Pearson or Cinelli?
 

I just purchased a frameset that has vinyl decals with "Pearson" on the all the tubes and a "P" on the head tube. I can't find much of anything on Pearson bikes and the frame has "Cinelli" on the bottom bracket. The dropouts (rear and fork) are Columbus but there are no other identifying marks to determine the steel type or manufacturer of the bike. The BB does have a four number Serial Number "3879".

1) Is the frameset Pearson or Cinelli?
2) Pearson frameset with Cinelli BB and lugs?
3) If the dropouts are Columbus, is it likely the tubes, stays, and fork are also Columbus?

The frame with the Campagnolo headset weigh 6.02 pounds with a 55cm top tube and 57cm seat tube.

I'd post pics of it but I have not reached 10 post yet.

Cinelli BB's were used on zillions of frames. Add some pics to an album on your profile page, they may get moved here.

Respond to all posts and replies here to get to 10, it may take 2 days X 5 to get there.

And welcome aboard, glad you found us. :thumb:

1) We’d need to see some photos. Upload them to your album. Probably not a Cinelli though.
2) Most likely
3) Not necessarily. I have a Reynolds 525 frame with Columbus dropouts.

Thanks for the information. I looked but couldn't figure out how to create an album in my profile but I only need one more post to reach 10 so I'll post directly here shortly.

I'll post some pics here directly since this should be my 10th post! Thanks!

Here are the pics of the frameset. There are a few of them as I received it with the rest being after a good cleaning and some light wet sanding. Sadly, the frame was abused for many years, so there are some deep cuts/scratches in the paint that will always be there. Luckily it's former glory does show through now.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8e3dc692d8.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...854d40c1e9.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a37cf2ca5e.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ffda0949ed.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cf23fb8e3f.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...abf6e4527e.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...68dde1f4ff.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...02ef973454.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d36e4a819d.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d55e7b057a.jpg

"PEARSON" stickers appear to be diecut vinyl so likely not original (unless this builder had a very tight budget). Could have been bought from any sign shop that had a plotter cutter, might have been the previous owner's name but suppose it could be possibly a housebrand sold by that London (or Sutton) shop linked above, but not sure what frames they might have sold there in the '80s.
To me this has all the earmarks of a contract-built Italian frame/fork circa early to mid-80s, with the Cinelli CCM BB shell, Columbus DOs and ends, and Prugnat lugs. could have been from some shop like Vetta or a handful of others, but noting the plain domed stay and blade ends it was not fussed over by the builder.
What's the seat post size and what BB threading?

Definitely NOT a Cinelli, as others have said, but the metalwork is VERY nice. Rust around the edges indicates it'll need a refinish.

I haven't checked the seat post diameter yet. Will tomomorrow and get back to you. The BB, I believe is Italian since I tried fitting an English BB and it wouldn't thread in.
Can you elaborare a bit on the "domed" stay and blade ends not being fussed over?

I think I'm going to retain the paint and find a touch-up paint that closely matches to repair the finish after treating the small rust spots. Despite the multiple cuts the paint is in decent condition and beautiful.

The diecut vinyl decals are what made me think it's not a Pearson but something else. That along with the Cinelli BB and columbus dropouts. I wish there was a way to figure out the serial number and which company it matches with.

Did you contact Pearson's and ask them if they have records?

some tubesets came with the ends of stays and forkblades "domed" so if a builder wanted quick results he just used them as-supplied.
But many builders re-cut, filed, shaped those ends to add their own individual touches and when present it's more clues to establish the identity of a frame that's otherwise unmarked.
From what I can see of the craftsmanship there's nothing wrong with this frame. There's no chrome which sometimes connotes a lower-than-top-of-range model, the seatpost size (27.2 or smaller) could be another clue as to what tubing was used.
Another thing to check is if you see 5 spiral "rifled" ridges in the inside butt of the fork steerer.

[MENTION=551085]ArchaeoCyclist[/MENTION]

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c93269c4c.jpeg

The die cut livery is original Pearson, it appears they do their own, here's another example the same as yours that must be original as most of there designs seem to be in house design and made.

%99 certain its a Pearson, I would have already contacted them.

They have serious history, some of the longest running, serious history, can't believe this is the first time I know of that we're talking about them.

I am very envious of you finding one.

Assume you have googled them already but just in case.

https://www.pearson1860.com/

That does look identical. Now I just need to identify the tubing!

I'll have to send them an email and see if they have any further information on that specific frame and what components it was built up with originally! Thanks for all the help.

I never knew that about the stays and forkblades. Of course I still have a lot to learn about steel bikes. The seatpost diamter is 26.4 and I checked for the spirals in the fork steerer and there are none. I'm going to contact Pearson to see if they have any information on the frame itself.

I have not but am about to do just that!

well very interesting to learn this is branded by them (Pearson) with diecut vinyl they produced: that's going to simplify your search for the provenance dramatically!
When you make contact, ask them what tubing was used: the 26.4 seat post (if correct size) would generally be one used with seamless DB tubing in a METRIC set, but AFA I can see that Cinelli BB shell does not have "French" in the casting (typically just below the the main rectangle with the Cinelli logo), so...it's mysterious.
A post that size with Imperial tubing would indicate a pretty heavy gauge, at least for the seat tube, or the builder put the tube in upside down and there's a butted section at the top. This has happened before, but it's a mistake.
I'd guess maybe the seat post is too small, but if so could be as much as almost a full mm (27.2 is the "usual" for DB 531 or Columbus SLseat tube), which you'd notice with a seriously pinched seat lug slot