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Any "modern retro" frames currently made that stand out?

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Any "modern retro" frames currently made that stand out?

Old 06-26-21, 04:53 AM
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th0m
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Any "modern retro" frames currently made that stand out?

I was looking around at some of the classic bike brands' current collections, and most of them offer at least one retro looking lugged steel frame. There is the Colnago Master X-Light and Arabesque, Wilier Superleggera, De Rosa Nouvo Classico, Bottecchia Leggendaria, Guerciotti Record etc etc. Do any of these stand out quality-wise or is the workmanship more or less on the same level? Doesn't have to be any of the ones mentioned, there are of course a bunch of others as well (most seem to be Italian though).
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Old 06-26-21, 05:01 AM
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Forgot to mention the Cinelli Supercorsa of course. Unacceptable.
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Old 06-26-21, 05:06 AM
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I was just on the Faggin site...super impressive.
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Old 06-26-21, 05:07 AM
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If I was buying modern retro road, I'd start by looking at the Marinoni SL, or, for utility use, their Turismo.
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Old 06-26-21, 05:12 AM
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Also Battaglin

Impressive stuff...

Not sure if Pelizzoli of Ciocc fame is still making stuff, but someone on the forum had one made by him.
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Old 06-26-21, 05:24 AM
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Originally Posted by jdawginsc
I was just on the Faggin site...super impressive.
Thanks! The "Doge" in Columbus Spirit and Max looks fantastic and sounds like it should be an amazing ride on paper at least.
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Old 06-26-21, 05:28 AM
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Originally Posted by jdawginsc
Impressive stuff...

Not sure if Pelizzoli of Ciocc fame is still making stuff, but someone on the forum had one made by him.
He/they do. I was in contact with them not that long ago when I was contemplating a repaint of my Colnago. They are not super expensive when it comes to frame restorations and apparently very skilled.
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Old 06-26-21, 05:58 AM
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I acquired a Leggendaria frame late last year as a birthday present to myself, got a good price on it. Made in Italy, workmanship is quite good. The ride is also nice although I crashed just over a mile into its shakedown ride, slid the rear wheel out on an expansion joint while crossing a bridge on a walk/bike trail. Bike was unscratched but I got banged up pretty good. Not a great start.

Edit - should prob. include a pic as built up...



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Old 06-26-21, 07:32 AM
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th0m

Here are some of the fun ones I found...


Retro-modern steel

Wowzers...

I just liked the monkey guy!

Might be a wish-list item for me...

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Old 06-26-21, 07:45 AM
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Not a frame, but a complete bike from Temple Cycles in Bristol: -

https://www.templecycles.co.uk/produ...29454496530518

I've seen a couple on local audaxes, and they do look very good.
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Old 06-26-21, 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by th0m
I was looking around at some of the classic bike brands' current collections, and most of them offer at least one retro looking lugged steel frame. There is the Colnago Master X-Light and Arabesque, Wilier Superleggera, De Rosa Nouvo Classico, Bottecchia Leggendaria, Guerciotti Record etc etc. Do any of these stand out quality-wise or is the workmanship more or less on the same level? Doesn't have to be any of the ones mentioned, there are of course a bunch of others as well (most seem to be Italian though).
Good question.
What would help is links, of course more pix, and really a table listing maker, tube specs, gauge, butting, weight, welded/lugged, price, builder, etc ...
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Old 06-26-21, 09:45 AM
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Originally Posted by joesch
Good question.
What would help is links, of course more pix, and really a table listing maker, tube specs, gauge, butting, weight, welded/lugged, price, builder, etc ...
you want too much
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Old 06-26-21, 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by repechage
you want too much
TBH, I dont want a "modern retro" as Im perfectly happy with my classic vintage steel.
Just trying to help with this thread question.
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Old 06-26-21, 11:23 AM
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There are almost infinite variables.
Some details may be proprietary.

one could add Mercian in the UK
reasonable pricing, many many options.
just don’t ask them to make a 650b wheeled frame- outside of their comfort zone, they really goofed one up for a USA client.
the offered correction/ compensation was in my view, pathetic.
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Old 06-26-21, 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by joesch
TBH, I dont want a "modern retro" as Im perfectly happy with my classic vintage steel.
Just trying to help with this thread question.
I was mostly wondering if anyone has had any first hand experience with any of these or similar frames and could make a comparison of overall build quality. Most of them use basic SL tubing anyway with some exceptions, like the Faggin Doge mentioned. I realise a high end custom builder like Saffron, Feather etc could build me something more or less flawless to whatever specs I want, but I was curious about the offerings from the more "classic" brands and if any of them stand out in terms of the level of craftsmanship compared to the others. Not something you can really tell from looking at the makers' own catalogue photos.
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Old 06-26-21, 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by repechage
There are almost infinite variables.
Some details may be proprietary.

one could add Mercian in the UK
reasonable pricing, many many options.
just don’t ask them to make a 650b wheeled frame- outside of their comfort zone, they really goofed one up for a USA client.
the offered correction/ compensation was in my view, pathetic.
I've been eyeing Mercian frames for years, especially the Superlight, which l really like. I have also heard exactly what you say, that their ability to build to customer specified tire clearences or other "non-traditional" specs etc is a bit limited, but that's not an issue for me as I want a basic traditional road bike.
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Old 06-26-21, 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by th0m
I've been eyeing Mercian frames for years, especially the Superlight, which l really like. I have also heard exactly what you say, that their ability to build to customer specified tire clearences or other "non-traditional" specs etc is a bit limited, but that's not an issue for me as I want a basic traditional road bike.
Be sure to read the warranty regarding materials and workmanship... like the fork dropout held on with flux...
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Old 06-26-21, 12:41 PM
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Originally Posted by th0m
I was mostly wondering if anyone has had any first hand experience with any of these or similar frames and could make a comparison of overall build quality. Most of them use basic SL tubing anyway with some exceptions, like the Faggin Doge mentioned. I realise a high end custom builder like Saffron, Feather etc could build me something more or less flawless to whatever specs I want, but I was curious about the offerings from the more "classic" brands and if any of them stand out in terms of the level of craftsmanship compared to the others. Not something you can really tell from looking at the makers' own catalogue photos.
I have a 2017 Colnago Arabesque and it was flawless out of the box. Paint and decals were (past tense, dammit!) perfect, no metal spurs or rough edges anywhere. It's easily the most high performance bike I have. Best comparison I can make is with my 85 Tommasini Super Prestige with SLX/SPX tubing, as they are the same size with the same carbon fork. The Arabesque is noticeably stiffer with sharp steering but not tiring. It wants to go forward. I know that sounds cheesy and I've chuckled at others that say things like that about their bikes, but here I am saying the same thing. Although I've been fine on 80+ mile rides, I would probably choose the slightly softer Tommasini for a century.
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Old 06-26-21, 04:43 PM
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Somec

SOMEC || Tecnologia e Stile
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Old 06-26-21, 06:43 PM
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What about vintage bikes that have been modified recently (to work with modern componentry) and then refinished and decaled? "Modern Retro" via the back door, eh?

More seriously, those Battaglins are gorgeous.
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Old 06-27-21, 12:15 AM
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Battaglin and these guys,

https://formigli.com/custom-bicycles...c/#lightbox/1/
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Old 06-27-21, 02:35 AM
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Just get the Colnago Master X-Light. I rode one and with those straight forks it handles like a Ducati Panigale. It whispers "race me" in your ear.
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Old 06-27-21, 03:26 AM
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This was from one of the last Velocirque events in Portland, Speedvagen Classic OG

Here are some good pictures of it:
https://theradavist.com/2017/05/a-cl...er-components/


And the company:
https://www.speedvagen.com/ready-made-discog
https://www.speedvagen.com/the-vanilla-classic
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Old 06-27-21, 03:55 AM
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Hetchins is still making frames.

https://www.hetchins.com/mo3-02.htm


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Old 06-27-21, 04:01 AM
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What about a custom frame from one of the top US builders? Most of their frames are going to be better built and aligned out of the gate than many of the top Italian frames!

I cut apart enough premium Italian frames to discover way back when that pretty paint can hide a multitude of sins!

Most US builders use frame and fork jigs somethings that were unheard of in most European frame shops!

I have or have had maybe 20+ top Italian frames. One of my grail frames was a De Rosa. A few years back I picked up an early 80's frame...

Two glaring shortcomings, I had to face almost .5mm off of both sides of the BB shell and the top of the seat lug was ovalized from the factory! I had to round it out, ream and hone it to get a 27.2mm seatpost to properly fit.



This has strayed away from th0m original question but something to consider...

I'll stop now, I've gored enough oxen....

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