1983 Ciöcc Mockba 80

Here is my 1983 Ciöcc Mockba 80 which I have had in my collection for nine years now and still one of my favourites. These were justly renown for their wonderful handling (a perfect combination of light steering with just the right amount of 1980s Italian twitchiness with very tight angles) and ideal for those 25-mile all out thrashing rides. Just brilliant!

I also love the requisite 1980s Italian "bling" with lashings of chrome and a complete pantographed set of Campagnolo Super Record components. I obtained this as a frameset and it took many years (and even more money) to acquire a complete set of the correct pantographed bits.

The Mockba 80, named after the 1980 Moscow Olympics in which the Polish road team won Bronze riding Ciöccs, was the top-end model with special head lugs and all chromed rear triangle.

The build up weight is 20.5 lbs. with full Campagnolo Super Record (titanium pedal and bottom bracket spindles).

Ciöccs of this era were imported into the United States by Ten Speed Drive Imports, once a major mail order firm specialising in top-end Italian road iron. They imported the bare frames and painted them in house to better quality than most Italian frames of the time and also had the components custom milled in Italy. Their little racing cyclist logo is on the rear brake bridge.

A complete set of photos, specs and information can be found here:

http://www.ipernity.com/doc/286349/album/347145

Peter Kohler
Washington, DC USA

Very nice, I really like the black paint and anodized rims. A very cool machine you have there.

: Mike

Re:

Thanks... it's actually midnight blue. Original but deteriorating now... the overcoat is crazing and discolouring and there are chips aplenty. Passes the "four-foot test" but although I hate repainting bikes unless I absolutely have to, this might be a candidate before too long.

Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA

nice

Very nice ...

Great looking bike. Are they Tufo tubulars on there?

Re:

Yes, indeed.... I absolutely love Tufos but not loving they discontinued my favourite model (on this and most of my other other machines), the Jet Pro in a 19mm width AND (the essential here) traditional beige sidewalls. They still make the S-33 in beige/black but in a 21 mm width.

Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA

A beautiful bike and appears very similar to the San Cristobal. This model must arrived during an interesting period of CIOCCs history, I think Giovanni sold the company in 1980? I guess he maintained some involvement given that the frames produced continued with his signature. Pelizzoli is regarded as one of the finest builders but never seemed to have the same fortune and fame as some.

I'm lucky enough to own a San Cristobal built and supplied for Tom Crowther, I think a year earlier in 1979. Italian history can become very foggy during some periods so I've never actually pinned down the year!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62249235@ ... 2155865998

Re:

Yes... the Mockba 80 was the successor to the San Cristobal as Ciocc's top of the range model, both named after races in which Cioccs were ridden to victory.

And yes, I don't think they ever got the recognition and regard they are owed... except by their owners! Indeed, it's hard to find early Cioccs and most of them are justifiably ridden to death.

Hillary Stone has this superb '79 San Cristobal for sale:

http://hilarystone.com/images/sale%20im ... stobel.jpg

Spelling is optional it appears (!) but what a lovely example and with all the early pantographed bits, too.

Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA

I had to correct one of my spellings as well! Hilary has turned up another hens tooth, I don't see San Cristobals for sale very often and certainly not in that condition. If only it had a little more chrome...

I suspect the frames may have been fully chromed. I did read somewhere it was something the Italians liked to do. Not so much for 'bling' value but to save time masking up for paint. I'm not sure how much truth is in that, but if true it probably makes for less durable paint. I ride mine almost everyday but unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, little chips and marks seem to appear. Its difficult to tell, but some chips reveal a base like non polished chrome. They are addictive bikes to ride but I should probably retire mine to save the paint.