Simoncini Cyclocross Special
10-31-13, 08:42 AM
#1
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Simoncini Cyclocross Special
What's made in Italy from Columbus tubing, lugged construction, Cantilever brakes, and has cable guides for the rear brake and rear derailleur along the top of the top-tube?
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
10-31-13, 09:01 AM
#2
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An Italian cyclocross frame. What do I win?
10-31-13, 10:12 AM
#5
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Right now you would win some knobby Cyclocross tires that are too big for the chainstay clearance.
I'll give another hint, made in Tuscany (I think)
I'll give another hint, made in Tuscany (I think)
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
10-31-13, 10:42 AM
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or Guerciotti. Is it blue or red? Can't see from work. I had a blue Guerciotti cross frame that did not have clearance for anything larger than 30mm IIRC.
10-31-13, 10:44 AM
#9
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Yes!
Bonus question. It has a 1" steerer, quill stem, and a horizontal top-tube. What year was it made?
Bonus question. It has a 1" steerer, quill stem, and a horizontal top-tube. What year was it made?
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
10-31-13, 12:09 PM
#11
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__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 11-25-14 at 11:44 AM.
10-31-13, 12:36 PM
#13
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Retro Cyclocross, an explanation;
Cyclocross racing is usually performed short (2.5–3.5 km or 1.5–2 mile) course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike while navigating the obstruction and remount. The history of Cyclocross racing is more than 100 years old.
Cyclocross bikes are typically differentiated from road-race bikes by their greater tire clearances, lower gearing, stronger frames, cantilever brakes and more upright riding position. Frame geometry is altered from other bikes: Chainstays are often 425 or 430mm long and the bottom bracket drop from the axle line is less than on road or touring bikes. Cyclocross bicycles have altered drivetrains, some are set up with a single chainring others use double cranksets. Bikes that use a double crankset, generally use a 36-46 or 46-38 gearing. Cable routing for the rear brake and the derailleurs are placed down the top side of the top tube. This allows the racer to shoulder the bike while running. Tires are regulated to be no larger than 35mm for some groups and no larger than 33mm for elite racers. Knobby tires are common.
Cyclocross bikes are also popular as Sports/Touring bikes and many models feature mounting braze-ons for fenders and racks. Cyclocross bikes fill a broad niche as versatile bikes for recreational use, training, commuting, credit-card touring and gravel path & gravel road use.
Cyclocross racing is usually performed short (2.5–3.5 km or 1.5–2 mile) course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike while navigating the obstruction and remount. The history of Cyclocross racing is more than 100 years old.
Cyclocross bikes are typically differentiated from road-race bikes by their greater tire clearances, lower gearing, stronger frames, cantilever brakes and more upright riding position. Frame geometry is altered from other bikes: Chainstays are often 425 or 430mm long and the bottom bracket drop from the axle line is less than on road or touring bikes. Cyclocross bicycles have altered drivetrains, some are set up with a single chainring others use double cranksets. Bikes that use a double crankset, generally use a 36-46 or 46-38 gearing. Cable routing for the rear brake and the derailleurs are placed down the top side of the top tube. This allows the racer to shoulder the bike while running. Tires are regulated to be no larger than 35mm for some groups and no larger than 33mm for elite racers. Knobby tires are common.
Cyclocross bikes are also popular as Sports/Touring bikes and many models feature mounting braze-ons for fenders and racks. Cyclocross bikes fill a broad niche as versatile bikes for recreational use, training, commuting, credit-card touring and gravel path & gravel road use.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 10-31-13 at 12:39 PM.
10-31-13, 03:24 PM
#14
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Beautiful! Feel free to store it at my house over the winter 
10-31-13, 05:15 PM
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Dayum Barrett, that's a great bike. Be sure to ride a lot this fall and may it be only the leaves that are falling
10-31-13, 05:47 PM
#16
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I've been practicing my falls recently, just ask Bibliobob!
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
10-31-13, 05:59 PM
#17
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Very nice, interesting cable routing on that. Downswing FD with top mounted RD cables. Lucky guy.
10-31-13, 06:13 PM
#18
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This frame had a single cable stop on the left side where you might normally find a shifter braze-on. The BB shell also has a guide for the front derailleur cable. Putting downtube shifters on this bike is not an option.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
11-01-13, 06:04 AM
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Yeah, almost like they realized that cross racers would go with a single chainring up front, and other riders would appreciate the ease and options of a downswing FD. Nice setup.
11-02-13, 02:45 PM
#20
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I took "little Simon" on a 40 mile ride on pavement today. It's a real race bike, with a stiff frame and quick steering. It's about as stiff as my Serotta Nova Special X which is built from Columbus SPX.
The ride is smooth and damp, perfect to my taste. Holding higher speeds is easy. The 48, 36 & 26 crankset is ideal for the 13-24 seven speed freewheel. I can stay in the 36t middle ring from any speed up to 22 mph. The 48 ring is useful for faster rides, a tailwind or a slope. The Suntour bar end shifter are easy to use. The Challenge tires roll fast and ride very smooth at 105psi rear and 95psi front.
The brakes are good-enough but not as good as my other CX bikes. Some fine tuning is needed. The fit needs some fine tuning, also.
The ride is smooth and damp, perfect to my taste. Holding higher speeds is easy. The 48, 36 & 26 crankset is ideal for the 13-24 seven speed freewheel. I can stay in the 36t middle ring from any speed up to 22 mph. The 48 ring is useful for faster rides, a tailwind or a slope. The Suntour bar end shifter are easy to use. The Challenge tires roll fast and ride very smooth at 105psi rear and 95psi front.
The brakes are good-enough but not as good as my other CX bikes. Some fine tuning is needed. The fit needs some fine tuning, also.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
11-02-13, 02:50 PM
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11-04-13, 08:14 AM
#22
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I took "little Simon" on a 40 mile ride on pavement today. It's a real race bike, with a stiff frame and quick steering. It's about as stiff as my Serotta Nova Special X which is built from Columbus SPX.
The ride is smooth and damp, perfect to my taste. Holding higher speeds is easy. The 48, 36 & 26 crankset is ideal for the 13-24 seven speed freewheel. I can stay in the 36t middle ring from any speed up to 22 mph. The 48 ring is useful for faster rides, a tailwind or a slope. The Suntour bar end shifter are easy to use. The Challenge tires roll fast and ride very smooth at 105psi rear and 95psi front.
The brakes are good-enough but not as good as my other CX bikes. Some fine tuning is needed. The fit needs some fine tuning, also.
The ride is smooth and damp, perfect to my taste. Holding higher speeds is easy. The 48, 36 & 26 crankset is ideal for the 13-24 seven speed freewheel. I can stay in the 36t middle ring from any speed up to 22 mph. The 48 ring is useful for faster rides, a tailwind or a slope. The Suntour bar end shifter are easy to use. The Challenge tires roll fast and ride very smooth at 105psi rear and 95psi front.
The brakes are good-enough but not as good as my other CX bikes. Some fine tuning is needed. The fit needs some fine tuning, also.
Modern bikes can be outfitted with a cable housing hanger that is mounted on the crown of the fork. This eliminates the tug of the cable as the fork flexes. However, the 1997 Simoncini fork lacks a mounting location for a fork mounted hanger. I'm possibly going to switch to a mini V-brake in the front. These are great performers, usually better than the best Cantilever set-up.
A second problem that needs attention is the fit. This bike will need a set-back seat-post to fit correctly. The short-for-me toptube combined with steep seattube and headtube angles require that the saddle be set-back further behind the seattube line than my other bikes. This will improve the knee position over the pedal and will increase the reach.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
11-04-13, 06:04 PM
#23
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Retro Cyclocross, an explanation;
Cyclocross racing is usually performed short (2.5–3.5 km or 1.5–2 mile) course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike while navigating the obstruction and remount. The history of Cyclocross racing is more than 100 years old.
Cyclocross bikes are typically differentiated from road-race bikes by their greater tire clearances, lower gearing, stronger frames, cantilever brakes and more upright riding position. Frame geometry is altered from other bikes: Chainstays are often 425 or 430mm long and the bottom bracket drop from the axle line is less than on road or touring bikes. Cyclocross bicycles have altered drivetrains, some are set up with a single chainring others use double cranksets. Bikes that use a double crankset, generally use a 36-46 or 46-38 gearing. Cable routing for the rear brake and the derailleurs are placed down the top side of the top tube. This allows the racer to shoulder the bike while running. Tires are regulated to be no larger than 35mm for some groups and no larger than 33mm for elite racers. Knobby tires are common.
Cyclocross bikes are also popular as Sports/Touring bikes and many models feature mounting braze-ons for fenders and racks. Cyclocross bikes fill a broad niche as versatile bikes for recreational use, training, commuting, credit-card touring and gravel path & gravel road use.
Cyclocross racing is usually performed short (2.5–3.5 km or 1.5–2 mile) course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike while navigating the obstruction and remount. The history of Cyclocross racing is more than 100 years old.
Cyclocross bikes are typically differentiated from road-race bikes by their greater tire clearances, lower gearing, stronger frames, cantilever brakes and more upright riding position. Frame geometry is altered from other bikes: Chainstays are often 425 or 430mm long and the bottom bracket drop from the axle line is less than on road or touring bikes. Cyclocross bicycles have altered drivetrains, some are set up with a single chainring others use double cranksets. Bikes that use a double crankset, generally use a 36-46 or 46-38 gearing. Cable routing for the rear brake and the derailleurs are placed down the top side of the top tube. This allows the racer to shoulder the bike while running. Tires are regulated to be no larger than 35mm for some groups and no larger than 33mm for elite racers. Knobby tires are common.
Cyclocross bikes are also popular as Sports/Touring bikes and many models feature mounting braze-ons for fenders and racks. Cyclocross bikes fill a broad niche as versatile bikes for recreational use, training, commuting, credit-card touring and gravel path & gravel road use.
11-05-13, 12:49 AM
#24
Full Member
I'm working through two issues with this semi-vintage Cyclocross bike. Many Cyclocross bikes have front brake shudder issues. If the cable housing is hanging from a hanger mounted under the stem, the flex of the fork can add tension to the brake cable. This sets up a shudder in the fork that makes stopping very erratic.
Modern bikes can be outfitted with a cable housing hanger that is mounted on the crown of the fork. This eliminates the tug of the cable as the fork flexes. However, the 1997 Simoncini fork lacks a mounting location for a fork mounted hanger. I'm possibly going to switch to a mini V-brake in the front. These are great performers, usually better than the best Cantilever set-up.
A second problem that needs attention is the fit. This bike will need a set-back seat-post to fit correctly. The short-for-me toptube combined with steep seattube and headtube angles require that the saddle be set-back further behind the seattube line than my other bikes. This will improve the knee position over the pedal and will increase the reach.
Modern bikes can be outfitted with a cable housing hanger that is mounted on the crown of the fork. This eliminates the tug of the cable as the fork flexes. However, the 1997 Simoncini fork lacks a mounting location for a fork mounted hanger. I'm possibly going to switch to a mini V-brake in the front. These are great performers, usually better than the best Cantilever set-up.
A second problem that needs attention is the fit. This bike will need a set-back seat-post to fit correctly. The short-for-me toptube combined with steep seattube and headtube angles require that the saddle be set-back further behind the seattube line than my other bikes. This will improve the knee position over the pedal and will increase the reach.
I have seen a lot of those races on television as there were good crossracers in Holland and not all of the attention was directed to soccer in those days so I remember most of those names.
Big fun,and almost the only kind of races even my mother liked to watch as she could not believe how anyone could be so stupid to ride in the mud like that.
11-11-13, 01:35 PM
#25
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Really beautiful bicycle...