Harpsichordist

I just picked up an old Viner frameset from a family member. I'm curious as to whether this is authentic, as some aspects of the bike seem to veer from most other Viners I've seen online. The lugs bear a white symbol, but it is neither a cross nor a star. There is no indication of Columbus tubing (no decal anyway) and no indication of Campy dropouts. The few remaining components were quite low-end, and the thing is set up for 27" wheels...

Did Viner make lower end stuff like this? Did someone just slap Viner decals on a similar-looking frame? Any info is appreciated.

Lascauxcaveman 

Don't know anything about Viners, but I don't think the term "low-end" applies here.

crank_addict

Bump for the OP. Sorry I'm not really qualified to answer but I too have a Viner project and maybe shed some comparison.

From what I've read, the company goes quite a ways back and established right after WWII. Neat storyline but seem more coveted in Europe than the US. Also believe as of 2013, they no longer exist or perhaps moved from Italy operations, went Asian or something else?? One would think there's a registry on them. Interesting and from the ones I've seen online is they offered a variety but primarily catered to the mid to upper end road race and track. It sounds as if you've been doing the research but with something like this and minimal information out there, best is to study and track the ones listed on ebay. There's always discrepancies but at least will notice styling cues, dimensions, etc..

I would assume and in order to get a feel of age, pre- 1978 did not have the championship stripes on them. Post '78, they seemed rather proud and every Viner has the stripe decal.

Depicted on the Velobase site is a '78 Professional having tt cable guides, where as the OP's frame has the braze-on guides. It also states it being R-531 tubing.

My early 80's Record has the identical tt cable braze-ons as the OP, plus the championship stripes. Only the main tubes are Columbus SL, the stays are Falck tubing with the seat stays bi-conical shape. The chain stays are tapered ovalized, non-crimp. Stay caps look the same. One thing odd I've noted on my Record is not having a breather or venting hole in the seat stays. Mine has heart cutouts in the lugs. I'll have to look over again other pics and brochures, but there was a model year change over and difference between the Professional and Record, one having a star cutout.

Bottom bracket shell look the same (two oval windows) although mine is extra thin and has bottom cable feed guide braze-ons. Again, I'm unable to determine from the OP images and whether it has above bb shell cable guides. Also it might help to pull some dimension's and angles in order to get some sort of guideline or where it stands in the company line.

Unfortunately, mine came without a fork. But from seeing other's listed on the auction site, the OP's look correct with that crown and blade reinforcement.

No comment on the condition. A familiar feeling.
Good luck~

Harpsichordist

Thanks, crank_addict, this is good info. I'm guessing you've already seen these, but for others interested: https://vineristi.wordpress.com/2011...esting-points/. These catalog pages depict the same lug cutouts as mine in the Special Tourist and Record framesets, and similar cable routing above the bottom bracket. However, mine has a "Special Professional" decal on the left chainstay, but I suppose many aspects may be year to year... Anyway, I'll have to take some measurements.

sced

"Also believe as of 2013, they no longer exist or perhaps moved from Italy operations, went Asian or something else??"

Did not know this and would like to know more.


I have Viner that's a joy. They are/were very high end, but unappreciated on Ebay for sure.

EDIT found these

https://www.classicrendezvous.com/Italy/VINER_main.htm
https://www.facebook.com/Viner-Cicli...4411538763965/
https://www.planetx.co.uk/news/produc...ext-from-viner

Bikerider007

The head/downtube appears to be the same lug as older Pinarello. Over the BB makes it late seventies or older? And the seat tube lug looks pressed not cast (bolt further back off frame) which from what I have seen is seventies to 80? That's all I got. There are those here that know much more and may even correct or refine some of my input.

I don't know why 27's are on it but probably not original to it and if so not a good thing.

bikemig 

Gus Betat in New Orleans imported them for a long time but they're out of business. It was a very large campy dealer at one time and moved a lot of Viners. This bike is not low end.

Trsnrtr

They're not low end but not as expensive as many of the other Italian Marques. I had a 1983 Viner Stella Pro with a Nouveau Record group, Fiamme red tubular rims, etc. I think I paid $700 all in.

I raced it for a year before getting an all SR Gianni Motta. What I remember about the Viner was the poor paint quality. There were several in my club and all suffered the same fragile paint.

bikemig 

There were a number of Italian bikes that i thought were nicer than Viners; so I agree.

The OP said the bike was low end and the OP does not have a cheap bike.

Trsnrtr

I agree, if it's a Viner, it's a low-end one. IIRC, Viner made a broader line of machines than what we generally saw in the U.S.

Here's a poor Viner Stella Pro pic. I did replace the brake levers with aero levers which were pretty new. Check out the high flange hubs.

viner1 by trsnrtr, on Flickr

Bikerider007

More confusing but interesting info. https://vineristi.wordpress.com/2011...s-and-crosses/

Trsnrtr

The pic I posted was of one with star cut outs and Columbus stickers. I wish I had some clearer pics of it but alas, I have none but the one above and a head-on shot.

Harpsichordist

Yeah, "low end" was not the best choice of words. Haha, my apologies. The main thing that seemed odd to me is that the thing is set up for 27" wheels, but then again, I know little about Viners save what a few google searches reveal. Low reach brakes did the trick, though!

Thanks for the info. Keep it coming if anyone knows more...

non-fixie 

Well, it does bear some resemblance to my Viner, albeit slightly newer: