1970's Acciaio Speciale Cinelli

JamesCinelli

Hi - I am looking for information on my grandfather's Cinelli bike. It was purchased in early 1970's. It is marked "Acciaio Speciale', with Columbus decals. It is all original. Serial # 1559. W/ Tire pump. Never used and stored in my grandfather's basement over 30 years. Amazing condition - a beautiful bike. I am not sure what kind of bike it is - ie racing? track? etc? The Seat Tube Length is 64cm.

DiabloScott

Sounds like a real collectable beauty. "Acciaio Speciale" (special steel) was sort of a budget tubeset I think - cheaper than chrome-moly so you probably don't have a real high-end bike but being in pristine condition makes it very desirable. Far as I know, Cinelli never made anything except racing bikes. If it's a track bike it would only have one chain ring and one cog - no derailleurs and probably no brakes and I doubt it would be fitted with a pump.

64cm? Your grandpa must be a long drink of water!

Check out this page and then post some photos.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/vrbn-a-f.html#cinelli

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JamesCinelli

Thanks DiabloScott. I sent some photos to your e-mail address. Any thoughts about it?

Cheers, CinelliJames

DiabloScott

It's big, but it doesn't look like a 64. Did you measure it or does it have a sticker somewhere?

Very good condition! The paint is a little scratched up, maybe just from handling, but everything else looks flawless, considering.

The components look like Campagnlolo Nuovo Record with Super Record hubs - this is the kind of bike an amateur racer in the early 70s would buy who didn't quite have the budget for the very best - it's like one tier down, which is of course still very good.

Those lugs with the little cutouts and detail paint, the real metal head tube badge, no rust at all that I can see - those are things collectors would really prize.

One odd thing, it looks like the rear wheel is a sewup and the front is a clincher - maybe it's just the photo.

Thinking of selling it? I'd search on some "vintage velo" sites and see what people think there - eBay would be kind of a crap shoot but you could always set a high reserve with low minimum bid just to see who bites. Somebody out there would really love to have this bike. But it would be a real jewel to keep for yourself as well.

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JamesCinelli

Thanks. I will measure it again (there is no sticker unfortunately) - likely, I am measuring it wrong - it's big as you say. Yes, I am thinking of selling it. I have an offer here at home but I think I could do better and it's the kind of thing I don't just want to get rid of - if it's a fair and good price, fine - but not for a discount. I'll just keep it then - it's nice to look at.... No rust at all. I think it was rode once by me when I was a teenager and that's it - otherwise, hanging from a hook in a basement. It has been moved a few times and that's where any scratches come from ....

I'll check out 'vintage velo' sites. I really appreciate your replies - it has helped me immensely to understand what I have; - one local dealer I took it to said nothing to me, other than it was in fantasic condition, and offered me a price which I'd rather just keep it thank you very much.

Do you have any idea on its value?

Cheers, CinelliJames

JamesCinelli

Oh yes, I forgot to mention. I did figure out the year - 1972 ( '72 on the gears, so it must be from that year or earlier).

wolfix

The Cinelli/Colnago collectors are the ones with the biggest purse strings on E-Bay. Check this Cinelli track bike that went recently for big bucks on E-Bay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...item=7199040548
If you want , send me a pic of the bike....You might have something special here.

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JamesCinelli

Thanks Wolfix and DiabloScott. I have listed my Cinelli on E-bay. The link provided was helpful. I am listed as "1972 Vintage Cinelli Acciaio Speciale Racing Bike". Item # 6585630426.

JamesCinelli

Hi Wolfix - Have you seen the pics in E-bay? What do you think? Thanks.

wolfix

Oh yeah ......Something special in the world of collectors. I usually play this game of guessing at E-Bay prices. The last time I guessed on a Cinelli I was $150 off on a bike that went for around $3500.00. The fact that this bike has original paint in excellent condition makes the value rise..... I would be scared to guess at this one.{ $3800.00 ???? ]
Does this fit you? My god man, if you love bikes, then you will never ride anything better then this. Good luck ..... What else would your grandfather have in his garage in a size 51cm????

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JamesCinelli

Thanks Wolfix. Appreciate your feedback. Nothing else in the basement unfortunately, unless you like boxes on boxes. Cheers.

JamesCinelli

Hi Wolfix - if you don't mind, I'd appreciate your opinion on how my Cinelli listing on E-bay compares to the previous one you provided me a link to? Thanks.

DiabloScott

Looks like a good ad - but hell, I practically wrote the copy for you!
One bid for $500 - what's your reserve? (I won't tell)
That track bike is more rare, but yours is just as collectable.
Good luck.

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DiabloScott

The ad - just so we can watch.

http://tinyurl.com/bsrsn

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