Cinelli Bottom Bracket on a Chas Roberts

[ChrisG]

I recently purchased a nice Chas Roberts from this forum.
It's has been a bit neglected and is in need of a bit of TLC.
I've no idea of frame material but would guess at 531?
Chas Roberts themselves are to busy to help me with this at the moment. :roll:

The other thing it has, which being new to road bikes I've never seen before is a Cinelli bottom bracket with a spoiler and slots in the shell case.
Could someone explain the function/purpose of these elements.

 

[fiks]

I suppose it's mixture of style and a way to have built-in cable guides.

Cut outs on the bottom is let water drain out. On a bike without mudguards, water will get into the seat tube and run down into the bb. They're also to make it lighter.

 

[daccordimark]

I saw a hilarious eBay listing a few months ago where the seller went on about the aerodynamic advantages of the Cinelli Spoiler bottom bracket like yours. He said it produced down force like on Formula One cars!

I think one supposed advantage is it keeps the front wheel spray off the cables a bit and as fiks says gives you built-in cable guides. Whatever the reasons behind it, it is a quality item on a quality frame - enjoy.

Mark.