I have been very lucky the last few years, regarding Cinelli finds. First, I was lucky enough to score this blue Cinelli Mod B off this forum. I had long had a hankering for a Mod B, and have always considered it more attractive Cinelli. Just look at those lugs and crown! I was thrilled with the purchase, but it is just small enough that I haven't been thrilled with it for very long rides. I also often like to stop at farmers markets or bakeries during my rides, and I felt loathe to attach larger bags to this one. Still, it is a nice ride and is not going anywhere. I plan to build new wheels and get some better more appropriate tires on it between Christmas and New Years. I had a few spare sets of Japanese tires, which ride very nicely, but look a bit weird on this one.



A while later, I was waiting for my parents to get back to their house during a visit, and it happened to be my birthday, so I decided to peruse Ebay while I waited. I spotted this next bike in a size larger than the one above, and the auction was ending within minutes. While I was never a fan of the sloping fork crown, it was ending at a price that was too good to pass up, so I threw in a bid and won the auction. Since it was repainted and I hate the location of the downtube decal, I felt free to rebuild it mostly from spare parts, not caring much about keeping it "correct" at any point. Other than the brakes squealing like a banshee, it has been a good ride, but I have continued to want a larger Mod B. Yes, the brake cables are long, but I left that way to give me plenty of ability to adjust the cockpit, until I get it perfect. I also had thoughts of swapping out the bar/stem for Ambrosio and brakes for Balilla/Universal, until...




Enter this next frameset, which showed up at my door earlier in the week. I have not been so excited in a build for quite a long while and look forward to this one. I promise that I will make a better effort to making it period correct, with the liberty of modern rims. However, I won't let that hold me back from building it up for the earliest ride possible. I plan to build wheels for this one during my end of year break too.



In the near future, you may see me build it up with a much too new fluted seatpost, which came shimmed on my 1984 Fuji Professional Super Record. It may also have a few other parts that don't quite look the part, but I will be planning to address it all as I find what I want. Perhaps the Chicago Winter Swap fortunes will shine on me. While most of us are disappointed with lower prices for these older bikes, I do feel that I likely would not have been able to afford any of these 5-10 years ago.

Wheels - to be built, unless I stumble upon something worthwhile before the end of the month. I have high flange record hubs, but might need to seek out some Gran Sport hubs.
bar/stem - Ambrosio, likely. I also have a spare Cinelli stem that I could use.
seatpillar - ?, but I have a fluted seatpost to use for now.
saddle - ?. I might actually be out of Brooks saddles. I have a nice Fujita Professional though, so maybe I will be swapping saddles around, to free up something for this one.
rear derailleur - Gran Sport. I really wanted to use a Record, but I did not easily find what I wanted.
front derailleur - Simplex 22d is planned and a purchase has been agreed upon.
crankset/bb - undecided, but I went ahead and agreed on a Stronglight cottered crankset. I am not entirely convinced if I will use it for this, but it may work out well as a short term option.
pedals - Sheffield sprint or W.A. pedals that I have on hand.
brakes - Mafac, Balilla, or Universal centerpulls. I had recently bought Balilla script centerpulls for the SC, because I felt weird about the Mafacs, but I may use them here.

When it rains, it pours.

Always loved that Cinelli red.

I like what you did with the pale yellow one even though the components are not "correct."
Interesting handlebar bag- what is it, and what is the support bracket?

Yes, sometimes they show up in clusters.
a Simplex 22d… that is a long reach down, start stretching now.

the pale yellow bike could do with a revised downtube graphics location. Decisions were made. Possible clear coat trapped.

i have a project that surprised me with requiring a 27.0 post, very sure what came with the frame set and nearly all parts as original, a Campagnolo shorty with the small text on the aft side. Marginal to have the short post work.
found a slightly younger Superleggero, regular length and very fair landed cost. Done.
wont pass concours judging but hey, I do have the original should I want.
And its Lighter weight.
note, the very early Superleggero posts DID use the small text. Would not believed until I had one in hand. I thought later.

At first, I believed it was a repaint. Now I am not so certain. I think I still prefer the blue. If I could just grow it a little.

I bought the set used, but I think it was a Rivendell bag and it is a Nitto F-15 bag support. I like it quite a bit. I never put anything heavy in it to affect the steering, but the volume is quite large. The rear bag is superfluous, and will be removed.

The decals are on the paint. I can peel it off if I want. I've debated ordering a replacement, but I just haven't cared enough to think that is worth the $40+shipping to me. I'm not as attached to that bike, even though it is generally the more desirable option. If I like the red B as much as I hope I will, then I may part with the SC. I'll give myself a year or two to decide on that.

As for the reach, I have unusually long arms and a longer than average torso. I'm not at an age where I mind reaching down, and it makes the ride a bit more interesting, as well as a fun conversation topic with curious strangers. .

That's an embarrassment of riches you have there, my friend. Particularly like that red frame. If you got a spare Cinelli in the 60-62 cm range, I'm happy to help ease your burden over there.

By the way, is that the Fox River in the photos?

Amazing bikes!

looks like a German market 60's model B, which have the visible differences compared to other model Bs.

Yes, that is the Fox river.

Both Bs are from Germany.

So how do the two Cinellis you've had for some time compare riding wise to the Fuji Pro? I'd also think that Pro is a much rarer find than the Cinellis, but what do I know?

I don't think it is fair to compare a frame from the 60's to one from the mid-80's. I prefer riding the larger Cinelli for longer rides and it has room for wider tires. The Fuji P.S.R. definitely feels faster, but not as comfortable.

If I had to race a shorter race, I'd go with the Fuji over the Cinelli. If I needed to ride a century, I'd pick the larger Cinelli over the Fuji. Both the Fuji and the blue B are on the small side, fwiw.

If I had to compare the Cinelli to a Fuji, it is more like The Newest.

Jeez. it's getting so you you can't swing a dead cat around here without hitting another Cinelli . . . .