3alarmer 

.
...I dimly recall reading something about these in some dingy corner of the internet, about the contract builder, but I can't find it. Which is no big deal, because contract built frames that are not credited are sort of par for the course from this period in Italy.

If you look here, you'll see that for about the first ten years he owned the company, Colombo was trying to steer it in the direction of more American market share. I think this frame is from about the end of that, when he finally decided the real future of the company lay in going for a more high end, exclusive nature, and all the art philosophy started showing up in their advertising. Anyway, there's nothing at all second rate about Cromor tubing, IMO. I have several frames made from it, and I can't really say it makes a difference in the way they feel or handle on the road. They just cost a little less to make and buy at the time. Yours has a nice mix of components, but if it doesn't really fit you, I wouldn't think twice about stripping them off and selling on the frame.

Frames that almost, but don't quite fit you are vexatious things to have around.


^^^sometime around 1979 or 1980. Note the variety in the product line.

N2deep

Beautiful Bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're a lucky man!!

panzerwagon 

Fantastic link and TIL, thanks. I didn't even know they made BMX frames. Never seen one of those in the wild...

3alarmer 

...IKR ? I have yet to see my first Cinelli mountain bike in person, yet I'm told they were made in quantity for a number of years.

microcord

I've got one myself and I do like the ride, what's left of the periwinkle blue colour, and the ample clearance for 28 mm tyres.

I'm not competent to judge the craftsmanship; but I'm mightily unimpressed by

• the varying glossiness of what remains of the periwinkle blue
• the proneness to flake off of said remains
• the zig-zags and black splodges (both of which look to me like the lamest attempts to be "artistic" or "exciting" or both) that disfigure the periwinkle blue
• the dull slogan along the top tube (my own was worn off and painted over by a previous owner, I'm glad to say)
• the rust-inviting top-tube holes for the brake cable (a crap solution to a non-existent problem)

I'm also not qualified to compare one tubeset and another, but I think I've read that Cromor was used for frames for heavier riders. If so, that might somehow square with the keep-fit slogan along the top tube.

To me, it's a bike that cries out for good Suntour parts. As these can be expensive or elusive where I happen to be, I settled for new Japanese parts. I like the result. Perhaps one day I'll have the frame powdercoated in periwinkle blue; and I might even get a proper headbadge and think of some wittier Latin to go along the top tube.

smd4

Probably best to sell the frame to someone who would appreciate it.

microcord

Oh I do appreciate it, despite its shortcomings. It and I have been on some memorable adventures. (Shibu pass, for one.)

smd4

Hard to tell, when all you do is list its shortcomings and threaten to dress it in Suntour.

panzerwagon 

As much as I love this frame, I have to agree with this. Every time I replaced cables over the years, the top tube cable has always emerged rust-covered, and I’ve never stored it outdoors or ridden in a downpour. I’m very much not a fan of internal cable routing for steel frames.

CriticalThought — I would definitely get that cable out and inspect the area.

CriticalThought

Good call panzerwagon !

CriticalThought

I like seeing the Cinelli logos in the lugs, but I don't recognize the letters on the brake bridge. Anyone know? Looks like something... DEP?

Dylansbob 

They do apparently exist, probably all NOS like this one.
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