Rewel MTB titanium prototype

[mojo ti]

Here is an Italian frame that arrived this summer.
It is a collector of French origin who lives in Italy who sold it to me.
One of the first five prototypes that were made by Rewel.
They were all different to find the right solutions.
I tried to find and gather information about the beginning of the brand.

I would love to get to know and gather information on the history of European MTB.
All that I find, shows the birth in Italy ...

The frame has arrived

 

[mojo ti]

Re:

At that time the titanium tubes were very difficult to find. Fat Chance / Merlin took aeronautical scraps tubes to make the first ones.
In Italy, Passino and Rewel took some sheets and rolled them.
If you put your fingers on the tubes, you feel the welds. With this solution, it is difficult to make round tubes.

The frame has a special finish that hides very well the solder that closes the tube.
The first welds at Rewel were not very beautiful, I let you see ...

 

[albatros38]

Re:

That’s a quite original frame, with very nice details !

 

[williwoods]

awesome

 

[tintin40]

interesting history.

 

[yanee71]

Re:

Nice.... Rewel still works
If I remember well welded frames for LeRun and other brands... Carraro etc..
Think its 1987/88 birth

 

[mojo ti]

Re:

It's a brand that has an old history. They manufactured for other brands, to leverage their know-how.
I found information on their site and photos of three other prototypes. All have Magura brakes. One have chainstay lowered, other have home made telescopique seatpost, internal cable...

 

[mojo ti]

Re:

The most impressive prototype to Rewel.
You can see here : Rewel prototype

Rewel story

 

[mojo ti]

Re:

Some Italian parts...
Stem and seatpost are NOS, handlebar and ti bottom bracket in pretty condition.
French Mavic headset (NOS)...

 

[Dr Dremel]

Re:

Very nice and unique frame with the machine turned surface finish. I guess the turning was done on the sheet metal before rolling/welding?

I remember reading a ride impression/short review in one of my oooold magazines. I think they complained that the frame was not very stiff.

Thanks for posting, will follow this one!