Columbus and rifling, does it have to have?
 

I have an early 80's Trek 950, I dont see the rifling many have talked about in the steerer tub, nor the 'dove' stamp. Does this prove the frame is not Columbus, or do certain Colubus tubsets lack the rifling? Thanks-

not all Columbus tubing was rifled. SLX was the rifled version of SL. SPX was the rifled version of SP.
and SP is just SL with thicker walls.

According to the 1981 and 1982 catalogs, the 950 was made with SL/SP.
So if you're sure it's a 950, then it's Columbus tubing

I can't speak for Trek, but manufacturers often mix tubes. Advertising Columbus sold, but mixing in a fine, but cheaper, no-name steerer is within the realm of the possible.

Sort of like my old Trek 2300. Campy Veloce throughout, except for a cheaper Sachs bottom bracket with plastic end caps.:eek:

As I remember Columbus steerers were always rifled. It was only in the mid 1980s when SLX and SPX came out was the rifling included on the other frame tubes.

The steerer tube has '950' stamped into it, along with the serial #, which matches the BB. The vintage trek site shows the serial number as a 82' 950.
I dont trust the stickers, which do happen to say columbus.
I guess I just have a freak job trek?
I can check for the rifling again, will it be pronouced?
If I just stuck my finger in and felt around would it be obvious?

Thanks a bunch guys, I appreciate it!

Yes, very pronounced; only at the bottom (crown) end. The top part is of course plain to accept the stem. You will see it or feel it with your finger; the spiral ridges are at least 1mm. high and about 3mm. accross and I think there are six of them.

Thanks Dave,
It does have the rifling in the lower end, I guess it should have been obvious that there was none in the upper portion-

http://photo.pinkbike.com/photo/802/pbpic802038.jpg