Which Cinelli (stem) cap is more desirable?
#2
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The spelled out one is older and I suspect more appropriate for a ‘73.
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The Flying C certainly looks better. Is this a period correct bicycle?
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If the logo on the extension is oval, the spelled-out cap is correct. If it's the later, flying-C logo on the extension, the flying-C cap is the correct one.
Don't know which is the more valuable, tho I'd guess the one in the stem currently is thinner on the ground, and perhaps more valuable.
DD
Don't know which is the more valuable, tho I'd guess the one in the stem currently is thinner on the ground, and perhaps more valuable.
DD
#5
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Anybody know the timeline when they went from oval to Winged “C” script on the top?
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The real one is the right one.

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According to the Cinelli Timeline, the 'spelled out' CINELLI would have been used on a Cinelli 1R stem on the 1973 DeRosa like the one in your original photo. The 1R stem was introduced in 1973. The 'flying C' logo was designed later on in 1979.
The handlebar / stem set on the 54cm Cinelli frame could be part of the very desirable and expensive (1983 intro.) Cinelli VIP set. This set had the leather (suede leather) stitched onto the bars with the stem already in place and the VIP set also included some other desirable components (alloy framed saddle with longer alloy seat binder bolt for a Campagnolo SR seatpost, spare tyre holder, bidon cover and toe straps). As the bars shown do not have a suede leather finish, I am a little reticent to call them "VIP" but they may very well could be "VIP".
The handlebar / stem set on the 54cm Cinelli frame could be part of the very desirable and expensive (1983 intro.) Cinelli VIP set. This set had the leather (suede leather) stitched onto the bars with the stem already in place and the VIP set also included some other desirable components (alloy framed saddle with longer alloy seat binder bolt for a Campagnolo SR seatpost, spare tyre holder, bidon cover and toe straps). As the bars shown do not have a suede leather finish, I am a little reticent to call them "VIP" but they may very well could be "VIP".
Last edited by Gary Fountain; 08-14-22 at 07:09 PM.
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The flyin ef C was after Columbus bought them out so not the real deal IMO.
Still a cool logo to be sure but clearly a break from tradition to stamp there own new identity on a conquered traditional marque.
Agree with the above comments, oldschool version likely thinner on the ground, especially in good shape so way more desirable aside from all else, again, IMO.
Still a cool logo to be sure but clearly a break from tradition to stamp there own new identity on a conquered traditional marque.
Agree with the above comments, oldschool version likely thinner on the ground, especially in good shape so way more desirable aside from all else, again, IMO.

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I can't find earlier ones quickly so I settled here.

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#13
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The saddle frame is galvanized steel, the camera is highlighting the discoloration or water damage. It was listed as a 79, and has a Ti group with patented 78 on the derailleur.

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In 1978, Antonio Colombo [their emphasis] joined Cinelli as the main shareholder and the successor of Cino Cinelli. He set about updating the company and commissioned the new Cinelli logo to Italo Lupi, a young architect who over the years would design important logos; Prada, Fiorucci and the Turin Olympics. Cinelli's logo was among the first to completely distance itself from the heraldic tradition, becoming the most imitated logo of the internet of modern cycling.
Long before I was interested in vintage bikes, the Cinello flying C was for me the most recognizable cycling logo indicating some sense of class and long standing tradition. I'd see it at tattoo shops and skate shops and bars. It hadn't yet occurred to me that the logo might not be as old as it felt, and that the timeline of branding revisions and business acquisitions could be quite interesting itself.
Re: the stem in question, I'm with a lot people on the forum in being period correct if you have it or can afford it.
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The Cinelli VIP Unicanitor saddle, on the other hand, had vertically thicker alloy frame arms shaped a little like a chicken wishbone, and you needed a longer bolt to have the saddle fit a Campagnolo Super Record seatpost. Cinelli supplied this bolt, made of light weight alloy with a socket head, to fit the Campy post. The saddle didn't fit the Nuovo record post as far as I know. I'm not sure about Dura Ace or Superbe Pro?
You have a fantastic Supercorsa frame which featured those three holes in the lugs - wonderful and I'm jealous, haha. Your saddle goes really well with the handlebar grips. Love your bike.
Last edited by Gary Fountain; 08-15-22 at 09:15 PM.
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Long before I was interested in vintage bikes, the Cinello flying C was for me the most recognizable cycling logo indicating some sense of class and long standing tradition. I'd see it at tattoo shops and skate shops and bars. It hadn't yet occurred to me that the logo might not be as old as it felt, and that the timeline of branding revisions and business acquisitions could be quite interesting itself.
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#17
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Weigh them. Use the lighter of the two.

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Of course he did and of course it is, by 1978 any brand that didn't modernize and rebrand itself would likely be left for dead, Cinelli had been running on branding from a time when it had far less bearing on day to day operations.
For me, you can run an older part on anything that still supports that "tech" but I don't want to see a winged C stem or bars on an early 70's Raleigh Pro, Paramount or any else.
For me, you can run an older part on anything that still supports that "tech" but I don't want to see a winged C stem or bars on an early 70's Raleigh Pro, Paramount or any else.

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#19
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According to the Cinelli Timeline, the 'spelled out' CINELLI would have been used on a Cinelli 1R stem on the 1973 DeRosa like the one in your original photo. The 1R stem was introduced in 1973. The 'flying C' logo was designed later on in 1979.
The handlebar / stem set on the 54cm Cinelli frame could be part of the very desirable and expensive (1983 intro.) Cinelli VIP set. This set had the leather (suede leather) stitched onto the bars with the stem already in place and the VIP set also included some other desirable components (alloy framed saddle with longer alloy seat binder bolt for a Campagnolo SR seatpost, spare tyre holder, bidon cover and toe straps). As the bars shown do not have a suede leather finish, I am a little reticent to call them "VIP" but they may very well could be "VIP".
The handlebar / stem set on the 54cm Cinelli frame could be part of the very desirable and expensive (1983 intro.) Cinelli VIP set. This set had the leather (suede leather) stitched onto the bars with the stem already in place and the VIP set also included some other desirable components (alloy framed saddle with longer alloy seat binder bolt for a Campagnolo SR seatpost, spare tyre holder, bidon cover and toe straps). As the bars shown do not have a suede leather finish, I am a little reticent to call them "VIP" but they may very well could be "VIP".
The rear hub races were found to be pitted and unusable for service, and the rims aren't very durable. I've not found anything more thats bad, like the BB. Repechage told me to keep the bearings indexed, which I have, and warned me about the alloy headset, which I just haven't worked on, but it's not being ridden.
I'll start shopping for a camera this week. I won the the auction for a Colnago last week, if I get a tracking number soon. It needs to be photographed better, and I can't be worth much here without being able post my own photos.




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I have a few more auction photos to post. I saw it on eBay about six months ago, and probably put it on my watch list, and then bid late in the auction, impulsively and not knowing very much. About $2100 including sales tax and shipping, Shipping was low $75, and the seller packaged very well.
The rear hub races were found to be pitted and unusable for service, and the rims aren't very durable. I've not found anything more thats bad, like the BB. Repechage told me to keep the bearings indexed, which I have, and warned me about the alloy headset, which I just haven't worked on, but it's not being ridden.
I'll start shopping for a camera this week. I won the the auction for a Colnago last week, if I get a tracking number soon. It needs to be photographed better, and I can't be worth much here without being able post my own photos.
The rear hub races were found to be pitted and unusable for service, and the rims aren't very durable. I've not found anything more thats bad, like the BB. Repechage told me to keep the bearings indexed, which I have, and warned me about the alloy headset, which I just haven't worked on, but it's not being ridden.
I'll start shopping for a camera this week. I won the the auction for a Colnago last week, if I get a tracking number soon. It needs to be photographed better, and I can't be worth much here without being able post my own photos.

I have several camera's and still mostly suck at pics, doesn't stop me from posting them anyway. Probably not the best I can do but when I try to play with them they get worse so.....

We have many great phtogs here and I'm sure they cringe at some of the pics I post.

#22
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My phone isn't very capable, and I can't move photos into the mac, or email them to myself. I'm getting older and don't use the phone for much, or pay for much more than some robocalls calls and text per month.
I thought a camera might be better for me, or I need to get a phone thats capable of moving photos into the mac. A phone upgrade is better, I don't need to photograph anything moving, just good still photos.
I thought a camera might be better for me, or I need to get a phone thats capable of moving photos into the mac. A phone upgrade is better, I don't need to photograph anything moving, just good still photos.
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You can't just make a statement like that without a picture of the bike. Did I miss it somewhere?
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