Re: [CR]early cinelli?

It is important to realize that Cinelli frame serial numbers are rather random with respect to date. It seems that there are clusters of numbers around certain time periods, but the clusters themselves are random. For instance, a serial number in the 5000's might appear in the 1950's and again in the 1970's perhaps.

Given that the frame in question has three holes in the lugs, it is certainly from 1968 or 1969 or later. Next clue would be headbadge. If it is brass background, the frame is first generation 3 hole model which makes it late 60's. If silver badge background, then early 70's. I believe until perhaps 1972 or 1973 some frames came through with the fender eyelets (and mounting holes at the bridges as well). The geometry of the "touring" frames is more like a classic 60's race frame, and they ride magnificantly.

All that said, if the frame came through the west coast (Cupertino), then Vance at Cupertino might have the frame in is log book and can give an exact date. If the frame was east coast, probably came through Corso at that time, so no luck. I'm not sure when Kopps Cyclery stoped bringing them in - nobody has ever mentioned if they kept a log book.

Hope this helps!

Mike Kone in Boulder CO USA - where we love our Cinelli's and also our Rene Herse's