Gandolfi '85/'86

[Jesper]

I got this a couple years ago fairlt low cost (I think due to its size) and it got packed, moved around, and buried. No refurbishing done, not even test ridden when first obtained though all components function fine (headset very slightly loose, tires/tubes-holds air).

Gandolfi is a ahop in Brescia Italy that used to sell bikes under their own name, now just other brands. Present staff is not aware if frames were built inhouse or not during the era of this frame. "Super" model; Columbus "SL" frame set w/"house" fork (could be Columbus; but no helical ridges in steerer so not an "SL" steerer or other sets that used the same design)), and a variety of parts. Seat tube 49.5mm c-c/51cm c-t; top tube 52cm c-c, rear fork 128mm. Not sure what was original except stem; but I suspect all the OFMEGA, 3ttt, Campagnolo, and Universal parts are original. Everything included except OE chainring nut/bolt and bar plug missing.
At present:
-Campagnolo: Nuovo Record rear mech (PAT. 11, '85); Record front mech (3 hole cage), post (27.2) and shifters (curved & panto'd)
-OFMEGA: Mistral crankset/BB (52/42); Sintesi Pedals; Super Competizione headset; front hub (Gran Premio?);
-3ttt: Competizione bar (w/probably original Ribbon tape), Criterium stem (panto'd and milled)
-Shimano (replacement parts): rear hub FH-HG50 w/ 7 speed Hyperglide cluster (13,15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 26) with very little wear, QR skewers
-Universal: Mod. 77 brake set (hoods toast!)
-Concor Super Corsa saddle
- Fiamme (replacement parts): Duran rims (622x14)
-Michelin tires (20mm front-old/no good, 23mm rear-new)
-Miche post binder hdwr.
-generic replacement chain
-Super Record (brand) rear drop-out
-generic unbranded front drop-out

Not sure how well the NR mech will shift 26t (I only go 23t-24t normally with Campagnolo inline mechs, but i have seen one NR do 26t with slight modifications to either it and/or the FW), but I assume if it was configured this way it must have worked okay. Newer cog designs should help shifting; should be interesting.

I know nothing about the "Duran" rims. Are they FiR made badged as Fiamme after the buy-out?

 

[Jesper]

More before photos:

 

[Nob]

Those Ofmega Mistral chainsets are becoming rare these days

 

[PhillB]

I love the pantographing on these old Italian frames. Some super components on this - it should clean/polish up really nice. please show us photos as you restore it!

 

[Jesper]

Thanks! Still trying to determine more history as I've received conflicting reports from local pattons of the sgop and the owner's son (who you would think would know the facts). Son says frames were not built ny his father; whereas patrons state frames were made in the 80s, not much after that. Posting on an Italian site in attempt to stir up more memories.
Having a bunch of Italian bikes (and hundreds that passed through my hands) I find it very odd to see that many panto's on bike that are not related to the actual builder versus the retailer. I have many frames that were built by an independent builder for a local shop that had the builders marks, but that had the shop's decals on them (they are not "rebranded" per se as they were brand new bikes) which was common. I only have one mystery bike regarding its history between its markings and its decals; though I have seen the panto'd name located on another frame with decals (had panto'd parts same as decals) only on a frame made by someone other than the name occurring on the two frames (always a mystery somewhere!).

 

[SteelNipple]

Thanks! Still trying to determine more history as I've receives conflicting reports from local pattons of the sgop and the owner's son (who you would think would know the facts). Son says frames were not built ny his father; whereas patrons state frames were made in the 80s, not much after that. Posting on an Italian site in attempt to stir up more memories.
Having a bunch of Italian bikes (and hundreds that passed through my hands) I find it very odd to see that many panto's on bike that are not related to the actual builder versus the retailer. I have many frames that were built by an independent builder for a local shop that had the builders marks, but that had the shop's decals on them (they are not "rebranded" per se as they were brand new bikes) which was common. I only have one mystery bike regarding its history between its markings and its decals; though I have seen the panto'd name located on another frame with decals (had panto'd parts same as decals) only on a frame made by someone other than the name occurring on the two frames (always a mystery somewhere!).

Ever seen a early 80s Italian "Santini" brandet bike? Red frame, yellow "Santini" text on down tube and on seat tube, yellow four leaf clover with "Santini" under it painted on the head tube. Columbus SL with Prugnat 62 D lugs and fork with Cinelli style sloping crown. 4 leaf clover with stem cutouts in lower head lug, top of the crown and top of the "dice" style brake bridge. Dropouts are short Campagnolo with holes for porta catena. Build by BMZ? The clover is not quite like the ones on those frames, but the BB cutout is similar to BMZ ones, no stampings except Columbus dove on the steerer tube.

 

[SteelNipple]

Not sure how well the NR mech will shift 26t (I only go 23t-24t normally with Campagnolo inline mechs, but i have seen one NR do 26t with slight modifications to either it and/or the FW), but I assume if it was configured this way it must have worked okay. Newer cog designs should help shifting; should be interesting.

Long cage Campy RDs like Victory, NR with longer cage and Rally Touring can do 32t and only mechanical difference with those and the standard NR is the longer cage which only adds more chain wrap. With NR the max chain wrap is stated to be 26t so you could possibly do 44-52t front and 14-32t rear.

And nice looking bike, love the panto on the shifters and stem. It could be all original? Atleast the components are from the same period.

 

[Jesper]

@SteelNipple regarding the originality of the the bike; I honestly think it is original from the day it was assembled except the rubber, and, I assume, the bearings/axles. Wear on the chainrings looks typical for original parts, as do the brake pads. Rear mech pulleys are period correct, but have minimal wear so I presume they havwle been replaced as well; but being that I sourced this bike directly from Italy and it would be more normal to find NOS parts available in local shops (sad truth: I went to the bike shop I bought my first brand new bike from in '79 [Peugeot something?] and they had no 10 tooth pulleys as a stocked repair part! Had plenty at present home, but was touring my old home.)
Other signs that nothing has been replaced/serviced on the bike are the OE hoods (now held together by weak atomic bonds and tape), and the Ribbon brand tape that matches my OE tape on an '86 bike and was of better than average durability, especially on bikes kept indoors and/or of lower miles.

Ah, four leaf clovers!
Regarding your Santini query; yes I have seen Santinis before (multiple types; brands). I do not presently have one of the type you are describing; but I have another Santini marque that I am still trying learn more about and to determine if the two were connected (as well as another Santini marque) in some way other than in name. One may have been a builder only; the another a shop name selling branded contract built frames, etc.

The clover leaf (3 & 4) have been used by various marques in various countries, but the Santini frames sold by the Cicli Santini (Ermanno Santini founder 1960) shop in Forte dei Marmi has (had?) the 4 leaf clover with curved stem and had a "4 leaf" type cut-out drain in the BB shell (apparently hand drilled by the maker, as they are not consistently cut). I know they sold bikes with Santini branding through the 80s, but not sure how much esrlier or later than that era. The frames with the odd cut-out were made by Gino Vanni (not to be confused with "Vanni" Losa who was an independent builder whose frames are highly sought after and found under many marques in many countries); a small builder from Migliarino Pisano, Vecchiano, Pisa. If just the 4 leaf clover in the lugs and no custom BB shell cut-out (BMZ used fairly common BB shells; solid, slotted, etc.; but no fancy designs) then it sounds like it could be a BMZ frame (they built for many shop brands). The BMZ stamp on the BB shell might be obscured by paint if it is one of their products. Trying to remember other brands with clovers, but not clicking except a name beginning with "M" (Milano, Mondial, etc. something along those lines). I need to check my notes regarding different marques using similar logos.
My clover leaf frame has no stem (look at my icon image), Lusa/Lusatti marque. Also similar (or the same) is Tomi which had 4 leaves with no stem, and who is presumed, after research, to be the builder of my frame as his logo was turned differently in aspect than all others and I can find no other design to match. Tomi also built under his own marque, and also for Cinelli.

The Santini frame I have uses a bird's head (raptor) as its logo so I do not think they are related. Check out here: https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/santini-5-flute-gilco-style-frame.470350/

There is another Santini marque; Cicli Santini by V. Santini in Rome. I'm still working on that marque's history if shop, builder, or both. Send me photos or start a thread and I'll try to help.