When you look at the steel tubes with which a vintage steel racing bike is built, you will see small stickers that indicate the type of tube. In addition to the manufacturer's name, there is usually also a code, e.g. SLX, Aelle, Cromor, Gara, etc. This code indicates the type of tube: the shape (round, oval, ...), the thickness of the steel, the use (professional or sporty frames), reinforced, cold formed, and so on.
the typical Columbus stickers
In addition to a sticker on the tubes, you can also find this on the front fork. A front fork produced by Columbus usually also has a stamp with the logo on the fork tube.
Sticker useful to date frame
It's obvious that throughout history, the tubes produced were constantly evolving. The aim was to make the tubes as light as possible, but at the same time as strong and rigid as possible. Technology did not stand still and new steel alloys were constantly being developed.
There are therefore a huge number of types that were usually only produced during a certain period (until a new better type came on the market).
These stickers make it a little easier for us to put a date on our vintage bike. Unfortunately, it often happens that the sticker is no longer legible or has even been completely removed, so that we have to rely on the characteristics of the frame or the components that are present on the bicycle.
One of the largest producers of tubes is Columbus, an Italian company from Milan that still exists and, in addition to carbon components, also still makes steel tubes. You can read more about the history of Columbus in the article The history of Columbus tubes.
Websites to date frame with Columbus tubes
An overview of the most important and most used Columbus tubes can be found on the websites below
www.equusbicycle.com/bike/columbus/columbuschart.htm On this website you will find an overview from 1989 in table form as shown below, in which the thicknesses of the tubes are also stated in addition to the type.
www.millfieldvelo.com.au/columbus-steel-tubing-timeline/the difference with the previous website is that you will also find a dating for some types, but not in tabular form.
www.columbus1919.com/it/: official site of Columbus tubes
Buying Columbus decals
When you type Columbus stickers on ebay you will find a wide range of sellers. The website below is interesting for Belgium and the Netherlands. Suggestions are always welcome
