Columbus tubing

I think you have seen this bike at West's Hippy?

Very odd.
I was chatting to Fabrizio from Columbus only the other day about the tubing. We were both chatting about the weaknesses of the single bolt setup. Maybe its not columbus' design?

Maybe not but I think it was a TT bike so gear changing wasn't needed that often. Ask him if he has any spare seat posts lol

If you need more photos then let me know as I would like to get some history on this oh and the cable for the gear lever goes through the frame and inside the BB and exits at the rear.

I did.
They have one. Its locked in Pablo's (head of design) draw. Crazy.

I can swap his for mine as I want a shiny one ;p

By the way (so you can compare) your one looks more 'air' than this one

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41284201@N05/sets/72157623203051461/

By the way (so you can compare) your one looks more 'air' than this one

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41284201@N05/sets/72157623203051461/

I think my one is full Air tubing.

some more info for future users before we get bogged down in the whole tretubi / air stuff.. this is the breakdown of the tubing Columbus offered around the late 80s:

Max - Tube with oval profiles oriented according to the principal axes of the active and passive stresses. Intended exclusively for special competition machines

TSX - for high level professional use. Maximum rigidity and low weight. Reinforced with five continual spirals in addition to the traditional Columbus varied wall thickness

SLX - "Superbutted" (helical reinforced ends) for professional uses. Double Thickness butting.

SPX - "Superbutted" (helical reinforced ends) with increased thickness, for professional uses. Double thickness butting.

SL - High performance all-purpose road race set. Double thickness butting.

SP - for heavy use, large frame or rough road surfaces. Double thickness butting.

MS - "Multishape"; special "Gilco Design" set with different profiles: each tube is shaped to withstand specific stresses. Professional use. Double thickness butting.

Cromor - for enthusiasts requiring excellent performance at a moderate cost. Double thickness butting.

Aelle - For amateur touring uses. Lightweight thanks to the thin tubing and high yield point.

These were taken from a back page Columbus ad from a 1988 cycling mag, so the info is probably a translation from the standard Italian brochure.. I'm saying that cos of course they're not going to say that Aelle is lower end etc... there are a few more but they're off road and tandem tubings, "Tandem CM" for track use, "Tandem CR" for touring.

/attachments/20888

My frame is a Batavus pro and believe they built in 531 or Columbus SL only. My sticker lacks the letters SL but does have Tubi Rinforzati Guarantiti and also Accaio Speciale as seen in the picture.....is my frame Columbus SL...it is smaller than 58cm....about 54cm...i would gratefulfor confirmation.

I assume you found this?

"Mystery solved - at least partially. Tretubi means "three tubes". Only the main triangle consists of Columbus SL or SP tubing. The stays and forks are some lesser material. They could be a lesser Columbus grade, like Aelle or Cromor, or they could be high tensile steel. Regardless, they are heavier than the forks and 555SL stays in your Competition.

The other factor is that your frame size. At about 58-60cm most Italian builders started switching from Columbus SL to the heavier Columbus SP tubing. Your frame is at the transisition point and since the decal does not indicate SL or SP, the main triangle may be either, depending on the builder's preference. It may even be a combination, such as SL with an SP downtube, which was a popular solution for some extra rigidity without adding too much weight."

"Tretubi actually means that only the three main tubes are made of the Columbus tubing indicated by the sticker. Your Basso's sounds like it is comparable to my 1978 SuperCourse - which was made with Reynolds 531 (as opposed to Columbus) in the three main tubes."

"Tretubi actually means that only the three main tubes are made of the Columbus tubing indicated by the sticker. Your Basso's sounds like it is comparable to my 1978 SuperCourse - which was made with Reynolds 531 (as opposed to Columbus) in the three main tubes.

Doesn't the "Tubi Speciali Rinforzati" indicate that the tubes are butted? If I'm not mistaken I think the main tubes on the Super Course were straight guage 531."

"Doesn't the "Tubi Speciali Rinforzati" indicate that the tubes are butted? If I'm not mistaken I think the main tubes on the Super Course were straight guage 531.

I think you're correct on the Italian, and I know you're correct about the Super Course being straight gauge."

http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-150526.html

1 Attachment

http://equusbicycle.com/bike/columbus/columbuschart.htm

This is fairly old, but still gives you a good insight into the differences between most Columbus tubes. Enjoy.

Random forum error mad me do a double post, please delete.

http://equusbicycle.com/bike/columbus/columbuschart.htm

This is fairly old, but still gives you a good insight into the differences between most Columbus tubes. Enjoy.

Does not help in the interpretation of decals...if you know you have SL or SLX etc then yes it is helpful.

Does not help in the interpretation of decals...if you know you have SL or SLX etc then yes it is helpful.

does not help if you don't have any decals at all

does not help if you don't have any decals at all

Too true, if you are sans decals...you are well and truly are up the swanny!

And your list doesn't list Air tubing.

Sweet bike Diable, crikey ! want

Sweet bike Diable, crikey ! want

Yes.....but more importantly....we're playing England on Saturday at Twickenham!

Football at Twickenham!!! Whatever next.?

Does not help in the interpretation of decals...if you know you have SL or SLX etc then yes it is helpful.

And your list doesn't list Air tubing.

My post was aimed at neither of yours, but thinks for being dicks about it all the same.

Anyone know anything about Columbus nemo? google brought up nowt of any worth and this doesn't mention it. looking for something like a comparison chart.

Yeah, and is the Matrix exactly the same as Cromor (and which one)?

You have a Matrix-tubed frame? which one?

I have this one:

(I promise to change that wallpaper after I get the bike ready :) )

Max - Tube with oval profiles oriented according to the principal axes of the active and passive stresses. Intended exclusively for special competition machines

Happy thoughts as I trundle to work on mine :)

Anyone know anything about Columbus nemo? google brought up nowt of any worth and this doesn't mention it. looking for something like a comparison chart.

Was top of their steel tubing higher up the food chain than Genesis....all i know.

Anyone had any experience with GARA?

Anyone had any experience with GARA?

No experience but here is some info

http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/columbus/columbuschart.htm