Ciocc - final
 

So, after hanging in the garage rafters for 2 years (see THIS thread), I have finally built up this frame set.

I wasn't really planning to, and it wasn't really on my mind. I have enough bikes, you see. But then khatfull comes along and posts a link to inexpensive bar tape. I need some, so off I go.

I browsed for the tape, and noticed that shipping was free for orders over $100. So I casually browsed for other stuff I might need. I came across the Swiss DT rims on sale and, since I had a set of nice Chorus hubs that weren't doing anything, into the basket they went. Making the $100 with ease, I checked out.

Well, the rims show up, and they are nice. The hubs are sitting on my desk practically shouting at me, so during a lull at work I call my favorite LBS. They say they are slow right now, so if I bring them in I can have a nice hand built set of wheels the next day. So, I do just that.

The next day I pick up a beautiful set of custom wheels, but now I have a problem. All my bikes already have wheels. What to do, what to do. Hey - I have a frame set that's been sitting around for almost a couple of years now - Bingo! Rooting around in my parts bins, I discover I have more than enough to build it up right now. So, I do.

I finish the bike build on Friday, wrap the bars on Saturday, and spend all day Sunday riding it. 60 miles and 5,000' of climbing without issue. Long slow climbs, twisty-turny descents, a 50mph plunge to the valley floor, pace-lining at 20+mph, and a 1 mile double digit climb. I'm beat, but the bike did well...... and boy-howdy does it turn quick.

Got more than a few compliments on it, too. That's always a good thing.

Anyway, it's done, and I like the way it came out. I know a lot of you purists are going to have issues, especially with the wheel-set. But I like the way they look, and they are rock-solid. Some of you that know me might see some differences between this build and my others - what can say - I decided to try something different, and these were the parts that were on-hand.

It should be noted that this is a parts-bin bike. With the exception of the rims and spokes, everything on this bike was squirreled away in my garage somewhere. Frame-set, tires, hubs, saddle - everything. And that's why khatfull is to blame :) - the rims were the missing part to the puzzle. Besides spending money on the rims, spokes, and wheel build, it didn't require any additional cash outlay.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t.../Ciocc-9-1.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/Ciocc-10.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/Ciocc-11.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/Ciocc-12.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t.../Ciocc-7-1.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t.../Ciocc-8-1.jpg

Is that a 29 on the back?

Everything about that bike rocks!

Except, um, that seat post.

That's a hell of a parts-bin bike!

Is the saddle that vinyl saddle with the giant rivets? I got one from ebay as an experiment. It's actually comfortable, and can't be beat at $15.

The seatpost? Yeah - I had to swallow hard to mount up a Japanese seatpost on an Italian bike - but that's what I had.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...cc/ciocc-9.jpg

Bigger

Nope, vintage Ti Regal. Accept no substitute.

Oh come on. A seatpost's job is to hold the seat up.

How do you like those Vredstein's, BBM?

FIFY. :)

My first time on them - seemed very nice. I got those from your buddy Chris. They were thrown in as boot on the deal when he bought a frame from me last year.

Hey, I just happen to live within a block of his shop. :innocent:

So many different tires for me to consider. Erg.

Anyway, the Ciocc is beautiful. I really like the DT rims. I might consider a DT wheelset as well for my build. So many decisions! :lol:

I think it would look much better if you could peel off the rim stickers. I'm not big on logos, but it's your bike.

Man builds bike. Man rides bike. Happy Ending :)

Wish I had a bike shop squirreled away.

The sooner you start...

I like it very much. I agree with Grand Bois. I'd loose the rim stickers, but it's your bike of course.

So, what size is that rear cog? 32?

-Shin

It's a 38, but he's too embarrassed to say so. ;)

Sweet - I usually don't go for fade color schemes, but that just works - gorgeous.

Ditto your red bike. That was a head turner too.

Naw - no embarrassment here. I know what I need to ride where I do. All my bikes are standard triples, with a lowest gear of 30/29.

Since I went with a compact on this one (50/34) , I tried to get a similar low end as there are places around here where I need it. This particular IRD cassette is an 11/34, which is 1:1 on the low end (34/34) and thus very similar to my normal 30/29. The cassette steps up pretty nicely to 28, before bailing out to the 34. Very functional for me. The 34/28 is a little harder than the old 30/29, and the 34/34 is a tad easier, so it works out well.

Came in pretty handy Sunday on Oakville Grade. One mile of misery that starts at 14%, hits 19% or so in the middle, and eases off to a bucolic 16% or so toward the top without ever going below the initial 14% grade.

Like so:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...ionprofile.jpg

What a build for a parts-bin bike! I have a frame with a similar fade to that one, and i must admit, it may be offputting at first, but they certainly can grow on you.

That is also quite a ride you are putting in. It makes me wish there were decent hills around here. Such is life on the plains!

jealous here.

I wonder if I have enough gear to put a bike together. I probably do, though not nearly as nice as this one. I don't have any spare headsets, and I am probably missing some other things, but not much.

Congratulations! You always build such killer bikes.

I rode with a buddy last Saturday that has a 1984 San Cristobal. He also has a Mockba from his track days. Pretty bikes, although he pays close attention to what he's doing on descents.

What about the handling then on yours, fairly quick I'd wager?

If an Italian seatpost is a big deal, let me know. I have a nice "extra" 3ttt that I'll throw in the mail.

Impressive build, only the big/numerous (10 speeds?) cogs at the rear and the long caged derailleur seems to jar the picture for me a little on this beautiful steel classic Ciocc racing bike.
I wish I could build up a Ciocc for myself one day, but I would like it in the metallic dark green color. It was a dream bike for me in the 80's.

Chombi

Turns very quickly on the hairpins. Very quickly. I'm not too bugged about the seat post, but have an interesting aside for all you Ciocc experts out there. In the ORIGINAL THREAD , there was considerable discussion on what level tubing this bike was made from. The consensus at the time was that a 26.8 seat post pointed to Aelle, and 27.2 pointed to SL/X. Since the seat post that the original owner had installed was 26.8, so I figured the mystery was solved - Aelle it was.

Fast-forward to last week when I was building it up. I notice that the seat post clamp is pinched all the way closed, and I can still rotate the saddle with lateral force. I pull it, re-spread the rear gap, and then hit the seat tube with a brake cylinder hone. Now, a 27.0 seat post fits very well, but a 27.2 won't start. So, either it is 27.0, or it is still crushed enough to not accept the proper 27.2 post. So the mystery is alive and well - what tubing is it? I didn't feel a seam in the seat tube and I'm not going to pull the fork or BB in the foreseeable future, so I may never know. Sure seems like a lot of chrome and craftsmanship for an Aelle frame, though.

If your 3ttt is a 27.0, shoot me a pm. If not, no worries - but keep looking for that 54-55cm De Rosa, please. :)

I understand that. I build them to ride though, so a short cage and smaller cassette would make this bike a useless piece of junk to me. It would be silly for me to go retro with this frame and then just hang it on the wall. I can probably get away with a medium cage RD, but everything works a-ok, so I'm done with it.

Of course it is a 27.2, but let me know down the road. I have stockpiled some items.

I bought a very large box of stems, posts, guide clamps etc. at our swap a month ago.

Say, this De Rosa matter for you is not over. I found a Primato at the beginning of winter for a buddy. It was advertised in out-state Minnesota as an "ytalian" racing bike.

EL OS nontheless. A fairly outrageous price as well. It was 55cm!

Also, I'll post pics of my wife's Primato in a couple of weeks. It is still up at the cabin, and the roads are not for the faint of heart. The melt is on though.

Again, your Ciocc is a beaut. It is just right.

nice bike & story!

fast steering, eh? my ciocc handles like a pig compared to my modern (and even not so modern) bikes. when entering a corner, it doesnt want to turn, it doesnt want to turn, it doesnt want to turn, then it flops over into the corner. it works and it rails, but the rhythm and balance of cornering are quite different to every other bike i have including 2 steel bottecchias from around '90.

i'm curious to see how my circa '85 somec corners, as it's of similar vintage and geometry to my ciocc.

wallyman, I wonder why your Ciöcc is like that. Maybe it's not a criterium bike? Do you know what its intended purpose is?