Take it to the Max

For some time now, I have nurtured a strong desire to own a 'Bling' frame constructed from Columbus Max tubing.

I had hoped to construct a Max frame on my recent frame-building course at Enigma. However, whilst the tubes are still available, the lugs are not, or at least they are as rare as the proverbial rocking-horse shit. The only build option would be to fillet braze the tubes, which is beyond my competence; and besides, I really like the look of the lugs on Max frames.

Toward the end of the year, I turned to the 'bay, where decent Max frames are not uncommon.

First, I was attracted to this beautiful Llewellyn frame:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Llewellyn-Columbus-MAX-Custom-Road-bike-Campagnolo-Athena-Record-/192014618038?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=VbD%252BPKPAjedMYCTCo8pFlqD8DVU%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Delightful, but pricey, and it was in Australia so shipping costs and the associated agg were prohibitive.

Then I found the grail:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eddy-Merckx-Corsa-Extra-Columbus-Max-/201746425280?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=VbD%252BPKPAjedMYCTCo8pFlqD8DVU%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Merckx built Max, with Dura Ace in great nick, good price and based in Germany. I contacted the owner and asked for a price for shipping to the UK. In the meantime, someone else pressed the BiN button, and that was that, bollocks.

At the same time, this Grandis was available (indeed, at the time of posting, it still is);

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282309700292?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Perhaps not as good value as the Merckx, but not too bad. I had pretty much made my mind up to buy it, when a thought crossed my mind. Quite a few of those old established Italian builders are still around, and quite a few of them have either continued making their classic old steel frames, or have re-introduced them to their range in recent years.

So, I had a quick Google, and what do you know? Grandis still produce their Over-Max 'Classico', in fact I now understand it is their best selling model:

http://www.cicligrandis.it/produzione-telai-biciclette_ENG.aspx

Before long, with the help of Google Translate, I was swapping e-mails with a gentleman by the name of Alessandro Grandis.

One thing led to another, and this afternoon I found myself in Nat West on the Commercial Road transferring funds for a deposit payment to Italy.

I don't 'need' it, shouldn't have done it and can't really afford it. But fuck it, I am excite!

Yes! This is going to be awesome. I've been admiring Grandis frames for a while, can't wait to see how it turns out

A friend owned a couple of Grandis frames, he used to rave about them A LOT.

Sometimes when you see what you want you just find a way to make it work financially, and it's so worth it. Have you started to think about the group yet?

I have some NOS Shamal Rims, which I would like to get built into wheels (which will probably involved getting some custom drilled hubs.

I also have some VGC / NOS Delta brakes which I think would work.

Other than that, not sure. Maybe Silver Potenza. Or, if I can get a good price a Campag 80th Group.

NOS shamals, custom drilled hubs, NOS deltas, silver Potenza

Sounds good to me

Is this getting de-railed due to incoming roberts?

Nah. The Roberts is going to get a parts-bin group slapped on it and be ridden all over the shop.

The Grandis is really a vanity project, probably won't be done before the autumn.

Thanks for passing on the Roberts BTW;)

Damn these stubby pins. Enjoy it!

Max, silver potenza, good choice!

Interesting, never heard of 'over'MAX! Looks similar to MXL tubing

Well MXL is essentially a mix of MAX tubing and other tubesets, so they look alike obviously.
I have an Merckx MXL and the receipt states it uses MAX, SLX and SPX, but the decal says MXL. Surely they have different combinations as well.
So I guess 'OverMax' is similar. MAX tubing + somthing else ... Or they simply modify the tubes as mentioned on their site: "Tubes: microalloyed steel Columbus Overmax, exclusive shaping with final modeling through our hydraulic presses"

Anyway seems like a nice project. MAX frames are awesome! Still have to build up my MAX Landshark.
At which price do Grandis start offering this frameset?

This all sounds amazing, J_J. Looking forward to some pics.

I recently cured my want for a max road frame, one of those things that just has to be done!

At which price do Grandis start offering this frameset?

Frame & Fork is 1,800 Euro's, so not cheap, especially with the current exchange rate.

Grandis have their own proprietary lugs for the Over-Max. Cable routing for the rear brake seems to go through the top tube then exit via the seat lug. Crazy Italians!

Saw that, thought it was a v nice detail!

Cable routing for the rear brake seems to go through the top tube then exit via the seat lug.

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You don't get that on yer Boardman.

I lusted after a Llewellyn back before I went off lugged frames.

I have a Grandis Prestige (not Max tubing) with all the panto and that groovy seat cluster lug. It rides extraordinarily well, particularly on big downhills. I took it to the Pyrenees for the Etape a couple of years ago and it screamed down the mountains feeling very stable. Overtook a ton of carbon bikes on the ups too :¬)

For paint, I was going to take 'inspiration' from this:

The main colour is a sort of British Racing Green.

Anyone know what RAL that would be?

Please ignore my last question. I now know what 'Google' is.

Have you started hoarding parts yet?
Engraved stems here:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-3TTT-RECORD-SILVER-quill-stem-pantographed-engraved-GRANDIS-Signature-/282111868160?hash=item41af2d7d00:g:yt8AAOSwqfNXlUIl
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cinelli-1a-OLD-Logo-race-bike-quill-stem-panto-engraved-GRANDIS-115mm-/282293649419?hash=item41ba03400b:g:K08AAOSwJ7RYVAzD

Nice.

I am going to ask my new mate Alessandro if they still have the tooling to do the pantographs. If so, I'll be sending him some bits.

In terms of groupset, I was thinking that you could keep the "G" theme.

Perhaps a full Gipiemme or full Galli ?

I know you like Campag so you could go from Gran Sport?
The original Gran Sport might be too old and the Nuovo Gran Sport not posh enough.

Regardless, I have a little present for you which I will drop off at your office next time I am over!

Cool. Best I order some Champagne then!