especially when it's not me doing the work. )

Steve in Peoria
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Old 09-18-19, 08:57 AM
  #64  
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Another ‘lesser known’ Italian brand that made some great bikes is Cramerotti.



A beautiful mid-range Cramerotti

A good review, and brief history of the brand, is in the link:
https://cyclingmagazine.ca/sections/...-maverick-m-3/
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Old 09-18-19, 08:59 AM
  #65  
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Originally Posted by DMC707
I agree
I looked into getting a Colnago. I was actually planning to buy a master Olympic but I was blessed to find this Gios. I got it for 600 bucks
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Old 09-18-19, 09:17 AM
  #66  
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Originally Posted by Boxkite
I have 3 Gios framesets! They are beautiful blue like yours. Have fun riding it for it is a really nice frame! A quill stem would really set it off!
I haven't ridden it yet since it doesn't have pedals. I have to get them on Friday but how would you describe the ride of the bike?
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Old 09-18-19, 03:07 PM
  #67  
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Originally Posted by steelbikeguy
I love Italian bikes in the national colors! There are some Gianni Motta bikes with green/white/red paint too. Very fun!

Have you considered wrapping the left side of the bars with red tape, so that it matches the paint on the fork? That would be cool!
Or maybe do red/green harlequin wrap? So many options (especially when it's not me doing the work. )

Steve in Peoria

Actually, I considered that option, and may still do that. I also looked at the Silva red/white/ green sectioned tape, but could only find it for sale in Italy - shipping was ridiculous.

I don't look at it as work, it's just tinkering I just got this bike a few weeks ago, after a long search. Finding my size at a good price required some patience, this one is in superb condition and was well worth the wait.
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Old 09-18-19, 05:47 PM
  #68  
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Not all carbon bikes ride alike, right?
So many variables. So much character.
Originally Posted by ironmirage
I recently came about an eddy Merckx Professional and I love it. I dare even say it riders smoother than my Cervelo s5 team. Im thinking about buying an Italian steel bike such as a Gios Torino, colnago, Tommasini etc etc. But I notice that they have the same tube set I have. My bike has Columbus SLX tubing. So if I get a Tommasini super prestige and it also has SLX would it ride similar. Would the difference be more aesthetic than anything else? Guys Ill appreciate your opinions and look forward to reading them.
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Old 09-18-19, 05:54 PM
  #69  
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Originally Posted by ironmirage
I looked into getting a Colnago. I was actually planning to buy a master Olympic but I was blessed to find this Gios. I got it for 600 bucks
I would have picked the Gios too. Have fun with it.
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Old 09-18-19, 06:03 PM
  #70  
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Originally Posted by RobbieTunes
Not all carbon bikes ride alike, right?
So many variables. So much character.
All carbon bikes may not all ride alike but they sure seem to look alike.
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Old 09-18-19, 06:05 PM
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Originally Posted by robbietunes
not all carbon bikes ride alike, right?
So many variables. So much character.
+1
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Old 09-18-19, 06:35 PM
  #72  
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As to how they handle...there are many variables but I have a Gios A70 which is aluminum and a Compact Pro which is steel. (I never built up the Gios-Torino). The steel frame is without a gruppo, presently. It is on my Torelli steel. They have had the same gruppo (Campagnolo C-Record), forks, saddles, stem and bars and wheels (Mavic CXP33 rims/ DT spokes). The A70 is a little stiffer and really responds to sprints or hill climb efforts. It handles great! They both have tight wheelbases. The Gios steel is more plush but is still 'precise' in its handling. There is probably more to do with geometry than material, though, but I can't quote exact figures. I'm too busy smiling and whistling while I ride these lovely things! It is still a good sprinter's frame for steel. I prefer steel for longer rides. I never did 'cotton' to carbon. Too 'buzzy' for me.
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Old 09-19-19, 07:55 AM
  #73  
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Originally Posted by Wileyone
All carbon bikes may not all ride alike but they sure seem to look alike.
What's weird is that they all do look the same to me too...but if you really analyze it, there's far more variance in carbon frames than steel in terms of shape, design possibilities...

I think it's the abundance of one color paint, typically black, and big blocky graphics...highlighted by carbon (black) components and black tires.
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Old 09-19-19, 08:18 AM
  #74  
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A lot of them are starting to use the BMC/Specialized dropped seatstay look, but yeah, I mean traditional geometry lugged steel isn't quite the place to look for design variance, unless you ride a Hetchins or something.

Also, integrated stems on top-line bikes mean every bike of that model will look the same- threadless stems also look fairly similar, while there's a decent amount of variance in the looks of quill stems that lets you actually do some customization.

but yeah, the black carbon white decals (or that super original color scheme of red/black) is a menace. One of the few modern trends I like is that a few brands are now going super minimal with their branding- Cannondale is notably going back to their classic 90s look of having a small decal on the top tube, and a few others seem to be copying them.

Last edited by sheddle; 09-19-19 at 08:25 AM.
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Old 09-19-19, 09:18 AM
  #75  
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As far as the seat goes should I put a white Selle Italia Flite Seat on it? Just cause its contemporaries with it and the white would make the frame pop.
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