Want details & value of 1974-5 Grandis 25" seat tube, 75mm Campy Cranks, etc.
 

I bought this Grandis 25" frame in Canada in 1975 and put mostly Campagnolo components on it. The brakes are Gran Compe (Dura Ace?), and the rear frame brake bridge is curved. There also is a white campy pump (presta), Brooks Pro saddle, Cinelli stem and handlebars. The frame has wonderful lug work, with "G" or "three leaf clover" or "dots" (5) cutouts in the lugs, fork crown, etc.; and the drop-outs and fork crown are chromed. There are a few dings and scratches; and the Grandis decals on the downtube have "broken" or scratched letters (see pics). In addition, I have two Campy racing hats of unknown value. Somehow I have acquired 5 extra wheelsets, all clinchers with presta holes, though I don't know what type of rims and don't know how to identify them: the rims are 27" (?), three have Phil Wood hubs (still in existence?), and there are two Campy skewers, two Sunshin, and 1 Atom. I haven't ridden the bike regularly in about 25 years (I'm 75 now); but my memory has lost details other than where I got it and what I can see on the bike and parts. It's a tight frame--Columbus SL, I believe--and a great ride.
I'm impressed with the detective work in this forum and would appreciate any ideas and information you can offer. I'll take extra pics as needed, but here are a few:http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=318449http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=318451http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=318453http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=318454http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=318455http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=318456

Grandis happens to be among my favorite marquees...they're a smaller Italian builder based in Verona; in fact they're still making bicycles. They have a lot of attention to detail and refinement, but they aren't that well known (like many other smaller Italian builders). In terms of value...that's harder here. You have two things working against you...size and brand recognition. I have found that larger frames typically sell for less money and take longer to sell. A Grandis will require an informed buyer...typically bikes like this sell for less than things like Colnagos, even though it's likely a far nicer bike. Another issue is that you don't have a complete gruppo...most folks don't want Gran Compe (Dia Compe if I recall) parts on their Italian bike with other bits. You would likely do best here as a part out. I would advise selling the bike with one set of wheels - preferably campy, if not Phil Wood. Sell the others separately. The bar tape condition will not help your cause...I'd clean it and retape the bars. This is the type of bike where an established seller is going to have far more success...without numerous ebay sales, I think you're going to be limited.

I might consider trying to sell this bike here, or to the CR list.

If this were my size we'd be talking sale.

I have no idea on what it is worth, but I do know that I like it and it is my size!

Based on the size and era, it is almost certainly Columbus SP tubing. I don't know if they had a model name for it back then, but it would eventually evolve into the Grandis Special. Double check on those wheels. I doubt they are 27". They should be 700C. A frame like that would have marginal clearance for 27" and you might lose some potential buyers if they key in on 27" wheels. While you're at it, you need to back off the front skewer nut a bit, so you can get full closure on the lever. Before you post the for sale pictures, also lower the saddle a bit. The excessively tall height creates an illusion that destroys the proportions of the bicycle.

Thanks to all, especially to T-Mar who has an extremely sharp eye and sense of detail: The skewer shown was loosened so the Campy logo would be more visible in the photo, but your point about getting full closure is well taken, as is the notion to lower the saddle! Also, I do have new rolls of green handlebar tape and new brake lever hoods; just haven't redone that yet.

That is a great looking older bike! I am with Aron if it were smaller we might be chatting. I also agree that trying to sell it her or CR group would be the first place to go.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...3&d=1369247228

Please tell us where you decide to post this!

It's a nice bike

Right now I'm just trying to get familiar with details and suggested prices. I've already shown my bad memory of old age by designating the wheels as 27" dia. Don't know where I got that number but glad one of the responses straightened me out! Eventually, if I decide for sure to sell this old favorite of mine and don't donate to a charity, I'll list it here and on CR from Port Townsend, WA. I appreciate the comments, too.

It is a big one (my size). Looks like some problems along the top tube here. It needs a cleaning to be presented better for sale. Clean up the bar tape; etc and photograph the areas that have damage.

As others have noted, the size is a limiting factor. I've picked up big Italians quite cheap over the years ($100 Viner frame and fork, 250$ for a complete Somec, albeit with a Campy mish-mash). However, I'm cheap; even though both those bikes were ebay purchases, I scored them off season. I needed neither one, so I could pounce on the cheapies.

I think asking in the 500$ range is reasonable, but there you need an informed and taller buyer, and those seem to be in short supply. You might have to settle for less. Personally, I would not pay that much, and I agree with every word KonAaron wrote about Grandis.

A very cool bike. Are you sure that it's a 25" Looks a hair smaller to me. Perhaps post seat tube and top tube measurements (in cm)?

I'm over in Port Angeles and I need another vintage bike like a I need a hole in my head. So obviously, I'm interested as well. I run an informal bicycle giveaway charity here in PA, so I end up with quite a few frames and parts that I can't make into whole bikes, so I drive 'em over to PT every so often to drop them off at the ReCyclery Co-op there. No reason I can't bring one back with me :)

If/when you decide to put it up for sale, feel free to shoot me an email - [redacted]

Timhttp://www.zoominto.com/zoomapi/ZoomButt.gif