einstruzende

I bought this frame in 2005 on Ebay, and it has sat in storage every since. I decided I'll build it up while quarantining, however, I have some general questions about how to proceed.

First, I'll say that when I bought it, the guy didn't know what model it was, and in my research, I couldn't pin it down exactly, but I am almost positive it is a Superissimo from the mid 90s (Finally found a link to a 1996 catalog showing frames with basically all the features mine has).

Anyway, to the build ...

It's Italian, I'm moderately fluent in Italian, so I figure I have to go with Campagnolo parts. I have an alloy Record 10 speed crank and Record BB, Italian Threaded, and it seems to fit, although I haven't cranked it down, just hand tightened to make sure things were not chewed up in there. I guess that means I'm going with Record 10 even though it isn't period correct (and I don't care about period correct, just looking and riding nice).

Q1) In an act of madness, I decided I wanted down tube shifters since I've never had any, and from what I can tell, Campy did not make them for 10 speed, and old friction shifters do not have enough of a cam to do the job, so I ordered a pair of Dura-ace 10 speed shifters. My understanding is that they will work on Campy 10 speed stuff. Can anyone confirm that?

Q2) I am not sure what to do about the fork. I know it almost certainly came with a chromed Prescia fork, but they are very hard to get a hold of, and I'm also not sure what size steerer I need (as in length). The head tube on this one is 153mm, what should be the minimum steerer tube length I should get (and does anyone know where to get a Prescia fork, or another fork that would make sense for this frame?)

Q3) Since I am going with DT shifters, I only need regular brake levers, and don't see any reason to pay for the Record 10 Brifters. Any suggestions on what would do the job and be appropriate for my build?

Q4) I'm fairly certain I can find some Record Hubs from the ~2006 era, but what sort of rims should I look for? I don't want to build the wheels myself, I have no experience, so a bonus if there is a good wheel builder than I can use.

I think that's it for now, thanks.


Colnago, a mid 1990s Superissimo (I think)

jet sanchEz

I am pretty sure it is a Superissimo, I had one just like it. If I can find a picture, I will post it up.

Shimano 10 speed levers will not work with Campy 10 speed derailleurs, the throw is different. 9 works fine as does 11

Precisa forks are hard to come by, use a google search and the ebay thread here and maybe you will get lucky

Shimano R400 brake levers are great and usually pretty cheap, about $25 or so

H+Son TB14 rims are quite nice and are a bit wider so can offer a plush ride with some nice tires.


If I were you I would look for a donor bike for the wheels and group, maybe this Cannondale near you would work? Hubs look like they might even be Record, the stem and bars are pretty nice, you might even be able to use the fork and headset....

https://dayton.craigslist.org/bik/d/...115460395.html




edit: found a pic of mine, great bike, I probably should have kept it, c'est la vie

Reynolds 531 

Supposedly 9 speed indexed DT shifters were made, and the 9 speed stuff is easier to find, less oddball spacing than Campagnolo 10 speed. Perhaps even 8 speed DT shifters, which are VERY easy to find. Either one could be used with your 10 speed front Crankset.

miamijim

I’m fairly certain Campy made stand alone 10s era brake levers.

Fork steerer = head tube length + headset stack height. I’d add a little for wiggle room. And I’d go threadless.

sallen73

Did you look at the Dia-Compe down tube shifters? https://velo-orange.com/collections/shifters
(Velo Orange link, but I am sure you can find them with other retailers)

I second the H+Sons TB-14s for rim selection: modern construction with classic looks, and they come in polished, anodized grey and black finishes.

As for the fork, maybe a track fork from Soma Fabrications? https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/cat...orks-track-772
Their track forks are drilled for brakes (recessed nut IIRC) can be had with threaded or threadless 1" steerers, and either straight bladed w/sloping crown or curved bladed w/flat crown.

einstruzende

Thanks for the reply, the shifters and the soma straight blade fork might be what I need after all. I'll do some research, but do you (or anyone else) know what the rake is on a Prescia fork? The Soma one is 41mm.

I'll take a look at TB-14s. The key will be to have silver/chrome hubs. The only "black" that I want will be limited to the carbon on the Record 10 Rear and front derailleurs. (if at all possible)

einstruzende

How can I tell what drive trains would work with Campy Record 10s chain rings? I guess I'm not totally opposed to something else.

einstruzende

Thanks for the info, the donor bike is an idea I've had, but I'm afraid I'd be left with another frame that I felt needed to be built up

Nice Superissimo, basically what I"m going for, only with silver rims!

Reynolds 531 

https://sheldonbrown.com/speeds.html

sallen73

I don't know the rake on the Prescia fork; I haven't gotten that deep in the rabbit hole. Yet.
I think you will be happy with the TB-14's; I have the polished ones on 4 different bikes and they do not look out of place. The guys at my LBS say the anodized grey rims do a pretty good job of subbing for Mavic MA40's, if that is the look you are after.

einstruzende

Ahh, makes sense, use a 9sp chain for instance. I totally forgot about Sheldon Brown. I bet I haven't visited his site in something like 12 or 13 years!

SJX426 

einstruzende I decided to go with 10 speed because the wheel set I bought on CL came with a 10V block. I am considering going with 11 because the Ergos are less on the bay then 10V Ergos! Can't believe the prices on 10V Record Ergos. All my parts are record, so I wanted to stick to 10V parts.
My understanding is that you can use the same wheel set for 9, 10 and 11 V cassettes. Different bike, same challenges (except fork):
P1030216, on Flickr

I have a 1983ish Superissimo. I believe they differ from Supers only by the Chrome on the head lugs (includes the head tube). The differences may vary over time. I appears there was no consistency with Colnago for a number of years. Not having sequential SN complicates the ID. Pictures of the Supperissimo of the '80's appear to vary with fork fully chrome vs socks.(mine). That is a frame worth building and riding!
months

Depending on your urgency to ride, you may want to just cruise the bay for a fork. I purchased a Trek 760 with a Giant unicrown fork attached, project bike. The stock fork of that vintage had a unique crown and an offset of 38mm.

P1030005, on Flickr

The only aftermarket forks with 38mm offset are track forks as mentioned above. I was not in a hurry to build, in fact it is still hanging on a hook. One day I decided to look for a replacement fork on the bay. Bingo! the needle in a haystack was found! It was listed locally so I called and purchased at a significant discount because it was bent (steerer was straight) from an accident.
WP_20150430_008, on Flickr

Straightened it out on the bench.
P1030007, on Flickr

An acquaintance who builds his own frames had built an adjustable fork fixture to check dimensions. He lent it to me for fine tuning of the dimensions.
Fork Jig 2 wfork, on Flickr

It now is ready to go.
P1020998, on Flickr
I would expect a factory fork for your frame would be more readily available then mine which was only built for 2 years.

Spaghetti Legs 

I agree that the Dura Ace shifters will not play well with Campy 10. My understanding is that the Record 10 bar end shifters can be adapted to use on down tube fittings. A casual look at the set on my TT bike looks a lot like the body of the Record 8 speed DT shifters. Back when I had Shimano 9 speed and Record/Chorus 10 speed bikes I would swap wheels between bikes in a pinch and shifting would be OK but I would think that using 9 speed shifters on the Campy 10 long term would be kind of unsatisfying. Campy makes a Record carbon brake lever. TRP makes a cool drilled brake lever that comes in a gum like and black hood.

I have a 1 inch Profile BRC carbon fork that used to be on my '96 C40 until I replaced it with a Precisa fork. Drop me a line if interested.

Guerc 

For 10s Campy downtube shifters: I found that their 10s bar end shifter can be mounted as downtube shifters. You have to use a small backing plate from any old set of Campy shifter, which acts as a shifter stop. Otherwise it bolts right on, and works great on my Guerciotti with 10s Triple downtube setup. I rode the bike yesterday for a nice Saturday morning spin.

Campy 10s downtube shifters


Guerc