jonny7

I just bought and probably overpaid a Rossin bike, which was my size but which is in the best of cases in okay condition.

I've got many questions, but I guess my first one would concern the Columbus tubing (photo 1 below). I've seen other Rossins with this special shape. Does it have a name? Was it produced during specific years (would allow me to identify the frame)? Does it require a special seatpost or do you just have to cut your own seatpost? Can I use any braze-on FD? etc.

I probably won't keep the frankengroupset. Which parts would you keep? I've got a full Tricolor groupset that I could use.

SN : a weird 58.

due ruote 

Maybe 58 is the size? Have you scoured for other markings?
Cool frame. Have fun with it.
Btw how heavy is surprisingly heavy?

NatusEstInSuht

It looks like your Rossin was brazed using Columbus' Gilco tubing. Nice score!

A regular seatpost will work fine as will any braze-on front derailleur. I'm pretty sure Columbus first started to produce Gilco tubing in the 1980s and your Rossin was likely made in the mid to late 1980s.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...not-apply.html

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...nago-find.html

jonny7

Sometimes things are so obvious that you do not see them. Yes, 58 is the size. But I can't find any other marking on the frame.

As for the weight, can't give an exact number right now but it's clearly 2-3 pounds heavier than my other 1980s Columbus SL-made bike. It could be the components, but it still feels a bit heavy without the wheels.

xiaoman1 

johnny7,
Gilco is a good tube set and while the bike is a mismatch of parts only you can decide if you overpaid or not. I would disassemble the bike and give it a good clean and wax (some spider webbing under the paint). This most likely stop the spread but may delay it a bit...I would not strip it to repaint or retouch it etc.
Be sure your chain line, BB on the new cranks is correct, it looks like the one that is currently on there was rubbing the stay.
Nothing wrong with Tri-Color, but campy would be nice.
Have Fun!
Best, Ben
After another/closer look, that could be paint crazing and not rust..maybe a little acetone or harsh cleaner used could have caused this.

jadocs

I was going to say the same thing...Rossin's version of Gilco tubing.

dunkleosteus

Whoa those fluted tubes are so coool! What was the idea behind that?

Bianchigirll 

The idea was to make the frame stiffer without adding more material.

Bianchigirll 

Cool bike. I’d overhaul it and ride it like it is, maybe nicer brake pads, and ride it. If you don’t like this heavy frankenbike I’ll give it a good home

ShannonM

Was it the Ghibli that had the fluted tubes?

As to the parts, they were only sold as framesets, so they all got built up differently. This one looks like it was built mostly with parts from another bike, since the Ofmega crank and Modolo brakes are a few years older than the frame. The headset is an early-80s Shimano, 600 EX or Dura-Ace AX.

If I had to guess, whoever built it worked at a bike shop.

--Shannon

jonny7

It still kinda needs to be cut, no ? I don't have the bike next to me right now but a regular seatpost probably cannot go all the way in the seat tube?

Thanks all for the comments!

jonny7

Asking this because the current seatpost is cracked

Bianchigirll 

a standard length seatpost should fit without modification. I have a Cornelo with similar tubing and a regular post went in without any problems

NatusEstInSuht

Unless the bike is too short for you, the seat post should not need to be cut. Most seat posts during this era were between 130mm and 180mm in length, not 250 mm to 350mm as seen today on sloping tube and compact frames.

machinist42

Near as I can ascertain, Rossin introduced their in-house 5 faceted "rippled" tubing in 1983, while Gilco brought out their 4-fluted tubing in 1984. It is entirely unclear to me if that time line is accurate, but the number of "flutes" or "ripples" is a definitive difference?

I'm not familiar with the "rippled" tubing being used on any model other than the Ghibli, but there is scant documentation for the early years in Rossin's history.

I suspect the OP's bicycle is early '80s, as it lacks the distinctive "Tiger Tank" of an investment cast bottom bracket that is present on most examples of Ghibli I've seen. The rippling is more pronounced than on later examples. OP's bike likely predates the introduction of SLX tubing.

Any standard length road bike seatpost will work. Mine's been through a few.

The Ghibli, as with most Rossin models, was offered in a few permutations, as a complete bicycle.




https://saarf00.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/81.jpg

(Oh, and congratulation on your acquisition! The Ghibli's one of the finest riding bicycles I've ever ridden.)

jonny7

Was wondering whether or not it could be a Ghibli. But I kinda took for granted it was a lower bike in the hierarchy since it's not written Ghibli on the top tube. Might be a predecessor too!

Oh, and those original colors are so pretty! Maybe one day...

ShannonM

The fade paint job seems late 80s to me, but that's just a feeling, not based on actual knowledge.

--Shannon

machinist42

To be clear, I am not saying it is a Ghibli. (I don't think it is, but I also don't know for sure which model it is.)

Does the tubing have four or five "flutes" or "ripples"? I can't tell from the photos.

I found a faint faded "ghost" of a decal on the chainstays of my tired Ghibli. It was the only indication of the model. On some other models, the top tube would have the model name, as with the "Record" for certain years.

Even "lower bikes in the hierarchy" from Rossin were very fine bikes indeed.

jonny7

Definitely 5 flutes! I'll hunt tomorrow for any sign of a ghost decal but didn't see anything today.

Bianchigirll 

The above posted Rossin information is from around ‘89/90 and I believe some are suggesting yours slightly predates this so it is possible it never carried this name.

To Everyone.... just when did 10spd Drive open shop and acquire Rossin import rights? Would 10spd have imported to Canada?

jonny7

If that is any help the PO did say it was first bought in Quebec.

jdawginsc 

You did not overpay. Rossins are magnificent. This looks like a pre-Ghibli transitional Ghibli guy...maybe 84/85? By 87 they had the phenomenal bottom bracket, and the Rossin R panto under the down tube tongue...

Rare bird though. I am surprised at the clearance for what looks to be a pretty big tire. And the peaked brake bridge is cool...

The Frankenbuild is funny, but a few concerns. I'd replace the front derailleur, or course (it's cracked), and the bottom bracket fixed cup doesn't seem centered in the bottom bracket.

sykerocker 

You definitely did not overpay, if that frame was a 56, I'd be trying to talk you into selling it to me to go with the three Rossins I currently own. Ghibli's are more desirable than the usual RL's. You're going to love the way that bike rides.

Clean it up lovingly. As to the components, it's a fascinating group of good-Italian-that-isn't-Campagnolo (actually considering what Campagnolo was coming out with in the mid-80's, it's probably Italian-that's-better-than-Campagnolo). If it were my bike, I'm dump the 600 tricolor on the rear and try to keep the Ofmega/Modolo thread complete.

Almost forgot: There's quite the Rossin group on Facebook, worth looking into.

jonny7

(Paid $350!) Was thinking I overpaid because of all the work that needs to be done. Cracked seatpost, cracked FD, jammed freewheel, creaky BB, a bit of rust here and there. But at least it'll keep my busy

jdawginsc 

At $350, you paid a very fair price. It will be a fun bike to restore/renovate. Seatposts, freewheels and front derailleurs are relatively low priced items. Be sure to check clearance with the tires though, when replacing the front derailleur. It all depends on whether you wish to keep it Italian, keep it period, or make it a more modern rocket.

I would not see anything wrong with going more modern...Eight speed ergo Chorus is pretty awesome. Not sure of the spacing, or your budget though!

By the way, how big are those Zaffiros? (Love Zaffiros, myself)