Also this time the racing bike in the spotlight is an Italian but also with a bit of a Belgian touch, you can read more about that in the article Chesini a less known Italian bicycle brand. This Chesini Criterium was just short of a top model, but a great bike for the cycling tourist and even for the avid cyclist who quickly covers about 100 kilometers a week.
This steel Chesini Criterium with Columbus Gara tubes is painted in the typical fashion colors from the 90s of the last century that are not loved by everyone and I can confirm that. You love it or you don't, I prefer the mono-colored bikes. The bike is fully assembled with Campagnolo Athena with the exception of the shifters which are Campagnolo Avanti.
Both groups were on the market in the 90s. Campagnolo Avanti was the successor of Athena and came on the market from the mid 90s, which indicates that this Chesini comes from this period.
Presumably the bicycle was painted in the workplace of Frank Hoste, who in that period bought unpainted frames from the Chesini factory in Italy, then painted them himself and distributed them among the various bicycle shops.
Below you will find an overview of all components. Also note the Chesini handlebar tape.
Components:
- Frame: Columbus Gara
- Handlebar: 3tt
- Stem: 3tt
- Handlebar tape: Chesini
- Brakes and shifters: Campagnolo Avanti
- Front derailleur: Campagnolo Athena
- Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Athena
- bottom bracket: Campagnolo Athena
- Saddle: Vetta SL
- Seatpost: Campagnolo Athena
- Pedals
- Rims: Alesa
- Hubs: Cinelli
