Cinelli vs. Bianchi vs. Condor vs. Bottecchia
I am looking at upgrading my bike. I currently have a (2013) Genesis Croix de Fer. I like it, but it's pretty heavy. I have rheumatoid arthritis and cycling is really good for my joints. I used to ride the Genesis everywhere and did a couple of long rides on it, then I had a flare up and left it for a bit. I'm pleased to say that the lockdown (coupled with my new medication) means I've been back on the bike and loving it. So I think I'd like to treat myself to an upgrade AND I get both lower back pain on a really long ride and neck/shoulder pain on even medium length rides. I don't think the Genesis fits me right. It's 52, when my inseam and height says I should have 53. My family all have short arms so I fear that the frame is ever so slightly small but the reach too long. I use it for cycling round the city as well as some longer rides but have also started chasing more speed on it. I'd like to replace it with something racier, that I can cycle in and out of town on but also use for the occasional, really long trips. I want to go steel as I feel it would be more forgiving given my condition and I love the look of some of these vintage frames. So, my shortlist so far are: a Condor Classico, Cinelli Supercorsa, Bianchi L'Eroica and Bottecchia Leggendaria. Cyclist magazine seemed to rate the Condor higher than the Bianchi for climbing, but the Bianchi did sound more charismatic and I love the styling of it. The Bottecchia is more new to me and I've not been able to find any reviews as to how it rides, compared with the others, but steel-vintage seem to do a really good component spec on them. But then there's the Cinelli. I don't know but I keep coming back to it. I have a soft spot for Italian design anyway and there's something both about the Cinelli brand and the Supercorsa frame. But I just don't know. Any advice much appreciated!
Also, a couple of questions I fear may be sacrilegious - can I get any of these to take mud guards? I really would want to be riding it a lot and we get so much rain in the UK. The Cinelli in particular looks like it has very little/no extra clearance. I thought a superlight rack for an occasional pannier too.