Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Fiamme tubular wheelset

I just acquired an interesting wheelset; 700C Fiamme (Italian) rims, zinc plated DB spokes laced to sealed bearing Phil Wood hubs with Campy skewers, rear has a Campy free wheel which is gold plated. Looks like a 13/28. These are tubulars, with Hutchinson Tempo 1 tires which are still in perfect shape. I'd ride them but am terrified of tubies. These weigh nothing. They are in perfect shape. What are they worth ?

Tubular wheelsets typically do not fetch good prices. Most of the value is in the hubset. In my local these would fetch about $150.

That's about what I figured. I was thinking at least 100.00. Narrow market indeed.

T-mar, can I ask what is your market area?

You could probably get good money for the hubs + freewheel on ebay. Shipping might be a killer for the complete wheelset. Would be a shame to break it up though. I'm surprised at the low price for the complete set. I'd probably pick up something like that if it popped up on CL for $150.

I'd be interested in the tires if you're willing to sell those. PM me to discuss.

Fiammes are very light, and you don't want them to get out of round (at all).
The hubs may be worth more than the set, but boy, that would be a nice set.
Is it 7-sp? 6-sp? Anyone with a C&V tri-bike may want those.

$100-$150 here. The hubs make the difference; offset by a freewheel.
Few know how nice the tubular ride is, tires are excellent.

I would like to see some pics esp of the FW. I am trying to get away from FW type wheels but I agree I would snatch those up in a second at $150 on my local CL

actually the whole country is sort of my local CL these days.... HHmmmm.....

With the Phil hubs I'd think they'd be worth more than $150. I'm not sure exactly how much, but Phils and Fiamme tubulars seems like a very desirable combination.

When I went in search for tubular rims recently, I found that good tubular rims ALONE (like Wolbers and Fiammes) are selling for $150-200 per pair. It could be more or less based on condition and which particular model of rim it is.

When I went in search for tubular rims recently, I found that good tubular rims ALONE (like Wolbers and Fiammes) are selling for $150-200 per pair. It could be more or less based on condition and which particular model of rim it is.


Whoa, are you saying that I could break this up and try to get 150-200 just for the rims with no spokes, no hubs, just the rims?

the FW is a 5 speed. Hang tight on the tires, i might sell them, I'll let you know.

Whoa, are you saying that I could break this up and try to get 150-200 just for the rims with no spokes, no hubs, just the rims?

Yes -good tubular rims have gone crazy.

(I was shopping for Arc en Ciel Super Champion (http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Old-Stock-Gold-Super-Champion-Arc-Ciel-Rims-/110748857834?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c92575ea) ($225)),
but Fiammes are quite the equivalent.
HERE is a pair of Fiamme speedy rims (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fiamme-Speedy-Track-Rims-Pr-36H-700c-18-5mm-305g-NOS-/120815462869?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2129a9d5) for $270. (20 grams heavier than the Ergals for the weight weenies.)

Again -- Condition and which model makes the difference.
If it were me, I'd probably sell the rims and hubs separately.

I agree prices are crazy for NOS rims (really bark and squeals for $225?) but there no gaurentee you can sell used ones.

I came across a few good deals on some Ambrosio rims and some called AVA(?) two winters ago and snatch them up. I should never need to buy another rim.

any pics? where are these wheels located?

WOW. i don't know which model these are It just says Fiamme Italy and it has an oval sticker with a red background that says CEREB or something -hard to tell, the edge of the sticker is worn off, The sticker wasn't put on straight, and overlaps the rim edge.

DOH turns out the FW is a lowly SunTour/Maeda, but I like it anyway. Sorry for the confusion. The Phil Hubs just say Phil, no model number.

I assure you guys that the wheels are in awesome shape, just the usual garage-grunge, but no doinks, dinks, zoinks, bent spokes wobbles, flat spots, loose spokes etc. Taking pix of them right now without scrubbing the garage-nast and spider webs surely will invoke pages of criticism.

I should throw these on the Supercourse and go wail , at least once, but these are too intense and I'd probably crash and kill myself.

I have to think about this. I like the hubs, and am considering them for a touring bike.

The tires have held air just fine for a week now.

This is tough. While I don't race, I do know a beautiful thing when I see it.

Bianchi, these are in West hartford CT.

I should throw these on the Supercourse and go wail , at least once, but these are too intense and I'd probably crash and kill myself.


Don't fear tubulars. As long as the tires are glued properly they're perfectly fine. Ride them! Maybe you'll like them. The only bummer is when you get a flat.

WOW. i don't know which model these are It just says Fiamme Italy and it has an oval sticker with a red background that says CEREB or something -hard to tell, the edge of the sticker is worn off, The sticker wasn't put on straight, and overlaps the rim edge.

DOH turns out the FW is a lowly SunTour/Maeda, but I like it anyway. Sorry for the confusion. The Phil Hubs just say Phil, no model number.

I assure you guys that the wheels are in awesome shape, just the usual garage-grunge, but no doinks, dinks, zoinks, bent spokes wobbles, flat spots, loose spokes etc. Taking pix of them right now without scrubbing the garage-nast and spider webs surely will invoke pages of criticism.

I should throw these on the Supercourse and go wail , at least once, but these are too intense and I'd probably crash and kill myself.

I have to think about this. I like the hubs, and am considering them for a touring bike.

The tires have held air just fine for a week now.

This is tough. While I don't race, I do know a beautiful thing when I see it.

Those are 70's Fiamme red labels rims. Is "Phil" etched or does it appear to be a decal applied on top of the hub shell?

The freewheel is a toss, well not really, but it only has value off the hub, worth paying to have it removed. While the wheel is together!

From the description the skewers are probably Campagnolo, as Phil did not make them.
Most likely 36 hole? Worth more if 32.
Worth more if 126 mm rear axle spacing, uncommon on early Phil Wood hubs. Bearing smoothness makes a difference too.

Now to the rims, sad fact is that red label Fiamme rims in good shape will be worth more apart. There is a market for these rims, mostly for restorations where Campagnolo hubs are involved. These rims are fragile, one has to unwind the spoked half turn at a time for the first two or three go rounds at a minimum.

Indeed the hubs could well fetch as much as if you attempted to sell the complete wheel set.

The reason is two fold, complete wheels are a risk, people do not describe them accurately, yes, the may be true, but if the spoke tension is all over the place they will not be a good wheel. Maybe even dangerous. The next is shipping, boxes to ship a set of wheels drive up the freight cost, approaching what a bike can cost to ship.

NOS rims are just that NOS, (unless they have been dropped, I have seen this back in the day) Used rims are a risk, only the rare rims fetch decent money.

So it goes.

The Phil is etched, in red lettering.

WOW. i don't know which model these are It just says Fiamme Italy and it has an oval sticker with a red background that says CEREB or something -hard to tell, the edge of the sticker is worn off, The sticker wasn't put on straight, and overlaps the rim edge.


Yup, Fiamme Red Labels. This is the heavier, more rugged one, popular as a training and cyclocross wheels. The yellow label was the light delicate one. Unless you're a clyde, these wheels would be terrific for days when you want to go fast.

I'd be interested but I have all the tubular wheels I need.

The Phil is etched, in red lettering.

Those are newer than the first gen ones then.

The Freewheel is a Suntour/ Maeda Grand Comp. never seen one of these before . It looks pretty decent. was this a high-end model? I assume it must be it's gold.....Ooooy.

Fiamme were the criterium standard wheel, shod with Clement silk tires, in the late 70s, early 80s. Light and strong.