Simoncini steel road frame cycle pictures Nikon

James and his pictures with a Nikon of the Simoncini steel road bike frame

Simoncini steel road frame cycle pictures

A few more pictures by James with his Nikon

Simoncini steel road bike frame pictures

Today I went out on my mountain bike and noticed the drag on the tyres. when I checked the pressures they were 30lb when the tyres can be set to 70lb. As I added the pressure and went for a cycle ride the diffrence was chalk and cheese. The ressistance was very little to road surface and the effort needed to cycle was easier.
My son James has taken a few pictures with his Nikon of the bike. See below

Simoncini bike with campagnolo components

First pictures of the Simoncini corsa strada steel frame road bike. I had the bike sprayed to match Ducati 916 colours and matched the scheme of the motorbike design with gold campagnolo khamsin wheels, black vittoria tyres, sella italia c2 saddle, cateye vectra comuter, record campag headset, veloce black brakes, levers, black cineli bars and stem with campagnolo chorus plus pedals.

Simoncini bike with campagnolo components

Today I picked up my bike. Having to wait for the bike to be made in Italy and delivered to england and made up with all the components. I have taken some pictures with my android phone. Hope to add some more with a higher resolution camera.
I have been out on the bike and am pleased with the ride. As it is my first road bike for a while, the first obstacles seem getting used to the fixed shoes.

Advice on buying a hand made steel bike

Having a delay on my bike from two or maximum three months to now over 4 months, set me thinking about the past and what I should have done.

Ask for feedback from friends who have bought from the shop.
Does any one recommend where you are looking.
Search the forums for the shop name. Try to take a balanced view. There are some customers that can never be pleased.
If you have a trip organised or date you want the bike for. Mention this on the reciept to be part of building the bike. That the bike is supplied before the date. As if it is missed it could be a big disappointment such as mine.
If any parts are added ask for a breakdown of the prices before you go ahead. Depending on the dealers they could charge you full price for a part and add labour to fit.
Make sure you keep all notes about your discussion. The parts you asked for. The design and looks that are important to you. I keep a diary.
At the end of the sale are you happy with the bike? Hopefully you will be smilling from ear to ear if the shop listens to you. There is none better than a customer that wants to show off and talk about good customer care with having a hand built bike. It has to be one of the best selling tools. A happy customer from good customer service.
Vinny

Hills for cycling in Italy Lake Como or Lago di Como

After visiting Lake Como I was hoping to take my new steel frame bike around some of the roads of Italy. Only the bike was not ready.
Before I went there are quite a few sites that will show some of the roads and let you see others with their data of the routes they have taken. One of the sites i found is
http://www.climbbybike.com/index.asp

One day I was by Sorico at Lago di Como there was some kite surfers and windsurfers. Makes bike transport look slow. Have a look at the video.

The roads in Italy lead to fine food and pizza

I still am waiting for my bike. Hopefully soon will be able to add some pictures.
Looking at my past visits to lake Garda there are some stunning roads and restaurants. One restaurant that was tucked away in the hills and serves some of the best food that I tasted while on holiday is
Ristorante Pizzeria Brasa,

telephone number and street address in Tremosine 0365 918119

Via Benaco, 22 - Strada Porto-Pieve

http://www.brasa.it/

It is tucked away in the hills, some horshoe roads and when there quiet and tranquilty. Only the sound of the stream that runs through its gardens and the view of the road as it twists round. Although you can count on your hand the amount of cars that drive past. Have a look on google maps to see the roads from above. Picture below of the resturant.

Battery powered bike Gruberassist

My bike is still in Italy being made. Seems to take ages as I am keen to get on my bike. I have bought a pair of cycling shoes, the specialized elite road. I choose these shoes on the fit and that they have a instep which was very comfortable and a buckle. I wanted to buy sidi as i have sidi motorcycle shoes which i can highly recommend but due to the soles when fitted seemed to be so slim, I looked for others. On searching the internet you can get two sizes and if you go for the Mega size in sidi this will accomodate a wider foot. For me now with this info maybe it will help for a second set of shoes later on.
On searching the net I found this new site which mentioned a new battery powered bike that you will have to look very carefully to find the workings. The main part fits in the seat post and you can adapt a normal bike to fit although it needs a specific bike crank.


http://www.gruberassist.com/category/englisch/

columbus steel frames what does it mean

As with most products there are reasons for its development. I did not understand the history behind columbus steel until finding this site. Also how gilco fits in the picture. There are a lot of famous manufacturers that are involved from Ferrari to Moto Guzzi....
http://www.columbustubi.com/eng/1.htm

Simoncini Factory visit

Orlando holding one of his frames
The factory floor


Above are the pictures of my visit to Simoncini to see where my steel frame road bike is made in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. Orlando Simoncini is still making frames by hand and took the details of my frame, colors which will match my bike, parts to be chromed. He showed me his workshop and you can still see that his father who started the frame building tradition has his method still intact. Orlando was very helpful and showed me his bikes which he still uses.
The factory was found in a industrial area of Italy but is surrounded by grape vines. The factory was set back and was full of frames, bikes, pictures of famous riders that had owned his bikes.
Still made in a traditional way.

steel road bike frame designed by Italians

I searched online for steel frame bikes and found that in the UK there is only one dealer for Simoncini frames made in Italy. Having looked at the website http://www.simoncinitelaibiciclette.com/contatti.html
you can see the design detail is with Gilco. They have some very unusual designs and also helped colnago. At one time simoncini made steel frames for colnago under licence. As the previous picture I have included the original which I intend to base on my own bike.
http://www.gilcodesign.com/doc/des/telaioMaster.htm
the site is in Italian and English
The colours red I will base on my Ducati 916 and have chrome as the other colour. Components I will try to keep Italian and campagnolo used where ever possible.
I popped in to see Edward at http://www.cyclesclements.co.uk/
He was brilliant in helping me to size up my frame on the bike and with adding components. As i sat on the bike, visually he was quick to point out my size bars needed. With a tape measure he was able to size the frame. For me the frame has to fit as when you are on the bike for a long time the last thing you need is to be uncomfortable on the bike. He helped me to choose design and components for the bike. If you visit or call Edward I am sure you will be impressed by his knowledge and skills in cycles.
Vinny

steel frame Colnago PR07 or Simoncini road bike

This frame started me on the journey to find a steel frame. Looking at the frame is one of the main items other than wheels on a road bike. I believe in the look of the bike as much as the ride quality. Also there is mixed feelings from me in that I could have tried to source an older bike but I want the reliability and speed of new components rather than my memories of gears that would change on a whim rather than telling it when to...The Simoncini frame that I am buying did build frames under license for Colnago at one time.
Vinny

Simoncini steel road bike

I have placed an order on a Simoncini steel road bike after looking round for a long time. I hope to add some pictures soon and add links. If you know of some information or links that will help then please send them to me.
Thanks Vincenzo