Columbus Aelle-framed Olagnero with a flat bar conversion

[DCLane]

I've picked up today locally a Columbus Aelle town bike (conversion?) which is an unknown make. It's got Shimano Exage / early 105 components and I'm guessing was originally drop-bar but now has flat bars and a different seatpost/saddle.

Any thoughts as to what this might be? The frame number under the bottom bracket has 'A-53' and there's an Ambrosio sticker on the seat-tube near the front derailleur.

There's quite a bit of rust and some of the chrome's lifted. Also the top bit's been re-sprayed at some point, if not the whole bike.

 

[biggs682]

Nice find @DCLane
53 might be frame size measured from top of bottom bracket shell as is fairly normal on Italian frames
Shame about the chrome

 

[midlife]

Sort of reminds me of a Cilo...

 

[Spiderweb]

Looks like an Olagnero.

 

[Spiderweb]

 

[DCLane]

Looks like an Olagnero .

@Spiderweb gets the prize

This one looks very similar: https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/316685/

Now ... drop bars with 7 speed shifters / drop bars with down-tube shifters / groupset upgrade?

Oh, and given the price of this one, I think I've ended up with a bargain Their quote:

"Olagnero were a small boutique shop in Milan whose frames were allegedly built by legendary contract builder Vanni Losa, also of Milan. This frame is built from Columbus Aelle, and it proudly states 'made in Italy' on it, and the lug cutout is a similar shape to Losa's 'V' signature, but we can't be entirely sure it's a Losa built frame. Whoever the builder, they've done a fine job, with neat internally routed rear brake, rear entry seat stay lug and Cinelli fork crown make for a very refined frame. "

 

[Spiderweb]

I think I’d go down tube shifters/drop bars.
I like it a lot, I think that chrome with some tin foil/coke/autosol and elbow grease should look more than acceptable.
Post some more picks as you fettle please.

I think I’d get decals from H Lloyd too, maybe downtube and head badge.
https://h-lloyd-cycles.myshopify.com/products/olagnero-head-decal

 

[DCLane]

I think I’d go down tube shifters/drop bars.
I like it a lot, I think that chrome with some tin foil/coke/autosol and elbow grease should look more than acceptable.
Post some more picks as you fettle please.

That's my thinking. I've got a pair of very nice Campagnolo 7 speed wheels currently on my Raleigh Pioneer - - which would fit well here.

I've started on the chrome and it's not as bad as the photos make it appear. Just need some retro drop bars, brake levers and downtube shifters.

 

[Darius_Jedburgh]

If you fancy 105 I have some 7 speed shifters, brake levers and calipers looking for a good home.

 

[DCLane]

If you fancy 105 I have some 7 speed shifters, brake levers and calipers looking for a good home.

I only need shifters/brake levers and think I've some in the parts store, but do you want to PM me a price if I can't find them?

 

[Darius_Jedburgh]

Let me know if you can't find any. No idea of value - I'll have to trawl through ebay to get some idea.

 

[T4tomo]

Oh, and given the price of this one, I think I've ended up with a bargain Their quote:

"Olagnero were a small boutique shop in Milan whose frames were allegedly built by legendary contract builder Vanni Losa, also of Milan. This frame is built from Columbus Aelle, and it proudly states 'made in Italy' on it, and the lug cutout is a similar shape to Losa's 'V' signature, but we can't be entirely sure it's a Losa built frame. Whoever the builder, they've done a fine job, with neat internally routed rear brake, rear entry seat stay lug and Cinelli fork crown make for a very refined frame. "

I think its fair to say they price their stuff "fully"
https://www.pedalpedlar.co.uk/colle...gnolo-50th-anniversary-vintage-road-race-bike

 

[DCLane]

@T4tomo - true, and mine's a lot more battered.

Anyway, son no. 2's off to university next year we think and it's been commandeered by him for that. After it's had a new bottom bracket, headset, saddle, paint done, decals, etc. So things can wait for a bit but, given he's aiming to go to a university which is known for bike thefts a Dawes Kingpin and an old Olagnero shouldn't be too popular with thieves compared to the other bikes there .

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

I think its fair to say they price their stuff "fully"

That's one way of putting it. I went to the Donald J Trump school of diplomacy so I'd just say "piss take" pricing. Vintage sellers usually try it on a bit, some are simply outrageous.
I got a couple of steel Roneo/Armstrong card index filing cabinets out of a skip recently. One dated 1930 marked GR (govt issue) and another one dated 1956. They make very useful tool storage for spanners, socket sets etc, much stronger than modern DIY quality stuff. Some eBay vintage sellers were asking nearly £200 each for similar items!

 

[T4tomo]

@T4tomo - true, and mine's a lot more battered.

Anyway, son no. 2's off to university next year we think and it's been commandeered by him for that. After it's had a new bottom bracket, headset, saddle, paint done, decals, etc. So things can wait for a bit but, given he's aiming to go to a university which is known for bike thefts a Dawes Kingpin and an old Olagnero shouldn't be too popular with thieves compared to the other bikes there .

After taking my road bike down for year 1, I rode a BMX bought for 2nd hand £25 (in 1988) at uni thereafter. I sold it on to a guy in the year below for £35 as I left. Some b@gger did nick the front wheel from where it was chained up to a metal downpipe one night, but insurance paid out for nice pair of fancy alloys.