So what’s up with Cinelli?
 

So I’m new to the world of road cycling and I don’t understand the deal with Cinelli. They seem to be a historic brand. Some of their bikes and frames are quite expensive. Yet their web presence sucks. No one seems to talk about them. A YouTube search yields very few results. There’s almost no used and/or vintage market for them in the USA. What am I missing?

"True" vintage Cinellis, i.e. before Columbus got them are really, really hard to get, and can get as expensive as used bikes can get. I remember stories that they were impossible to order from during lead-ups to the Olympics, because all the track athletes would jam them with orders for their track frames, which were reputed to be the best in those days.

Current Cinellis are owned by Columbus, i.e. the bike tubing guys. They seem like perfectly fine bikes, and they certainly aren't one of those brands that some giant conglomerate bought to slap on generic frames (vis: bikesdirect brands), but they just aren't quite as exciting as they were when they were actually owned by the Cinelli family.

I've personally seen a few new Cinelli Vigorelli road bikes and a couple track/SS bikes here (Seattle)

that said, they do make some attractive bikes at good price points. that on-sale $399 touring bike frame on their US site is looking a bit tempting...

Thanks for the insight. I didn’t know that the Columbus thing was a buy out. Do you know what year that happened? Have they always been more of a track bike builder than road?

Late 1970s, I think. Cinelli track bikes are famous but their road bikes are well known as well- Cinelli Supercorsas are one of those dream vintage bikes like Merckx Corsa Extras, Colnago Supers, or Bianchi Specialissimas.


Anyway, you probably don't see a lot of them for sale for the same reason you don't see a lot of Bianchi Specialissimas for sale- they were really expensive bikes back in the day too, so they just aren't as many to go around compared to, say, a vintage Trek 420 or something. According to VeloRetro, in the 1970s (the last decade before the Columbus buyout/Cino Cinelli's retirement) they produced about 400 frames a year.

Cinelli is a brand that has such limited distribution in the US, that its at best an afterthought and not even a thought for many cyclists. Look at the distribution map on their website- the vast space between points is staggering.

I live in a cycling heavy area, and the closest shop that carries Cinelli is 200mi away. Metros like KC, Cincy, and Indy are the same- 180-250mi to the closest shop that carries Cinelli.
Such distance simply isnt worth considering when there are dozens of shops within a 20min drive that offer similar quality bikes for similar prices. And so- Cinelli continues to be an afterthought at best.

Given the number of reasonably priced bikes on their site, Cinelli currently seem to be after a similar market to Bianchi- but Bianchi has a far greater distribution network in the US (to the point where Jumbo apparently signed Sepp Kuss and Powless because Bianchi wanted American riders due to the US being a big market for them). Not all bike companies really penetrate the US market- I remember having to go way out of my way to look at an Argon 18, for instance- and they aren't even a European manufacturer.

They do have the advantage of selling online though- and they have some really neat looking bikes in a lot of price ranges.

You can get that bike complete for $899. Properly geared for touring, and with Tubus racks even.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2b1da1ec78.jpg

^^^^ All sold out except 61 cm.

I’ve used their cork tape for just about drop-bar every bike I’ve owned; usually it’s the first “upgrade” once the original tape wears out (that or tires). I’ve had their stems and bars on one or two bikes, and handlebars are what I most associate the brand with. I’ve very rarely seen the frames in real life.

Cinelli is sold on Amazon.

Yeah it is- about a year ago, hobootleg flatbar bikes were selling for around $450 on Amazon. It was nuts. Whatever algorithm quirk was causing the pricing to be so low was also active enough to change the prices between sizes multiple times over the following week. Fluctuations by hundreds of dollars at any given time between sizes each day.

Yup, I love Cinelli. I happened upon a few Cinelli NeoMorphe for $97.00 and I thought they were knock-offs. Tried to buy a few more and the price went back up to $300. I also chanced upon a Superstar frame for $700. Again, I thought it was a knock-off. Pleasantly surprised. Took a chance because the return policy was really great.

I own a Cinelli Supercorsa, beautiful classic frame that rides and handles great. Sometime in the future I will buy another of their frames and build it up. It's nice not having the same bike as everyone else and everybody comments on the bike and a few people even asked to take pictures.

Where are these new frames manufactured?

Depends what you get. I imagine the mid-range ones are Asian, but the custom (and very expensive) steel bikes (the Supercorsa and XCR) they still sell are made out of their factory in Italy still.


e) also I've been looking for a rigid MTB and while I was planning to get a cheapo used Hardrock or something, this thing suddenly looks mighty inviting.

https://www.cinelli-usa.com/cinelli-...-bike-sangria/

I shouldn’t have followed that link. Want this one so bad right now:
https://www.cinelli-usa.com/cinelli-...lour-you-like/

That's a great price!

This thread better not be the cause of these deals going out of stock before I can get an order in :(

I picked up a Superstar frame for $520 from Amazon at the beginning of August. It built up into a really nice bike.

Looks like Amazon has an XS Superstar frame with 105 in stock for $916.

amazon . com / Cinelli-Superstar-Complete-Road-Bike/dp/B06XN59D6G/ref=sr_1_22?keywords=cinelli&qid=1567125709&s=gateway&sr=8-22

John

It's not 1969 anymore and Yep, you missed it.

-Bandera

There was a time when Cinelli made up half of a great bike (regardless of brand) They made the lugs for the frame, the seat post, handlebar and stem. I had one and compared to today's anonymous $10,000 bikes made in a factory in Taiwan, it was a work of beauty, that you rode with pride before the advent of technology over craftsmanship.

I have the XCR. It's not made by Cinelli, but contracted out to Cicli Barco.
XCR FRAMES | ciclibarco
Cicli Barco makes their frames in Italy so technically the Cinelli XCR is made in Italy.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. They were definitely helpful. I've been somewhat stuck on them because they're just so sexy. But it just seemed strange to me that they're referenced online all the time, but never really highlighted. So now to the true reason for this post. I have been wanting to get a gravel bike and I have been eyeing up this frame/bike for some time. I guess I am questioning if this is a viable option compared to more traditional gravel brands like Salsa, Surly, or even major brands like Trek.

https://www.cinelli-usa.com/zydeco-bike-full-color/

Thanks for your feedback!

Ohhh, thanks, I just saw the "handmade in Italy" bit so I kinda assumed, hah.

Another custom frame builder to put on the "if I ever get way too much money" list

You should be fine, and yeah one reason I like Cinelli's midrange options is that they have great paint jobs, hah.

I saw one of these bad boys parked outside a cafe and I just stared for a few moments. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0c18dca4f4.jpg