Venturi Columbus Genius Italian 🇮🇹 Fillet Brazed unique race MTB

[otherself]

That's a fine machine. Would go with yellow grips, blue outer cables and white M520's though.

 

[ibbz]

That's a fine machine. Would go with yellow grips, blue outer cables and white M520's though.

These would’ve suited nicely
This has been sold on though a while back and then sold again to I don’t know who.

 

[otherself]

These would’ve suited nicely
This has been sold on though a while back and then sold again to I don’t know who.

 

[ibbz]

 

[Keithbikes]

Not sure if it’s one of a kind - but if anyone else knows of or has seen or heard of a Columbus Genius frameb MTB which is seemingly fillet brazed please let me know
And if anyone knows of the make, builder, race team or rider (R Sorci) please let me know.

Update
thanks to @Gtpulse - some information regarding the maker Venturi has come to light.

The longest running bike company in Cesena, and one of the oldest in Italy. It is the “Venturi” of Cesena, founded in 1919 and which received the Bottega Storica recognition. Its founder, Augusto , was the grandfather of Bruno , the current owner who carries on the sale of racing, city and mountain bikes in via Madonna dello Schioppo.
EDIT - seems as if Venturi are no more - after over 100 years their doors are closed.

I bought this after repeatedly admiring it on Brick Lane Bikes vintage website.
It’s lovely! Just look at it - so refreshingly original in the paint scheme - Italian racing bike like in ways.
It arrived complete with those by matching Columbus Genius forks, Shimano Headset and Ritchey cable hanger.
It features Ritchey rear drop outs and is constructed using Fillet Brazing with beautiful finishing throughout.
It’s altogether lovely and measures approx 17.5” C to top tube.
It’s also very light - I’ll weigh it to see what the weight is exactly.

it’s a Venturi Koue. Never heard of them, I presume Koue is the model, either that or it was made to race in the Koue BCI event in South Africa - it features the name of the rider on the top tube - an R Sorci. If anyone has heard of this rider, please let me know.

this is going to be a very exciting and challenging build - I’d have to get it to look right and I assume this frame is from around 1992 - so I’ll be sticking to such parts except where needs must I choose something out of period.

the first thing I did was decide upon a Fillet Brazed stem - thanks to @kingoffootball who suggested this. And thanks to @Tootyred i now have a 1987 handmade stem by peter bird at Swallow in Iron Bridge. It need stripping and a repaint.

I will be finishing this stem in white to match the frame.

I’ve also got a 3TTT Pro Light handlebar.

I think I’ll be looking to fit a XT M735 Groupset 7 speed. with M730 cranks.
I’ll also be looking for some Ritchey hubs/Mavic rim wheels.View attachment 892250

Hi I have today, purchased an identical frame. I note your post was from 4 years ago and I wonder what happened o your bike and did you keep a note of the frame number. I ask as I’m hoping to answer your question of “ is this one of a kind”

 

[ibbz]

Hi I have today, purchased an identical frame. I note your post was from 4 years ago and I wonder what happened o your bike and did you keep a note of the frame number. I ask as I’m hoping to answer your question of “ is this one of a kind”

There was another under a different color scheme sold by brick lane bikes.

The frame was built by FRM for Venturi.
Mine was sold off again here :
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/that-gorgeous-columbus-genius-venturi-again….442550/

 

[ibbz]

There was another under a different color scheme sold by brick lane bikes.

The frame was built by FRM for Venturi.
Mine was sold off again here :
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/that-gorgeous-columbus-genius-venturi-again….442550/

I think the post may or may not have a picture of the bb shell with frame number - or ton can ask @KondratievsBike if he knows

Also an identical raw unpainted frame only was bought by @DrDaveTampa who had it sprayed and entered in bike of the month European special


Any photos of your frame ?

 

[ibbz]

This was the brick lane bikes ones

 

[Keithbikes]

I think the post may or may not have a picture of the bb shell with frame number - or ton can ask @KondratievsBike if he knows

Also an identical raw unpainted frame only was bought by @DrDaveTampa who had it sprayed and entered in bike of the month European special


Any photos of your frame ?

I have looked at your detailed photos and can confirm, scratch for scratch it is the actual frame featured in your build. It has been striped of all the components but I believe they are all present in the boxes that came with the frame.

 

[Keithbikes]

I have looked at your detailed photos and can confirm, scratch for scratch it is the actual frame featured in your build. It has been striped of all the components but I believe they are all present in the boxes that came with the frame.

I will take better photos tomorrow