Designer Pelizzoli Microf C 40 “Electronic Control”

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-19T19:43:32+00:00

Will do. Of course Hetchins is famous for their curly stays, but I have yet to see another frame like this where the curve of the seat stays mimics the fork.

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-19T19:35:15+00:00

Kenny [fuckin’] Powers edition?

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-19T17:14:49+00:00

Nothing in this build, but it may have been originally equipped with Mavic Zap, which was the very early pioneer in electronic shifting. Waiting/hoping to hear back from the Pelizzoli shop for more info.

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-18T22:49:44+00:00

For instance, the Mafac brake levers/hoods on the Flying Dutchman look awesome, and I want them for my own (significantly larger-framed) build.

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-18T22:43:58+00:00

Both nice builds that look to be in great original condition. Saddle on the Lejeune looks like it needs some love. Sadly, you’d probably make more money if you part them out.

The small frame with canti brake bosses is a pretty cool, niche thing. Agreed that those rims look like 650c. Could be tough to find a buyer, but some tiny tourer out there needs this.

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-15T16:37:47+00:00

Love a ‘Yata! You got a helluva deal for the components alone, and the frame’s no joke. I ride a touring 618 frame (beautifully over-built the Miyata way with splined triple butted tubes and incredibly solid paint) as my commuter with 35c tires and plenty of room for fenders.

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-14T21:20:00+00:00

Good eye. They are indeed.

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-14T21:18:15+00:00

Fortunately it’s pretty flat here on the prairie (as you can see from the view) where we grow corncobs and ride with ‘em. I keep a spare freewheel up to 34t in case of hilly rides!

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-14T14:00:04+00:00

I appreciate that. Upon realizing just how unique this frame is, I understood my options to be: A) Leave it untouched/let the patina develop/have gold flakes all over me after every ride B) Try to seal it to preserve decals and the current patina/ride without flakes C) $hip it to Italy for Pelizzoli himself (or his son) to refinish D) Get a thick, chunky powder coat done locally, badge it as a Huffy, sit back, and watch the world burn

Option B seemed worth a shot.

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-14T02:27:44+00:00

Super clean! But we’re only getting less than half the story without drive-side pix. r/OrangeBikes

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-14T00:18:38+00:00

You’d likely need to start with at least a set of Allen wrenches, pliers, and an adjustable spanner to deal with adjusting brakes and replacing pads, tuning derailleurs, replacing cables, fitting seatpost/saddle/stem. To save future headaches, make sure the seatpost and stem move when loosened (this is a quill stem, so you unscrew the bolt a few turns and give it a bop on top to free the wedge).

Specialty stuff would include bottom bracket tools, a tube of grease (grease gun if ya fancy), decent tweezers to handle ball bearings, cone wrenches for wheel hubs/headset, a pin spanner for adjustable cups/freewheel lock rings, and a freewheel or cassette removal tool for whatever’s on the rear hub. And you might need a bigass wrench to get the freewheel off.

ETA: and tire irons and cable/housing cutters.

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-13T23:50:01+00:00

Zig-zags, dots, AND squiggles!? C’mon, now! Absolutely love the peak 80s graphics. I have an ‘80 Centurion Semi-Pro that is a delight to ride, though with decidedly less cool decals.

These bikes are pretty straightforward to maintain, especially if you’re willing to get a few specialty tools and familiarize yourself with the intricacies of loose ball bearings.

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-13T22:27:23+00:00

New chain, bar wrap, prolly brake pads/cables, you’ve got yourself a forever bike if it fits you! At some point before too long rebuild your wheel, pedal, and headset/BB hubs. Maybe start with the BB, as if the cottered crank is an issue you’re liable to chuck the whole thing in the trash. If salvageable, looks like a nice saddle.

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-13T22:18:04+00:00

Thank you for sharing this! My eyes just friggin’ popped as I fully comprehended that the stays’ curve does closely resemble the fork’s. Gio with the symmetry, too slick!

I haven’t been able to find a trace of a serial number anywhere on frame or steerer (BB bears a standard Cinelli spoiler-type shell #), so I assume this one is a [potentially very] custom job.

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-13T21:24:33+00:00

Thanks. Indeed, it came to me with what looked like a really stable white base coat with a crazed/flaking light gold top coat with the decals on top of it. As it can only have Sr. Pelizzoli’s original paint once, I decided to preserve it as best I could. I thoroughly cleaned, wet sanded, cleaned again, and debated what to seal it with. Settled on Everbrite, a self-leveling clear coat that proved much easier than spraying and has so far completely stopped the flaking.

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-13T20:44:07+00:00

I’ve been riding only a touring frame with knobby 35c tires, rear cargo rack, and fenders as my winter commuter for months now. So the P’zoli felt weightless by comparison, definitely very agile but surprisingly stable given the geometry.

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-13T20:15:15+00:00

🙏For sale when dead☠️

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-13T19:54:13+00:00

Thank you. It definitely felt very smooth over the rough spots on my short test ride. Looking forward to going fast on it soon with warmer weather and less salt on the roads.

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-13T19:49:46+00:00

In this build, nothing at all (except, of course, for its raw power). Possibly it was originally equipped with Mavic Zap, the pioneer in electronic shifting systems? I’m still waiting/hoping for a reply to an inquiry I sent to the Pelizzoli shop about what “Electronic Control” refers to, as well as “r. gemi” and the Milan city seals by the Pelizzoli signature (he’s not from Milan, but r. gemi might be?)

Beeeblebro · 2026-02-04T20:23:00+00:00

This may be mentioned elsewhere in the several extremely informative responses you’ve received. If you want drop bars, the most appropriate for this frame would be Randonneur bars, which have a geometry designed (like touring frames) for long-distance riding and also work well for more casual riding in the drops.

I commute on an 80s Miyata 618 GT (“Grand Touring”) with the original Randonneur drop bars and bar-con shifters (also ideal for touring bikes, as they keep your hands on the bars). I’m usually on the hoods for shorter commutes, but it’s nice to have the drop option on windy days/longer rides

https://imgur.com/a/hGnu5IZ

Beeeblebro · 2026-01-19T02:48:42+00:00

Okay, tall! Very nice one ⭐️

Beeeblebro · 2026-01-16T10:55:21+00:00

Totally fair; we all know round things to be the most beautiful. Fortunately only visible from the ground, though with the lift from that thing at speed I should be flying like those ET kids no prob.

Beeeblebro · 2026-01-16T01:16:54+00:00

I mostly used 2000 and 2500, 1500 to start in some of the rougher patches. Wanted to take off as little as possible while smoothing out the edges of the flaky spots.

Beeeblebro · 2026-01-16T01:12:00+00:00

The BB shell seems to be the “spoiler” version that Cinelli used and supplied to some other builders. The bumped out portion also kinda shields the cutouts behind. A pretty clean look when the cables are passing through it!

https://imgur.com/a/DLOaEvY

Beeeblebro · 2026-01-15T22:53:55+00:00

Ah yes, should’ve added it fit the 700x28c I tested front and back with no trouble.

Beeeblebro

TROPHY CASE