Sometimes Columbus SL is all you need

[CampyorBust]

Not the fanciest bike in my collection and it does not have the latest 11 speed goodies. Nevertheless every time I ride this bike I always say man I love the way this bike feels.


http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j49/PedalPusher33/IMG_2834_zpsvgepth1y.jpg

[oliver1850]

SL and C8 works fine for me. Nice bike.

[Tickdoc]

Preaching to the choir, brother!

Beautiful bike, and I wholeheartedly agree with you. It just glides.

[SlackMan]

I thought very hard about getting an older frame made of SL as my only bike. Yes, it's good stuff.

[oldpotatoe]

One of the 3 best riding bikes I have ever had. Still have the Ciocc, and the MXLeader, broke the Mondonico Neuron...

[merckx]

Yes, good stuff, particularly in the size of the Guerciotti pictured. Beautiful machine, btw.

[numbskull]

Loving this one.

Brilliant design that is at home with tiny high pressure sew-ups and a corn cob freewheel or 32mm clinchers at 60PSI with a 14-30 freewheel using the NR DR (only requiring the wheel position to be slid back and a longer chain).

12 gears are fine for most riding......probably better than 20 if you are trying to build leg strength.

[unterhausen]

I have a couple of frames to build with modern SL. I loved my SL bike from the early '80s, used it for 30 years.

[merckx]

When I was racing an SL frame, I don't recall reaching for a larger tire to mitigate a rough ride.

[thirdgenbird]

I thought very hard about getting an older frame made of SL as my only bike. Yes, it's good stuff.

If you still want one, I might have just the thing...

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

If you still want one, I might have just the thing...

Size, color, manufacturer..........?:rolleyes:

[thirdgenbird]

The OP's bike is perfect. The group, the bar, stem, and post. Doesn't get much classier than pointy levers, Monoplanars brakes and Italian drop bars. I might be bias though :)


Size, color, manufacturer..........?:rolleyes:

59
Yellow/blue fade (joe bell)
Colnago

[CampyorBust]

Thanks Y'all! :beer:

I am finding a lot of people who prefer the more forgiving ride of an SL frame vs the rifled/stiffer and heavier tube sets of SLX and TSX. I have no experience with MXL tubing but I am very curious after getting my Merckx Corsa Extra SLX, thoughts on that bike another time on another thread. For now I will just say...first I was like :confused:, then I was like :banana: This is all about the Gwerch.

http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/guerciotti84(tsd)/4.jpg

I used to have an uncontrollable urge to purchase old race bikes. Whenever I had a few hundred bucks in my pockets from fixing old crusty bikes, I would go searching for my next fix. This was one of many irrational buys, where I paid way too much but got that giddy new to me old Italian bike feeling that is so damn addictive. It was pretty much a bone stock GL7300 with Triomphe all around. Didn't even bother riding it with that stuff on it. Immediately I built it up with a refurbished and polished mixed 8speed groupset I had. Wheels are a blasphemous Kinlin XR19W/Dura-Ace 7700, they are light, right and tight!

So I took it for a ride and immediately realized that I did not care that it was slightly over 20lbs and an entry-level mass-produced Ten Speed Drive Import frame back in the day. It felt fantastic, that feeling we all look for when riding a new bike for the first time, Does the bike speak to me? Do I feel that instant unwavering confidence that I have the right bike? Sometimes it comes with time after swapping stems, saddles, wheels etc. Yet it is the instant confirmation I like best. There are probably only 4 bikes I have felt this on.

More supple than my SLX frames and just as quick. I got home, looked at my average speed and it was a pleasant surprise almost on par with the carbon bike. Thing I really like about this frame are the decals facing the rear on the seat tube and seat stays. I wish more frames had that look.

[CampyorBust]

Loving this one.

Brilliant design that is at home with tiny high pressure sew-ups and a corn cob freewheel or 32mm clinchers at 60PSI with a 14-30 freewheel using the NR DR (only requiring the wheel position to be slid back and a longer chain).

12 gears are fine for most riding......probably better than 20 if you are trying to build leg strength.

Nice ride! Dig the yellow bar tape and the overall blue and yellow color scheme.

I dont have a single blue bike in my collection. I do however have a frame in need of paint, it will be blue one day...

[Aaron O]

Loving this one.

Brilliant design that is at home with tiny high pressure sew-ups and a corn cob freewheel or 32mm clinchers at 60PSI with a 14-30 freewheel using the NR DR (only requiring the wheel position to be slid back and a longer chain).

12 gears are fine for most riding......probably better than 20 if you are trying to build leg strength.

Wow - LOVE this. Year? Was this Daniele or Umberto?

[jvp]

Love my '80 SL Mclean, the ride seems more lively to me than my slx merckx.
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10958732_10203716178166815_4681588078575333430_n.j pg?oh=cd86cc18f9f8c709cc53b1903eb96a9c&oe=5666D4D4

[numbskull]

I love your '80 Mclean as well.

Excuse the drool.

[Epicus07]

Love your Guerciotti! NOS?

I have an unusual one from the mid 90's. Made of Columbus PRX which supposedly has the same rifling found in SLX but "a bit beefier". which my 200 lbs sure doesn't mind. Love the ride quality.

Don't mind the frumpy saddle. its been replaced.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6801214782_a36b8304bb_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/bn11cQ)Guerciotti 1 (https://flic.kr/p/bn11cQ) by Epicus07 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47833614@N04/), on Flickr

[CampyorBust]

Love your Guerciotti! NOS?

I have an unusual one from the mid 90's. Made of Columbus PRX which supposedly has the same rifling found in SLX but "a bit beefier". which my 200 lbs sure doesn't mind. Love the ride quality.

Don't mind the frumpy saddle. its been replaced.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6801214782_a36b8304bb_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/bn11cQ)Guerciotti 1 (https://flic.kr/p/bn11cQ) by Epicus07 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47833614@N04/), on Flickr

Almost, it had one or two tiny nicks when I got it. A little custom mixed testors model paint and it looks like new.

That's a super nice Guerciotti you got there, I dig that paint especially with them yellow Guerciotti logos. That has to be one of the nicest Guerciottis I have seen.

[Steelman]

Sometimes SL (for heavier rides SP)

For many, Cromor (SL main tubes), might do.

Or SLX. (Really not much different from SL).

The SLX frames generally had more elaborate finishes and detail than the other two.

And then there was TSX...

All good.

[Aaron O]

Well ok, if it's an SL show off thread twist my arm!


http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/cinelli%2073/null_zps9a693b6e.jpg (http://s936.photobucket.com/user/aolk67/media/cinelli%2073/null_zps9a693b6e.jpg.html)


http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Galmozzi/1336E755-F32F-47F6-9EDB-CB8311C4F9A5_zpsl7zrokih.jpg (http://s936.photobucket.com/user/aolk67/media/Galmozzi/1336E755-F32F-47F6-9EDB-CB8311C4F9A5_zpsl7zrokih.jpg.html)

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Galmozzi%20Pinarello/D507F431-AD74-4775-8D6A-AC01D297FF5B_zpsa07ry1be.jpg (http://s936.photobucket.com/user/aolk67/media/Galmozzi%20Pinarello/D507F431-AD74-4775-8D6A-AC01D297FF5B_zpsa07ry1be.jpg.html)

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Grandis/null_zpsbc881d2e.jpg (http://s936.photobucket.com/user/aolk67/media/Grandis/null_zpsbc881d2e.jpg.html)

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Palo%20Alto/BAF69D5F-39B2-4608-8E03-33D80A84D1FF_zpslhwi0e8m.jpg (http://s936.photobucket.com/user/aolk67/media/Palo%20Alto/BAF69D5F-39B2-4608-8E03-33D80A84D1FF_zpslhwi0e8m.jpg.html)

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/picchio/13049D1B-2D44-4470-9C4F-0A97A33F6583-2270-0000033C3C5EB20B_zpsf6325e27.jpg (http://s936.photobucket.com/user/aolk67/media/picchio/13049D1B-2D44-4470-9C4F-0A97A33F6583-2270-0000033C3C5EB20B_zpsf6325e27.jpg.html)

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/redcay/94265B65-98E2-4A39-96D6-CF18C48B7F32_zpsinfpxtv8.jpg (http://s936.photobucket.com/user/aolk67/media/redcay/94265B65-98E2-4A39-96D6-CF18C48B7F32_zpsinfpxtv8.jpg.html)

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Sachs%20Tour/null_zps7169c038.jpg (http://s936.photobucket.com/user/aolk67/media/Sachs%20Tour/null_zps7169c038.jpg.html)

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Tom%20Kellogg/9C744645-3B52-4525-903B-83F48527F5F3_zpso7lw1nm9.jpg (http://s936.photobucket.com/user/aolk67/media/Tom%20Kellogg/9C744645-3B52-4525-903B-83F48527F5F3_zpso7lw1nm9.jpg.html)

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Cinelli/2D4D16DC-3E6C-4561-A4E2-C405FB107580-35710-000024AFF641B959_zps0ab6ded4.jpg (http://s936.photobucket.com/user/aolk67/media/Cinelli/2D4D16DC-3E6C-4561-A4E2-C405FB107580-35710-000024AFF641B959_zps0ab6ded4.jpg.html)

[retrofit]

Hell, we let Aaron bogart all the fun...:banana:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7140/7464585284_2ac0729a00_b.jpg

[gomango]

A little SP, but mostly SL in one of my Chris Kvales.

What a ride. :)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7283/16744696201_85a5067584_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rvEWND)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/rvEWND) by gomango1849 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36270004@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7615/16744804352_f58ae3c115_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rvFuXj)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/rvFuXj) by gomango1849 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36270004@N06/), on Flickr


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8679/16744808922_0641874fe0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rvFwj7)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/rvFwj7) by gomango1849 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36270004@N06/), on Flickr

[paredown]

Thought of this thread yesterday when I finally took my beater Concorde out for a ride--first time this year.(Bad year for riding!)

I know nothing of it's history although it is dented and badly touched up. (This is one of the Bilatto/Ciocc generation bikes AFAIK.)

I forget between rides how lively an Italian-geo steel frame with a steel fork feels. It helps that I have my best hand-builts on it, but this thing is a real treat to ride.

[CampyorBust]

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7615/16744804352_f58ae3c115_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rvFuXj)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/rvFuXj) by gomango1849 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36270004@N06/), on Flickr


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8679/16744808922_0641874fe0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rvFwj7)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/rvFwj7) by gomango1849 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36270004@N06/), on Flickr

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j49/PedalPusher33/lawd-jesus-those-legs.jpg_zpsymysbjj0.png

[numbskull]

My wallet just ran away.

[na3s]

Beauties, steel is real, love an vinatge steel frame with a modern build!

[Epicus07]

Mango that Kvale is amazing. The lug work is fantastic. Love those points and filing.

[harrison]

:whistles:

[harrison]

the lugs on that kvale!

[thirdgenbird]

Mango that Kvale is amazing. The lug work is fantastic. Love those points and filing.

the lugs on that kvale!

You should see one in person. The paintwork is equally breathtaking.

[martl]

That Kvale is amazing!

speaking of good lugwork, great paint, and SL:

http://fotos.rennrad-news.de/img/photos/2/0/9/0/_/large/MikeAppel_002.jpg?0 (http://fotos.rennrad-news.de/p/47215)

http://fotos.rennrad-news.de/img/photos/2/0/9/0/_/medium/MA_9_1024.jpg?0 (http://fotos.rennrad-news.de/p/11855)

http://fotos.rennrad-news.de/img/photos/2/0/9/0/_/medium/MA_10_1024.jpg?0 (http://fotos.rennrad-news.de/p/11856)

[soulspinner]

Love your Guerciotti! NOS?

I have an unusual one from the mid 90's. Made of Columbus PRX which supposedly has the same rifling found in SLX but "a bit beefier". which my 200 lbs sure doesn't mind. Love the ride quality.

Don't mind the frumpy saddle. its been replaced.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6801214782_a36b8304bb_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/bn11cQ)Guerciotti 1 (https://flic.kr/p/bn11cQ) by Epicus07 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47833614@N04/), on Flickr

Yummy...

[Aaron O]

That Kvale is amazing!

speaking of good lugwork, great paint, and SL:

http://fotos.rennrad-news.de/img/photos/2/0/9/0/_/large/MikeAppel_002.jpg?0 (http://fotos.rennrad-news.de/p/47215)

http://fotos.rennrad-news.de/img/photos/2/0/9/0/_/medium/MA_9_1024.jpg?0 (http://fotos.rennrad-news.de/p/11855)

http://fotos.rennrad-news.de/img/photos/2/0/9/0/_/medium/MA_10_1024.jpg?0 (http://fotos.rennrad-news.de/p/11856)
That's a beauty...love the paint.

[Jeff Borisch]

http://fotos.rennrad-news.de/img/photos/2/0/9/0/_/medium/MA_10_1024.jpg?0 (http://fotos.rennrad-news.de/p/11856)

That's gorgeous. My one and only Appel sighting was in a shop in Oshkosh where I got my first road bike. I was 15 and hooked.

[icepick_trotsky]

Agreed! Mine's SLX, though.

http://i.imgur.com/pgdTu35h.jpg

[Tandem Rider]

Agreed! Mine's SLX, though.

http://i.imgur.com/pgdTu35h.jpg

Looks like an old Cyclones team bike from late '80s.

[gomango]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments about my Kvale.

These are great riding bikes and the rest of the package is pretty special as well.

I have a couple of others here after selling another one to a forum member here.

He's asked me to not post pics of that one, but I do have another frameset sitting here. I wish I could find someone to fit it, as it will never fit me.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6858946801_a23a212e8d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/bs6TVt)DSCN3542 (https://flic.kr/p/bs6TVt) by gomango1849 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36270004@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6858947889_014b1daec6_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/bs6Ufe)DSCN3544 (https://flic.kr/p/bs6Ufe) by gomango1849 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36270004@N06/), on Flickr