Some frame builders tell me that the "R" stands for butted tubing, but
I have had other frame builder tell me that Aelle tubing was always a
straight guage tube.
If anyone can sort this out, or shed some light on where I can find the
answer, I would be very grateful indeed.
Also, if anyone knows a good source for Columbus decals, I am trying to
find this Aelle "R" decal for the aforementioned bicycle's re-painting.
Please respond via my e-mail at cyni...@ix.netcom.com
Thank you in advance
Scott R. Chase
>I have a mid 80's Torpado frmae with the designation Aelle "R" tubing.
>The Columbus tag reads "TUBI RINFORZATI" across the top, and CARBINO
>and MANGNESE on both sides of the white dove. The puzzler is a big red
>"R" in the lower right hand corner.
>Some frame builders tell me that the "R" stands for butted tubing, but
>I have had other frame builder tell me that Aelle tubing was always a
>straight guage tube.
Yes R = rinforzati = butted. Some years after the original Aelle
introduction Columbus began making the butted manganese moly tubes, but
soon after their introduction they introduced the Cromor set which cut
into the marketability of the former. Our local shop sold the Torpados as
a budget racer.
CHUCK
Aelle tubing was made of flat steel sheet bent around a mandrel and welded to make a tube.
Aelle R tubing was made from a solid billet in the same manner as SL tubing.
Don't recall if it was butted or not.
Because of problems in drawing the original run of tubing, many manufacturers
Columbus SL tubing when in place of the Aelle R. It came with Aelle R stickers.
Later, Jim