Avian

So I have an Italian made celeste '84 Bianchi Pista. It has the "Columbus Tretubi" decal which I know to mean the three main tubes are Columbus and the rest could be anything. I know I've seen decals that say "Tretubi Aelle" on earlier bikes, so I'm just curious if my main tubes are Aelle also or some other series of tubing.

Also, Does anyone have any idea what kind of tubing might have been used on the rest of the frame? Straight up 4130? Thanks.

Picchio Special

What's the seatpost size? If it's 27.2, it could be SL. The other tubes could be anything, if unspecified.

Avian

It's a 26.8 post.

Picchio Special

My guess would be Aelle. I know some Cromor sets took 27.2 posts, but don't know if that was true of all of them.

evwxxx

My Torpado with Columbus Aelle thru-out has a 27.0 seatpost.

Picchio Special

At least some Aelle-tubed bikes took 26.8 posts.
The variation is not all that odd, as SP frames could take 27.0 or 26.8 as well. So the OP's frame could be SP. This has to do with how the frame is reemed/finished after brazing.

Fred Smedley

Just put a TSX ultralight or better sticker on there , you will feel better

dookie

if the sticker just says 'tretubi', it's likely an SL triangle with builder's choice stays and fork. 'tretubi' frames with other than SL generally say so...ie: 'tretubi aelle'. nothing to be ashamed of with SL tretubi. i recently sold a mint basso SL tretubi frameset (w/athena headset) for $400. yes, the SL tretubi took a 27.2 post.

Gary Fountain

Hi Avian - interesting questions.

I have an '82 Bianchi 'Campione del Monde' with a Columbus Tretubi decal which goes on to state (if I am interpreting it correctly) specially reinforced tubes - which I take to be butted. The seat post is 27.2mm. I have also thought the Tretubi tubes to be seamless (unlike Chromor).

Would the Tretubi Aelle decal be indicating that the three main tubes are plain gauge (without butting) but made out of seamless tubing?

I have also thought that the other tubes are Columbus plain gauged tubes. Are they seamed or seamless? Does it matter? Chromor tubes, with their seam, seem to have stood the test of time. (2 seams/seems in the one sentance - not bad!)

I would like to know the answers too.

Gary.

Avian

It's not about how I feel, nor is it about bragging rights. I just want to learn more about my frame.


Gary: I think it's likely that our decals are the same. However, mine takes a 26.8 seatpost which even seemed to surprise the guy who sold it to me. He insisted it took a 27.2. Did they make the same series of tubes with thicker walls to increase stiffness on track bikes?

Picchio Special

As was pointed out, Tretubi decals often specify the type, i.e. "Tretubi Aelle," and the fact that yours doesn't made me think it might be SL, too. However, the seatpost size is a pretty big clue. And I don't think it's conclusive that Tretubi decals that fail to specify the tubing type are necessarily SL - your bike perhaps being a case in point. Tretubi by itself isn't a tubeset, of course, it just means the three main tubes were made with (some type of) Columbus tubing.
It is possible, though, that the seattube is sleeved. You may be able to tell if there's a sleeve in the seattube, so I would suggest checking. If there's no sleeve, I would bet against SL for the three main tubes, unless the seattube has been ovalized or damaged.
I believe both Aelle and Cromor are seamed and cold-drawn, with Cromor (the higher-end set) being butted. Aelle is Carbon-Manganese-Vanadium, while Cromor is Chrome-Moly. You can't see the seams, by the way, and they don't compromise longevity or ride quality, as far I can determine. While they're heavier, less expensive tubesets, they have a good reputation with people who own bikes made from them.
As far as the other tubes, I have heard of some where the fork tubing is at least specified (though I'd have to double check that). Otherwise, the non-main tubes could be anything that was available, which was the point.

jfmckenna

Aelle is not butted and if I remember correctly was listed as a tube set for amateur and sport cyclists... Not quite the racing tube set but you know you could still race on it My Aelle bike is comfortable to ride and I really love the frame.