Viner Track bike...what kind of tubing!!?
Hey all..
I just got a bright yellow Viner track frame yesterday off of Craigslist. I think it's probably an early to mid-80's judging by the paint and funky decals. Anyway... I'm trying to figure out what kind of tubing it is. The decals say 'Special Professional'....so I'd assume that was their top-of the-line and maybe Columbus tubing but the seatpost is looking like about 26.4mm.. As far as I understand tubing...that would only suggest Vitus or possibly decent Japanese Tange or Ishiwata? I've heard that Reynold's 531 straight-gauge sometimes came in with 26.4...but that seems odd in an italian track bike, no? (Italian for huh?)
The seat tube outside diameter is about 27.0, so that makes the tubing only about .6 thick....and it is a pretty lightweight frame.
Also, this frame has no-name track dropouts (not a good sign?) and came to me with Sugino BB and Cycle Pro Italy headset that seem probably stock.
So if this is Tange or Ishiwata....then what the "heck" is a respected "Italian" frame maker doing putting it in thier flagship "Italian" track frame? (frame has Italy flag decals all over it) Maybe the name 'Viner' (veener) is suited?
Sorry about the rant but I'm tring to decide if this frame is worth putting my sheriff-star C-record track hubs on..