OK to request help identifying a mid-90s bike?
08-26-21, 08:14 PM
#1
Eurotrash bikes
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 39
Bikes: 1993 Bianchi EL OS; random build PureFix fixed gear; 1968 Schwinn Racer 3-speed; 2019 Vitus Energie CRX; mid-90s Boss Hogg 24" BMX; 1999 Free Agent Team Limo; mid-1990s Virginia (model unknown); early 2000s? Fondriest Top Lite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
OK to request help identifying a mid-90s bike?
I want to make sure and not be asking about a bicycle that is "too modern" for the thread & anger the community.
I have lurked the BF forums for years but always quietly & only have 5 posts. I need to round out my 10 to geet to actually post the info & images.
Please let me know if somewhat obscure, 90s eyetalyan stuff is correct here or if there's an better forum to ask within.
I have lurked the BF forums for years but always quietly & only have 5 posts. I need to round out my 10 to geet to actually post the info & images.
Please let me know if somewhat obscure, 90s eyetalyan stuff is correct here or if there's an better forum to ask within.
08-26-21, 08:15 PM
#2
The dropped
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 2,339
Bikes: Pake C'Mute Touring/Commuter Build, 1989 Kona Cinder Cone, 1995 Trek 5200, 1973 Raleigh Super Course FG, 1960/61 Montgomery Ward Hawthorne "thrift" 3 speed, by Hercules : 1966 Schwinn Deluxe Racer (sold)
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1692 Post(s)
Liked 962 Times
in
663 Posts
I want to make sure and not be asking about a bicycle that is "too modern" for the thread & anger the community.
I have lurked the BF forums for years but always quietly & only have 5 posts. I need to round out my 10 to geet to actually post the info & images.
Please let me know if somewhat obscure, 90s eyetalyan stuff is correct here or if there's an better forum to ask within.
I have lurked the BF forums for years but always quietly & only have 5 posts. I need to round out my 10 to geet to actually post the info & images.
Please let me know if somewhat obscure, 90s eyetalyan stuff is correct here or if there's an better forum to ask within.
Likes For Unca_Sam:
08-26-21, 08:20 PM
#3
Eurotrash bikes
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 39
Bikes: 1993 Bianchi EL OS; random build PureFix fixed gear; 1968 Schwinn Racer 3-speed; 2019 Vitus Energie CRX; mid-90s Boss Hogg 24" BMX; 1999 Free Agent Team Limo; mid-1990s Virginia (model unknown); early 2000s? Fondriest Top Lite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Thanks Unca_Sam. I'll give it a shot.
08-26-21, 08:23 PM
#4
Eurotrash bikes
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 39
Bikes: 1993 Bianchi EL OS; random build PureFix fixed gear; 1968 Schwinn Racer 3-speed; 2019 Vitus Energie CRX; mid-90s Boss Hogg 24" BMX; 1999 Free Agent Team Limo; mid-1990s Virginia (model unknown); early 2000s? Fondriest Top Lite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
BTW, Unca_Sam, I like the Arthur/The Moth. Also, I'll have to go check out your '66 Racer Deluxe & see how much nicer it is than my regular ol' '68 Racer.
Likes For soulmango:
08-26-21, 08:26 PM
#5
Humble Administrator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,872
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR gravel Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 56 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2896 Post(s)
Liked 5,379 Times
in
3,146 Posts
__________________
Likes For cb400bill:
08-26-21, 08:36 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 537
Bikes: None in ridable condition
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 135 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
166 Posts
It looks like a post Orazio Grenzi Virginia, so it should have come out of Luciano Paletti's shop.
Likes For MauriceMoss:
08-26-21, 09:16 PM
#7
Senior Member
Mid 90’s bikes are all over this forum. That is one cool bike and now I have a new itch to scratch. Virginia!
__________________
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
08-26-21, 09:51 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 8,780
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Mentioned: 65 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2556 Post(s)
Liked 2,080 Times
in
1,353 Posts
That bike is in the wrong state.
08-26-21, 10:24 PM
#9
Eurotrash bikes
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 39
Bikes: 1993 Bianchi EL OS; random build PureFix fixed gear; 1968 Schwinn Racer 3-speed; 2019 Vitus Energie CRX; mid-90s Boss Hogg 24" BMX; 1999 Free Agent Team Limo; mid-1990s Virginia (model unknown); early 2000s? Fondriest Top Lite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
You're a good one, cb400bill (and which era CB400 are you?)
08-27-21, 02:18 AM
#10
(rhymes with spook)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,795
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 740 Times
in
546 Posts
08-27-21, 04:34 AM
#11
Humble Administrator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,872
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR gravel Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 56 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2896 Post(s)
Liked 5,379 Times
in
3,146 Posts
08-28-21, 04:56 PM
#12
Eurotrash bikes
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 39
Bikes: 1993 Bianchi EL OS; random build PureFix fixed gear; 1968 Schwinn Racer 3-speed; 2019 Vitus Energie CRX; mid-90s Boss Hogg 24" BMX; 1999 Free Agent Team Limo; mid-1990s Virginia (model unknown); early 2000s? Fondriest Top Lite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Thank you to all who have helped already; getting an image up & chimed in before I was allowed to fully post.
Now I wanted to post more detailed photos in hopes of it striking the right memory to find out more about the bike...
This is a recent purchase for me from an Italian shop, but they hadn't had much information either. I thought it was still interesting enough & the equipment on it was also worthy. All Campy parts, Campy dropouts front/rear. Interesting mix of welds. And so on.
I contacted Frank @ Classic Steel Bikes hoping his knowledge would lead me further along, but he only had a couple of (helpful) thoughts quoted here:
"Hard to find any info about the Virginia brand indeed.
Virginia was and still is a bike shop in Modena, Italy. They didn't produce the frames themselves, the frames were made by various frame builders (all Italian)
Your bike is built with Mannesmann steel (very pure CroMo steel) and the frame building was done by Oria, Verona. Good quality tubing!! Nice detail is that your frame has the lugless TIG welded triangel and the solid luged bottom bracket pot for extra stiffness.
I would date this as an early 1990's frame?
Here some links you may like:
ciclivirginia.it
ITALIAN CYCLING JOURNAL: Oria Steel, Tubing for Frame Building"
I sent an email to Virginia Bici, but haven't heard back in the couple of weeks since. That's where I am hoping someone here may know a little bit more.
Just purchased an NOS ITM stem & new, current width bars so that now I can start & complete the refurb. Can't wait to ride it!
Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer their knowledge.
I know it can be polarizing, but I LOVE the color combo of the frame & could even deal with the bar tape if I was going to keep it, but going with perforated white leather on tape & this temp black Flite saddle until I can afford a white version.
Was thinking of going all white cabling too, but as these are all in good condition & I'm not needing to dump a bunch of unnecessary money into a non-necessity item, they'll stay black until the next full wire & cable redo.
The fades & stars are actual paint but the "Ettore A." is a sticker.
It's like a semi-hexagonal semi-round bottom bracket shell
Now I wanted to post more detailed photos in hopes of it striking the right memory to find out more about the bike...
This is a recent purchase for me from an Italian shop, but they hadn't had much information either. I thought it was still interesting enough & the equipment on it was also worthy. All Campy parts, Campy dropouts front/rear. Interesting mix of welds. And so on.
I contacted Frank @ Classic Steel Bikes hoping his knowledge would lead me further along, but he only had a couple of (helpful) thoughts quoted here:
"Hard to find any info about the Virginia brand indeed.
Virginia was and still is a bike shop in Modena, Italy. They didn't produce the frames themselves, the frames were made by various frame builders (all Italian)
Your bike is built with Mannesmann steel (very pure CroMo steel) and the frame building was done by Oria, Verona. Good quality tubing!! Nice detail is that your frame has the lugless TIG welded triangel and the solid luged bottom bracket pot for extra stiffness.
I would date this as an early 1990's frame?
Here some links you may like:
ciclivirginia.it
ITALIAN CYCLING JOURNAL: Oria Steel, Tubing for Frame Building"
I sent an email to Virginia Bici, but haven't heard back in the couple of weeks since. That's where I am hoping someone here may know a little bit more.
Just purchased an NOS ITM stem & new, current width bars so that now I can start & complete the refurb. Can't wait to ride it!
Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer their knowledge.
I know it can be polarizing, but I LOVE the color combo of the frame & could even deal with the bar tape if I was going to keep it, but going with perforated white leather on tape & this temp black Flite saddle until I can afford a white version.
Was thinking of going all white cabling too, but as these are all in good condition & I'm not needing to dump a bunch of unnecessary money into a non-necessity item, they'll stay black until the next full wire & cable redo.
The fades & stars are actual paint but the "Ettore A." is a sticker.
It's like a semi-hexagonal semi-round bottom bracket shell
Likes For soulmango:
08-28-21, 05:02 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,262
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super(2)Lemond Maillot Juane (2) & custom,PDG Paramount,Serotta CSI,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Prologue TT,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,Klein Quantum II
Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2148 Post(s)
Liked 3,466 Times
in
1,381 Posts
Man, no real information but that bike is a beauty. I saw another Virginia bike somewhere not that long ago. As a Virginia native it caught my eye but like you no real info other than it was a shop in Italy.
__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
Likes For jamesdak:
08-28-21, 05:36 PM
#15
Eurotrash bikes
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 39
Bikes: 1993 Bianchi EL OS; random build PureFix fixed gear; 1968 Schwinn Racer 3-speed; 2019 Vitus Energie CRX; mid-90s Boss Hogg 24" BMX; 1999 Free Agent Team Limo; mid-1990s Virginia (model unknown); early 2000s? Fondriest Top Lite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Likes For PilotFishBob:
08-28-21, 07:52 PM
#17
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 7,358
Bikes: Old school lightweights
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3162 Post(s)
Liked 4,732 Times
in
2,465 Posts
That bike is for lovers.
08-28-21, 08:04 PM
#18
Raging Suntourophile
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 4,040
Bikes: Schwinn Volare ('78); Raleigh Competition GS ('79)
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 764 Post(s)
Liked 671 Times
in
333 Posts
Congratulations on the finest
thread ever. 
__________________
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
08-28-21, 09:30 PM
#19
Humble Administrator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,872
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR gravel Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 56 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2896 Post(s)
Liked 5,379 Times
in
3,146 Posts
The best advice that I can offer is to clamp your bike to the work stand on the seat post, not the top tube
__________________
Likes For cb400bill:
08-28-21, 09:49 PM
#20
Eurotrash bikes
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 39
Bikes: 1993 Bianchi EL OS; random build PureFix fixed gear; 1968 Schwinn Racer 3-speed; 2019 Vitus Energie CRX; mid-90s Boss Hogg 24" BMX; 1999 Free Agent Team Limo; mid-1990s Virginia (model unknown); early 2000s? Fondriest Top Lite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
I completely agree. The clamp isn’t actually pinched/closed onto the tube. Only set it in there as the seatpost is in a temp torque so I could take the photos.
My other main riding bikes are a really thin-walled Bianchi EL-OS & a carbon-framed one so I’m generally clamped with the seatpost.
But I appreciate you keeping an eye out for the safety of it.
08-28-21, 09:50 PM
#21
Eurotrash bikes
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 39
Bikes: 1993 Bianchi EL OS; random build PureFix fixed gear; 1968 Schwinn Racer 3-speed; 2019 Vitus Energie CRX; mid-90s Boss Hogg 24" BMX; 1999 Free Agent Team Limo; mid-1990s Virginia (model unknown); early 2000s? Fondriest Top Lite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
08-28-21, 10:20 PM
#22
Eurotrash bikes
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 39
Bikes: 1993 Bianchi EL OS; random build PureFix fixed gear; 1968 Schwinn Racer 3-speed; 2019 Vitus Energie CRX; mid-90s Boss Hogg 24" BMX; 1999 Free Agent Team Limo; mid-1990s Virginia (model unknown); early 2000s? Fondriest Top Lite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
08-29-21, 04:56 AM
#23
Humble Administrator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,872
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR gravel Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 56 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2896 Post(s)
Liked 5,379 Times
in
3,146 Posts
08-29-21, 12:15 PM
#24
Eurotrash bikes
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 39
Bikes: 1993 Bianchi EL OS; random build PureFix fixed gear; 1968 Schwinn Racer 3-speed; 2019 Vitus Energie CRX; mid-90s Boss Hogg 24" BMX; 1999 Free Agent Team Limo; mid-1990s Virginia (model unknown); early 2000s? Fondriest Top Lite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
08-29-21, 01:34 PM
#25
Humble Administrator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,872
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR gravel Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 56 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2896 Post(s)
Liked 5,379 Times
in
3,146 Posts
