Italian Bike Frames 56cm and smaller

This page is the first of two for Italian built frames – other European built frames have their own pages.

All our categories can be found in the sub-menu below – clicking on the category you want look at will get you directly to that page.

PLEASE NOTE: I measure all British, American and Japanese frames in inches ctt (centre to top) and convert to the nearest cm, conversely I measure all European and Italian frames in centimetres ctc (centre to centre) and convert to the nearest 0.25in.
A problem with all frames measured ctt is that the top measuring point varies from maker to maker and I try and second guess where the maker intended his measurement to be to – some mean top of top top tube, others the very top of the seat lug, and others to the seat lug top line…

FRAME SIZING
Do not assume that you will need a frame sized the same as your modern one – either seat tube or top tube. Fashion plays a great part in frame design and sizing. In the early years of the 20th century frames were sized as large as possible with virtually no seatpost showing … by contrast riders were advised in the 1920s to have as small a frame as possible.
Race/road frames from the 1920s/early 1930s will generally be sized about 3–5cm smaller than a modern frame but with a much longer top tube and shorter stems. Towards the end of the 1930s larger frame sizes became fashionable – up to 2cm larger than a modern frame. Top tube lengths were still longer used with shorter stems. In the 1940s and 50s frames were sized a bit larger still – 3–4cm more than a modern frame still with longer top tubes and shorter stems. In the 1960s and 1970s frames gradually reduced in size until the late 1980s. At the same time top tubes began to get shorter and stems longer.

Standover height is NOT a useful method of frame sizing either with modern or old frames. Short legged riders will rarely have much or any clearance between the top tube and their crotch unless the frame has a sloping top tube design. Taller riders also face other problems. A complete guide to frame sizing for frames of different periods is impossible to detail here. For frames from the 1980s onwards I suggest buyers look at Dave Moulton’s contributions on frame sizing. Possibly start off with http://davesbikeblog.squarespace.com/blog/2006/2/27/a-different-thought-on-frame-sizing.html
and then look at: http://www.davemoultonregistry.com/MoultonFrameSizeChart

I am willing to advise any customer on frame sizing with older frames.

Featured Frames
British and American road frames smaller than 21.5in
British and American road frames 21.5in–22.5in
British and American road frames larger than 22.5in
Bargain Basement
Classic Road frames pre-1970 smaller than 21.5in
Classic Road frames pre-1970 21.5in–22.5in
Classic Road frames pre-1970 larger than 22.5in
Classic Track & Road-Track frames pre-1970
European frames 56cm or smaller
European frames larger than 56cm
Italian frames 56cm or smaller (look below)
Italian frames larger than 56cm
Lo-Pro &
Retro Time Trial frames

Touring frames
Track frames


Please contact me at: hilarystone@hilarystone.com to check on availability and confirm shipping cost.

DE ROSA ROAD FRAME 54cm c1969
Seat Tube (ctc): 54cm (21.25in)
Top Tube (ctc): 56.5cm (22.25in)
Rear dropout width: 126mm
Wheel size: 700C/sprints with brake drop of 50mm
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
Frame tubing: Columbus SL
Of all the Italian framebuilders (and there are lots) four stand out above the rest – Cinelli, Masi, Colnago and De Rosa. De Rosa started building frames in the early 1950s and in the 1960s several top riders went to him for their frames.
This frame dates from around 1969 – the fork crown, bottom bracket shell all point to this. I wrote a guide to dating earlier De Rosas a number of years ago and this can be found at:
http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2009/08/de-rosa-timeline-pre-19791980.html This frame was repainted at Argos Cycles but has a number of small storage marks to it…However it’s a rare early De Rosa which is ready to ride. £975

 

BASSO ASTRA ROAD FRAME 56cm c1991
Seat Tube (ctc): 56cm (22in)
Top Tube (ctc): 57cm (22.5in)
Rear dropout width: 130mm
Wheel size: 700C/sprints with brake drop of 47mm
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
Frame tubing: Columbus EL Oversize
Basso are one of the slightly lesser known Italian framebuilders but are in my experience very consistent in their quality. This frame is no exception appearing to be very nicely built.
This frame built from Columbus EL oversize tubing was the actual test frame featured in Cycling Plus magazine in October 1992. Its in very sound condition – there is one very small dent to the top tube which occurred during Cycling Plus’ test riding. The paint has a number of small marks. £265

 


PATELLI ROAD FRAME 52cm c1977
Seat Tube (ctc): 52cm (20.5in)
Top Tube (ctc): 54cm (21.25in)
Rear dropout width: 124mm
Wheel size: 700C/sprints with brake drop of 48mm
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
Frame tubing: Columbus SL
Patelli from Bologna are quite an old established Italian framebuilder. Their work was very finely crafted with neat lug shorelines and clean brazing. This frame is I think from around 1977 and is in very good condition – the paint is a bit so-so – there are quite a number of small marks – nothing very obtrusive and I think once built up would be very presentable but I think many buyers would want to repaint it. £245

 

COLUMBUS MAX ROAD FRAME Early 1990s
Seat Tube (ctc): 54cm (21.25in)
Top Tube (ctc): 55cm (21.5in)
Rear dropout width: 126mm
Wheel size: Sprints or 700C with brake drop of 45mm
Frame Tubing: Columbus Max
Seatpost size: 27.4mm
This frame built from Columbus Max frame tubing was believed to be a Rossin according to the previous owner. It has Italian bottom bracket and headset threads. However I do have my doubts as most Rossins have an engraved fork crown and or bottom bracket shell. The decals could easily be removed as they are only on top of the paint. Columbus Max tubing used Columbus ultra strong Nivacrom alloy steel.The ovalised tube ends are oriented in such a way to build a stiffer frame especially in relation to pedalling stresses. It was introduced in 1988 and was for several years the top tubeset in Columbus’ range. The tubing wall thicknesses were pretty thin – the top tube wall thickness was only 0.4mm thick in its centre section. Whatever this is one really nice Columbus Max frameset which is in excellent condition and at a bargain price. £245

 


MARTANO ROAD FRAME 53cm c1983
Seat Tube (ctc): 53cm (21in)
Top Tube (ctc): 52cm (20.75in)
Rear dropout width: 125mm
Wheel size: 700C/sprints with brake drop of 47mm
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
Frame tubing: Columbus SL
I do not know anything about Martano frames and and whether they were connected with Martano rims – both I’m sure were named after the mid 1930s Italian pro rider who came second in a Tour de France. This is a nice frame built I think from Columbus tubing. The paint and chrome are useable… £145

 


ITALIAN ROAD FRAME Late 1980s 50cm Gilco style tubing
Seat Tube (ctc): 50cm (19.5in)
Top Tube (ctc): 53cm (21in)
Rear dropout width: 126mm
Wheel size: 700C/sprints with brake drop of 45mm
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
Frame tubing:
This frame was thought to have been built by Rossin but there is nothing to suggest this is the case. The rear dropouts are Gipiemme and main tubes are grooved like the Gilco tubing used by Colnago. The paint is very good with some small marks. £225

 

MOTTA ROAD FRAME late 1950s 55cm
Seat Tube (ctc): 55cm (21.5in)
Top Tube (ctc): 56cm (22in)
Rear dropout width: 120mm
Wheel size: Sprints/700C with brake drop of 52mm
Frame tubing: ?????
Seatpost size: 27.0mm
I know nothing about this Italian framebuilder Motta from Lissone, near Milan – I rather think there is nothing to do with the well known Italian pro rider Gianni Motta… Its a very nicely built road frame from I think the late 1950s with Agrati forged dropouts. The paint and chrome are both poor but I think its definitely a very good candidate for an unusual restoration. £165
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UNKNOWN ITALIAN ROAD FRAME 1970s 56cm Name begins with an R
Seat Tube (ctc): 56cm (22in)
Top Tube (ctc): 56cm (22in)
Rear dropout width: 126mm
Wheel size: Sprints/700C with brake drop of 50mm
Frame tubing: Columbus SL
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
Despite extensive research I have not been able to find out who made or sold this frame originally. Its a very well built Italian road frame from I think early/mid 70s with some nice features – the drilled lugs and rear dropouts… Its in very good condition. £145

 

GLORIA ROAD FRAME 54cm 1937
Seat Tube (ctc): 54cm (21.25in)
Top Tube (ctc): 56.5cm (22.25in)
Rear dropout width: 117mm
Wheel size: Sprints/700C with a brake drop of 48mm
Frame tubing: Not known
BB threads: Italian
Seatpost size: 26.2mm
This Gloria road frame was built for an Italian professional rider in 1937 for use originally with a Vittoria Margherita gear – he later had the rear dropouts replaced with ones suitable for a Campagnolo Corsa gear… It comes complete with an excellent Campagnolo Corsa gear and set of wheels… £2250


COLNAGO MASTER PRO 44.5cm c1990 ** New Old Stock**
Seat Tube (ctc): 44.5cm (17.5in)
Top Tube (ctc): 47cm (18.5in)
Rear dropout width: 126mm
Wheel size: 24in sprints or 24in clinchers 521mm BSD
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
Frame tubing: Columbus
the Master Pro was one of Colnago’s top models and this is really very special – a small adult or children’s version with just a 44.5cm ctc seat tube and built for 24in wheels. It is new old stock and has never been built-up – the fork steerer has never even been cut to length. We can do this and fit a headset. Its in excellent almost unmarked condition with virtually no marks. It obviously was a special. Price on Application



Featured Frames
British and American road frames smaller than 21.5in
British and American road frames 21.5in–22.5in
British and American road frames larger than 22.5in
Bargain Basement
Classic Road frames pre-1970 smaller than 21.5in
Classic Road frames pre-1970 21.5in–22.5in
Classic Road frames pre-1970 larger than 22.5in
Classic Track & Road-Track frames pre-1970
European frames 56cm or smaller
European frames larger than 56cm
Italian frames 56cm or smaller (look above)
Italian frames larger than 56cm
Lo-Pro &
Retro Time Trial frames
Touring frames
Track frames




SHIPPING COSTS

UK: £18
Europe: £35
North America: £90
Japan, Asia, Australasia, Africa, Middle East, South America: £115

Figures above are good estimates, rates may vary for some countries.
Contact us for more info.


CLICK ON the sale images to see a much larger picture!

FRAME CONDITION
Frames are supplied as seen in the pictures unless described otherwise in the text.
Please remember that these frames are generally at least twenty years old and sometimes seventy… In most cases I will know very little of their history but will attempt to describe any problems I can spot – if there are issues I have missed I will always work with the buyer to find a solution.
All frames I sell are in track and straight, with excellent headset threads, bottom bracket shell threads and gear hanger threads if fitted.
I will make every attempt to ascertain whether paint is original, an older repaint or a more recent repaint. Paint quality does vary quite bit…

These categories may be qualified by more detailed description in the text.

Excellent A very useable frame with no obtrusive marks to the paint and no dings or dents. Chrome if present will be free of serious marks unless stated otherwise.

Very Good Perfectly useable frame but with more marks to the paint and chrome if present. Some of the marks may benefit from careful retouching. Generally there will no dents or dings but if present will be small. However if you are concerned about dents/dings with frames in this category please ask me to do an extra check.

Sound Paint and chrome may need redoing depending on how you like your bikes – I appreciate frames with patina which show their age but others may want to repaint. There may be a small ding or two but nothing very significant – older frames often pick up smaller dents which are of no significance to their strength or life. Any more significant dents will be described in the text.

Needing repainting Paint will be poor and in my opinion is not saveable. There may be a small ding or two but nothing very significant – older frames often pick up smaller dents which are of no significance to their strength or life. If there are larger dents they will be described and/or pictured. These are all easily filled by a good framebuilder or frame painter at very little extra cost.

Headsets or bottom brackets fitted to frames are of unknown and unguaranteed condition unless specifically described in the text. Sometimes headsets or bottom brackets will not feel smooth and simply need a service and on other occasions the headset or bottom bracket will need replacing…
For frame without headsets or where you'd like a headset replaced I can offer a fitting service for £15. Please see the headset pages: http://hilarystone.com/headset.html for what is available but please bear in mind that you may need advice on whether a particular headset will fit your frame especially in relation to stack height.


 

 
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