Steven, I have a set of these interesting Cinelli inspired undersize rims. They are on a step through Masi Special city bicycle with a 'Gentleman' decal. I got the original wheels to this bicycle after it was discovered that they were undersized....to look at them you wouldn't know until you hang a sprint tire on it. Luckily it turns out the Continental fatties that Ted E. had available years back are a good fit......those 27" labeled Continentals tubulars need a mighty stretch before they will go on regular sprint rims. Even though the Masi Special is labeled a Gentleman the
fenders have eyelits for a fender skirt.
Matt Gorski farwest Milano CC Anaheim, California USA
On Wed, May 19, 2010 at 8:24 PM, Steven Maasland
<themaaslands@comcast.net>wrote:
> It has been mentioned previously that Cino Cinelli was a supporter of the
> occasional use of tubular rims that are slightly smaller than the "standard"
> 700c size. The diameter that he occasionally specced and used on bikes was
> between 61 and 62 cm (depending on where you measure the diameter) or just a
> bit more than 1 cm smaller than a 700c rim size.
>
> As chance would have it, I now own two of these bikes. Both bikes are all
> original and beyond the rim size, also show some other rather unusual
> features that one would not expect from a "stock" Cinelli. I already know of
> two other "smaller wheel" Cinelli bikes here in the US, as well as a few
> more in Italy, but am trying to determine exactly how prevalent these bikes
> are and during which time period they were built. My two bikes are from the
> mid 60's and 1977 respectively.
>
> Just for your information, both of the bikes that I have could readily be
> switched out for 700c sized wheels as there is enough clearance and the
> brakes pads are fitted at the bottom of the slots with the smaller sized
> wheels. Both bikes were also built up with radially-spoked front wheels and
> unusual choice of hubs.
>
> Steven Maasland
> Moorestown, NJ
> USA
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