Presto Rapido...

With my Vetta CX/gravelbike almost completed I'm planning my next project. I bought the Presto Rapido in 1997 and the Columbus Gara frameset is just too beautiful to get rid of. I have to decide between cleaning the frame and saving the original color or having it resprayed. The green paint looks nice from a distance but there's serious damage and some rust.

All it needs is a 10sp rear derailleur to complete the bike...

The current state of affairs...

Dem forks! Lovely.

Hmm, better with black rims...

Both black and silver rims look good to me. Bianchi celeste is nice, I would sand down the rust and paint chips, clear coat over it and enjoy the bike. Your builds are tasty!

Thanks, I think some clear coat over the rusty spots is indeed the way to go. Took it out for a spin today and totally loved it. Very nimble and the 46 chainring combined with the 13-26 cassette has enough range for touring purposes.

Another super classy build! Keep them coming :).

18 years earlier...

Lovely photos!

What's happening to the bike?

Replaced the bearings in the headset. I'm rebuilding it with a mix of polished alu 10sp Record/Chorus, polished 3ttt stem and handlebar and a new wheelset with Ambrosio rims with Dugast PB tubes.

Frame set is all cleaned and waxed. NOS 3ttt stem and bars, nos Campagnolo Chorus crankset, used Chorus brakes and derailleurs, Record headset and left downtube shifter. Looking to replace the Veloce Ergopowers for Chorus too.

Jagwire cables, black Brooks leather bar tape and polished bottle holders are on their way, to be followed by the Ambrosio Nemisis rims. In doubt between 25mm Dugast or Veloflex. Read some worrying stories about wobbly Dugast due to quality issues.

Some old wheels to get the idea...

Now all I need is to do is built a set of nice wheels with Nemesis rims...

Very elegant build again. I liked the Pro chrome stem a bit better, went well with the straight forks I thought.

I have a set of Nemesis rims for sale if you need them (they've been used in a track wheelset, never seen brake pads). I'm based in NL.

I think the Pro chrome stem looked better too. Could you try an ITM Eclypse?

Certainly no Pro Chrome or Eclypse. The 3ttt Syntesis stem is exactly what I want

Because?

...because I don't like the looks of the Pro Chrome on this bike but I do like the Syntesis?

Ready for some spring cobbles...

Really good build!

Looking to replace the Veloce Ergopowers for Chorus

Why? Just because?

Yeah, just for the groupset to be complete :-)

I could not resist a sudden urge to take some more pics...

your bikes always have impeccable proportions

Really like this bike.