VeloBrox

That's some daym fine lug filing on the Patelli! Would never have guessed that it is a '60s bike.

Veloh

Missed out on a basket-case Marnati. Still disappointed.

gomango

Then buy a nice one.

Been sitting on the Philly CL for quite a while.

Looks like a very nice example too, but I wish it were a little larger.

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/3278506811.html

JohnnyBee

Bill Stevenson of Washington. Builds one - off frames. Each frame is truly unique and a work of art.


Johnnybee.

kc0yef 

+100 "Bill Stevenson is known as somewhat of a journeyman in the cycle industry, having worked for Ross Bicycles, Fisher, MS Racing, alpinestars and Ballistic. He now designs and builds custom road frames, utilizing steel tubing and fillet brazing. An American frame building magazine described him as ‘the greatest unknown frame builder’. " He has won several awards for his tandems also.. and he builds 2x11 mtb single speeds does great frame repair here is that article about Bill "The best frame builder you never heard about" https://assets.seattlepub.com:8020/Su...Issues/1997-03
an example of one of Bill's bikes https://www.flickr.com/photos/andromedaphoto/3725109768/ and another in the raw https://www.flickr.com/photos/androme...256103/detail/

and Corey Thompson also in the same shop as Bill.
https://www.cycleexif.com/thompson-custom-bicycles

KvltBryce

Veloh

Beautiful Daniele Marnati. However, the one that got by was possibly an Umberto Marnati, his father...

Giacomo 1 

I'm going to put in my latest aquisition, a Fabio Barecci.

I bought this frame on a whim, mostly because the paint reminded me a of a Colnago Master, of which I'm not tryng to compare. But besides the nice paint, I've been pleasantly surprised by the nice touches on the frame like internal cabling with nice crown style entry, embossed fork crown, windows on the lugs, which I will someday paint in, and two shifter cable guides on the head tube. Now, having ridden it for a month, I can say this is one great riding bike to. It tracks very nicely, with predictable turn-ins, and it feels solid and planted, never twitchy.

I know nothing about who Fabio Barecci was or is. Unfortunately, there is no information to be had on the web about him, so he will likely remain a mystery. Might be a great artisan, or he might be a half-a-bum that never really made it, who knows? But apparently this bike was sold by BH Bikes of Spain. I even contacted them, with no reply. This could very well be the only one in the States, as I've only seen two other examples, both in Spain. A Spaniard would likely know something about this bike. Any Spaniards in the house?

peter_d

I was fortunate enough to buy an early 70's Grandis frame and fork which was cosmetically challenged but rust free. I took it down to bare metal and the workmanship was flawless but for a slight defect in the rear brake bridge. The bike rides as you would expect and weighs in at under 20lbs. When the Italians got it right they really got it right. However my early 80's Carlton built Raleigh Competition is very close in ride quality.

KonAaron Snake 

Photos of the Grandis por favor.

flash2070

I've had two Tommasinis, two Colnagos, One Rossin, One Romani, and just a week ago I acquired a Basso Gap. In my humble opinion, the Basso is the best of them all. Again in my humble opinion! Here it is! I got it with a repainted tt, but aside from that the bike is in excellent condition, but the exceptional quality of the ride is what has won me over.





Flash

KvltBryce

jrickards

Having been born in '60, when I was in my mid- to late-teens, I remember being in love with this model and wanting to buy one myself but upcoming university expenses forced me to save my money.

jrickards

In this forum, there are many photos of beautiful bikes with the stickers/decals intact and unblemished, unscratched and unpeeling whereas the Bianchi Strada LX I bought last week has scratches on the paint, rusted bolts/nuts and peeling labels. I don't regret the buy ($150, plus another $150 to get it rideable with tires, tubes and brake pads) but I am wondering how you guys manage to find such unblemished bikes maybe not all of them but the good ones like these, especially when some of you seem to find them in yard sales, dumps, etc.

Sixty Fiver

I do not know what tubing was used when Ron Cooper built my road bike back in the mid seventies save for it being butted with a 27.2 seat post... it could be Reynolds or Columbus or a mix of many different tubes.

What makes this bike phenomenal in every respect is the man who built it.

Comes to our shop and we do not get too hung up on tubing stickers... if you ask for a bicycle with specific ride and handling qualities the tubing we use has very little to do with this although we do use very high grades of tubing and have a good deal of it custom drawn.

My Garlatti is a beautifully chromed bit of Italian / bike boom / high tensile steel... besides bicycles they made farm implements and do not know if their farm implements are nearly as nice as their bicycles.

It is a wonderful bike to ride and much like a Peugeot UO8 save for it being Italian instead of French... it has that classic laid back geometry that lends itself to being a very comfortable ride all day and when the hill points up or down it handles that extremely well.

Poguemahone

Some of us have been doing this for years. You do not find primo vintage bikes on a daily basis. It helps to talk to people; over the years I have built up a small network of people who call me when they see something interesting. That is how I found the Bonanno pictured earlier in the thread.

KonAaron Snake 

1. Be willing to spend money. Finding a high end bike in good shape at a cheap price, AND IN YOUR SIZE does happen, but not often. Those bikes are also typically gone FAST, regardless of venue.

2. Don't believe everything people tell you about what they've paid for something.

3. I think most of the really nice stuff happens at yard sales and estate sales...it takes a LOT of work to find it and you have to really be committed. You also have to know about more than just bikes, because most of the time there isn't going to be a bike worth having at all. To make it worthwhile you have to know about furniture, art, etc.

Finding stuff at a dump, or being thrown out, does happen, but it isn't the norm. In a LOT of years I've only ever found 3 bikes that were trash picks and worth saving. I also haven't looked that hard or gone garbage surfing and dumpster diving. Most folks here buy on eBay and Craigslist...and don't be deceived, the nicer stuff does cost money. I'd rather spend a little and get to enjoy something than waiting around perpetually for the score of a life time. You're either going to spend energy and time or cash...over all, cash can be easier.

tmh657

I had a Pinarello with Oria ML25 tubing. A nice rider, very solid feel while descending. I compare it to a Miyata STB tubed bike. The decals and paint were absolutely done so I let it go but would like another Pinny someday. With decals maybe

Zoku620

1981 Ross Signature. I've posted pics of this bike before, but if ever there was a bike that garners little respect from the unwashed masses...

Hard to find these, I've only ever seen pics of three, and this is the only one I've seen in person, although I think 250-300 were made. If any one else does have one, they will confirm the real beauty is the ride, supple yet stiff, relaxed and responsive, truly excellent. And before someone asks "who's signature"..

Poguemahone

^^ This thread seems designed to give KAS various agonies.

KonAaron Snake 

Seriously. I don't regret missing many bikes, but this thread has raised the ghost of two. The other was a pink Lotus aero model.

Zoku620

Here's a little salt for your wound - bought on Ebay (2 yrs now) for $350 + $80 shipping, I was only bidder. Had mix of 600 tricolor and crap, not D/A as now. I had (from new, 1985) Grandis for many years, sold awhile back in Philly, was 60cm Orange, this thing makes that bike feel like a garbage truck.

Poguemahone

^^^ you're mean. Poor KAS.

Great bike, about the only one I'm actually looking for. Even the production Signatures are very nice...

KonAaron Snake 

Ehhhhhh - I have some other things to console myself with; you can't get them all (but you can try!).

The Tom Kellogg Ross was one I really wish I had attacked harder.

Giacomo 1 

I remember when you posted this bike, and I mentioned don't worry about the paint, just ride it and your going to love it. I guess I was right on that one! I ride one myself, so I know how nice a rider these Basso Gaps really are...