Jesper
Retro Guru
I pulled this out as an example in another thread. It is an odd frame, and other than my knowledge of the marque's history I don't really have any specific knowledge about it.
Cicli Fusar Poli was founded in 1975 by Marino and younger brother Luciano; both amateur racers before the business started, Marino retiring and Luciano going on to pro racing in the early 80s and winning the Italian National track championship in '82. I believe that all of their frames were contract built by others. They still sell bikes with Luciano's son running the business. Luciano became a track coach and Marino a mechanic for Italian national teams.
I believe the frame is late 80s, maybe very early 90s.The frame is pantographed by Rossin on the fork crow and stay caps. The appears to be original paint and of very good quality, but I do not know if it was painted prior to being received by the Fusar Poli bike shop, or if the shop had the frame painted.
The tubing has "GILCO style" fluting (4) on the top and down tubes, and I presume that it was done by Rossin and not Columbus since I know Rossin had at some time done that to other frames; but it is odd to put that effort into a frame made with mid level tubing unless it was a limited or custom (which I doubt) made frame. It is a very lightweight frame over all, the fork is a little heavier than my top end forks; "Cromor" decals on fork blades. Steerer tube does not have helical reinforcement ribs.
The "CROMOR" decal appears original, and I know that Columbus changed "Matrix" branded tubes to "Cromor", but I have no idea of when that occurred. I have not found that style "Cromor" decal, but if original it might help better date the frame. I think it is an early version of the decal with the later version having wavy lines. Unless my eyes deceive me I think I can see a minor seam in the seat tube which would give credence to it being made with "Cromor" tubes.
I cannot imagine it being a mid to later 90s frame given the 125mm rear spacing. Seat post is 27.0mm.
Has anyone see this type of "Cromor" fluted frame?
Cicli Fusar Poli was founded in 1975 by Marino and younger brother Luciano; both amateur racers before the business started, Marino retiring and Luciano going on to pro racing in the early 80s and winning the Italian National track championship in '82. I believe that all of their frames were contract built by others. They still sell bikes with Luciano's son running the business. Luciano became a track coach and Marino a mechanic for Italian national teams.
I believe the frame is late 80s, maybe very early 90s.The frame is pantographed by Rossin on the fork crow and stay caps. The appears to be original paint and of very good quality, but I do not know if it was painted prior to being received by the Fusar Poli bike shop, or if the shop had the frame painted.
The tubing has "GILCO style" fluting (4) on the top and down tubes, and I presume that it was done by Rossin and not Columbus since I know Rossin had at some time done that to other frames; but it is odd to put that effort into a frame made with mid level tubing unless it was a limited or custom (which I doubt) made frame. It is a very lightweight frame over all, the fork is a little heavier than my top end forks; "Cromor" decals on fork blades. Steerer tube does not have helical reinforcement ribs.
The "CROMOR" decal appears original, and I know that Columbus changed "Matrix" branded tubes to "Cromor", but I have no idea of when that occurred. I have not found that style "Cromor" decal, but if original it might help better date the frame. I think it is an early version of the decal with the later version having wavy lines. Unless my eyes deceive me I think I can see a minor seam in the seat tube which would give credence to it being made with "Cromor" tubes.
I cannot imagine it being a mid to later 90s frame given the 125mm rear spacing. Seat post is 27.0mm.
Has anyone see this type of "Cromor" fluted frame?
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