Viner Track bike...what kind of tubing!!?
 

Hey all..

I just got a bright yellow Viner track frame yesterday off of Craigslist. I think it's probably an early to mid-80's judging by the paint and funky decals. Anyway... I'm trying to figure out what kind of tubing it is. The decals say 'Special Professional'....so I'd assume that was their top-of the-line and maybe Columbus tubing but the seatpost is looking like about 26.4mm.. As far as I understand tubing...that would only suggest Vitus or possibly decent Japanese Tange or Ishiwata? I've heard that Reynold's 531 straight-gauge sometimes came in with 26.4...but that seems odd in an italian track bike, no? (Italian for huh?)

The seat tube outside diameter is about 27.0, so that makes the tubing only about .6 thick....and it is a pretty lightweight frame.

Also, this frame has no-name track dropouts (not a good sign?) and came to me with Sugino BB and Cycle Pro Italy headset that seem probably stock.

So if this is Tange or Ishiwata....then what the "heck" is a respected "Italian" frame maker doing putting it in thier flagship "Italian" track frame? (frame has Italy flag decals all over it) Maybe the name 'Viner' (veener) is suited?

Sorry about the rant but I'm tring to decide if this frame is worth putting my sheriff-star C-record track hubs on..

I had a Reynolds 531 track frame pass thru my hands that took a 26.4 seatpost. I guessed that the seat tube actually was straight gauge tubing, and as this was a big size, it might have been "best practice" to use that for a big track frame. I would guess that a Viner would be Columbus, and maybe has a straight-gauge Columbus seat tube? But there are cases of top Italian builders (Masi, Cinelli) building with 531, and Cinelli typically brazed an insert into the (Columbus) seat tube that reduced the ID and required a smaller diameter post, I think 26.4 was typical for them (experts will correct me I'm sure). I'd be surprised if a Viner is made with either Japanese brand tubing...given the JIS parts: the BB could be from a Sugino 75, not a cheap crank at all, but the headset sounds like a cheepo Miche rebranded...cheap but Italian.

I measured the BB shell and it is 70mm. Does that indicate the tubing is Japanese or just the BB shell?

japanese = 68mm. you have it backwards

that means the bike is Italian. Although I think swiss BBs are 70mm as well.

Oh great..now I'm really confused...
What Italian or Swiss tubing company made 27mm seattubes with 26.4 seatpost? Would Reynolds 531 Straight-gauge naturally come with a 70mm BB shell or can you use any BB shell with any tubing?

thanks
-C

a frame builder could build a bike with any tubing they want and use any BB shell size. 68mm is british road size and what all japanese, english and north american bikes use (to the best of my knowledge). Sorry I can't help with the tubing but I think this one might be for the CR list.

Thanks Cyclotoine...

Also to note: the right chainstay on this frame has no indentation or dimple on the bridge like I've seen on Reynolds chainstays. The chainstays on this frame are just oval and symetrical.

Hmm so a chainstay with an indentation indicates Reynolds? I just bought a Ross Professional bike the guy claimed was Reynolds 851 or whatever that number is, but the sticker is gone ( can still see stickyness though). It has that indentation you spoke of though. Also I haev a colnago super with the same deal. Never knew what kind of tubing that is either. Anyone know what a colnago super from 1978/80 would be?

My straight gauge 531 Falcon takes a 26.6 seat post, and has no chainstay dent either. Just an FYI

Why don't you fire off an e-mail to Viner - they are still a going concern: http://www.viner.it Maybe someone there can give you the specs.

Didn't see this thread till now, but I have an '85 Viner Special Professional (not a track frame, just horizontal drop outs) and it is made from Columbus SL tubing with campy drops front and back. The sticker just says Columbus but i've been told from several sources that the top of the line viners of that era were SL.