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^^ Don't know for sure that it's British built, but it's quite likely.
I doubt a 28.0 frame would come out at 29.0 even when powder coated so it's 28.6mm plain gauge.
If they bothered with Nervex lugs, it's probably 531 (or equivalent) rather than gas-pipe.

A good place to start might be to see if the frame number points toward the bigger UK builders, I know Holdsworth did build plain gauge reynolds frames with Nervex lugs, I'm sure they weren't alone

Frame numbers are also stamped on the steerer tube, so don't worry if you can't read it through the powder coat

Thanks Rik,

I'll do a bit more digging, find the frame number and see where that points me...

In the interim I searched for Holdsworth 531 frame and this was the first link: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251454265163?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648 I've asked for some more details and photographs of the lugs, it looks pretty identical to me from the small images - but even if it's not exactly the same, it feels like I'm getting closer thanks to you...

I'll keep you posted - thanks again,

Mat

Agree, unlikely to be Columbus with those lugs
one thing i forgot, take the back wheel out and measure the distance between the insides of the dropouts (where the hub parts rest)
if 120mm suggests British 70s 5spd
if 126mm, still unclear
if 130mm it's been stretched

Thanks again Ben, I'll measure them when I get chance to have the wheels off - probably Friday night - riding home in five ;0)

If it is 120mm and I can identify the lugs as Nervex, where would that point next in order to try to narrow it down further?

Cheers,

Mat

^ seat-lugs look Nervex
e.g.

There's more pattern catalogue scans here (post #13 if you scroll down)
In addition to being a fancy foreign frame, there exists the possibility that 26.8mm can be a plain gauge British frame (e.g. 531 or 501)
To confirm this, stick a vernier to the outside of the frame tubes - if it's 1 1/8" (28.6mm) then it's plain gauge tubing, if it's 28.0mm it's Columbus (or perhaps French 531)

Clear as mud I know.

Thanks Rik, hugely helpful... I think the lugs may well be Nervex, the one in the image you've posted is remarkably similar, I think it might just be the thickness of the paint that's masking detail very slightly. If they are Nervex lugs, would this point at it being British?

I put the vernier on the tube and it's measuring 29.0mm! I think that's, again, probably down to the thickness of the paint, so I expect the bare metal would probably be 28.6mm you mention.

So all in, Rik, Ben, would you think this suggests a British built frame from the limited information I've been able to give so far?

Evening Ben,

I've been doing the detective work...

• The seat post is 26.8mm, so by your guide we're likely looking at Columbus Aelle steel.

• I can't see any markings on the dropouts, but that's not to say they're not there. The recent powder coat seems to be very thick and may well be covering up the engraving - looking at examples, they look Campag to me, at least, by comparing them next to each other I really can't see any difference, but I have no evidence other than my eyes.

• There are no cutouts on the BB, but under the (thick as I say) powdercoat, when shining a light over the surface, I can just about make out an engraving of what is possibly '5000', but I can't be sure. With the powder coat being so new, I can't bring myself to chip it away to reveal anything under the dropouts or the BB... but it might come to that.

• The threading, I believe is British - under the top nut it reads '1" 24 TPI ENGLAND' but I know that it's a new headset and as the two can be deemed interchangeable, I guess it could be an Italian thread, but with a British headset?

I don't know if that makes it any clearer whatsoever, but if you have any pointers as to what that might point at or where to look next based on the frame type, to narrow things down any, it would be appreciated.

Thanks again Ben,

Mat.

seat post size will give you the most information
27.2 = top quality frame, Reynolds 531/Columbus SL
26.8 = mid level i.e columbus Aelle(usually)
26.4 = hmmm Belgian half decent but common and you'll never find the builder, or british middle of the road

below that is low end.

Your frame says to me Belgian (triangles on the top of the fork crown)
check the dropouts do they say Campagnolo or Gipiemme or nothing?
flip it over look at the bottom bracket shell for distinctive cutout shapes
forget serial numbers they never help
threading british or italian on the headset and bb? undo the headset and check under the top nut for this info

Hi Ben

Thanks for the benefit of your knowledge, that's a great starting point for me... I'll check those things out and come back to you, if I may, with as much information as I can find. There aren't any cutouts on the bottom bracket and I can't see any markings on the dropouts, but I'll have the wheels off and have a proper look.

Thanks again,

I'll let you know. Mat

you've probably been mugged.

tbh it doesnt look like a cinelli to me. lugs remind me more of a british lightweight or something. 60s, early 70s..?

you have a photo of the full build on which you can actually make something out?

and, if you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for it?

Thanks Rodolfo,

I've not been mugged fortunately as I bought it eyes wide open knowing it was more likely not a Cinelli - the guy didn't have a clue, it was just how it had been sold to him... I paid £400, but the components are good enough to warrant the spend even if the frame isn't a Cinelli, it's a solid build and well made and came with Brooks Swift saddle, Shimano 600 callipers,
Shimano crankset, new BLB levers, all new cabling, new Campangolo headset, new Charge rims, new tubes and Kenda tyres and it's not been ridden since it was built and powder coated. Plus there's an extra chainwheel and a Cinelli stem provided. So all in I don't think I've been done...

I hope these photos will make it a bit clearer - I need all the help I can get to identify it and my knowledge is not great - all help massively appreciated as I'm really keen to work out what it is.

Thanks again for replying,

Mat

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54947857@N00/12593884785/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54947857@N00/12593882005/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54947857@N00/12593986253/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54947857@N00/12593879405/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54947857@N00/12593988503/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54947857@N00/12593871985/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54947857@N00/12593980903/

Evening all,

I recently bought a bike which was sold to me as a Cinelli Frame. It could be Cinelli (it came with what the seller said was the original Cinelli stem), but I'm not sure and can't work out what model, if it is. It has no markings that I have found and it's recently been powder coated, so there are no decals.

I asked Brick Lane Bikes, who did the powder coat, but they have no history on the bike. If anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it, the lugs seem pretty distinctive, but I haven't seen them anywhere online yet and can't identify them.

Thanks in advance everyone,

Mat