1988 Marinoni Criterium

Part 1: Pre-Crispification

Master frame builder Giuseppe Marinoni built this Bright Red Criterium bike by hand in his Quebec workshop in 1988. It's made of Columbus SLX tubing from Milan (some call SLX the greatest steel bike tubing of all time) and has a very cool no-lugs fork. The bike was first sold by The Bike Shop in Scarborough Ontario in the late 80's. In 2017, I bought it on eBay and have taken it on some great rides since. 

OG order form from '88 - Thank you to Julie from Marinoni HQ!

Part 2: Crispification of the Drivetrain 

In 2024, I became a bit of a roadie and decided to  modernize the bike. I wanted to replace the old Standard Gearing with up to date parts that are better suited for long rides on the steep grades north of San Francisco. Here are some highlights from the process.

Italian bottom brackets are just a perfect Italian product. As you pedal, one half loosens itself from the frame in a process called precession...but they have soul and passion...Ciao, La Dolce Vita.

It does not take skill or experience to set up Shimano 105. It just takes YouTube videos and friends who know how to do everything tricky. Thank you @freetocycle and Eric.

🔥 Phase 2 is complete. 3/28/24 🔥

New Parts

Old Parts

FIRST CRISPY RIDE 

Ride report: just a quick zip around SF on a beautiful day to shake down the bike. Carried lots of tools in case of major malfunctions. The drivetrain preformed perfectly across the full range. I hammered a few steep segments and found the bike hyper nimble and quick to leap up the hills. On the descents, I was reminded just how good disc breaks are. I'll be replacing these break shoes. The ones on right now might be orignal from 88... Blingy Vittoria Tires are in the mail. Those will replace the vomit inducing albeit bombproof Gatorskins this week! 

Part 3: Wheels and Saddle 

Ritchey Zetas in Full Chrome. Vittoria Corsas - Ciao bellisima, come stai? 

Goodness Gracious we are nearing perfection! 


🔥 Phase 3 is complete. 5/1/24 🔥

New Parts

Old Parts


Part 4: Stem and Seatpost

Soma Fab High Polish Stem, matching the chromed fork....

AND a Nitto S83 Seatpost in High Polish Aluminum, matching the seatstays and chainstays...

High polish parts from tip to tail. Newer, lighter parts. Full Freakin Gas.

🔥 Phase 4 is complete. 6/11/24 🔥

New Parts

Old Parts


Part 5: New Headset & Chrome Groupset ❄️

The old dura ace 7400 headset was shot and the races were pitted. Picked up this NOS 7410 from a good shop in Japan. Had my local press her on. Thrilled to have sealed bearings and fewer visible scratches!

Chrome Ultegra 11 speed Crank - Polished to a mirror finish by my friends at CycloRetro in Melbourne 

Chrome Rear Mech as well - Cycloretro pantographs the logos in then paintfills them!

The Whole Enchilada - The Genuine Article - The Sunny Day Cruiser of your dreams

Parts