Retro-modern Columbus Genius road bike

I accidentally bought this rather lovely mid 90s frame from Certini Cycles in Saltash. 4lbs dead plus Genius forks.
More pictures and build info to follow

The bits...
Ultegra groupset from On*One (inc wheels) and a view of the full frame. It is gorgeous in full sunlight.

Piers,

That frame looks fantastic - a glorious red. That is the sort of 'accident' that puts a smile on your face - well done. I look forward to seeing it built up.

You mention you bought it from Saltash - was this an 'accidental holiday purchase'?

Keep the pics coming and let us have a ride report in due course.

David

My parents live there.
I poped into the shop for a summer shirt and idlly asked about road frames as I'm not convinced by my posh bike's cornering and descending characteristics. They mentioned the usual: carbon, Al and, by the way, steel.
It turns out they have a nest of NOS steel frames from about 1995 lurking at the back of the loft space and one of the staff had a built-up Genius in my size to look at.
My favourite MTB was a candy red Genius frame from Hardisty so I could hardly say "no"
Since then, the shhop has bee very helpful; sorting out a seatpost clamp and touch-up paint at no charge (I need to post the paint pot back to them as it arrived just this morning and its work is done - 4 small chips fixed).

Spec Sheet:

Frame: Certini Cycles (French made) Columbus Genius (4lbs)

Fork: Certini Cycles (French made) Columbus Genius (not many lbs)

Headset: Stronglight 1”
Stem: Cinelli
Handlebar: Cinelli
Bar Tape: Giro or Cinelli, I’ve not decoded yet

Brake Levers/Brifters: Shimano Ultergra 2011
Brake Calipers: Shimano Ultergra 2011
Brake Pads: Shimano Ultergra 2011
Brake Cables: Shimano Ultergra 2011

Shifters: Shimano Ultergra 2011
Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultergra 2011 braze-on
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultergra 2011
Derailleur Cables: Shimano Ultergra 2011
Cassette: Shimano Ultergra 2011 (11-25)
Chain: Sram
Cranks: Shimano Ultergra 2011 Compact 175mm
Chainrings: Shimano Ultergra 2011 50/34
Bottom Bracket: Shimano Ultergra 2011
Pedals: Look Keo

Rims: Shimano Ultergra 2011
Hubs: Shimano Ultergra 2011
Hub Skewers: Shimano Ultergra 2011
Nipples: Shimano Ultergra 2011
Spokes: Shimano Ultergra 2011
Tyres: Continental GP4000
Tubes: can’t remember

Saddle: Specialized Alias (like a board with a hole in the middle)
Seatpost: Thomson Elite
Seatpost Binder: generic

Bottle Cage: probable will be a Specialized Rib Cage in black
Extras: Middleburn Cable Oilers in red

Weight:just over 20 lbs
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very nice!
also very similar to this frame and forks i just bought - also candy apple metallic red Peugeot and made from Columbus Genius 1997...



i'm getting the forks converted to 1" aheadset and a stem/spacers painted to match

look forward to seeing your build

Very nice. Straight blade forks too are they Genius? Have you got a plan for it?

Mine's now built up, apart from bar tape, and it's a nice ride - at least on a short local loop. Feels comfortable, lively and quick. It's a while since I've been on a road bike (Etap du Dales this year I think) and in the mean time I've been on a big bouncy clown bike which is much more upright, so it'll take a while to evaluate.
The horrid weather's put me off going out on the road, at least with a shiny new bike.

let's see some pics of the finished product!

forks are genius too.
Build wise i'm using the campagnolo record 10 carbon groupset that i had on my Dave Russell - i may sell a few bits and splash out on a Black Brooks Titanium Swallow saddle just to finish it off..

Still not fully finished (bar tape and brake cables to trim) but some pictures after a lovely sunny ride.

I've already bought a new saddle cos the Ti Allias is like sitting on a plank with a hole in it and I'm fed-up with light weight pain.
The bar tape is Giro fi'zi:k (black with a blood red stripe).
I'm thinking about bottle cages - Specialized Rib Cages in black as they look nice and shiny and carbon is just silly money.
Or, I might just keep it looking clean and carry a CamelBac instead.


BTW, I didn't miss a bit of the front wheel, it was the camera's "small picture" software and me not using a proper editing program.

That is lovely. I'm putting the parts from my 2000 Specialized Allez Sport (105 groupset and various Ritchey bits) onto a steel CBT Italia I've just found. Should be a bit more forgiving than the aluminium Specialized. Carbon and aluminium don't suit everyone and using modern parts on an old (or NOS) steel frame is a great idea.