New-Old-Stock Cinelli Criterium Bars (40cm/26.4mm)...Double-Grooved

Description: New-Old-Stock Cinelli "Criterium" Handlebars (40 cm Width and 26.4 mm Clamp) with Matte Silver Finish...Double-Grooved Thank you for your interest in this item and please visit our store for other offerings. We have very reasonable shipping terms and combine orders to save money (for customers) on shipping costs. We also maintain customer friendly return/refund/exchange policies. Product Description: A note on the recent history of selected Cinelli handlebars and quill stems... We are getting a number of questions regarding some of the Cinelli handlebars and quill stems we stock...specifically concerning the vintage of our inventory. As I understand it, Cinelli recently authorized the production of certain previously discontinued handlebars and quill stems. More specifically, we have noted a recent influx (into the market) of matte silver Giro D' Italia and Criterium handlebars with a 26.0 mm center section and no cable/housing grooves, as well as silver 1/A quill stems spec'd to the same 26.0 mm clamp. I believe these models, with the aforementioned specifications, represent the extent of the reintroduction. As I review our Cinelli catalogs dated around the turn of the century (and shortly thereafter), I do not see any of the above mentioned handlebars or quill stems as being available. In addition, I do not see other models...like the Campione Del Mondo handlebars or the X/A, 101 and Oyster quill stems as being available. Now there could have been some production run shortly after the turn of the century, but I still thought it was worth noting our Cinelli catalogs do not list these handlebars and quill stems among their offerings at that time. This catalog research is consistent with what we were told at the beginning of this century, when we purchased most of our Cinelli handlebar and stem inventory (the remainder of which is currently listed in our store). We had two suppliers located in Europe that sold us fairly large wholesale lots of Cinelli handlebars and stems shortly after the turn of the century, and both suppliers communicated all such inventory represented discontinued product. As a result, the aforementioned Cinelli handlebar and quill stem models in our inventory likely represent Cinelli product that pre-dates the turn of the century. Now I honestly don't know the significance of this point when considering functional quality. I am sure newer Cinelli handlebars and stems are very good quality, but given the questions we have fielded, I wanted to confirm this offering (among others in our store) will pre-date current production runs by more than a decade (and some of our inventory is much older, especially when considering Cinelli handlebars/quill stems spec'd to the proprietary 26.4 mm size were discontinued in the mid 90's). I should probably also confirm the discontinued 1/A quill stems were previously never manufactured with the 26.0 mm clamp, but were instead limited to the Cinelli proprietary (and larger) 26.4 mm clamp specification. The "sister" X/A quill stem, which has not been reintroduced to-date, was spec'd to both the 26.4 mm and 26.0 mm clamp. On a side note, please be mindful of this larger (26.4 mm) clamp size on vintage X/A and 1/A quill stems, as there are still a fair number of these quill stems in circulation. We've had a few customers approach us over the years questioning their X/A and 1/A stems and their inability to securely clamp onto Cinelli handlebars. In nearly all of these occurrences, we (with the customers' help) have subsequently determined the problem to be a sizing compatibility issue...meaning the customers were unknowingly attempting to clamp one of these stems with a 26.4 mm clamp to Cinelli handlebars with a 26.0 mm center section. I understand the difference is only 0.4 mm, but at this high stress point where a stem clamps down on handlebars, the small sizing difference appears to be enough to cause problems. Original Listing... This offering is for one set of new-old-stock Cinelli "Criterium" handlebars in a matte silver finish. They have the proprietary (and larger) sleeved center section that measures 26.4 mm in diameter, so these bars are only compatible with Cinelli quill stems from around the mid 90's and before...which we believe is the point in time (the mid 90's) when Cinelli ceased manufacturing bars/stems in the 26.4 mm size. We should also note they are made from 5086 aluminum alloy tubing with the traditional sleeved center section and are double grooved to handle all forms of vintage aero brake levers and modern dual control brake/shifter levers. Their bends are really unlike any other bars we sell in that they begin like any other maes style drop bars...extending straight out from the clamp area, but instead of continuing this relatively straight extension to the drop section, they start to bend forward at a more exaggerated rate and down slightly as they approach the drop section. This would appear to create much more aggressive (forward) positioning relative to traditional maes style bars, even when not riding in the drops. Additionally, we should mention these drop bars are also known by their drop-width measurement of 65-40, as stamped to the left of the clamp area (and just under the Cinelli logo). More specifically, the "65" is a Cinelli indicator of a medium drop/reach with a narrower (straight) top section and the "40" is a reference to the overall bar width (center-to-center). In an attempt to further assist with proper fit, we have also taken our own (center-to-center) measurements and noted a reach of 66 mm and a drop of 154 mm (and please refer to our notes below that specify our measurement techniques...in the event someone wants to replicate our approach for comparative purposes). In terms of condition, these bars are new and unused, and although bulk packed, their traditional matte silver finish still shows okay, but there are some finishing blemishes and shopwear on the sleeved center section. Listing Update...We only have a few of these bars left in stock (in this model/finish/size) and I've updated the pictures to reflect the next set of these bars that will ship, but the finishing blemishes/scuffs/scratches around the center section do not always show-up as well as I would like (and maybe we are being overly conservative here, but we'd rather have folks pleasantly surprised than disappointed...with respect to cosmetic condition). I should also note regarding the finishing blemishes, I am specifically referring to the somewhat "blotchy" or uneven matte silver finish around this sleeved center section. The center section is still smooth to the touch, so it's not as if the finish has weathered over the years, but it's still not a clean/uniform matte silver finish. Additionally, there appears to be some water staining or light surface corrosion on one side of the bars and away from the center section (as viewed in some of the pictures). Please also note that while we have multiple quantities listed for sale, we will repeatedly update the pictures to represent the next offering that will sell/ship. A note about our "reach" and "drop" measurements... A number of customers have asked about our handlebar measurement techniques, so we thought it was probably appropriate to better define how we go about measuring the handlebars we offer for sale. The drop...we "stand the bars up" so the only contact point with the table top is the flattened drop area near the bar ends (although we typically have to hold the bars in this position so they do not fall over). From this position, with the drop section of the bars resting on the table top, we measure the vertical distance from the table top to the bottom edge of the bar tubing at the stem clamp area. This provides our version of a center-to-center measurement for the drop. The reach...keeping the bars in the upright position on the table (as noted above), we push them against the wall facing us, so the outermost section of the bar bend (i.e., the area around where the shifter/brake levers are mounted) is touching the wall. From this position, we measure the horizontal distance from the wall to the front of the stem clamp area. This provides our version of a center-to-center measurement for the reach. Terms and Conditions: You may visit our store by clicking on this "Store Home Page" link and please note the product categories on the left side of our "Store Home Page". We have also moved our "Terms and Conditions" to a separate page within our Ebay store. You may navigate to this page by clicking on the link on the left side of our "Store Home Page" (below the product categories) or you may click on one of our "Terms and Conditions" direct links herein. Note to international customers regarding shipping... We apologize to those that feel some of our international shipping charges are too high. We only charge actual shipping rates, but once an order exceeds a certain amount, we hesitate to use the least expensive US Postal Services First Class International service. We feel this way, because this service is not trackable or insurable...so more risk of loss. We prefer the US Postal Services Priority Mail International service for more expensive orders, because this service is trackable at USPS.com and insurable...so less risk of loss. Unfortunately, this service is more expensive, especially for smaller/lighter packages, relative to the First Class International service. We are sorry about these higher shipping costs, but hopefully our notes help to explain why this is the case. Note to international customers regarding customs... We also apologize to those that feel their country import taxes, duties and brokerage fees are excessive. As a small US business, we are required by customs' laws to declare each order as a retail sale. Additionally, the declared order value must be equal to total store purchases and/or winning auction bids (less any shipping costs, as these are not considered in the declared value). As a result, each customer will be responsible for paying his/her own country taxes, duties and brokerage fees, which will be collected upon delivery. Again, we apologize for these additional costs, but we cannot afford the penalties and fines that come with breaking customs' laws...so we have to strictly abide by them.

Price: 139.99 USD

Location: Argonia, Kansas

End Time: 2024-11-15T05:15:36.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD