puckett129

I decided to indulge a little to celebrate my soon to have been earned graduate degree. Instead of just drinking to another $15K down the tubes I am going to do a resto-mod on this Ciocc. I wasn't set on this bike, but was looking at a bunch of different E-bay and Craigslist offerings. Truth be told, I really had been leaning towards a Centurion Ironman, but I have no impulse control and ended up bidding on this frame. From what I can tell it's a fairly low-end frame made from Columbus Aelle tubing. I'm having a little bit of buyer's remorse, but it only cost $250 shipped and looks to be in decent shape. I'm going to have it powdercoated and redo the decals. I'm torn between getting a new threadless fork, having this one re-chromed/powdercoated as well, or just polishing it up the best I can. I ordered new decals and am awaiting delivery. I also have not decided on whether or not I'll build it with a SRAM Rival build kit I have on hand or pick up a new Campy silver group. I like both brands components and would be happy riding either. I think the silver Campy would look great, but then I'm looking at more money on top of what I'll already be spending to refinish the frame. I already have too many bikes (just ask my wife) so it's hard to justify spending more money on a new one... for her, not me.

Anyway, here's some e-bay pics. I'd like to know your thoughts. I may have made a dumb/impulsive purchase, but it's still a bike and $250 isn't going to break the bank.

Michael Angelo 

Have it powder coated, new decals and clean up the fork as best you can. Oxalic acid bath for the fork should clean up really nice, just keep it waxed afterwards. Use the group you have on hand, that way you can see if the build/bike fits well. If it does then "I" would chrome the fork, and would get an Alloy Campy 10 or 11 groupo.

kunsunoke 

Part of the challenge of rest-modding is getting the appearance to be appropriate while adopting some of the benefits of the newer technology (index shifting). Campagnolo mid-late 80's with bar-end shifters would probably work the best, but you could also go with Suntour Superbe, Shimano Arabesque / Ultegra mix or Dura-Ace 7400.

The paint looks serviceable, so I wouldn't change it. The dings count as patina.

I'd leave the front end alone and just polish the chrome. That fork matches the bike perfectly IMO - threadless forks would look awkward, unless made from the same material. You can equip with a nicer vintage quill, maybe a Nitto, Cinelli, or TTT.

sloar 

Don't feel bad about buying that. I had a ciocc with the same tubing and absolutely loved riding it.

Rocket-Sauce 

Polish it and leave it alone. It is a gorgeous color and will shine up nicely.

Throw on whatever parts you like. I think 9 or 10 speed Campy (with an alloy crankset) would look killer and be (relatively) affordable.

puckett129

Thanks. That makes me feel better. I have a Cromor frame that is my go to ride. It's a fairly heavy bike, but that has more to do with the components than the frame. From what I can find this may be a few hundred grams heavier, but still give a nice ride.

I already ordered decals, so I'm probably going to go through with the powder but leave the fork and try that oxalic acid trick. It's hard to see in these pics, but it looks like they're coming off on the seat tube. I'd love to grab a silver 10 speed Campy group and build it using that. I agree that would look very nice. I can grab a 10 speed Veloce group for $600. All told, that would still be only around $1,000 and would look nice.

I had a thought this morning that I may get this one built up with what I've got on hand and then use really sink my time and effort into building up my old Lemond the way I want it with classic looking componentry, effectively using the bike I've got to build my graduation present to myself out of and then using this Ciocc as my secondary/spare parts build bike. Oh decisions, decisions.

Alan Edwards

I love mine for short rides. The frame is vary nice "as is", just clean it up. I would go with Campy, it is an Italian bike. $250 isn't a bad price as any steel Ciocc seems to command more then an Ironman. Be glad you have the chrome fork as half of the Aelle frames have a painted fork.

thinktubes 

Build it up with what you have on hand and see how you like the ride. I acquired my Ciocc in a similar manner. I put in a low-ball bid on an SLX Ciocc and to my surprise it stuck. I built it up as a "spare" bike. It turned out to be so much fun to ride that I ended up not touching my other bikes for a whole season.

vjp

+1

I would take this bike as is before ever powder coating it.

Velocepedia

Before thinking about drive-train perhaps check the dropout spacing to make sure it'll take a 9-10-11 speed cassette. If it is an 80s frame and is only 126 mm you might need to manipulate the dropouts to get a modern cassette in ...

puckett129

Thanks. I've got two other bikes with 126 rear spacing and had no problem squeezing in the rear wheel. One is an '89 Greg Lemond (pre-Trek) with a 10 speed and the other is an '83 Trek 600 series with a 9 speed drivetrain. It's such a small difference I wouldn't even let that be a second thought on a new project.

I did figure out what I'm going to do with this bike and am excited as can be to get it and begin.

puckett129

Got this [pictured] in the mail today. On Friday morning I pick up the frame from the powdercoater.

I did think about keeping the old paint. In some spots it was OK but in others it was bad. No surprise the pictures did not highlight the areas where the paint was bad or the decals were torn. I was worried about the weight because of the Aelle tubing, but it's fine... it wasn't going to be the world's lightest bike anyway.

JAG410

Ohh pretty Can't wait to see it built up with the Veloce parts. Thinking of using those on my upcoming resto-mod project myself.

puckett129

Back from the powder coat, decals on, and clear coat tomorrow. I'm not trying to make it look like an exact reproduction. I didn't have seat stay decals so used Columbus ones that I had and the Columbus decal on the seat tube says "reverniciato" across it in a banner. This means repainted from what I can gather. I noticed the headbadge is a little crooked but I'm not going to worry about it. I'm very happy with it so far.

Henry III

Looks good and I had my Ciocc powdercoated and came out great...the 2nd time. First time I had a candy metallic red done and it just crumbled looking at it. Took it back he reblasted and coated it in like a robin's egg blue. I also had a newer Ultra Torque Crankset on it. Though everything else was a mismash of Campy stuff.

Can't wait to see the finished bike!

thinktubes 

That turned out really nice!!!!! Where did you source the decals?

I could really use some replacements....

puckett129

I got them from Cyclomondo. They're well done and easy to apply. Velocals also has them, but the headbadge decal is different with those. I'm very happy with the powder coat and will use that place again... $100 for the whole thing, blasted before. I'm waiting on some part so it'll probably be a week before I take the first ride, but I'm excited as hell for it.

Henry III

Here's my old Ciocc. A BF'er has it now but I don't think he posts much. He just got the frame/fork though. I got my decals from Cyclomondo also.

puckett129

Very nice! I toyed with the idea of powder blue and black components, but after I got the white decals I was sort of locked in.

Rocket-Sauce 

Can't wait to see it!

puckett129

So, everything was on track to build up a classic looking bike with silver parts. Then I decided to clear coat the frame myself using regular clear coat from Lowe's. The guy in the paint department said it would work fine. It does not work fine. The clear coat immediately starting to chip and flake when the headset got installed. I decided then to put the silver group on a Merckx frame I picked up and use the SRAM stuff to build a beater/rain bike out of the Ciocc. Here she is...






She's essentially a spare parts bike. I'm still waiting on a front derailleur I ordered since this old 600 one doesn't swing outboard enough to keep the chain on the big ring. It's actually not as heavy as I thought it would be. Once I get the new derailleur in I plan on putting some miles on her. I'm thinking about getting some 25's or even 28's and being abusive in ways I would not have been had the paint turned out the way I wanted.

I posted the Merckx in the retro's with ergos thread, but here's another pic since it was well received.

EddyR

I guess different people have different idea's what a beater rain bike is. but I liked the chrome fork better. If you had used the two part clear that comes in a shake spray can it would as hard as a rock and never chip.
Ed

aidanpringle

Off topic but I find it funny you say that, I started off with sti levers on my road bike and since doing my first resto-mod I now find downtube friction much easier to use and prefer them over current sti levers.
puckett129 nice Ciocci frame, I'm sure it's going to be nice.

puckett129

I say rain bike/beater because it's a straight gauge tubing bike built up with parts from other than my primary rider whose paint I'm not worried about. It's unlikely that I'll actually break anything (frame or components) by riding it hard on bad roads and in the rain so it's a beater. When the clear really starts to bubble and flake it'll definitely look more like a beater. That said, the components are as nice or nicer than my primary rider so it's not a beater in that sense. Worse case if I really love it, I'll have it reblasted and coated and it'll take up a different role in my stable of bikes.

EddyR

Look at this video I think this will work for you. I do model aircraft and bike frames. Do it wet and it will look like glass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQkptHOBnuQ
I was not being critical just offer advice. I like the frame repainted. it looks very nice.
Ed