Classic & Vintage - Girodana, aka the least talked about italian frames ever to hit the market

No really, try finding a lot out about them, can't be done, well at least not by me. Full Columbus frames, and very little brand recognition. the one I have looks nothing like anything else I have seen on the web of theirs but dang if it isn't beautiful.
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/301274_10100140038009693_19225773_47098298_5895306_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/291740_10100140037899913_19225773_47098296_4833702_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/304046_10100140038194323_19225773_47098301_7688072_n.jpg

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100140037755203.2514518.19225773#!/photo.php?fbid=10100140038249213&set=a.10100140037755203.2514518.19225773&type=1&theater

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/301373_10100140038344023_19225773_47098304_6201066_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/306747_10100140038493723_19225773_47098307_5947758_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/312908_10100140038683343_19225773_47098311_7056263_n.jpg
anyway if someone could date it I would appreciate it

I can't help much but I would be guessing at mid to late 80's as a build date going by the Campy headset and BB.

that is around what I figured, I don't think they started importing until the late 80's. who made them and who imported them seems to be of some debate.

It's nice, regardless. I like the details.

I've seen them before but I can't remember where. It looks like a Columbus SL decal which would make it a nice frame. It is in good condition and would suit a C-Record era Chorus groupset in my opinion. I think that groupset had real style and did work very well. Other than that, a Campy Croc d'Aune gruppo would be nice but I never seemed to get those brakes working. This is just me thinking out loud though. You might prefer Shimano DuraAce or Suntour Superbe Pro or even a more modern groupset.

What is the rear spacing, between the dropouts? This may influence your future decisions regarding building it up. Is it 126mm or 130mm? If it's 126mm would you want to spread it to accept 130mm or keep it original?

unfortunately it is much too big for me, it was a frankenbike with a campy fd (the braze on one in my other thread) the worst looking shimano biospace cranks I have ever seen and most of a 600 tri-color group on it. assuming I recoup the value from the parts on Epay the frame will become wall art probably. Yes it is columbus SL btw

I think Big Boss Man had one.... or maybe it was Miami Jim?

Somebody, somewhere will buy it. I wouldn't be scared if I was in the market for an 80's Columbus frame.

I don't think I want to sell the frame. I've never seen anything like it. mind you it is by far the nicest frame I have ever owned (well maybe the colian is as nice tubing wise but not as pretty) the pictures don't do it justice really.

fender1 has/had one. Not that he'll be able to offer much more info.

Some Giordana frames (yours, I think) were built by Pinarello. I believe your model is 'Scorpius'. Decent frame, but not one of the more desirable models. early 90's I think.

The better frames were later Pegoretti and Billato built frames.

There is not a lot out there about them, but that is what I have been able to find out. I had a Bilatto Bros built frame, made of Excel ECO, very nice bike.

They are a brand that is owned/imported by GITA. I would like to find a Pegoretti built one.

They are a brand that is owned/imported by GITA. I would like to find a Pegoretti built one.

that is about all I know of them too. they always seemed like nice bikes but since we carried the 10spd drive line we did not do much with Gita besides some clothes.

the on or two I saw seemed to be very nice bikes though.

http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr314/jimr2527/Giordana/DSC03384.jpg
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr314/jimr2527/Ebay3/DSC00617.jpg
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr314/jimr2527/Ebay3/DSC00618.jpg
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr314/jimr2527/Ebay3/DSC00619.jpg
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr314/jimr2527/Ebay3/DSC00620.jpg
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr314/jimr2527/Ebay3/DSC00624.jpg
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr314/jimr2527/Ebay3/DSC00627.jpg
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr314/jimr2527/Ebay3/DSC00628.jpg

I'll try to get some info, I have a friend that would know.

I've got one...The Strada model, made from French Excell tubing so they call it the XL-Strada. It's been getting less ride time lately since I acquired a Merckx Strado OS. The two bikes feel very comparable in ride.
Here are a couple of old photo's. It's sporting vintage 3TTT seatpost, stem, different bars and a Brooks Professional saddle now.
http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww84/CMC2020/DSC00525.jpg
http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww84/CMC2020/DSC00526.jpg
I've considered selling it, but I've never seen or owned anything like it, and doubt (because it's a rather obscure frame) that anyone would value it as much as I do.

Here's a site I found a while back when trying to find out more about the Giordana frames. You can still get them in my frame color (above) and a few others, but stock looks to be depleted considerably since I first looked a couple of years ago. I understand it's a bike shop in Pennsylvania that used to race Giordana frames, and still have some in stock.

http://www.bikyle.com/giordanafrm.asp