Coppi / FiR / Alpina Identification & Information Please?

[Johnny Crash]

Hi,

I'm new and as with most (I'm sure) first posters, I came across the site because I was looking for information.

I recently bought a nice early/mid 90's bike and there seems to be a bit of a story behind it.

Apparently, it was used by the Coppi / FiR rep in the early 90's as a demonstrator bike and then put into storage. It looks like the same frame as Team Polti used (although I believe they are quite rare as a UCI rule change outlawed seat stays that stopped below the seat cluster so they were shelved and a lot actually went unpainted) and it looks very much like the frame Mauro Gianetti won LBL and Amstel Gold on in 1995:

Any information on the frame itself and possible rarity of (made with Columbus Genius) is gratefully received but it's the groupset and wheels that interest me the most.

The groupset is a mix if Dura Ace (brake calipers and chainset) and Fir components. The seat post, front mech, derailleur, down tube shifters and brake levers (I think as they don't look like Dura Ace) are FiR as well as the rims but that's expected as they're mostly known for wheels. I don't think I've ever seen a FiR groupset before though.

The wheels are built on lovely looking Alpina hubs but I can't find much information on them either.

So, retrobike, I'd love you to share your knowledge with me!

Thank you.

 

[Johnny Crash]

Bueller? Bueller?

I'm guessing it's not something that comes up very often then. I've drawn a blank on all the usual avenues of investigation such as Velo Base and Classic Rendezvous.

 

[Cefnbikie]

I can't help you with any info, but the bike is a beauty. The colour scheme is great, and a very interesting mix of components.

 

[Jamiedyer]

Its a lovely looking frame for sure, as for components I too am unsure. For what its worth my opinion says at first glance the mechs and shifters look Campagnolo, just rebranded or made for FIR.
Its a great looking paint job and the chrome sets it of nicely.

Jamie

 

[Johnny Crash]

Its a lovely looking frame for sure, as for components I too am unsure. For what its worth my opinion says at first glance the mechs and shifters look Campagnolo, just rebranded or made for FIR.
Its a great looking paint job and the chrome sets it of nicely.

Jamie

Thank's for the nice comments. I only came across this by accident and really couldn't pass it up. It's very nice in real life too. I'm almost too scared to ride it!

I did consider that they may be rebranded items from Campagnolo or similar at first but I can't find an example of a rear derailleur from any of the main Italian or French manufacturers that have the limit screws in the same place.

Perhaps they have been made by someone similar to Campagnolo but their design is definitely unique and different to anything I've seen.

 

[Jonny69]

I don't know if it's the same brand but Alpina components come on Dolan bikes these days and I think they own the name because I've only see them on Dolans.

 

[Johnny Crash]

I don't know if it's the same brand but Alpina components come on Dolan bikes these days and I think they own the name because I've only see them on Dolans.

No, this is a different company, primarily known for making spokes but also make spoked car wheels:

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/features/ ... Uo4CflVikq

 

[Johnny Crash]

I'm just giving this a little bump as it's been a while. Hopefully that's okay.

 

[Lemond75]

Here's some history on the Coppi frames in case you haven't seen this already.

http://www.pelizzoliworld.com/history/

Apparently Wiggo bought one recently as a restoration project. Think it might have been Bugno's or Bartoli's from memory. Have a look on his Instagram account as I think he may have posted pictures of it.

 

[Johnny Crash]

Yes, I've seen Wiggo's Coppi - his is a carbon version that belonged to Bugno!