Confente #1

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12-30-16 | 09:43 PM

#76

BlueDevil63

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From: Eagle, CO

Bikes: too many or not enough

Quote:

Originally Posted by qcpmsame

Thought some of you may want to read this month's Pros' Closet article in Road Bike Action Magazine. Its written by Bruce Lin, pretty well done if brief. Its on Pp 63-65, with photographs, its a 58cm blue Confente Pro Strada, that PC has in its collection.

One thing in the article caught my attention, it has a spacer on the drive side fixed cup for the bottom bracket added, possibly due to the SR/NR spindle width problems, if I had to guess. Bruce commented that Mario would not allow such a band-aide fix to leave his shop, interesting that the spindle width problem wasn't mentioned there, if that is the case here. This article does have some interesting history/biography points about Mario and his time here in the USA, in it too

I am really amazed how similar my Medici is to the bike featured, not in its rarity or specialness (if I can make up the words as I go here,) but in the geometry and the lug shapes and features. Also, the components it has are close to the ones I chose to use on my build. Except for the SR rear derailleur and yellow bar tape, the two bikes are similar in appearance. Please note I only said similar here. Their valuation is $12,000 for the bike.

Bill

Well that sounds like the one they had on Ebay and that I had heard had been sold. I wonder if the article was written before they sold it?

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12-31-16 | 01:36 AM

#77

repechage

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueDevil63

Well that sounds like the one they had on Ebay and that I had heard had been sold. I wonder if the article was written before they sold it?

Mike Kone in a boulderbicycle email alluded to a bike that matched the Pro's Closet offering prior to the ebay listing. Also stated it would be featured in RBA magazine, the shoe fits save Mike's ultimate involvement it seems.

12-31-16 | 02:57 AM

#78

AustinFitz

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From: Bush, Louisiana

Bikes: 1984 Centurion Elite GT 15, 1985 Centurion Ironman Dave Scott, 1983 Diamond Back Ridge Runner, 1985 Mongoose ATB, 1987 Ross Centaur, 1986 Raleigh Marathon

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngryFrankie

Some of you must have seen the enigmatic Alexi Grewal's post on FB recently, of 2 Confentes hanging from the rafters of his basement. They were sort of teaser photos and he didn't seem to be ready to elaborate.

Here's a link to that post. I just came across it scrolling through FB.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/42851702426/permalink/10154878298072427/?sale_post_id=10154878298072427

Last edited by AustinFitz; 12-31-16 at 03:01 AM.

12-31-16 | 06:05 AM

#79

Vonruden

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Joined: Mar 2012

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From: Ocean County, NJ

Bikes: Looking for a Baylis or Wizard in 59-62cm range

Nice Confente track bike and a few other beauties from 2012 Le Cirque

Bikeville thoughts: Bikes from Cirque, Part 1

12-31-16 | 07:39 AM

#80

rootboy

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From: Wherever

Quote:

Originally Posted by satbuilder

I always like looking at your bikes. Nice!

You said it. Blue Devil has some of the nicest bikes ever. Good to see you post again BD63.
I guess it took a post about Confente to draw you out again. ;>

12-31-16 | 07:51 AM

#81

qcpmsame

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueDevil63

Well that sounds like the one they had on Ebay and that I had heard had been sold. I wonder if the article was written before they sold it?

This was my initial thought, and after reading the posts here, and then Bruce's article, I thought that it might well be one in the same. If you guys, especially BD63 and repechage think so I am convinced. Just seemed fitting that our discussion was ongoing when this article showed up as I opened the new edition of RBA yesterday when I got the mail in.

@BlueDevil63, I'll echo Rootboy's post, its nice to see you reply, and as said, your bikes are truly stunning to see. Thanks for sharing them with us again. Don't be a stranger.

Bill

Last edited by qcpmsame; 12-31-16 at 08:37 AM.

12-31-16 | 08:35 AM

#82

BlueDevil63

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From: Eagle, CO

Bikes: too many or not enough

Thanks for the kind words. I've been away for awhile. Got vectored off into cars and motorcycles for awhile and then a long hard move and construction projects. Now living in the Colorado mountains. I scaled back the collection for the move, to only Italian bikes (well except for the Zeus, one California Masi and the Confente) from the late 60s to early 80s. Sold about 15 bikes that didn't fit the criteria or that were duplicates. I've got a new shop set up now and have been searching for specific bikes to fill out the collection. Looks like I might have found one just yesterday so I might have something new to show soon. I'm also working on a Colnago project to showcase a 6 arm crankset and some other pantographed Colnago bits. I really enjoy this community even if I am not posting as much.

12-31-16 | 08:39 AM

#83

qcpmsame

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I'll be looking forward to seeing the Colnago, the 6 arm spider on a crankset is one I want to know more about. They are scarcer than molars and incisors on female poultry. Great to be reading your posts, and seeing your bikes again.

Bill

12-31-16 | 08:57 AM

#84

BlueDevil63

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From: Eagle, CO

Bikes: too many or not enough

Quote:

Originally Posted by KonAaron Snake

I REALLY wish you hadn't reminded me about this one! I came across it a bit ago...decided to sleep on it...forgot about it...

Price seems pretty reasonable considering.

Quote:

Originally Posted by satbuilder

I know it's going off track here, but do you have any experience with the ride quality of Colner? Aside from the spade cutouts, to me, they look identical to Colnago Supers. Thinking of building one someday.

15 years ago a Confente could have been had for $3000-5000, if memory serves. They have jumped considerably since, understandable considering the rarity, and build quality. They are attractive bikes, however there are other builders from that time and earlier whose bikes are every bit as well built. I can't comment on ride quality, as I don't have them all. But I'm working on it...

I'd be more inclined to pick up this frame. Even with NOS parts, I'd still be ahead of the game.

De Rosa Strada frame ca. 1972 Campagnolo dropouts | eBay

Sorry guys I just picked up that DeRosa. Been shopping for an early 70s DeRosa for a LONG time. Kept passing them up because I thought people were asking too much. Came to realize that is just where the prices are now. This one is a beautiful restoration, is my size and my favorite color.

12-31-16 | 09:07 AM

#85

satbuilder

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From: Southern Maryland

Bikes: A few

Thank you! Now I don't have to fret over that any more!

Please share photos when you get it built. It's beautiful.

12-31-16 | 09:38 AM

#86

KonAaron Snake

Fat Guy on a Little Bike

Joined: Jun 2008

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From: Philadelphia, PA

Bikes: Two wheeled ones

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueDevil63

Congrats bd!! Truthfully, glad the temptation is removed.

It's a beautiful frame and fits your magnificent collection.

Quote:

Originally Posted by satbuilder

Thank you! Now I don't have to fret over that any more!

Please share photos when you get it built. It's beautiful.

Since you clearly need new temptation...

https://www.steel-vintage.com/pavarin...e-1970s-detail

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Last edited by KonAaron Snake; 12-31-16 at 09:45 AM.

12-31-16 | 10:03 AM

#87

BlueDevil63

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From: Eagle, CO

Bikes: too many or not enough

Quote:

Originally Posted by KonAaron Snake

Congrats bd!! Truthfully, glad the temptation is removed.

It's a beautiful frame and fits your magnificent collection.

Since you clearly need new temptation...

Steel Vintage Bikes - Pavarin Special Classic Road Bike 1970s

I'd been watching that DeRosa frame for awhile. Kept trying to come to terms with the price and that that was probably just the kind of money I was going to have to pay for an early 70s DeRosa if I really wanted one (and I did). Now time to shop for DeRosa pantographed parts from a similar era.

The Pavarin is too small. The only way I keep things in check is to only buy bikes that fit me (unless they are a clearly obvious flip candidate). So only from about 56cm to 60cm. 56 is kind of small and 60 is kind of large but it is a reasonable range that helps limit my ambition.

Still searching for a Galmozzi, maybe a Grandis or Picchio. Especially searching for an early Masi, a Speciale most likely, in something near to my size and decent condition (or a restoration). And I'd still like to find a decent early 70s Colnago Super.

Last edited by BlueDevil63; 12-31-16 at 10:19 AM.

12-31-16 | 10:07 AM

#88

repechage

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueDevil63

Looks like I might have found one just yesterday so I might have something new to show soon. I'm also working on a Colnago project to showcase a 6 arm crankset and some other pantographed Colnago bits. I really enjoy this community even if I am not posting as much.

The DeRosa you caught is my favorite era. Not many of them around. At the time in the USA it was only Talbot's in Palo Alto that was the only shop I knew of bringing them in. They priced them accordingly, making price a feature.

The 6 arm Colnago crank has grown on me. I like mine now, at first as the small ring was a 40t. It is mounted on a bike a bit too early for it but hey, looks in concert. The chance of locating replacement chainrings is nil, but I still use it. I would like to find a 36t inner ring... That might be a commission replica job one day.

12-31-16 | 10:12 AM

#89

satbuilder

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From: Southern Maryland

Bikes: A few

Quote:

Originally Posted by KonAaron Snake

Or this one:

LEANDRO De Franceschi Columbus SL Campagnolo LUIGI SCORZA bike | eBay

12-31-16 | 11:35 AM

#90

KonAaron Snake

Fat Guy on a Little Bike

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 15,946

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From: Philadelphia, PA

Bikes: Two wheeled ones

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueDevil63

I have a few of those check boxes ticked

I'm especially fond of the Picchio.

As for the De Rosa's price, i was surprised it didn't sell before actually...how many do you see?

A: Not very many.

Quote:

Originally Posted by satbuilder

Or this one:

LEANDRO De Franceschi Columbus SL Campagnolo LUIGI SCORZA bike | eBay

That is something! Not familiar with the builder, but I like the details very much.

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Last edited by KonAaron Snake; 12-31-16 at 11:56 AM.

12-31-16 | 11:51 AM

#91

repechage

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At last year's Eroica California Swap there was a Picchio frame and fork for sale... My size, a dark opaque orange-red, showing experience, a later one with the short rear dropouts... $400. I was tempted, but I already had purchased a NOS headset, a few Regina freewheels... And told myself I had to finish some pending projects.

I did get a free Hi-E front wheel death skewer as a gift with a purchase! Well, not the definite killer one as this had a steel rod, the earlier ones of all aluminum... Super Danger.

12-31-16 | 01:55 PM

#92

crank_addict

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Great conversation here and nice of those sharing firsthand experience. Enjoying more about the bike, storyline and less about valuation.

Being Confente's are purely custom, what were his parameters on fitting an individual to a frameset?

Since he personally built for Eddy, could only imagine those two in discussion.

12-31-16 | 02:09 PM

#93

BlueDevil63

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From: Eagle, CO

Bikes: too many or not enough

Here is the form you had to fill out and the frame specification. I got all the original documentation when I bought my Confente.

12-31-16 | 07:22 PM

#94

repechage

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You, well at least me, did not tell Mario specifics, other than road, sprint or pursuit.
He took your measures, you got what he felt you needed.
Now, after he had seen you riding his frame and from feedback, the Next one might be different.
Forgot, if your current mount was about he would look at you on that, maybe take a measure that interested him.

12-31-16 | 07:56 PM

#95

Bikerider007

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From: AZ/WA

Bikes: Yes

A nice Galmozzi is on my short wish list. And a Hetchins. This number one serial would have left me sleepless if it were my size. I would have made an offer. I showed my wife and she shrugged, that just makes it worse as that pretty much means permission, or at least not a no

Things happen, or not for a reason.

That guy was 5'11 1/2" and wore size 9.5 shoes.

01-01-17 | 10:31 PM

#96

crank_addict

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Happened to come across another article of the red #24 track w/ front brake. Courtesy of Italian Cycling Journal / 2010

ITALIAN CYCLING JOURNAL: March 2010

Six time World Bowling Champion from the Philippines, and holder of three Guinness world records, Paeng Nepomuceno recently sold his Confente track bike. Paeng said, "It had been on display in my trophy room and I had not been using it anymore. I have been cycling for more than 20 years and cycling is part of my cross training and fitness program for stamina and leg strength which helps my bowling a lot."

Paeng originally purchased the bike from the well known Brian Baylis. Baylis recounts some of the history of the frame, "Here are the real answers to your questions. That is a real Confente, frame #24 from LA.....I intended to keep it in my collection....the bike is 61cm which I could never ride, but I wanted an example of Mario's work. It was made as a frame for stock in NJ, at Rexart Cyclery. It was intended to be a fixed gear road bike from the very beginning, it is not a converted track bike; although it was ridden on the track during it history."

01-02-17 | 01:39 AM

#97

merziac

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From: PDX

Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2

I think that would be Greg Diamond, although not sure if did cutout the BB.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rootboy

Mr. Confente's spade shaped cutouts are some of the best looking in bikedom.
Colnago got the clubs. DeRosa the heart. Who used the diamond, if anybody?

Not nearly as distinctive and desirable as the other three, I guess. A simple rhombus.