Columbus EL-OS compared to Columbus MAX?
01-07-19, 05:53 PM
#26
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That is beautiful. The Nivachrome tubing was intended to be fillet brazed. I think I only ever saw one Mini MAX in person when I sold a Bianchi built with it. I was surprised more builders didn’t use it but sadly for steel the cycling public was being conned into believing carbon fiber was better for them, so I think it just got lost in the dustbin of cycling history.
That is beautiful Coicc, are there more pics elsewhere?
That is beautiful Coicc, are there more pics elsewhere?
I've got to downsize the 130 neck and 44cm bars, ...then try it out again with Vittoria Corsa 25's!
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01-07-19, 06:29 PM
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Thank You That is fabulous, great color.
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01-08-19, 10:59 AM
#28
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01-08-19, 11:35 AM
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To the best of my knowledge, Columbus never provided actual weight restrictions. The best I've seen them provide is vague classifications for light, medium or all riders. As previously suggested, it's not just a matter of weight, but also pedaling style and how aggressively you ride. However, if you like the ride of MAX, then you'll probably find EL-OS too flexible unless you buy something like a De Rosa Primato, where the lateral bottom bracket stiffness is augmented by the special shell design.
01-08-19, 02:24 PM
#30
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To the best of my knowledge, Columbus never provided actual weight restrictions. The best I've seen them provide is vague classifications for light, medium or all riders. As previously suggested, it's not just a matter of weight, but also pedaling style and how aggressively you ride. However, if you like the ride of MAX, then you'll probably find EL-OS too flexible unless you buy something like a De Rosa Primato, where the lateral bottom bracket stiffness is augmented by the special shell design.
Based on 'stats' alone only 100g less total claimed tube set weight than Max, deploying Nivacrom and OS tube diameters (even with thin centre sections), I reckon it's fair to say that EL OS should be both reasonably stiff and fairly robust? I've certainly been told as much by a few folks who've owned EL OS machines.
As you suggest, not so stiff and robust as MAX, but I reckon that's a high bar of comparison.
In any case, while I have never had the opportunity to ride EL OS before, I should be able to weigh in with some first-hand thoughts on the matter soon. Currently building up an EL OS Ryffranck, which I expect to be at least adequately stiff under my 250-265lbs given the robust-looking chainstays, OS tubes, and the Freuler-style geo of my particular frame (relatively smaller leve-TT main triangle with HT and ST extensions to fit a taller rider). I have had to pass on a few frames over the years due to excessive frame flex (e.g. a 1980s 531C Proctor and a Kuwahara-made high-end Apollo ca. 1980), but expect I'm going to like this one.
Once I get some 11sp wheels spun up to complete my build I'll see if my surmise is reasonable, I suppose. I'll be sure to chime back in here!
01-08-19, 03:13 PM
#31
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I was hoping to replace my MAX with an EL-OS frame and QUITE POSSIBLY add a Titanium to the family
Ive heard great things about Titanium frames (stiffness, resilience, etc). Any experience on these tubings? To make it simpler, just compared to a MAX frame?
01-08-19, 03:17 PM
#32
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I too had a chance to own a Minimax tubing frame. However, I decided to go with Max instead. Great looking bike!
01-08-19, 06:33 PM
#34
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01-08-19, 06:55 PM
#35
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Wow. A team 7-11 Max frame would be amazing. Since you have that much info at your fingertips, any idea which riders tried them? Or if they were used much? This is entirely news to me. Remember a lot of team bikes that drifted south from Delafield and never caught a glimpse of a Max.
01-08-19, 08:23 PM
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Max is an order of magnitude stiffer through the bottom bracket compared to ELOS. And the ribbed BB shell used by De Rosa is super cool, but it doesn't do squat in terms of frame stiffness.
01-08-19, 08:27 PM
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I've seen/heard some quite varied interpretations of the intent of EL OS specifically in terms of usage and rider size/weight, i.e. ranging from claims that it was intended for lightweights and climbing (perhaps muddling Genius, which had shorter butted ends to save weight, and EL OS?) to claims that it falls short of the legendary stiffness of MAX but had very strong (and not necessarily dainty) riders in mind. From what I'm reading here, I'm guessing you'd tend more towards the latter interpretation?
Based on 'stats' alone only 100g less total claimed tube set weight than Max, deploying Nivacrom and OS tube diameters (even with thin centre sections), I reckon it's fair to say that EL OS should be both reasonably stiff and fairly robust? I've certainly been told as much by a few folks who've owned EL OS machines.
As you suggest, not so stiff and robust as MAX, but I reckon that's a high bar of comparison.
In any case, while I have never had the opportunity to ride EL OS before, I should be able to weigh in with some first-hand thoughts on the matter soon. Currently building up an EL OS Ryffranck, which I expect to be at least adequately stiff under my 250-265lbs given the robust-looking chainstays, OS tubes, and the Freuler-style geo of my particular frame (relatively smaller leve-TT main triangle with HT and ST extensions to fit a taller rider). I have had to pass on a few frames over the years due to excessive frame flex (e.g. a 1980s 531C Proctor and a Kuwahara-made high-end Apollo ca. 1980), but expect I'm going to like this one.
Once I get some 11sp wheels spun up to complete my build I'll see if my surmise is reasonable, I suppose. I'll be sure to chime back in here!
Based on 'stats' alone only 100g less total claimed tube set weight than Max, deploying Nivacrom and OS tube diameters (even with thin centre sections), I reckon it's fair to say that EL OS should be both reasonably stiff and fairly robust? I've certainly been told as much by a few folks who've owned EL OS machines.
As you suggest, not so stiff and robust as MAX, but I reckon that's a high bar of comparison.
In any case, while I have never had the opportunity to ride EL OS before, I should be able to weigh in with some first-hand thoughts on the matter soon. Currently building up an EL OS Ryffranck, which I expect to be at least adequately stiff under my 250-265lbs given the robust-looking chainstays, OS tubes, and the Freuler-style geo of my particular frame (relatively smaller leve-TT main triangle with HT and ST extensions to fit a taller rider). I have had to pass on a few frames over the years due to excessive frame flex (e.g. a 1980s 531C Proctor and a Kuwahara-made high-end Apollo ca. 1980), but expect I'm going to like this one.
Once I get some 11sp wheels spun up to complete my build I'll see if my surmise is reasonable, I suppose. I'll be sure to chime back in here!
01-08-19, 10:29 PM
#39
Banned.
Wow. A team 7-11 Max frame would be amazing. Since you have that much info at your fingertips, any idea which riders tried them? Or if they were used much? This is entirely news to me. Remember a lot of team bikes that drifted south from Delafield and never caught a glimpse of a Max.
01-09-19, 01:57 AM
#40
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FWIW, I've read that Merckx was one of the very few who built with MiniMAX. No Idea if they put any pro riders on those frames.
01-09-19, 04:01 AM
#41
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Teams on MAX and/or Merckx MXL (different top tube than MAX but otherwise the same):
Motorola
GAN
Telekom
My flickr is down. Pics later.
Motorola
GAN
Telekom
My flickr is down. Pics later.
01-09-19, 09:39 AM
#42
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As promised.
Team GAN MXL - picture stolen from net.
Team Telekom MXL (Udo Bölts). Picture by Steel Vintage com
Team Motorola MAX (including "MAX" fork crown) picture from net.
Team Motorola MXL
Team GAN MXL - picture stolen from net.
Team Telekom MXL (Udo Bölts). Picture by Steel Vintage com
Team Motorola MAX (including "MAX" fork crown) picture from net.
Team Motorola MXL
01-27-19, 12:35 PM
#44
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Quick question regarding your rear-spacing. Is it 130 or 126?
02-15-19, 01:04 PM
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Mmmm......I'm lusting after a Paletti.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
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02-15-19, 04:53 PM
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I ended up with three EL-OS bikes over the last ten years.
A Della Santa, a Hollands and a Colnago Elegant.
Each were fun to ride and easily handled my weight at the time.
My Hollands ended up as a permanent member of the ever shrinking stable here.
So versatile and a great ride.
Untitled by gomango1849, on Flickr
A Della Santa, a Hollands and a Colnago Elegant.
Each were fun to ride and easily handled my weight at the time.
My Hollands ended up as a permanent member of the ever shrinking stable here.
So versatile and a great ride.
Untitled by gomango1849, on Flickr
06-10-19, 04:26 PM
#47
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Was just thinking about this thread discussion as I was out riding my EL OS Ryffranck that I recently built up.
Can confirm that this particular example, at least, is far from being unduly flexy under my weight (a bit over 250lbs). Subjective judgment, but I'm actually fairly particular about this.
With the combination of OS tubes configured in the 'Freuler' style (dropped TT, HT and ST extensions), short, highly ovalized OS chainstays, substantial chainstay bridge, etc., the bike is not unduly flexy even when climbing in a tallish gear. It's quite comfortable/smooth, but definitely fast and shows no sign of BB swaying like a pendulum under climbing loads. And that opinion is based on the experience of a rider who has sold more than one very nice bike due to intolerable/excessive frame flex...
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07-21-21, 03:01 AM
#48
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I often see Columbus steel type charts but am unclear about what bike size was used for the advertised mass...does anyone know the size for the chart above?
