stripes

Hi all, forgive me if this is the wrong forum for this question. I figured, as connoisseurs of finely crafted steel bikes, the C&V residents would have some good opinions, but if this should be moved to the Road forum then I understand. I recently lost my 1993 Colnago Super Piu to an accident with a truck (the truck driver was at fault). It was my daily rider, my go-to bike, which I rode more often than any of them. I'm now looking for a suitable replacement, and so I'm looking at current-production frames. I prefer to go with a nicely-finished steel lugged frame (I don't think I need to tell you why) that would be a good all-around bike. I would ride this daily - 20 miles commuting, running errands around town, and weekend "roadie" rides. As such, it would need to be comfortable, stable, but still be maneuverable and responsive should the occasion arise. My Colnago fit this bill perfectly, but since it's no longer with us, I thought I'd ask your opinions regarding a worthy replacement.

Right now I'm looking at the following bikes:

Cinelli Supercorsa

Daccordi New Griffe
(you can see a larger picture of the Daccordi here)

Colnago Master X-Light

De Rosa Neo Primato

Casati Linea Oro

Tommasini Tecno

Scapin Special - but I'm not sure if it's lugged or TIG welded.

I've read lots on these forums about the Cinelli: namely, how the new ones aren't as good as the old ones, but does anybody have firsthand knowledge of both? Can you give me some specifics?

Does anybody have experience with the Daccordi, Scapin or Casati?

I'd like to stay with threaded headsets but threadless would be acceptable also. I believe the Casati and Colnago only come threadless.

Lastly, does anybody have any suggestions for other marques I should be looking at?

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Prudy

I have heard very good things about Vanilla, Marinoni and Bob Jackson.

kmcc2576

Isn't there a long waiting list for Vanillas? Like 5 years or something?

Those Neo Primatos are really sexy but I would imagine you could get a nice vintage steel frame and dress it up with modern components for cheaper. But I'm probably wrong.

Prudy

oh, man - i don't know. Glad I'm not trying to get one if that's the case, though.

roseskunk

Yeah, I hear Vanillas are about a five year wait. They are tons of great custom builders depending on what you want to spend. A quick check here at the exhibitors would be a start:

https://www.handmadebicycleshow.com/index_01.htm

Road Fan

Look at Strong. There's a guy here who loves them.

scozim 

I suppose it depends on what you want to spend:

I would absolutely love one of the 2009 Bianchi Dolomiti bikes

Or

One of the Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra that you can see on the GVH Bikes frame inventory page.

Scooper

I'd suggest you consider Waterford. The Waterford 22-series lugged steel frames are beautifully built, and the road-sport geometry RS-22 sounds like it would meet your criteria perfectly.

My RS-22 is in Reynolds polished 953, and since you're local you are welcome to take a look if you like.

Old Fat Guy

Tom Kellogg at Spectrum is another worth looking at:
https://www.spectrum-cycles.com/

Also DeSalvo has an incredible deal going on now:
https://www.desalvocycles.com/

Strong bikes are TIG welded, not lugged, but I have friends that have 5 of them between th two of them.
https://strongframes.com/

I am a huge fan of De Rosa's, and just bought a NOS Primato for myself.

https://picasaweb.google.com/zmudshark/Primato#

robatsu

That polished Waterford is absolutely beautiful.

Scooper

Thank you!

I think so, too; but more than that, it's the lightest, strongest, best riding bicycle I've ever owned, and over my lifetime that's a lotta bikes.

stripes

Thanks, I will look at Marinoni and Bob Jackson. Vanilla is a bit much, with the wait list, and I'd be deathly afraid of wrecking it. I'd prefer to stick to a production frame, or if I go custom, a builder with a relatively short wait.

I can't believe I forgot about Bianchi! That Dolomiti looks beautiful and would suit my needs nicely. I should be able to find one locally for a closer look. Those Corsa Extras caught my eye, i'll keep them in mind.

That looks like a beautiful bike. I might take you up on that. A few of my friends have/had Waterfords and they love them.

I must confess, I've always wanted a De Rosa... and that bike is amazing! It's definitely on my short list.

Everyone, thanks for the recommendations. This is definitely going to be a tough decision. Please keep them coming!

Thanks,

Alex

roseskunk

Damn you Scooper!

stripes

I second that. I think I'm in love! This picture is huge, and I don't know if I can resize it, so just click here:

https://waterfordbikes.com/images/upload/23836RS-22.jpg

s70rguy

The Scapin is TIG welded and made from Columbus Spirit tubing: Thermacrom tubing if Im not mistaken. It also has a carbon front fork.
Although I dont have personal experience with a Scapin, i'd go for this one. Spirit is a couple of steps up from SLX, this Scapin frame nust have about the same weight as a serious aluminum frame, and a much more pleasant ride. The tubing is really paper thin, its unbelievable.
Builder like Roberts in London, UK, build with Spirit too (I think he even brazes them), so its a completely reputable tubeset. If I was in for a new frame, I'd go for something like that, no doubt. The Scapin Spirit R8 probably ... what a beauty!
But no lugs, that true ...

bigbossman 

I'd go with either the De Rosa, Cinell, or Tommasini - whatever fits your budget. Right now, Tom at https://www.gvhbikes.com/ has some Cinelli Super Corsa framsets for about $1100 - which is practically free. . He can also build you a complete bike on any frame in his inventory, and his group prices are some of the cheapest around.

I have one of his Cinelli's - it is a well-mannered all-day rider:

Old Fat Guy

For one heck of a deal, if the size is right, try here:
https://www.backcountryoutlet.com/out...007&mv_pc=r126

stripes

BBM, I remember your bike from that "steel is real" norcal ride! That's a sweet bike, and that was a great ride.

OFG, that's sorely tempting. The color isn't my favorite... but it's tough to argue with the price.

bigbossman 

You b@stard - they have my size. Arghhhhhhh.........

RobbieTunes

Hey, I'm just glad you're here to tell us about it.

I like the Cinelli for the price, I spec'd one out a while ago, but it was $3000 the way I wanted it. The one I'm building will be about 1/3 that.

Waterford gets a lot of info from you, and then is very successful at making a bike "like it's made for you." Well, duh, it should be, it is. They really do make your bike, though.

I keep thinking "when my ship comes in..." but lately, it's destroying the pier.

SingeDebile

spectrum gets my vote (definitely my dream bike), there is a fairly long waiting list but that gives you a chance to find the parts for it. They are perfect full custom bikes, understated no nonsense but flawlessly executed lugs that put many other custom bikes to shame (for example he doesn't believe in lining the lugs with paint as this is usually done to hide imperfections in the frame build and paintjob)

www.spectrum-cycles.com

texraid

Here's another plug for a Waterford 22 series, albeit a little older model. A 1996 2200 and like Scooper's, the best riding bike I've had.

Longfemur

Forget about Marinoni. They sold out to modernity a long time ago, and they don't make bikes like that anymore.

I don't have one, but if it was me, I would look at Waterfords. Other than that, I might consider an affordable welded steel road frame, like a Torelli.

gomango

My short list: DeRosa and Colnago. Why? I have been riding both brands since the early 80's and I have found them to be great do it all bikes. If you want to see a beautiful frameset, head to your Colnago dealer and look at the Master Extra Light in person. You'll want one.

TL179

I'm not entirely sure about that. I still see plenty of lugged marinonis with 9 speed campy for sale here. Which means they're at least somewhat recent. I'd be really surprised if Marinoni isn't still doing custom lugged frames.