Classic & Vintage - My wife helped me bring home an Italian

As some of you folks are aware, I went throughout Italy with my wife on our honeymoon. It was a whirlwind tour of Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan and definitely ranks as one of the best times of my life. Citoyen was gracious enough to help me arrange for a custom frame from Daniele Marnati...a builder who served as a mechanic to several teams, including Benotto, and whose father was also a builder and mechanic of note. Meeting Daniele was thrilling and seeing his shop doubly so; he is the romantic image we have of Italian made frames...working alone, by hand.

No more talk...here's the frame. I'm planning on building it up with 11sp Campy, I'm still debating between SR and Athena. It will have an 80s Cinelli stem-bars combo and orange walled rubino pros (sorry grandbois).

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0377-1.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0378-1.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0379-1.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0380-2.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0382-1.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0381.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0384-1.jpg


http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0383.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0385.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0386.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0387.jpg

Gorgeous!

I can't wait to get to a large monitor to see the bike, an iPad is only so effective.

I do notice some chrome, so I can say now I'm happy you decided to include this on the final cut.

Glad you enjoyed Italy and had a wonderful honeymoon.

FWIW I find 11 speed Campy to be absolute overkill.

I can't imagine going higher on the food chain than Chorus.

After riding my Tommasini with 10 speed Chorus this summer, it's all I'd need.

In fact, much "more" than I need.

Nice. Congratulations on getting married too! I think blue-walled Rubinos might look really great too...

Beautiful frame! Can't wait to see the pics after you have the whole bike finished.

Aaron, beautiful frame, of course. Congrats. CdM was off by a decade when he hinted what you had bought. 1984 + 37= 2021. You didn't bring it back from the future, did you?

If you are going 11 speed, be aware that the 2011 Athena no longer shifts multiple cogs on the thumb shifter, a real disadvantage, IMO. You need to go Chorus or higher for 2011 or 2010 for full functionality in Athena.

I love orange bikes.

Sweet!

WOW! Nice! I can't wait to see the build pics!

Wow, a beauty!

I do notice some chrome, so I can say now I'm happy you decided to include this on the final cut.
Chrome good. Very good.

Nice frame! Congrats on the wedding. (Send pic of bike... :) .)

Beautiful. All bikes that sexy should be orange.

I'd like to provide a counterpoint that I think that a bike with those classic lines would only look "right" with an all-alloy component group and handbuilt wire spoked wheels.

Pete

Very nice!
Vintage Marnatis appear on ebay from time to time, but are certainly not common. They are invariably attractive.

congratulations on all of the above-- that is gorgeous, and i'm sure she is too

For those who are interested (and can read a little Italian):

http://www.bdc-forum.it/showthread.php?t=67894

Good lord in heaven.

That's a bike alright. Drillium dropouts, nice touch.

Whatever way you choose to equip it, I look forward to the result. I also got a "LOL" out of the thread title.

very nice machine. I love the head lug area and method of internal routing.

The fork blades are curious, look forward to seeing the build pictures

For those who have seen these lugs in un-massaged shape, you will know just how much work Daniele has done to make them look like they do now. This is not a case where the commonly-misused comment: "nicely filed lugs" would be out of place. This not like most frame using investment cast lugs that require no filing whatsoever (Can you understand that it is a pet peeve of mine that people say that frames that have no filing whatosever are well-filed?)

It should also be pointed out that the full Columbus MAX tubing set is also quite difficult to find nowadays. The drilled rear dropouts were an addition that Daniele decided on, the pump was sought out and found by my friend in Milan, Stefano, who coordinated everything. We had tried to give the frame the model name: "Max Headroom" but ran out of time before Aaron was supposed to pick up the frame. From start to finish, from receipt of the measurements and tubing, lug and fork crown choice to delivery, the frame took less than 2 months. Not bad when you consider that the chroming and painting had to be done by two third party suppliers.

Just to give you a bit more details about Daniele and his father. Daniele's father was the last personal team mechanic to Gino Bartali and the Legnano pro team. Daniele himself spent years as a team mechanic for a variety of pro and amateur teams before settling down in Milan as a mechanic and framebuilder. He has over 30 years of experience in framebuilding.

As some of you folks are aware, I went throughout Italy with my wife on our honeymoon. It was a whirlwind tour of Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan and definitely ranks as one of the best times of my life. Citoyen was gracious enough to help me arrange for a custom frame from Daniele Marnati...a builder who served as a mechanic to several teams, including Benotto, and whose father was also a builder and mechanic of note. Meeting Daniele was thrilling and seeing his shop doubly so; he is the romantic image we have of Italian made frames...working alone, by hand.

No more talk...here's the frame. I'm planning on building it up with 11sp Campy, I'm still debating between SR and Athena. It will have an 80s Cinelli stem-bars combo and orange walled rubino pros (sorry grandbois).


I'd think the shortlist of components for a frame like this would be SR or record, with Chorus as the lowest I'd consider. This frame deserves to be equipped with the best.

I'd think the shortlist of components for a frame like this would be SR or record, with Chorus as the lowest I'd consider. This frame deserves to be equipped with the best.

Bling factor, of course go for broke. Why not? It is a lifetime bike after all.

But for fast group rides, or just long rides in the country, Chorus works dandy.

Doesn't matter though, Aaron can figure this out for himself w/o my armchair quarterbacking from me.

Wow. Can you post a picture of the inside of the bottom bracket shell?

I wouldn't even deal with the 11spd stuff personally. I had the chance to get an Athena 11spd kit but decided to go with a 10spd Carbon Centaur group instead. A local guy has this beaut listed up on CL that I've been oggling at since he posted it up. Is kind of the same road you thinking of taking it down? I like the aluminum components instead of carbon on a lugged bike.
http://madison.craigslist.org/bik/2042880937.html

For those who are interested (and can read a little Italian):

http://www.bdc-forum.it/showthread.php?t=67894

For those of us that can't read Italian:
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bdc-forum.it%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D67894&sl=it&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8

Sweet frame! And congrats on getting married, and what sounds like an awesome honeymoon! Can't wait to see this thing built up.

Beautiful! Where can I find one? I mean a woman that would let me amend a honeymoon in Italy with, "while we are here, I hear the Italians make great bikes!".

Once again congrats on the Marriage! It sounds like you two had a wonderful honeymoon.

The frame is more beautiful than I imagined it would be! I can not wait to see it built up. It would look great whatever direction you decide to take with it.

-Jake

What?!? Where's the leg of prosciutto? You only picked up a frame?
What's wrong with you, man?!?!
:D
j/k
Congrats again! Outstanding piece of work. I'm also looking forward to the final build.

Aaron, beautiful frame, of course. Congrats. CdM was off by a decade when he hinted what you had bought. 1984 + 37= 2021. You didn't bring it back from the future, did you?

If you are going 11 speed, be aware that the 2011 Athena no longer shifts multiple cogs on the thumb shifter, a real disadvantage, IMO. You need to go Chorus or higher for 2011 or 2010 for full functionality in Athena.

I'm looking at 2010 Athena or 2010 SR...I can get very favorable discounted pricing on both groups and both groups are substantially cheaper than 2011. I left the De Lorean at home...the flux capacitor's advantages are off set by the constant transmission problems...and the thing is a gas hound.

It's an absolute beauty, but it's larger than most frames I've ridden...I measured it at about 56cm. I'm a tad worried that I sent inaccurate measurements, but I'm sure it will work out fine.

Here's the inside of the BB shell:

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0388.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0389.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0390.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0391.jpg

Beautiful. All bikes that sexy should be orange.

I'd like to provide a counterpoint that I think that a bike with those classic lines would only look "right" with an all-alloy component group and handbuilt wire spoked wheels.

Pete

But its tubes are not round. Well, many of them. That is one large top tube. Aero blades. Lots of goodies to that frame. What does the frame weigh? Just for reference, I have no idea what the nominal wall thickness is on that set.

I though she looked a little bigger in the shoulders than your other framesets.

You normally ride about a 54, don't you?

I typically ride 54s...and I'm nervous. At the same time, the man who built it is clearly a master and I think he knows more about fitting than I do. I'm looking forward to riding it...obviously...but it might take some time for my finances to recover from the Italy trip.

The frame weighs, I THINK, with fork...around 4-5 pounds. It's not especially heavy or light. I have some extra pounds, so I'm hardly a weight weenie. I also have fairly strong legs and often really grind...so something with this tubing style should work well for me.

I typically ride 54s...and I'm nervous. At the same time, the man who built it is clearly a master and I think he knows more about fitting than I do. I'm looking forward to riding it...obviously...but it might take some time for my finances to recover from the Italy trip.

The frame weighs, I THINK, with fork...around 4-5 pounds. It's not especially heavy or light. I have some extra pounds, so I'm hardly a weight weenie. I also have fairly strong legs and often really grind...so something with this tubing style should work well for me.

Aaron, I wouldn't worry about a pound or two. H..., I look like the Goodyear blimp after an early summer of inactivity. I'm not kidding.

The frameset though is flat out gorgeous. Never to be equaled or replaced, so no worries.

.....and keep reminding yourself of the chances of ever seeing that frame again.

It's all a-ok.

I have a frame that you guys haven't seen that is way too big for me.

It's too beautiful to give up, but I won't ever ride her.

Yours is nowhere close to being in that category.

...and please forward contact info when you get a chance.

A guy can always dream can't he?

I've been flipping back and forth between your pics and Slotcar 55's on the Serotta site.

Same builder, yet two distinct and wonderful personalities in the frames.

Tubing differences of course, but such verve, style, and "class" in both.

Way cool my friend.

The fork looks bent

haha beautiful frame, I'm sure the final build will be awesome!

I've been flipping back and forth between your pics and Slotcar 55's on the Serotta site.
Same builder, yet two distinct and wonderful personalities in the frames.


Slotcar 55 is the "Stefano" referenced earlier in this thread by CdM.

That is a slick frame man! Hopefully this coming summer we can actually get out and ride together so you can kick my butt on your version of the General Lee:D

Seriously, what a nice looking bike. It looks to be pearlesent? Can't wait to see it in person!

It's an absolute beauty, but it's larger than most frames I've ridden...I measured it at about 56cm. I'm a tad worried that I sent inaccurate measurements, but I'm sure it will work out fine.

You sent him your physical measurements? Not the geometry you desired? I was going to ask how one goes about deciding what one wants in a custom, but it sounds like the builder decided here.

Any photos of the frame in progress?

I have some photos somewhere...might take a second.

It's exactly the geometry I desired...I think his determination, based on arm length, shoe size and weight, is that I should be on a larger frame than I'm accustomed to. It just means I get to try something different...which makes me nervous. I've been riding 53 and 54s for a lot of years...since racing...but weight was different then and this is less aggressive. My fear here is the sizing info I provided, not his determination.

I think 56cm is not so far away from 54...and I know that a lot of people my size do ride 56s...I also know from experience that 56cm top tubes work for me...I know it's going to be an awesome build and ride...I'm just a tad nervous. I get like that over every project until its first ride.

My "too big" bianchi track is one of my nicest riding bikes, it helps make the aggressive race geometry more suitable for road riding. Not sure if that applies to your frame, but I think if it's in your size range you will really enjoy it.
The "rivendell fit"!

That is going to be one nice velo when completed. Great choices for the frame, and your build is going to be a wonderful experience. I'm assuming you'll be opening a nice bottle of Italian wine for the occassion? Please document the whole thing with pics, this kind of a build doesn't come along every day!

Some build photos -

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/05102010296.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/05102010297.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/05102010298.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/05102010299.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/05102010300.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/05102010302.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/05102010301.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/16092010262.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/16092010263.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/16092010265.jpg

You sent him your physical measurements? Not the geometry you desired? I was going to ask how one goes about deciding what one wants in a custom, but it sounds like the builder decided here.

Any photos of the frame in progress?

When you are dealing with an Italian Master, you start asking for something else on your second bike. The first one is his view based on your size and purpose.

Some build photos -

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/05102010296.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/05102010297.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/05102010298.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/05102010299.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/05102010300.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/05102010302.jpg



Those Italians are not afraid of heat. And notice the joints NOT brazed at this point.

Now that's the way to buy a frame.....and a beautiful frame at that. Congratulations on your marriage too.

When you are dealing with an Italian Master, you start asking for something else on your second bike. The first one is his view based on your size and purpose.

This is exactly how I feel...you do not go to a Daniele Marnati and tell him what the geometry should be. This is a man who has made a living building bikes for professional racers who are far better riders than I could ever dream of being. This is a family of artisans...and when you go to them, you understand that you are hiring an expert, you are not the expert. Telling a man like this how to build your frame would be akin to a pope telling Michelangelo how to paint Adam. I have no doubt that this will be a wonderfully riding frame...I just have a few jitters from riding mostly smaller bicycles over the years.

Slotcar 55/Stefano is one of the nicest, most helpful men I have ever encountered. Citoyen and Stefano are the reason I have been graced with this machine, and I feel humbled to have had people like that helping me.

Very nice!

The seat cluster lug is a work of art in itself!

I believe Stefano had an older Marnati available, perhaps two years ago or so, that I would have sold four of my bikes to buy.

I believe it was a beautiful blue in color, and it looked just right.

Timing is everything though, isn't it ladies and gentlemen?

For instance, there was a beautiful older De Rosa Cross Carbon at the NSC cyclocross races today for $1,000.

Not just the frame, but the whole enchilada.

The owner wouldn't hold it while I was running for a withdrawal from the ATM a half mile away.

Guess who didn't get the bike?

Yep, me.

Aaron, your timing is just right. Go build this bike and stop worrying.

Keep it all positive.

I believe Stefano had an older Marnati available, perhaps two years ago or so, that I would have sold four of my bikes to buy.

I believe it was a beautiful blue in color, and it looked just right.

Timing is everything though, isn't it ladies and gentlemen?

For instance, there was a beautiful older De Rosa Cross Carbon at the NSC cyclocross races today for $1,000.

Not just the frame, but the whole enchilada.

The owner wouldn't hold it while I was running for a withdrawal from the ATM a half mile away.

Guess who didn't get the bike?

Yep, me.

Aaron, your timing is just right. Go build this bike and stop worrying.

Keep it all positive.

I'm not that worried :D

I'm descended from Brooklynites...it's in my nature to be at least a little nervous. I honestly get like that over every build until I ride it...and most of them work out well in the end. This is a beauty...and not going anywhere but between my legs.

I'm so sorry about the De Rosa...the nice thing is there's always another deal down the road. This is it for me though...no more keepers. I'll probably sell off some pieces in the current stable actually...I have a bit of redundancy at this point.

By the way...this is the master and I:

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/GEDC0374.jpg

Congratulations. Congratulations. and Congratulations.

Sweet bike. Excellent experience. Wish you all the best on the marriage. You're off to a great start!

I'm interested in hearing more of your vacation. We hit Rome and some of the sights near Naples back in September. Would go back to Rome in a heartbeat, and I'm not of the faith or blood line. :)

Steven - what can I say? :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: What a great thing to do for a friend!