Saronni, anyone?

EoinC said:

I've got an old Saronni (sitting down in Australia) which I used to ride back in the 80's. I noticed it lurking in the back of my workshop when I went down there a few weeks ago and it stirred some memories. Next time I head down there, I plan on resurrecting her. She's got a Nuevo Record RD, Modolo Brakes & Levers and is otherwise all about 1981 DA. I think she has still got GP4 Rims. I plan on ditching the Cranks (they were those ones with the drop-platform Pedals which had about a 20mm thread on the Crank - must have seemed like a good idea at the time) as they are too hard to be worth chasing.
Anyone else out there got a "Poor-Man's Colnago"? I always remember it as a nice tight bike to ride - short wheelbase and tight tolerances.

What, no Saronni's? I'm feeling like an outcast here!

EoinC said:

What, no Saronni's? I'm feeling like an outcast here!

I've always prefered, one of a kind, unique or even special!!

shannons dad said:

I've always prefered, one of a kind, unique or even special!!

Now I feel like a one-of-a-kind, unique and special outcast. Cheers, Bill!

EoinC said:

Now I feel like a one-of-a-kind, unique and special outcast. Cheers, Bill!

LOL!!! You're more than welcome!😄

shannons dad said:

LOL!!! You're more than welcome!😄

I may have to call the Saronni 'Man Friday' cos' it looks like we're on this island alone.

EoinC said:

I may have to call the Saronni 'Man Friday' cos' it looks like we're on this island alone.

I think it's because it's a Sunday. Everyone's out clocking up miles or KMs. Which daft pillock invented kilometres anyway? Miles are for real bikers. They're longer😄 . Me and wifey's 1st wedding anniversary today. What did we do? A bike ride. I hate being broke. Whoever said money can't buy happiness? Probably Bill Gates.😠 😄

shannons dad said:

I think it's because it's a Sunday. Everyone's out clocking up miles or KMs. Which daft pillock invented kilometres anyway? Miles are for real bikers. They're longer😄 . Me and wifey's 1st wedding anniversary today. What did we do? A bike ride. I hate being broke. Whoever said money can't buy happiness? Probably Bill Gates.😠 😄

Congratulations, Bill. My Saronni and I have been together nearl 25 years (Well, she's been hanging on a wall in my workshop in Aussie for the last 6).

EoinC said:

Congratulations, Bill. My Saronni and I have been together nearl 25 years (Well, she's been hanging on a wall in my workshop in Aussie for the last 6).

Hanging your partner on the wall eh? Mmmmm. Maybe in 25 years I may give that some thought.:eek:

EoinC said:

I've got an old Saronni (sitting down in Australia) which I used to ride back in the 80's. I noticed it lurking in the back of my workshop when I went down there a few weeks ago and it stirred some memories. Next time I head down there, I plan on resurrecting her. She's got a Nuevo Record RD, Modolo Brakes & Levers and is otherwise all about 1981 DA. I think she has still got GP4 Rims. I plan on ditching the Cranks (they were those ones with the drop-platform Pedals which had about a 20mm thread on the Crank - must have seemed like a good idea at the time) as they are too hard to be worth chasing.
Anyone else out there got a "Poor-Man's Colnago"? I always remember it as a nice tight bike to ride - short wheelbase and tight tolerances.

sell the cranks - Alexi Grewal seemed to use them till he absolutely had to give them up. someone will want them.

I have an old Basso - ordered in 1982, received in 1983. GP4's, 32H NR, SR rear, NR front, Modolo Red brakes, NR pedals, Excel Rino cranks - rings - post (remember Ron Haldeman and RAAM), Regina freewheel. short chainstays - 385 mm I believe - my pinkie got caught between the (20mm) tire and the seat tube and brought me down. I ran into an illegally parked car (I was sprinting around a blind turn on a hill) and bent the top and down tubes but I've saved everything hoping one day to rebuild it. Before I wrecked it I put on Gipiemme cranks and pedals (half axle length) with 2 pairs of straps. those were the days.

still though my Giant, as ordinary as it is, works well enough that I bought a second as a spare. Ergo levers, 10s, clipless, light aero wheels, hard to beat function.

carpediemracing said:

sell the cranks - Alexi Grewal seemed to use them till he absolutely had to give them up. someone will want them.

I have an old Basso - ordered in 1982, received in 1983. GP4's, 32H NR, SR rear, NR front, Modolo Red brakes, NR pedals, Excel Rino cranks - rings - post (remember Ron Haldeman and RAAM), Regina freewheel. short chainstays - 385 mm I believe - my pinkie got caught between the (20mm) tire and the seat tube and brought me down. I ran into an illegally parked car (I was sprinting around a blind turn on a hill) and bent the top and down tubes but I've saved everything hoping one day to rebuild it. Before I wrecked it I put on Gipiemme cranks and pedals (half axle length) with 2 pairs of straps. those were the days.

still though my Giant, as ordinary as it is, works well enough that I bought a second as a spare. Ergo levers, 10s, clipless, light aero wheels, hard to beat function.

Good story, CR. I remember Alexi Grewal and Ron Haldeman (I was trying to think of Ron's name the other day when something made my fried brain think of long-distance races).
I bought the Saronni frame, after totalling my Mitchell (NZ frame) in a squeeze between the peleton and the curb, in about '81 off a rider who was upgrading to a new Viner. I picked up a Dura-Ace groupset cheap, but had to get the Modolo brakes for the ultra-short reach.
These days I ride a fixed-wheel but, if I go back to Australia later this year, I think I'll give the Saronni a face-lift and out it back on the road.
Good to hear from you, CR.
Eoin