Submitted by
Joey Donnelly
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2012
Strengths: Columbus Neuron steel frame will last forever. Comfortable ride. Classic lines but accepting of all modern components including external BB and 11 speed rear hub.
Weaknesses: Me.
Also - $$$ - Retail for entire bike would approach $7000. Could be riding carbon for half the "pounds per dollar" price.
Bottom Line:
Two words: Secret Weapon. I use it for hunting geeks (time trial bike riders) during training rides. I love passing strange carbon TT bike riders hunkered down on aerobars. This bike rides and handles beautifully on 20 mile "rest" days and 140 mile "all day" rides. This is the only road bike I have owned that sees 30 mph beneath me regularly. Jaw dropping to look at. Accelerates like a cheetah. Very stable at 25+ mph or cooling down in the park. This bike felt like part of me after only a few rides. After two years it can read my mind.
Similar Products Used: Nothing comes close. I thought my old Miyata alum/steel glued frame was sweet until I bought this bike. Soon gave the old bike away. Specialized S-Works road bike is much more tiring to ride long distances.
Bike Setup: My Supercorsa is equipped with Mavic Ksyrium wheels, Chorus 11-speed rear cassette and shifters, Athena crankset and balance of parts are "retro" shiny alloy Campy Athena. Built up new from scratch in Jan 2010. 20 lbs total.
Very beautiful frame. I have a model made in i think is 2003, with columbus DT15V tubings en Cinelli lugs. I got a shimano 105 groupset with mavic Cosmic Carbone wheels. Colours are silver and blue, the tubes are kind of carved, wich is very beautiful and make the frame more stiff, comfortable and light.
Strengths: The essence of Italian craftsmanship. Over 20 years old and yet brilliant to ride. It will always remain desirable amongst informed cyclists.
Weaknesses: The criterium geometry can be tiring as you have to watch the road and not ride into things. Then again, it keeps your mind on the bike. Centuries are out but a quick ride over a favourite course is always fun.
Bottom Line:
I have owned this bike since 1985. I purchased the China Blue frame and fitted it with the best Campagnolo had to offer - Super Record. Since then I have added equipment that I considered would complement the era and the frame.
The frame geometry is pure criterium. The seat tube angle is 74 degrees while the head tube angle is 75.5 degrees. You have to be alert when you ride it as it is very twitchy and very responsive. Even with this extreme geometry it remains totally dependable at any speed (you point it and it goes there.
The weight is 21 lbs which was very good for the era. Being a larger frame, it is built with the slightly thicker walled Columbus SPX tubeset, with Cinelli lugs of course. This makes the overall weight that much more impressive.
The 'Columbo' Cinelli's of the 1980's had varying quality reviews, but, I'm extremely happy with my particular frame's build quality and finish. The chrome is deep and the paint is lusterous. It still looks brand new.
It's the type of bike you can just admire for its beauty. It is still my one bike I just go and look at and I currently own 27 bikes.
Similar Products Used: I have Bianchi's, Colnago's, Olmo, Benotto and Alan Italian bikes of a similar era and spec.
Bike Setup: I set the bike up with the latest version of Super Record but have added Cobalto callipers as the blue stone matches the China Blue paint scheme. The pedal spindles and the bottom bracket are Campagnolo titanium items.
I also completed the bike up with a Cinelli VIP set which comprises a suede unicantor saddle, suede covered Cinelli Giro d'Italia bars and stem, suede 'single' saddle pouch, suede biddon cover, laminated toe straps with alloy Cinelli toe clips and an alloy replacement seat clamp bolt for the Campagnolo seat post.
Wheels have highly polished Record high flanged hubs and blue Galli rims that match the paint scheme.
I have added a titanium bolt set to finish the bike off.
Currently the freewheel is an alloy Millard six speed racing 'corn cob' that seems to weigh nothing but I might change it with a Campy ergal I have on a Colnago with a Campy. 50th Anniversary gruppo.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
2ndAveFlyer
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2007
Strengths: Smooth, responsive frame with no wobbles, shimmy,or troublesome handling characteristics. Perfect balance in frame geometry; as stiff and tight as you can get and still be century comfortable. Chrome in perfect condition. No signs of stress or fatigue.
Weaknesses: Yes; paint is chippy. No problems with seat binder bolt. Installed Phil Wood BB. Brakes a bit hard...probably my size.
Bottom Line:
Looking at the other reviews I'm pleased to see that everyone is enjoying their Cinelli. I have ridden about 10,000 miles on my frame over the past several years. I weigh about 210 lbs. and am over 6' tall. The frame is comfortable, quick, and responsive. It is utterly smooth and predictable on descents over 50 mph. It is a joy to ride.
I guess I am writing to warn buyers not to fall for all the hype in todays' sales market. This bike is perfect for anyone not racing or averaging over 20mph on their typical rides. To say that Neuron tubing is outdated is to be ignorant of what a complex and advanced product this is. Many custom builders have a small stockpile of this material for informed buyers who know what kind of ride they are looking for. Read up on the tubing if you are concerned that it may be little different from the water pipe at your local hardware store. It delivers a ride that is prized by all who take it for a spin on their favorite hills and chipseal.
Strengths: Steel frame, respects the past without living in it. Very stylish
Weaknesses: It's not for everyone, but if you're looking to buy this bike, you're already past things people will criticise it for,l which you already know, and aren't worth mentioning
Bottom Line:
Bought it in February from GVH Bikes. The current guy running it, Tom, was very knowledgeable and friendly and I was able to build exactly the bike I wanted. It arrived well packed and exactly when promised. The steel frame makes for a very smooth, comfortable ride. Very stable on descents. It really is my preferred ride on longer excursions. A lot of people complain about the weight of steel. I have a 15 lb Orbea Orca and a 16lb Litespeed. Typically, I'm about .2 mph slower over the same routes on this bike (18-19 mph pace), which is negligible to me. No problem hanging with the same guys you normally would on the club ride. Granted if your racing you would want the lightest bike you can afford, but I'm past that. I get lots of compliments on this bike. Even people not into bikes find it striking. A true classic. Chorus Hubs laced to Mavic Open Pro Rims are bullet proof (perfectly true after 1300 miles on some pretty rough roads) and add to that classic look. The quill stem finishes it.
Similar Products Used: Litespeed Palmares, Trek 2300, Orbea Orca
Bike Setup: Full 10-speed Campy Chorus Gruppo, Standard double with 13-29 cassette to spin up any hill with ease. Cinelli Bars and quill stem, Fizik Arione Saddle, Look Keo Pedals. Hand built Wheels with Mavic Open Pro Rims.
Very pretty [URL="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220472900269&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT"]SuperCorsa[/URL]
[IMG]http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee311/rhauft/ Read More »
I posted this frame a few months ago, but it has undergone a makeover and I thought it would be worth reposting a few pics of the 'finished' project. It has been a long journey in Read More »
I was wondering if anyone knows who actually builds the current Cinelli Supercorsa frameset.
I've heard they are subcontracted out - not built in-house.
Any idea?
Thanks,
Read More »
Just a heads-up... there's a few new-old-stock, Cinelli SuperCorsa road framesets available thru LickBike.com.
They are mid 90s production in SLX tubing.
They were advertised Read More »
I''m finding myself wanting to build a steel bike with a modern groupset. I'm thinking of a Cinelli Supercorsa and building with Campy 11 speed..probably Record or Chorus.
Does Read More »
