chico81 

Hi All,

I’ve wanted a Ciocc for a while, but can’t afford one, until this popped up. I have scheduled to pick this bike up tomorrow. It’s a mid eighties (83-85?) Ciocc Designer 84 Microf. C. 40. The frame and paint look like they’re in decent shape, but the chrome on the seat/chain stays and fork have seen better days. It looks like all original campy stuff is long gone, and components and wheels are mismatched, but mostly Shimano 600 stuff. I mainly want it for the frame, which I believe is Columbus SL or SLX, no tubing decal so I’m guessing on this. I have a complete Campy victory set from a dented Medici I could put on it. Do you think it is worth the $95 asking price?

Thanks!!

horatio 

Yes!!!!!!!!!!

chico81 

Haha! Thanks! I thought so

Do you know if Ciocc and his crew still restore frames at their shop in Italy? I saw other BF posts of this a few years back. That would just be amazing!

Soylent 

I have one and would definitely buy that for $95. Is it a TSD frame? May have been set up with shimano. I remember when I was looking at them at a shop in El Cajon in the mid 80s you could get them set up either way. I don't remember if TSD imported these as unpainted frames and painted them state side like they did with the Guerciottis

horatio 

AFAIK, yes. I emailed them several years back about my Competition SL. They were very helpful.

chico81 

Thanks for the advice. I didn’t think about that! It is totally possible that this was bought as a frame only. After a quick google it looks like the designer 84 frames came with a Campy record headset, this one has a 600. Also, it looks like it has a “tricolor” 600/Ultegra derailleur on it, which I believe came out a bit later. If this was just a frame, who knows what the original components were 🤷*♂️.

I just hope the the guy doesn’t get a better offer sell it before tomorrow...

Soylent 

I think it will look great with either super record or Dura Ace. I built mine up with with 7400.

unworthy1

TOTally worth it and try some oxalic or phosphoric acid on the rusty chrome or even the aluminum foil with diet Coke trick (which hasn't worked that well for ME but some swear by it).
Giovanni Pelizzoli WAS doing some restorations (unfortunately this frame was almost certainly not one HE built) but not sure if he still has bandwidth for those odd jobs or if he concentrates on custom frames only. There are others who can do stellar work and you don't need to ship to Bergamo but if your pockets are deep I'd sure like to see Giovanni get some dollars!

malcala622 

Go get it before i do...

chico81 

Haha! Yeah, I’m meeting him as soon as he gets home from work!

Funny story, he posted this a few weeks back as a “make me an offer” post, I hate making offers, so talked to him a bit to get a feeling on what he wanted for the bike. Then, bam! It was listed as SOLD. I was sad that someone else snagged it. Then, tonight, low and behold, he re-listed it for $95 - $5 less than I was going to offer! I was all over it, Haha. He remembered me from the previous posting and said he was going to hold it for me.

The reason he removed it the first time was because too many people blew him up with too many lowball offers. I’m cool paying the $95 asking price

chico81 

I just ordered a gallon of Evaporust on sale I’m going to try to restore it myself before even contacting Pellizoli as I am quite limited on $$$. If it’s too far gone, who would you recommend for a repaint and restore? Thanks!

Last ride 76 

Me! (But then you will never see it again, except in pictures. Great find! I've always wanted one too.)
Cheers, Eric

easyupbug 

Try giving Zar International a call, the current importers. If the shop is doing rebuilds they should know. I suspect you will find it would be cheaper to find a frame in better shape as I was quoted $750 by Tommasini for just a respray, no chrome. Don't know about CA environmental rules and your local chrome shops but re-chroming by an experienced shop that does bike frames may be a better option. I just had a fork done for $85 and IIRC $30 for shipping both ways and while I can tell it is not a new Air Fork it looks really good.
Oh, and I probably get more comments on my Designer '84 than any other, it's an slx frame and a nice ride.

unworthy1

Since you are in SoCal you could try Joe Bell (JB Custom Bicycle Refinishing) but for my money I'd get in line for Ed Litton in NorCal (Point Richmond, CA) he painted my Ciocc many years back and did a beautiful job, it still looks like new. But the money will be significant whoever you use, and "quality takes time".

Soylent 

Have you had frames painted by both? Joe Bell painted my Geurciotti back in the 80s. I have a Gios to paint and may have to think about Ed Litton

unworthy1

I have only used Ed Litton and his rep for quality painting is stellar, but so is Joe's so I'd get quotes from both for cost and for T/O time required. There's also D&D in San Lorenzo who have done a LOT on contract painting for Rivendell , Tom Ritchey and for Mikkelsen (those that were wet-paint rather than PC). If you range farther afield there are others that probably "cost less"...but to some degree you get what you pay for when working with the "masters".

chico81 

So, picked up the bike. Got it for $80, as it had more rust than pictured.

It is either a 55 or 56 cm, too small for me

front fork is going to need a rechrome, it is just too far gone.

The seat/chainstays are in better shape, the “oxidation” on the outside comes right off with a little rubbing. I’m thinking that it is just salt deposits from being in storage near the coast.

The BB is rusted and pitted, as is the bottom of the top tube. (See photos)

It has mismatched wheels (Wobler front, Mavic rear), and a lot of oxidation on the spokes/nipples

it also has Specialized stem and bars, which are salvageable.

Because this is too small for me, I can’t justify putting the work and $$$ if I’m not going to be able to ride it. So, I’m thinking I will pass it on AT COST to someone who wants to visit Temecula and pick it up! Minus the Merlin Titanium seat post that I can use on my Merlin Road, call that the finders fee! Haha! I have another noname alloy seat post to substitute.

PM me if interested

malcala622 

Ooof its way worse condition than in the pictures. Definite complete overhaul needed from bolts to frame.

chico81 

Yeah, it will. I’ve got a little buyers remorse. If it fit me I would love to restore and ride it! However, I would be upside down pretty soon if I tried to sell it. I’m happy to pass it along for what I paid for it. Hopefully it will fit someone out there, and they don’t mind restoring it back to the beauty it once was

jamesdak 

Mine's a bit rough from close up and is bigger than most my bikes at 57cm. But it is really a great ride. Someone that put's the time into this is going to get a great ol' bike.

chico81 

I whole heartily agree! I’m making it sound worse than it is. The frame is straight, there are absolutely no dents or dings, and other than the pitting on the BB, the rest is just a bit of surface rust and grime. Nothing a good media blasting and repaint/rechrome with some new decals can’t fix

This is still an excellent handmade Italian bike with Columbus SL or SLX tubing that deserves a second chance! Don’t judge it by what the previous owners did to it! Those %#^*#**!!

Mad Honk 

Chico,
I have a vintage Othon Ochsner in a 59cm version which may fit you. I would be willing to trade for your Ciocc. I will PM you MH

chico81 

Hi Mad Honk,

sorry, bike has been sold. I apologize for the cross postings, I sold this bike in the C&V sales thread to Manny last week.

Ill be mindful not to cross post in the future.