Fiets in de kijker: Moser Corsa

The racing bike in the spotlight this time is a Francesco Moser Classe from 1992. 2 years after the introduction of the Shimano STI system (Shimano Total Integration) in which the gear levers were integrated into the brake levers.

However, this Moser Classe with Corsa frame still has the older SIS system (Shimano Index System) where the gear levers are still on the down tube. With the SIS system it is easier to change gears correctly because you hear a click every time the lever is positioned in the right place. So you can't miss.

Not all racing bikes were installed with the new STI system in the beginning, so a transition period of a few years followed.

The bike is mounted with a full 1990 Shimano 105 group. Presumably the last SIS Shimano 105.

The black engraved stem of the brand ITM (Italmanubri) is beautiful and the atypical decals of Moser New Wave and Proudly Born Italy that I have not yet encountered on other Moser racing bikes are also striking.

The frame is fully engraved with the typical M of Moser. Engraved on the bottom of the bracket is the typical arrow that was fitted to all Moser frames after he broke the world hour record in 1984 and was the first to achieve an average speed of more than 50 km/h.

On the decals of the front fork is the arrow with the number 51.151, which refers to the speed that Moser achieved on his 2nd attempt with which he again improved his previously established record.

Also note the striking colors of purple, white, green and blue. The bike as presented is still completely original and can be found in the 1992 catalog as presented below. Even the somewhat weird blue saddle that does not immediately remind you of a racing bicycle saddle is therefore original, as is the blue handlebar tape.

The bike as presented in the 1992 catalog

The bike as I found it has been stored in a humid garage for years, hadn't been cleaned since last use and the chrome suffered quite a bit from the rusting.