Excell Tubing - Give me the 411

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by paredown

Lovely! Was this another Gita survivor?

So a couple years back when I was working in yet another shop, I called Gita asking about their old steel frames...

I wanted one 'back when' and was wondering if they had any left in my size. Got 'the guy' on the phone and was shocked at how much they want for those NOS frames they've had laying around.

Turns out, they're popular again. Should have called several years earlier when they couldn't give them away.

Aaah well.

I'll wait some more.

1st up: finding anther PDM Concorde like the one I sold in a fit of needing rent $$, or a late 80s Paramount like the one I borrowed from a friend when said Concorde was at Hot Tubes getting the derailleur hanger replaced.

M

[jamesdak]

As a point of reference. I paid $800 shipped from my XL-Super frame with fork. It was their top model. Came with all the needed hardware too, drop out adjusters, cable guide, etc. I see that as a steel for the quality it is.

As a point of comparison, the Xl Super made with Excell Podium and then it's slightly lower grade Eco tubed fork still weighed in at 5 ozs under the beautiful Paletti Columbus EL OS frame and fork I just got it. The Paletti is a 55cm frame while the Giordana is a larger 56cm frame. The Excell steel is some light stuff.

What I found shocking was the $2300 I was quoted a few months ago for one of the Lemond Washoe frames still lying around unsold. They aren't trying to get rid of those. For that kind of money I'd have Della Sante build me a custom job.

[82Picchio]

After one ride, this Excell-tubed Giordana XL-Strada is a keeper. The ride is an interesting combination of very lively, yet stiffer than other similarly lively frames I've ridden, which I like. The fit is a work in progress.

[jamesdak]

^ Very Nice!

[oliver1850]

Finally landed one this spring. Pics are not very good.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...na#post2545501

[MilanoTom]

Excell Podium was nickel chromium. It was used for the original Masi 3V and according to an older book on metallurgy in bicycling, it was the same alloy that was used when Excell made tubing for Formula 1 frames in the 1960s. I remember reading an article in Winning in which the writer claimed to see Alberto Masi put a piece of Podium tubing in a vice, then closed the vice until the insides of the tube touched, and when he released the vice, it sprung back round.

[jamesdak]

Originally Posted by MilanoTom

Excell Podium was nickel chromium. It was used for the original Masi 3V and according to an older book on metallurgy in bicycling, it was the same alloy that was used when Excell made tubing for Formula 1 frames in the 1960s. I remember reading an article in Winning in which the writer claimed to see Alberto Masi put a piece of Podium tubing in a vice, then closed the vice until the insides of the tube touched, and when he released the vice, it sprung back round.

Yep, I've heard that story mentioned before. I don't believe it at all but a cool story none the less.

On the flip side, I've seen lots of mention about how this alloy was more brittle than it's counterparts and prone to frames cracking. All I know is mine rides wonderfully and hasn't failed me yet.

[MilanoTom]

Originally Posted by jamesdak

Yep, I've heard that story mentioned before. I don't believe it at all but a cool story none the less.

On the flip side, I've seen lots of mention about how this alloy was more brittle than it's counterparts and prone to frames cracking. All I know is mine rides wonderfully and hasn't failed me yet.

A local shop used to import grey market 3V frames direct from Milan. Never heard of any issues with one.

[oliver1850]

Friend who used to work at GITA told me that the Giordana forks were prone to cracking.

[merckx]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

Friend who used to work at GITA told me that the Giordana forks were prone to cracking.

I was the proud owner of a cracked Giordana fork. It failed just below the crown on the front of the blade. Fortunately I found the crack while cleaning the frame. Gita didn't have a replacement so I slid a Precisa into the headtube and it rode swell. I raced the bejesus out of that frame and loved every minute of it.