I've been lurking around here for most of the summer so I suppose it's time I posted about my bike in hopes of getting some feedback and, more importantly, a bit more information about it.
I Returned from Europe earlier this summer and wanted a set of wheels to get around. My priority was basically to get the best value purchase I could, given my limited budget. Since I actually enjoy researching things and I appreciate the "uniqueness" of gear such as bikes, finding a
quality vintage bike seemed like the way to go.
I eventually found this, a mid 80's Torelli Super Strada. Decision was based primarily on 1) good reputation of Torelli as a manuf. of quality bikes, 2) rarity of the model, the pantographing making this more so, 3) decent (albeit budget) range of Campy components, and 4) the size - I'm 6'5" so I was looking at 62-63cm frames, and obviously there's not an overwhelming selection of them.
On to the questions.. the seller claimed the bike is a 1985 model, but I haven't been able to dig up too much info on it. Actually, almost none. The serial no. on the frame is "01066383", with a "62" stamped into the other side beneath the BB. Assuming the latter refers to the size, but could the last two digits of the serial perhaps mean it's an '83, not an '85? I read somewhere that this model was quite similar to the Torpado bikes being produced at the time, and indeed if you check out pictures and spec sheet
on this page you'll see there are lots of similarities. I also know there's a Torelli panto'd stem in the same type style - I saw it on a similar period SS for sale on eBay (but it didn't have the chainwheels or post, and the frame was sky blue).
I'm also curious about the tubeset. I've searched a bit for Oria tubesets, but haven't been able to find anything definitive or nearly as helpful as a timeline. There's nothing on the frame sticker to indicate which range it might be. Any chance I learn more from the serial then? Anyone know someone I could pass along this info to? Lastly, it seems to me that there's a disconnect or lapse between the older Torelli bikes (such as mine) and the newer models - logo, colors, etc. Is there something to this?
Questions aside, I love this bike. It's lean, solid, and now that I've got a bit more experience w/ the downtube shifters, it's amazingly fun to ride. I'm chuffed that it's old and rare and still in such good condition, and I've gotten quite a few comments and compliments on the pantographing.
I'll be needing to replace the wheels in the offseason; I'm 220lbs +/- 5 and was thinking of lacing NOS hubs to some modern wheels, perhaps Velocity's. If anyone has a recommendation..
Some pictures posted below. More & higher-res can be found on my
photo page and
velo page, pics of parts
here.
Looking forward to any comments / feedback / info anyone may have. TIA.
-MrC
Parts rundown: Pearl white lugged Tubi Oria tubeset, not sure what model name though. Gipiemme horz. drouputs, Campy Super Record cranks & levers, Record calipers, Nuovo hubs (laced to Ambrosio Elite 19's), 980 front/rear deraileurs. Ofmega headset & bot. bracket, pantographed chainwheels & seatpost. Cinelli 1R 120mm stem w/ flop 'n' chop Giro d'Italia bars (bike came with TTT stem & drop bars), Selle Turbomatic 4 seat (replacing some gel POS). Candy Bros. clipless pedals.
As far as I know all of the parts listed are OEM, with the excep. of the stem, bars, seat & pedals I've replaced. Because I do a fair bit of riding with traffic, the drop bars weren't treating me well as I was on the hoods a lot, and the toe straps were a nightmare to use in traffic (poor weight balance in the pedals really). I had been under the assumption that the non-Record Campy parts were all Nuovo range, but after checking the catalog it appears that's not the case (link below to pictures of parts).