Confirm Identity of a Ciocc MiniMax
11-14-08, 08:21 AM
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Confirm Identity of a Ciocc MiniMax
I was hoping someone could help confirm the identity of this frame, or possibly even post a photo of another just like it. I’ve always been a bit unsettled about this frame because I’m not sure as to the precise frame model…it didn’t come with a Columbus sticker on the frame (only the fork has Columbus stickers). Though it matches pretty well, and both were in absolute NOS condition when I acquired them, I’m not sure that the fork is original to this frame.
The frame does have the Ciocc “Made in Italy” sticker. Otherwise, the only identifying marks are the painted Ciocc logos (white, fading to pink) and a pantograhped Ciocc bottom bracket. The workmanship is impeccable. The serial number begins with “93” followed by a space and then three additional numbers, so I assume it was manufactured in 1993. The tubes are definitely oval shaped, in opposing directions at either end. I own another frame (not a Ciocc) made from MAX tubing and, in comparison, I’m absolutely positive this is not a MAX frame…the tubes are skinnier than MAX. In fact, this frame was sold to me one year ago as a MiniMax frame, but I’ve never seen a photo of any other road bike made from MiniMax.
Because it lacks a Columbus frame sticker, I was once told it could be a “respray” (i.e., a repaint because it was scratched at a warehouse). This fellow advised me to simply build it up and enjoy it, which I have (all vintage 1993 C-Record)...the ride is first-rate! Unfortunately, my bike collection revolves around various classic Columbus tube types of the late 1980s and early 1990s, so I'd like to resolve the precise identity of this frame.
Can someone identify this frame, or post a photo of one of its brothers/sisters? I’m aware of a very similar Ciocc frame currently on e-bay (a red Genius). Though similar, they aren’t identical (e.g., the brake mounts differ).
A website called bikepedia shows a listing (but no photos) for a Ciocc model (1996) with the frame made from “Columbus Mini-MAX” and the fork made from “Columbus EL Nivacrom, unicrown crown”…frame construction is listed as “fillet brazed steel” with the only color option listed as “purple”. So the color is true to this website listing, though my frame was likely made in 1993 due to the serial number, however, my assumption regarding that might be incorrect.
Finally, if it’s MiniMax tubing, I’d also like to see examples of authentic Columbus MiniMax stickers. I’ve purchased reproduction MiniMax stickers on e-Bay, but realized when I received them that the border was black, not red like the Columbus stickers on the fork. That’s the main reason I haven’t yet applied an aftermarket MiniMax sticker to the frame.
I can follow up with more detailed photos, if necessary. Thanks for any help.
The frame does have the Ciocc “Made in Italy” sticker. Otherwise, the only identifying marks are the painted Ciocc logos (white, fading to pink) and a pantograhped Ciocc bottom bracket. The workmanship is impeccable. The serial number begins with “93” followed by a space and then three additional numbers, so I assume it was manufactured in 1993. The tubes are definitely oval shaped, in opposing directions at either end. I own another frame (not a Ciocc) made from MAX tubing and, in comparison, I’m absolutely positive this is not a MAX frame…the tubes are skinnier than MAX. In fact, this frame was sold to me one year ago as a MiniMax frame, but I’ve never seen a photo of any other road bike made from MiniMax.
Because it lacks a Columbus frame sticker, I was once told it could be a “respray” (i.e., a repaint because it was scratched at a warehouse). This fellow advised me to simply build it up and enjoy it, which I have (all vintage 1993 C-Record)...the ride is first-rate! Unfortunately, my bike collection revolves around various classic Columbus tube types of the late 1980s and early 1990s, so I'd like to resolve the precise identity of this frame.
Can someone identify this frame, or post a photo of one of its brothers/sisters? I’m aware of a very similar Ciocc frame currently on e-bay (a red Genius). Though similar, they aren’t identical (e.g., the brake mounts differ).
A website called bikepedia shows a listing (but no photos) for a Ciocc model (1996) with the frame made from “Columbus Mini-MAX” and the fork made from “Columbus EL Nivacrom, unicrown crown”…frame construction is listed as “fillet brazed steel” with the only color option listed as “purple”. So the color is true to this website listing, though my frame was likely made in 1993 due to the serial number, however, my assumption regarding that might be incorrect.
Finally, if it’s MiniMax tubing, I’d also like to see examples of authentic Columbus MiniMax stickers. I’ve purchased reproduction MiniMax stickers on e-Bay, but realized when I received them that the border was black, not red like the Columbus stickers on the fork. That’s the main reason I haven’t yet applied an aftermarket MiniMax sticker to the frame.
I can follow up with more detailed photos, if necessary. Thanks for any help.
11-14-08, 10:46 AM
#2
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Hrm, I cannot add any input about this frame, unfortunately, but I would like to see some pics of the bike built up 
The decals are very nice and more "cartoonish" than I have seen on other Cioccs. My understanding of the Ciocc legacy is that the name changed hands in the early '90s so that may be why there is a bit of mytery surrounding some of their output at the time.
The decals are very nice and more "cartoonish" than I have seen on other Cioccs. My understanding of the Ciocc legacy is that the name changed hands in the early '90s so that may be why there is a bit of mytery surrounding some of their output at the time.
11-14-08, 11:17 AM
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Only Three Decals On This Frame...
There are only three decals on this frame...the two Columbus decals on the fork and the "Made in Italy - Ciocc" sticker on the frame. All the remaining Ciocc logos (white to pink fade), including the one of the head tube, are painted...again, very nicely done.
12-30-08, 03:36 PM
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Bianchi Minimax Tifoso
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Bianchi Minimax Frame
Hi, just seen your bike, looks beautiful, lovely paintwork, I have a similar bike to yours, mines a Bianchi minimax in celeste, bought from ebay.
When I first took delivery I was very unsure of the origins of the frame, but because I believed it to be similar to Columbus EL, I bought it, now I find it isnt similar, only maybe in weight.
Minimax was the first nivacrom frameset made by Columbus, I confirmed what I had was minimax by trawling the web and finding references to what the frame should look like.
There are visual clues that cannot be replicated, or not very easily, these are the bottom bracket drainage hole, different makes have different shapes, minimax is quite easy to spot from shape of tubes, horizontal at the seat post, and vertical at headtube, seat stays and chain stays are also oval, no lugwork on the minimax, whereas the max tubes had quite intricate lugwork, anything pantographed would be very difficult to copy I would guess, weight of the frame should be about 1.7kg with forks for a 23.5" frame, ciocc been mid 90s italian will probably have italian bottom bracket, headtube, mine had fully chromed frame with paint over, which must of been expensive at the time.
When I first took delivery I was very unsure of the origins of the frame, but because I believed it to be similar to Columbus EL, I bought it, now I find it isnt similar, only maybe in weight.
Minimax was the first nivacrom frameset made by Columbus, I confirmed what I had was minimax by trawling the web and finding references to what the frame should look like.
There are visual clues that cannot be replicated, or not very easily, these are the bottom bracket drainage hole, different makes have different shapes, minimax is quite easy to spot from shape of tubes, horizontal at the seat post, and vertical at headtube, seat stays and chain stays are also oval, no lugwork on the minimax, whereas the max tubes had quite intricate lugwork, anything pantographed would be very difficult to copy I would guess, weight of the frame should be about 1.7kg with forks for a 23.5" frame, ciocc been mid 90s italian will probably have italian bottom bracket, headtube, mine had fully chromed frame with paint over, which must of been expensive at the time.
Last edited by dansenior; 02-12-09 at 05:27 PM.
