I thought that you might like to see some lugs made for use with Columbus MAX tubing. Somebody might be more interested that most of the rest of us...

I'm always glad to see there's a future for Lugged Steel Frames.

Who's the manufacturer?

They are old lugs that a friend still has laying around in his shop.

Wow...beautiful! I don't think I've ever seen max tubing, and I know very little about it (other than that people like Merckx bikes made from max tubing).

Lovin' it to the MAX!!!


My Tommasini Velocista with MAX tubing.


Mutt

Does your friend have the tubeset to match? I would imagine that this would be a really hard set to find? Also very expensive!

From my limited understanding, the tubesets can be had. The lugs, not so much.

Yes.

Hi, Citoyen du Monde,

Thanks for showing us the lug set. I seem to remember MAX frames selling for approx. twice the price of an SLX frame here in Australia. I always wanted one but could never find the money to get one. I do, however have one now and I do enjoy riding it. It seems to carry the extra weight that comes with an ageing rider quite well.

To be honest, the only thing I don't like about the usual MAX frames are the very plain lugs. That is, until I saw Muttleyone's Tommasini. The lugwork does look good with the chrome and scalloping.

Where are the pics??

Mutt

The Tomassini is most definitely a beauty. Why was max so highly prized and pricey? Is it still made?

I paid $250 for it and I use it as my 'wet weather' bike. I've changed the saddle and put a full Chorus 9 speed Gruppo on it since the photo. The wheels worry me as they flex noticeably under my weight.

IIRC MAX was the first of the Nivacrom tubing (a steel more at home on tool making) which was developed to better deal with the heat of TIG welding better than the standard Chromoly steels like SL, SLX Alle some of the Tange stuff.

the design of the ovalized tubeset was to gain the maximum amount of lateral stiffness, especially in the BB but still flex vertically to give a smooth ride. the result IMHO was a bike that accelarated and climbed (not that I am a great sprinter of climber) like a superstiff Cdale but cushy enough to ride a day long century.

while it is great for us uh um .. lets say taller *blushing* riders, I always thought unless you were the strongest of riders it was overkill for a frame under say 54. I am not sure if it had limited production or not but I believ part of the cost was simply the fact that it was new. I believe I waited close to 6 months for my MAX frame and even with a SL warranty frame and an employee discount it was still pricy.

there was also an even, dare I say 'rarer' MiniMAX tubset which was the same shape but about 1/2 the diameter.

OH I almost forgot some pics. the "Calico" Bianchi is actually MAX OR

Very impressive Bianchigirll; an great set if fine Bianchi's. Your knowledge is also impressive. Personally, I couldn't see the value in the high cost of the MAX frames and I think you are right in saying that "it was new".

Columbus still makes a nivachrom tubeset; it's called Zona. probably very similar to MAX.

https://columbustubi.com/eng/4_4_7.htm

I've seen a Zona frame set...I actually sold one. I didn't know it was related to Max though.

that looks more like EL tubing since it is round

The Zona bike I dealt with was a modern Raleigh Professional. It was very extreme in shape...not circular at all. Tig welded and extremely light.

This one is Columbus MAX, including the fork:

your such a tease. but the luggs are very beautiful

That bike looks familiar. Is it yours?

Mutt

Yep, I posted some more pics in your "holy grail" thread.........Love it!!

I'm sure everyone figured this out by now, but the lugs in this thread are the lugs on my Marnati.