I took my Guerciotti bicycle out on the road today—perhaps the first time in over a year. That’s a bad habit I must cure.
I bought the roadster from a shop in San Diego’s North Park municipality that sells older road warriors. Near as my limited research reveals, and please someone correct me, this is a mid-1980s Sprint built around an Alan-made Aluminum frame (Corsa 487 tubing). She’s light—I’d guess not much more than 9 kilos (20 pounds) as rigged. Major components are Campagnolo-made, including the rims.
This is a 53cm model, which is a tad snug, but manageable, around the crotch when standing over it. My previous bike, Masi Speciale Fixed, was 51cm and a better fit. But I’m good with the extra two centimeters. A vintage ride like this is a rare find and suits my needs nicely—lightweight, great components, and price I could afford ($800 for my birthday 2013).
Someone tell me why, but the Sprint quite literally sprints up hills with surprising ease. I tend to ride in sixth gear all the time (one of the reasons a fixie aopealed to me). Sure I shift sometimes, but I would rather feel the burn and get good exercise from riding.
We’re on the road again, and am I glad for it.