Heatherbikes

I am looking at a Moser with aelle tubing and shimano 600, good condition, but over $700 plus shipping. in my quest to have better bikes in my life I am trying to find better quality bikes. Since I am small, I hardly ever see higher end bikes my size and can only imagine what SL is like. I have a reynolds 531 superset bike and it is nice... To me Columbus is exciting, surely all columbus is excellent right? In my searches some people consider it bottom of the barrel and cheap, while others find it perfectly fine. Is the bike too expensive? Would the ride quality be lacking with a tiny rider like myself?

dddd

Depends on what ride qualities you'll emphasize while riding the bike.

Aelle is a heavier-walled tube set, and that definitely means stiffer, for better and for worse.

The steering will be more precise and confident when you're descending a tricky back road at speed, but there might also be a slightly noticeable loss of comfort on bumpy roads.

I'm only 150lbs and have to say that I like the ride of heavier, stiffer frames, but geometry plays a bigger role and many of the cheaper frames have more-stable geometry.

Your fit on this Aelle-tubing bike is most important, for doing longer rides comfortably, but your fitness level and anticipated riding intensity weighs hugely on how you'll want to be fitted to the bike, and whether that bike is for you.

And tire pressure is a bigger comfort variable, so for non-competitive riding a wider set of rims and tires, run at modest pressure, will be safer and more comfortable, and the tread will last longer at the lower pressure.

Chombi

IIRC, Aelle is straight gauge manganese steel It's decent steel, but the tubeset was designed more for strength/reliability instead of lightness, so there's a slight weight penalty.
I liken it to something similar to Reynolds 501 tubing. So as 501 tubing is used on mid-level model bikes, the same could be said for Aelle when used by manufacturers as Moser evidently did on the bike you found.
I would say that $700 is a bit steep for such a bike. I'd price the bike, if in very good condition, more in the $500+- range. That's a bit more than say an "equivalent" mid level French C&V bike from the same era, but these Italian mid level bikes tend to be quite a bit nicer looking paint, chrome and graphics wise, and sometimes even include nice touches as a few pantographs here and there on the frame, so they sell better and for higher prices than mid level bkes from most other countries. The famous Moser name on it definitely helps and a Moser bike fan might pay a bit more, maybe up to 600 bucks

KonAaron Snake 

That's outrageous - probably around double value.

Cougrrcj

Here ya go!

https://youtu.be/IhJQp-q1Y1s

orangeology

this infamous article "the magnificent seven" is for ya, i guess.
a blind riding test on Mondonico bikes built w different Columbus tubings in identical geometry, fwiw.

oddjob2

Just sent you a link for a 49cm frame in Columbus SL. It is a red Schwinn Peloton, an 85 or 86 model year. Would like to sell frame, fork, and headset.

The Golden Boy 

I guess the only way to truly find out is to ride it and evaluate all the characteristics of the bike, and try to figure out how much of what you like is the tubing.

It could very well be that the sticker on the tube will make you enjoy the bike more. That's not a bad thing.

From what I'm aware, Columbus had their lower grades of tubing, which based on the little dove sticker, sold for more than any equivalent tubing.

I have a Columbus Tenax bike. I like it very much. But my favorite rider is a 531CS bike. I don't know how much of that is the tubing or the geometry or whatever. I like the stickers, but the ride is the most important.

Chrome Molly

Alle/cromor are decent tubes, but really weren't intended for higher end bikes even based on Columbus' own literature. To a point, it's more about the build than the materials, but they are a vital component to the build. So, make sure it seems like it is a cohesive and well intended result (aka ride it and see if it does what you want it to) before purchasing it. That said, your example seems very pricey for 600, as in more popular sizes you see SL frames selling for less than that with 600 fairly routinely. Espec since you can't ride it before purchase, and price high, plus shipping always a wild card, would pass personally. Generally I'd say Alle and cromor are ok for bigger riders than smaller, very generally. Last winter I picked up a cromor bike with full DA for $200, so yeah you can do better with a bit of patience.

RobbieTunes

I just passed on a complete Moser MX Leader with 8-sp Dura Ace (STI) and lighter tubing for $750.
Size is probably a factor. Best small bike value around here right now is a 47cm Terry, complete, for $200.

In keeping with the trend here, "why the obsession with wet fish?"

kroozer 

All Columbus tubing is nice, but for $700 you should get the top stuff.

unworthy1

I can assert that it IS better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick...haven't tried the fish thing, yet.
I'm +1 with all the comments about Aelle, both the upsides and downsides.
and the big upside is that since it's considered a "bargain" tubeset you should be able to get a bargain price on a frame or bike...$700 even for a Moser Aelle is not a bargain.

WNG

"Why the obsession with the Columbus dove?"

CV-6 

I had a Guerciotti with TreTubi Aelle. It was a nice riding bike. There are a lot of other factors that determine the ride and the frame is just one of them. $700 for this bike is way high.

DiabloScott

My first racing bike was a Ciocc with Aelle. I didn't know much about tubing when I bought it - new in 1985 for $700 complete with Campy Triomphe.

I loved that bike and rode it in criteriums, centuries, and RAGBRAI. I remember it being stiff, but figured most of that was the geometry.

I don't know if the price is reasonable, but only snobs would scoff at Aelle tubing - it's budget, not junk.

bibliobob

One of the best bikes that I've owned was a Cilo with Aelle and Shimano 600 (but it was a size too small for me). But, $325-450 would be a much more realistic price range, depending on condition, and your location...

cyclotoine

if you have 531 you have one of the best metals ever used for traditional lugged construction of classic bikes. THe only way you will improve your ride is by improving your fit. Look at the geometry and not the tubing, consider custom steel.

zukahn1 

I would tend to agree on bikes of this level or better fit, geometry and wheels will mean more in actual ride quality than tubing.

Heatherbikes

Thanks everyone. The Moser is beautiful, chromed, gorgeous paint job, drool worthy etc. It is the right size and geometry for me, which is hard to find, but shouldn't have to pay a small bike tax. I see other stunning bikes with better components and tubing for much less. My husband paid less for his mid-upper end fully chromed bianchi, even less for a stunning bottechia randonneur. I'd be happy with a strong durable aelle frame for a daily ride and able to carry stuff, handle my long commutes with epic hills, but this is a road bike with no braze ons for racks or fenders. For a road bike that could only be ridden in good weather where I live, it would have to be way more lightweight. If the price was more reasonable( the seller refuses to budge) I would buy it and test it out for a season, sell or keep it, but I do not have enough money to take that risk right now, or to have and maintain a stable of bikes just because they are so pretty.
I would love to go custom, but vintage is all I can really afford.
I have read the 'magnificent 7' article which while interesting was written by someone larger and a very strong rider.
Stiffness, I cannot remember at the moment if that is a problem for me or not. Being under 120lb I often feel like I am fighting bikes, spending a good deal of energy dragging the weight. My 531 extra special tubing audax frame was a revelation when I put enough parts on to test it out last spring, but that bike is in limbo until I find all the right parts to finish and am having some vintage bike sizing/parts issues. It was so light to ride, no fighting the frame, it was fast. I am not a weak fair weather rider, have been riding for most of my life. I just have never had a really good bike. I had a surly 4130 tubed bike, which was light to pick up compared to other bikes I had, but horrible ride quality for me. It was recommended to me to go very lightweight, even a lightweight bike would be fine for commuting with bags and even touring.
I am curious about columbus and the dove because I have never had it, never ridden it. It has a reputation and cache. I perhaps get jealous that my husband is having a grand old time and I'm cursing way behind. He even has an ishiwate 022 bike that is very lightweight, I'd be down with top range tange...
That schwinn is columbus SL, oooh, I'd have to think about that, but not sure I want to get into another project, hunt down more wheels and components.
I have a few frames and bikes I need to finish, sell, or make disappear...I just want a bike that is ready to ride.

fietsbob

Columbus Aelle, it's a good tube set.

I've used it myself to build up a DIY frameset from scratch , back in the mid 70's.

still have the bike I built up around it ..

WNG

Since you're a lightweight at 120 lbs, do focus on butted framesets. Your 531c would be a great tubeset, 753 even better. As would Ishiwata 022, any triple-butted offering, Tange Prestige, and Columbus SL. Truly light and flexy if you're a big rider, would be Vitus. I believe their butted steel set is the lightest.

Skip the $700 Moser, it's overpriced!

kroozer 

My wife rides a tiny aluminum Klein, it's very light and quick and she loves it.

zukahn1 

Yes if your under 150lbs and and short take 52mm or smaller frame vintage hardened aluminium frames like the Kleins and Cannondales can be great options often for some very good prices.

gaucho777 

You didn't say what kind of fish.

The Golden Boy 

I occasionally commute on my Trek 736- it's the 1970s "racing" geometry, 531 throughout with the shorter stays- but there's enough clearance for panniers for me.

The dropouts have rack/fender eyelets and my rack attaches to the brake bridge.

Once in a while, someone around here posts a small Trek 400 on CL. (smaller than 21"). I don't think it's sold as it used to come around every few months. The 400 was 531 in the main tubes, but Tange CrMo in the fork and stays- not a super lightweight, but a nice riding and very nice looking bike.