Vittorio Strada MAX...Back from the Dead!
 

Hey Guys...

This is the 1994 Vittorio Strada MAX that I picked up from Mel awhile back...we're not sure if any more of these were ever made. Vittorios in general are pretty unheard of in the US. Frame is all MAX including fork and seatstays.

You might remember, both chainstays were rusted thru. I procured new production MAX stays from Ceeway (twice...first set was way out of spec) and had them replaced locally.

My painter came thru with a pretty damn decent pearl white paintjob (oldtimer...car guy...but has been painting anything and everything since he was a kid).

JR at Velocals was able to reproduce the decals from my photos...really nice job.

The build is an 11s built with a mis-mash of silver Campy bits and even a few Shimano parts (SP, cable housing and pedals...hah!).

The inspiration came from Mel's white Vittorio Strada SLX (now heading to L'Eroica).

She's no lightweight...but...she rides nice and puts the power down.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=276170http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=276166http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=276169http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=276168http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=276165http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=276167

I go out for a quick 25 mile ride with Mrs. Gomango and look what pops up.


Absolute perfection.

Yet another bicycle of yours I would like to make off with in the night......

Can't keep up with the likes of you. :)




BTW Can I ride it next summer?

Get in line!

Art as Bike.

Grady...You're welcome to ride any of my bikes anytime you like. We just need to manage to cross paths sometime.

Robbie...You'll need to start stretching exercises now...alternatively you can DWI it and slam the seatpost and turn the bars! ;)

Thanks guys...

I was close enough to drool "in person" on your Serotta ti. :)

Parked right next to you at the Super 8 in Darlington at the Dairyland Dare.

Man, that is a major league bicycle as well.

Simply amazing!

I'll be doing five rides in the Minnesota/Iowa/Wisconsin gravel series next summer btw.

Off road frame is at A Train Cycles undergoing surgery as I type.

http://www.almanzo.com/

You certainly can find a day to do one of these with our group!

Very Beautiful. I may have to trya nd take this for a ride sometime. I always wanted to try a lugged MAX

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...0&d=1349217010

does the fork crown have lugs or does it use the simpler style crown like Bianchi used?

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...9&d=1349217004

Wow, that bike is stunning. Max is an interesting set. I do a lot of messenger bikes with that stuff. I think it is very difficult to damage. I use a different seat tube.

Bulldogge - even by your high standards, that is exceptional.

Thanx guys...

BG...Drop me a line if you're rolling thru town...but...you'll have to raise the saddle (78cm) and bars (frame is 58 ST x 57TT, 17cm HT)! The fork uses an internally lugged crown (I assume) and is brazed completely around the blades (obvious when stripped).

Frank...I assume you are TIG'ing the frames...Why the different ST? What do you like to use instead??

Aaron...High compliment indeed, given your "fleet"...much thanks!

Grady...I was wondering what that was that I had to polish off of the Legend...thanx man.

I will definitely make it up for at least one of the gravel races next year...still bummed about missing the Almanzo this year.

Did you end up with the a Sachs cyclocross frame?

May I ask you what brand of handlebar tape that is?

Haha...A fine, high quality FUBAR product...I wasn't willing to spring for the Cinelli Treasure gold tape (and QBP doesn't carry it)...$10 on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/F-U-B-A-R-Gl...item5896295282

Coupla questions/opinions...

If you look at the larger pictures BG posted (thanx) you can see, on the top tube, a teardrop badge. This is the nameplate of the original owner. His initials (J.S.) also appear on the left fork crown.

So...DO you think I should leave them simple white paint/subdued, or should I highlight them...as part of the frames history, and fill them either gold or black???

Also, the frame came to me with an alloy chainstay protector (polished, double sided tape)...should I re-install this, or use a clear adhesive one, or go naked???

TIA

I did and a few other goodies.

The Sachs is being raced the fall season locally by a friend's son.

Hopefully painted this winter/spring by Chris Kvale after we tear it down.

I swore I wouldn't buy anything else this year, but you know how that goes.

Casey (TGB) is picking up my Tommasini Super Prestige for a winter resto project, I have a Croll frame at a local builder for a rethink/repurpose, and we are looking at a gorgeous Strong cyclocross frameset for my oldest son after school tomorrow.

He's saved the money, so I am fine with it.

Real curious though about your take on the MAX frame ride qualities.

I'd have to think it would be a great mile eater.

The alloy chainstay protector sounds interesting! I would add something and that sounds like a wise plan.

I am having a piece of stainless added to my Croll's stay while Alex at A Train does his magic.

Hey Grady...Is the stainless gonna be silver soldered on, or a stick-on accessory?

Looking forward to finally seeing the Croll painted!!

Great job on the Vittorio, beautiful. :thumb:

So after New York, the cookie, Santa Claus you americans got hold of another of our national treasures! This looks absolutely stunning and I would't change a thing on the build. Many happy miles to you.

Correct. Seat tubes for lugged frames are only butted on the bottom. I use an externally butted tube that has an internal butt at the bottom and external at the top giving me a bit of extra material thickness.

Do you happen to have any pics? Are you building these Max-framed fixies under the Spooky name or FTW?

Silver soldered!

Me too. The poor frame has been sitting here forever.

Awesome Mark. With its previous owner it climbed the colls in France to raise funds for cancer research. The Strada has been about everywhere. I am sure the former owner's eyes would pop out if he saw this result. I looked for his email, but unfortunately I don't have it.

Close up of braze on with name on another Vittorio >>

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8031/8...512a2f3b_z.jpg

You could consider enamelling yours with gold next time you're near a container gold enamel.

Vittorio has an own display of classics. In it some quirky creatures like foldable 50s roadbike, bike for pole expeditions, stayers, racetandem, aerodynamic bike etc etc ....but also there no Max bike.

Stunner. Awesome choice on the paint and the build.

What do you mean difficult to damage? On my MX Leader (Max-ish) the tubing is paper thin and dents VERY easily. Wouldn't think this would be very desirable as a messenger bike, don't those things get beat up, locked to poles, etc.?

Bellisimo !


Very nice save.

Cheers,

Joe