Nifty machines, Matthew. Welcome to the list where the listors and listees do list in cycling and verbal lists. Nice to have two different bars to compare. Cinelli made two models to give riders a choice, much like the alloy road models 63-64-65- and 66. One size does not fit all. years ago people would bend bars to their personal needs. People put resin or sand among other things inside the steel bars so they could bend them without kinking the tubing if they didn't have a tube bending machine. It's not done with today's new materials unless it's done first and then hardened to strengthen. The carbon bars are woven and wrapped to shape and strength, but that's a new ball game and not affordable to all. Watch out for John, he's a tricky guy. He'll probably tighten the cones on your bike and challenge you to a sprint after conning you into a bike title for title match. Ted Ernst Palos Verdes Estates, Ca
> Greetings CR list members.
> This is my first post, so I will begin with a brief introduction. My name
> is Matthew and I am a 20-something living in Brooklyn, New York. I have
> been riding and collecting vintage lightweights for the past 5 years and
> am happy to have discovered this list, as I have been avidly reading it
> for months and soaking up as much as I can from fellow list members.
> Anyhow, hello to you all and on with the question:
> I have a set of chromed steel Cinelli handlebars stamped "14", which
> identifies the "pista" model, as I understand it.
> I also have a very similar set stamped "18". It is a narrow bar (39cm or
> so) with a bend similar to the "14", although the reach is more shallow
> and the flats on the bottom are much longer.
> My question is, is the "18" an alternate pista bar? a criterium bar? a
> road bar?
> The link below shows the two bars side by side (albeit attached to
> bicycles):
> http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/
>
> Thanks for your help in solving this mystery!
> Matthew Bowne
> Brooklyn, New York