Got this old thing was gunna get dumped. So I saved it just wanted to get an idea of what year it was made and what it might be worth. Not going to sell it just because it was granddads. I’ll hang it up in my shed most likely
by Left_Mind6525
Got this old thing was gunna get dumped. So I saved it just wanted to get an idea of what year it was made and what it might be worth. Not going to sell it just because it was granddads. I’ll hang it up in my shed most likely
by Left_Mind6525
5 Comments
Is this bicycle in the U.S.? Spence Wolfe was the original importer of Cinelli into the West Coast. They began importing Cinelli’s in 1955. Yours appears to be a Cinelli SC, but it could be a Mod.B, hard to tell from a single pic. Rear derailleur looks like a early generation Gran Sport, previous to the introduction of the Record derailleur in 1963. The steel stem, possible 151 Campagnolo cranks and CB (?). Brakes make me think it was put together somewhere between 1958 and 1963.
Edit: seatpost looks to be an early addition record, but in aluminum (gen 1 was steel) the aluminum version didn’t come out until 1960.
Unless you are in an arid climate, you’d be better of storing it in your home. I would guess that that was a mid to late 1960’s bike. Perhaps the crankset is newer than the frameset? There is rust on the chrome but please be gentle and don’t try too hard to remove the rust –just clean the bike gently and use car of furniture wax to seal things and prevent further rust. There is low melting point wax made by brooks for the top of the saddle. The tires and all grease should be replaced before you ride it. The tires are “sew-ups” / “tubular tires”. You can get new trainers for $30/tire plus tape or glue . . . it can be a messy job.
It’s an absolute classic. Fix it up (new brake cables and pads, new chain, lube the ball bearings, condition the leather seat), put some modern wheels and tyres on it, and you’ve got a fantastic bike, if your area is not too hilly. Save the original wheels, though.
There is a pretty active NZ Facebook group for “Retroride NZ” if you want parts etc
Let’s put it this way: this is like finding a 1960 Ferrari in a barn. You’ve got something really special there.