BlueDevil63 

I had some time to take more pictures of the collection today. I picked up this Zullo frame quite awhile ago and finished building it up a few months ago. I think it is an all original frame or a very good restoration. The paint is a kind of crinkled black finish. The fork is not original but is a nice Tange fork that matches well. This Zullo uses an unusual tube set. It has crimps in the top and downtube and flattened seat stays. I believe it is a high quality tube set as the total weight of the finished bike with pedals is under 21lbs. The bottom bracket is also a bit weird. It is Italian threaded but is only 68mm wide, like an English thread BB, instead of 70mm like an Italian BB should be. It is a very short wheel base frame, matching the Criterium name.

I am guessing early to mid 80s but don't really know. It has brazed on external cable guides on the top tube, under BB cable guides for the derailleurs, a clamp on front derailleur, two bottle mounts and recessed brake mounts.

I built the bike up with a 1985 Super Record group, except for the brake levers, which are early Chorus. This was the last year for Super Record and the cranks had no flutes like on previous year's. Selle San Marco is selling a matched set of reissued Super Corsa seat and leather bar tape and I decided to go with that for this bike.

I haven't put many miles on it yet but it seems to ride very nice. Forgive the modern pedals. That is what I ride with and didn't feel like changing pedals for the pictures. And sorry for the black bike on the black background but that is what I had set up.

bibliobob

Beauty! I almost picked up a Zullo once, and your photos are kind of making me regret not doing so.

skyrider

That is hot, the small details of the framebuilder, and painter really make it one of kind, great job thanks for sharing

gomango

Gorgeous!

I sold my Criterium two weeks ago.

I know you sent a pm about my Criterium and I regret not sending pics.

I'll ask the new owner, a member on another forum, if they mind me releasing shots.

You have done an outstanding job on this very nice bicycle.

They ride beautifully, I'm sure you would agree.

..and the quality of your photography skills is beyond compare.

Bianchigirll 

very classy!

BlueDevil63 

Does anyone know what tube set this frame is made of? Or any idea of date? I am just guessing at early '80s. It is a very "different" frame and very, very tight. Look at the clearance between the tires and frame.

ColonelJLloyd 

Wow! That is a great looking bicycle.

gomango

I spoke with Tiziano Zullo at NAHBS about three of the models I had at the time.

He said no earlier than 1983 for any of them, including my Criterium. My Sprint that I am working on was the earliest of the models I own, and it was made from Columbus SL. My Air and Speciale we also made from SL.

I seem to recall the Criteriums dating from roughly 1986. I don't recall the tubing used either, but I am emailing about another question, so I'll add that in.

Super Record looks great on this bike, no doubt.

I'm also in for the Super Corsa combo PAC for my Speciale, while I am putting a perfed Regal reissue on my Sprint.

Again, you have done a great job on your bicycle.

divineAndbright

Does anyone have an explanation for the crimped tubes? I haven't seen that before. The location of the indenting on the top tube half makes me think it has something to do with a common place for bars to come around and dent the frame in crashes, but on the flip side I think "that can't be right".

BlueDevil63 

I assume this is something like Gilco or the other crimped tubesets that I have seen. I guess I have never heard a conclusive reason for these but I have heard that it affects stiffness without increasing weight. Not sure though.

dnomel

Thanks for the pics, thats a nice bike. I almost bid on a zullo on ebay, It wasn't a crit model but it had tange prestige decals, probably late 80's early 90's.

I had an old allez, late 80's I think, that at least from appearances had that same kind of tight build, very close tire clearances and a bit steeper head angle. I tried to measure and compare it to other bikes and never really figured the geometry out. I remember being confused between the obvious difference in the gap between the front tire and the downtube, and the other measurements where I couldn't really find much difference. But it was very noticeable when taking sharp corners fast.
It did feel a bit harsh over bumps, and there was the problem of my toes hitting the front wheel occasionaly, and I wonder if that may be a reason this kind of geometry seems uncommon. I'd love try another bike like that though, I could deal with the toe overlap.

blue 414

Great looking bike, one of my favorites I've seen on this forum!