Columbus MAX or Reynolds...?

[Fifthgrace]

I stand to be corrected but I think Overmax CR is the modern incarnation of MAX http://www.cicligrandis.it/produzione-biciclette-da-corsa-su-strada_ENG.aspx

 

[DSH]

While we're on the subject, i have a suspision that Columbus EL OS might be comparable to MAX. It appears to have a similar shape but i am open to be enlightened.
Another thought i've had is if MAX is as good as the the pros who have ridden on bikes with this tubing say it is, then why doesn't Columbus start making it again? It ought to be very attractive for those who want to build a Neo Retro with a new frame.

It seems that MAX is back! or at least was in 2020 https://columbustubi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ColumbusTubesetGuide.pdf

As for EL-OS, they were similar: made from the same steel, but differently shaped: EL-OS being round (except possibly for a custom set for Carrera) and Max being er...not round. I've not ridden enough EL-OS to make a comparison, but it would only be subjective in any case. If it helps I tend to believe that as both tube sets were originally costly they were only used by competent builders and so you'll never get a real dog of a bike with either of them.

There is a surprising amount of MAX out there and if you keep away from the better known builders mainly, but not only Italian, you can pick it up for a relatively reasonable price. Suggest you have a look here to get an idea for who has built road bikes with MAX Columbus MAX Bikeshttp://columbusmaxbikes.blogspot.com.

 

[FiveAlpha]

I stand to be corrected but I think Overmax CR is the modern incarnation of MAX http://www.cicligrandis.it/produzione-biciclette-da-corsa-su-strada_ENG.aspx

'OverMax' is simply Columbus Spirit that Grandis have ovalised themselves. It's not a Columbus tubeset per se, more a modification of one of theirs, a bit like how companies would 'flute' Columbus tubes back in the 80s (to look like Columbus's own Gilco G4).

 

[Fifthgrace]

Good to know it is a Columbus tubing, (and to be made from the same material, triple butted Omnicrom alloy, as Columbus MAX). Looks like Grandis then shape it "elisse orientate" style as per MAX, but can't call it that as it is a trademark of Columbus

 

[FiveAlpha]

Good to know it is a Columbus tubing, (and to be made from the same material, triple butted Omnicrom alloy, as Columbus MAX). Looks like Grandis then shape it "elisse orientate" style as per MAX, but can't call it that as it is a trademark of Columbus

Correct, except that Max was made of Nivacrom, which is 30+ years old. Omnicrom is a much more modern material, for whatever that's worth.

 

[Fifthgrace]

I agree the original was Nivacrom, but I'm comparing MAX in it's latest guise, and it shares the same material as Spirit. See https://columbustubi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ColumbusTubesetGuide.pdf . I would be interested to know if any bike brands are using the new MAX itself- I'm guessing that Grandis created Overmax as an interim solution when MAX wasn't available and have then stuck with it?

 

[FiveAlpha]

I agree the original was Nivacrom, but I'm comparing MAX in it's latest guise, and it shares the same material as Spirit. See https://columbustubi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ColumbusTubesetGuide.pdf . I would be interested to know if any bike brands are using the new MAX itself- I'm guessing that Grandis created Overmax as an interim solution when MAX wasn't available and have then stuck with it?

Ah, yes, the 'new' Max tubing - forgot about that. I don't of anyone who's used it. Not sure why Grandis would make their own - either, like you say, it wasn't available, or they are making to a slightly different specification (probably with some claims as to its superiority).

It's worth noting that, as your image shows, original Max was patented, so it couldn't be copied, but there were lots of companies that did copy them and make elliptical tubing, so I am not sure what exactly the patent covered. Maybe it's still in effect, so you have to go for a different type of oval?!

 

[Fifthgrace]

Grandis made MAX bikes in the 1990s and sometimes sellers refer to these as Overmax, but the frame decals appear to be the standard Columbus MAX Nivacrom tubeset of that time. From a quick web search, Grandis have been in-house shaping "Overmax" since at least 2013, using the Columbus Foco tubeset, then swapping to later Columbus tube offerings as the starting point. Certainly supports the thought that they spotted a gap for elliptical tubing when either MAX wasn't available or was possibly over-priced!

 

[Fifthgrace]

It seems that MAX is back! or at least was in 2020 https://columbustubi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ColumbusTubesetGuide.pdf

As for EL-OS, they were similar: made from the same steel, but differently shaped: EL-OS being round (except possibly for a custom set for Carrera) and Max being er...not round. I

I owned an EL-OS frame which was elliptical in profile where the down tube meets the bottom bracket and at the junction of top and seat tubes (Stephen Roche branded likely built by either BioRacer of Belgium or Carrera (Podium) of Italy). It certainly wasn't MAX like in regards tube size/ beefed-up chainstays etc that you get with MAX. You can find out more here if interested https://stephenrochebikes.wordpress.com/