Fifthgrace
Retro Guru
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
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.
'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).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
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.
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).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?
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/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