Venturi Columbus Genius Italian 🇮🇹 Fillet Brazed unique race MTB

[ibbz]

Not sure if it’s one of a kind - but if anyone else knows of or has seen or heard of a Columbus Genius frameb MTB which is seemingly fillet brazed please let me know
And if anyone knows of the make, builder, race team or rider (R Sorci) please let me know.

Update
thanks to @Gtpulse - some information regarding the maker Venturi has come to light.

The longest running bike company in Cesena, and one of the oldest in Italy. It is the “Venturi” of Cesena, founded in 1919 and which received the Bottega Storica recognition. Its founder, Augusto , was the grandfather of Bruno , the current owner who carries on the sale of racing, city and mountain bikes in via Madonna dello Schioppo.
EDIT - seems as if Venturi are no more - after over 100 years their doors are closed.

I bought this after repeatedly admiring it on Brick Lane Bikes vintage website.
It’s lovely! Just look at it - so refreshingly original in the paint scheme - Italian racing bike like in ways.
It arrived complete with those matching Columbus Genius forks, Shimano Headset and Ritchey cable hanger.
It features Ritchey rear drop outs and is constructed using Fillet Brazing with beautiful finishing throughout.
It’s altogether lovely and measures approx 17.5” C to top tube.
It’s also very light - I’ll weigh it to see what the weight is exactly.

it’s a Venturi Koue. Never heard of them, I presume Koue is the model, either that or it was made to race in the Koue BCI event in South Africa - it features the name of the rider on the top tube - an R Sorci. If anyone has heard of this rider, please let me know.

this is going to be a very exciting and challenging build - I’d have to get it to look right and I assume this frame is from around 1992 - so I’ll be sticking to such parts except where needs must I choose something out of period.

the first thing I did was decide upon a Fillet Brazed stem - thanks to @kingoffootball who suggested this. And thanks to @Tootyred i now have a 1987 handmade stem by peter bird at Swallow in Iron Bridge. It need stripping and a repaint.

I will be finishing this stem in white to match the frame.

I’ve also got a 3TTT Pro Light handlebar.

I think I’ll be looking to fit a XT M735 Groupset 7 speed. with M730 cranks.
I’ll also be looking for some Ritchey hubs/Mavic rim wheels.

 

[ibbz]

Here are some pictures of the Stem and the Handlebars.

im not sure about Seatpost, saddle will likely be a Flite Ti.

I have a ITM Krystal Ti stem on the way, so may have a go at that too.

any thoughts and suggestions on ideas for tne or any knowledge about this frame, rider etc would be most welcome.

 

[kingoffootball]

The stem and the bar look great for that frame.

Do you know what size seatpost it takes? I always seem to struggle with getting the correct seatpost for builds, I guess because of needing to find the correct diameter and length on top of the models/brands that will work well. An M730 seatpost would match the groupset, but I guess you'll be looking for a silver seatpost. If you're going with Ritchey hubs a Ritchey Logic crankset would be a possible alternative to the M730 if you don't already have one.

 

[ibbz]

Thanks man
I think it’s a 27mm as the FRM Seatpost managed to fit exactly
Sestpost choice will be something to think about as I think silver would be ideal. A silver Ritchey or ITM would be nice
I was thinking a classic silver M730 chainset with M735 mechs and rapid fire shifters. With Ritchey Logic cantilevers BUT great suggestion about the Ritchey Logic chainset! It would go with the shimano Ritchey theme and the frame having Ritchey drop outs.

 

[kingoffootball]

A Ritchey seatpost certainly sounds like a good option then, if you can find the right one.

 

[ibbz]

A Ritchey seatpost certainly sounds like a good option then, if you can find the right one.

These are few and far between - I have a WCS champagne one on my Other bike.
I do like the black XT ones but black won’t go with this.

Most 3TTT ones are either carbon or short fluted road ones.

 

[ibbz]

Saw some Wolber AT18 silver rims laced onto XTM730 hubs on eBay Germany and tempted ....

 

[narcotitlan]

Nice Cool stem too. +1 for Ritchey for this build.

 

[ibbz]

Here’s a mock up
Received the ITM Krystal Titanium stem which is super light (whereas the Swallow Fillet Brazed one is quite heavy)
Put some bits from my Bianchi Martini Ti on it (Ritchey sestpost and hubs/wheels ) with the 3TTT Pro Light bars (should’ve put the Ritchey WCS Prolite on instead which are a champagne colour)

The wheels tyres and saddle - won’t go on this as they’re for the Bianchi martini racing Ti I have. I wanted to gauge the look and the size - and am pleased that both are very good indeed
If
I like both stems!!
I wonder how some white Onza Porcs would look?

the swallow stem needs to be white I think rather than yellow !

 

[ibbz]

Nice Cool stem too. +1 for Ritchey for this build.

Thanks - that’s what I’m thinking
Found these hubs on eBay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ritchey-...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0