1992 - Paletti Prestige

Unfortunately there are only very few clues since when Paletti frames were build.  In an article it was alleged that Luciano Paletti started in 1947 to solder frames. But that was more likely his year of birth. Since most of the bikes and frames on the market were  build between the 70th and 90th the story becomes more valid. In addition I would appreciate about any hint to the brands history.

It is undisputed that Paletti next to the most famous and superior quality was also the first one who used braze ons for the front derailleur on modern bicycles starting at the beginning of the 70th. These were manufactured in cooperation with Magistroni, what was as good as 10 years ahead of all competitiors and Campagnolo as well. On other hand this special feature was already introduced by those famous french constructeurs like Herse, Singer, Mongilardi, Routens or Camille Daudon earlier and with their early handbuild rod operated changers.

But in terms of quality there is simply no comparism between mass products from Milan or Cambiago and a stunning and rock solid, well soldered Paletti Prestige, which is more likely on a level with Masi, Chesini, Colnago or Gloria then with Frejus, Legnano and Giufredi or Gregorelli.

Unfortunately Luciano Paletti, who also was an active racer in his jounger years, passed away too early in June 2015.

But let´s move on to the story about this outrageously unusual find.

About a year ago in Switzerland, a bike shop was closed. In the basement and showroom many high quality frames were awaiting use. They were stored since new and never build up or ridden.
Fortunately, I was able to snatch this frame set its slumber.

Again this great and fearful question about how to come to a period correct build had to be answered. First I thought of a complete C-Record setup but this was overturned by a really cheap deal for a set of Croce d´Aune Delta brakes with levers. On other hand I was not luckilly enough to find Croce d´Aune derailleurs for a reasonable price. Second I didn´t want to follow this usual uniformity and was looking for a set up that yet equally or even more turns on than a Super Record.

Please be honest, have you ever seen a Regina America 1992 in wild? Of course this group set could be admired in the catalog back then, but I didn´t come over one of these group sets never before in wild. The group set consists of a Regina America freewheel, a Regina Superleggera chain. The rear and front derailleur as well as the shifters were made by Sachs deriving from their ARIS/ New Success line. The crankset, bottom bracket and hubs were purchased from Ofmega.

Here we go ... please let me introduce the 1992 NOS Paletti Prestige equipped with a NOS Regina America 1992 group set:

Bottom Braket: Ofmega Competition

Headset: Campagnolo C-Record

Crankset: Regina America 1992

Front Derailleur: Regina America 1992

Rear Derailleur: Regina America 1992

Shift levers: Regina America 1992

Brake Lever: Campagnolo Croce d´Aune

Brakes: Campagnolo Croce d´Aune

Wheelset: Campagnolo Chorus with Wolber Profil 20 aero clincher rims and Continental Grand Prix 4000

Saddle: Lepper Voyager with Reynolds 531 frame
Seatpost: Selle San Remo Aero
Stem: Cinelli XA
Handlebar: Cinelli Criterium

Frame tubing: Columbus TSX
Fork tubing: Columbus TSX

1946- Itala - introducing the Cambio Corsa

It happend on November 11th, 1927 when Tullio Campagnolo was riding over Croce D'Aune Pass in the Gran Premio della Vittoria race; the roads were covered with snow, the thermometer showed some degree below zero. With frozen fingers he was unable to resolve the wingnuts of his rear wheel and could not change gears.

Angry that he thereby losts his change at victory he should have decided to change the rear.

"Bisogno cambiá qualcossa de drio!"

These five words, spoken to himself, changed cycling tremendously. First he invented the quick release mechanism in 1930 and second he introduced his first gear change mechanism, which was patented in 1933.

This cambio a due levé allowed to shift gears while pedaling backwards. With its longer rod the quick release mechanism was opened, with the shorter one the chain was shifted from one cog to the other and the wheel moved back and forwards within the dropouts in order to come to the appropriate chain tension automatically.

No other mastered the Cambio a due levé better then Gino Bartali. Thanks to the Cambio a due levé he won the 1946 Giro d´Ítalia and 1947 Mailand - Sanremo. The Cambio a due levé was called Cambio Corsa afterwards in rememberance to his victory.

In 1947 Tullio introduced a modell called Cambio a una levé, which combined the quick release and chain mover into a single lever and was used by Gino Bartali while pedaling to the victory of the Tour de France in 1948. Although he finished the homonymous stage this year only at 7th place, the Cambio a una levé was called Parigi - Roubaix shortly afterwards.

I´m not quite sure if it´s only the hype that makes the charm of this kind of derailleurs. Although shifting between gears becomes faster it didn´t become easier at all. Shifting becomes more of a challenge at least in riding uphill.

Nevertheless I succumbed this charm and as I was offered such a bike recently I coudn´t resist. 

Well, here it is ... a 1946 Itala, a sub-brand made by Gregorelli, Via S. Antonio 15-17 in Verona. These Gregorelli sub-brands (Itala, Scala, Eritrea, TAF) were allegedly originated from fascist ideology and thus no longer fitted into the communist-dominated post-war period in Italy (we certainly remember Fernandel and Gino Cervi as priest Don Camillo and mayor Pepone, who staged the Italian post-war class struggle in a small village). They were therefore discontinued shortly after WWII. Maybe this is one of the last ever produced?

Bottom Braket: Magistroni

Headset: Magistroni

Crankset: Magistroni

Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Cambio a due levé - Cambio Corsa

Brake Lever: Balilla

Brakes: Balilla

Wheelset: Campagnolo Cambio a due levé with Nisi tubular rims
Saddle: Italia
Seatpost:
Stem: ttt

Frame tubing: ?
Fork tubing: ?