Torpado Super Strada
09-29-16, 01:28 PM
#1
Old guy on a Bike
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Torpado Super Strada
Oh Vintage Gurus, can you all tell me about these. Considering purchasing. Looks to be 70's/80's--all there with Campy groupset.
09-29-16, 02:50 PM
#2
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The Super Strada that I'm familiar with was a mid-1980s, mid range model. They did not use a complete Campagnolo group but a mixed group. The rear derailleur was Camapgnolo Nuovo Record but the front derailleur was a Valentino and the hubs were Tipo. Ofmega supplied the crankset (engraved chainring) and headset, while the pedals were Miche. I've seen them with both Universal and Modolo brakesets. The frame were quite nicely made from Columbus Aelle R and featured embossed fork crown and stay caps. They present very nicely but an experienced eye will see the concessions in the components. If you want an value, you'll have to provide pictures of the actual bicycle. It could vary substasntially from my description, depending on the exact year.
09-29-16, 03:37 PM
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I have a 84 super strada and love it....it is a very fun ride. i use mine to commute. It is a little ratty as I got it for free after it say outside for 2-3 years.
Mine is 85% original....at some point someone put a shimano headset and BB on it. I got a proper ofmega BB from Bianchigirll, but have left the shimano headset. my crankset had some cracks, but I found another ofmega to replace it. I also found a set of gp4 on the tipo hubs and am running tufo tubies.
The bike fits me well and has some of that italian magic in the ride. I have even considered upgrading the components, but have a blast riding it as is and have hope for Cino Heroica
so my input is if it fits, get it
specs are here and at this link https://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/tor...obrochure2.pdf
SUPER STRADA. Dynamic performance and quality make this racer a winner! The Super Strada weighs just 21.7 pounds and features a unique blending of pearl beige with black trim. A real eye catcher on the road! And with its excellent component mix of Columbus Aelle R double
butted tubing, Campagnolo derailleurs and Ofmega Competition Crankset, the Super Strada surely stands out in the crowd. One of Torpado's most successful models, the Super Strada has been featured in leading bicycling
magazines. It's the one to catch!
Super Strada Specs
• Columbus Aelle R frame and fork
• 3 TTT handlebar • 3 TTT Torpado Engraved stem
• Campagnolo Record-Seatpost Engraved • Selle Italia saddle
• Campagnolo Nuovo Record derailleurs
• Campagnolo Shifters • Regina Oro 6-sp 13-23 freewheel • Regina
chain • Ofmega Competition crankset • Miche Superfast
pedals (with chrome-moly spindle) • Ofmega Gran Premio
headset • Ambrosio Elite 700 C Black Anodized rims •
Michelin BIB-TS-20 tires • A.C.I, spokes • Campagnolo
Tipo hub • Universal 77 brakes
Color — Pearl Beige • Weight — 21.7 lbs •
Mine is 85% original....at some point someone put a shimano headset and BB on it. I got a proper ofmega BB from Bianchigirll, but have left the shimano headset. my crankset had some cracks, but I found another ofmega to replace it. I also found a set of gp4 on the tipo hubs and am running tufo tubies.
The bike fits me well and has some of that italian magic in the ride. I have even considered upgrading the components, but have a blast riding it as is and have hope for Cino Heroica
so my input is if it fits, get it
specs are here and at this link https://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/tor...obrochure2.pdf
SUPER STRADA. Dynamic performance and quality make this racer a winner! The Super Strada weighs just 21.7 pounds and features a unique blending of pearl beige with black trim. A real eye catcher on the road! And with its excellent component mix of Columbus Aelle R double
butted tubing, Campagnolo derailleurs and Ofmega Competition Crankset, the Super Strada surely stands out in the crowd. One of Torpado's most successful models, the Super Strada has been featured in leading bicycling
magazines. It's the one to catch!
Super Strada Specs
• Columbus Aelle R frame and fork
• 3 TTT handlebar • 3 TTT Torpado Engraved stem
• Campagnolo Record-Seatpost Engraved • Selle Italia saddle
• Campagnolo Nuovo Record derailleurs
• Campagnolo Shifters • Regina Oro 6-sp 13-23 freewheel • Regina
chain • Ofmega Competition crankset • Miche Superfast
pedals (with chrome-moly spindle) • Ofmega Gran Premio
headset • Ambrosio Elite 700 C Black Anodized rims •
Michelin BIB-TS-20 tires • A.C.I, spokes • Campagnolo
Tipo hub • Universal 77 brakes
Color — Pearl Beige • Weight — 21.7 lbs •
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
09-29-16, 03:52 PM
#4
Old guy on a Bike
Thread Starter
Thanks guys. Just what I needed.
09-29-16, 04:08 PM
#5
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If you can pick it up affordably, you won't regret it. I recently put mine back together with Super Record.
09-29-16, 04:34 PM
#6
Old guy on a Bike
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I think I can. Going to try this weekend. Asking $300 but seller indicated some "wiggle room." We'll see.
10-03-16, 11:28 AM
#7
Old guy on a Bike
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So here she is.
10-03-16, 12:11 PM
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Pretty clean, nice pick up.
10-04-16, 08:00 AM
#9
Old guy on a Bike
Thread Starter
In upgrading to Super Record, how did it affect the ride and the performance. I've never riden an older bike with high quality components..what could I expect I did the same?
10-04-16, 08:02 AM
#10
Old guy on a Bike
Thread Starter
Loving the bike, rode 8 miles yesterday, had to adjust RD but nice ride. BUT--hate those Universal brakes! Housings are squared off and uncomfortable. They gotta go. Any recommendations?
10-04-16, 11:03 AM
#11
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Putting hoods on your current levers would go a long ways toward comfort. Not sure what would fit though.
10-04-16, 11:23 AM
#12
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Complete vintage Italian bikes with panto'd parts & NR rd for $300, less wiggle room.
I need to get out of the Seattle/Portland area more often.
I need to get out of the Seattle/Portland area more often.
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10-04-16, 01:00 PM
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enjoy..... nice bike
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
10-04-16, 01:01 PM
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Very nice - don't see Torpado come up much here. I got this frame for $50 on C-List ~2 years ago.
10-04-16, 01:22 PM
#15
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Guys, if you were going to replace the brake levers, what would you chose? Does it make sense to replace the brakes and levers? The Universal brakes (mod. 77) are servicable....not so the levers.
10-04-16, 01:31 PM
#16
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Are you looking to keep it "vintage", or just looking for maximum comfort?
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10-04-16, 01:49 PM
#17
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Vintage, good performance are most important to me ...(and within those parameters a bit of comfort)
10-04-16, 01:59 PM
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Dia-Compe still offers some nice looking external cable levers.
I have a set of Universal 77 brakes and levers I got with a Bianchi Nuova Racing but they've been in a box for awhile. I was doing more group riding for quite awhile and, unless I was in the drops, felt like an unsafe rider in the line given how much effort it took to brake from the hoods.
I have a set of Universal 77 brakes and levers I got with a Bianchi Nuova Racing but they've been in a box for awhile. I was doing more group riding for quite awhile and, unless I was in the drops, felt like an unsafe rider in the line given how much effort it took to brake from the hoods.
10-04-16, 02:59 PM
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You say the levers are uncomfortable? How about putting some rubber hoods on them, like they're supposed to have?
Since the shape of the lever body is closer to some other brake levers than the earlier Universal brakes, maybe some after market hoods will fit.
Since the shape of the lever body is closer to some other brake levers than the earlier Universal brakes, maybe some after market hoods will fit.
10-04-16, 03:21 PM
#20
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Makes sense. Here is a picture of the lever and housing.
10-05-16, 04:46 AM
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Styling and coolness often outweigh that! I would change the front derailleur only, that model flexes a bit more. And I am a sucker for chrome cages.
Styling. Do that, repack the bearings, change the saddle in the name of Styling and call it a bike, assuming the stem is the correct length, hope so as it is pantographed. Nice bike.
10-05-16, 06:52 AM
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I also have that exact bike. I fell in love with the looks and bought it online...it was my FIRST purchase of a "vintage" bike, and I'm pretty sure I overpaid. But I don't care, it was (and is) one of my favorite bikes to look at. Mine was all original and, for me, uncomfortable. At the time, I didn't know anything about fit...so I changed things trying to make it work for me. Nothing worked until I changed it into my commuter/townie bike. And now I love riding it to work.
I can tell you that the panto'd pieces are hard to find and fairly valuable...so hold on to them if you're going to change anything.
I can tell you that the panto'd pieces are hard to find and fairly valuable...so hold on to them if you're going to change anything.
10-05-16, 07:17 AM
#25
Old guy on a Bike
Thread Starter
Great advice all. Thank you. I'll stick some hoods on the Universals and dream about changing them out to Campagnolo drilled levers/hoods--for the 'cool" affect. I rode another 10 miles yesterday and she eats up the ground...comfortable fit and solid ride. This weekend I'll put some serious miles on it and see how we get along!