Nickel Bikes?

[matt1986]

Hi guys,

I have this 'Nickel' branded bike and wondering if anyone has any info on these? It has a 'la roue libre' sticker on the frame, which I have deduced is a French cycle shop, so I'm guessing this is a French/Euro frame (though hopefully not French threaded...)

I've dated it to '96 based on components and the date stamp within the BB serial, but would love to figure out who built it. The other question I have is re: 'Columbus Custom' tubing on the fork (frame is SLX New) - anyone know what this is exactly?

Photos below:



Cheers!

[silentbutdeadly]

That wouldn't be a Brian Hayes frame...or would it?

[morini]

What ever it is, I'd own it. Nice looking bit of kit.

[matt1986]

I guess it's going to remain a mystery then! Oh well, as you said, it's nothing to shake a stick at.

[luigig]

An Italian frame.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Tubing" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[koen]

An Italian frame.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Tubing" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sounds more american to me. Did you email nickel city bikes in NY. They might know???

[luigig]

Definitely Italian frame. Bianchi used them and others. A bit of an Italian version of Reynolds. The bike might be from elsewhere. http://www.columbustubi.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[koen]

Luigig I think you are confusing the tubing with the frame manufacturer. Manufacturers all over the world use Columbus tubing. Other famous tubing often used is Reynolds and Tange.

[luigig]

Yes Nickel builds the frames as I found out. Thanks.

[baronsouthside]

Hello from Scotland. Excuse the thread resurrection but I've recently bought a Nickel frame here in the UK and research on the brand has brought me here. Wondering if the OP managed to get anymore info on the brand or if any one else recognises the brand. This frame is straight gauge Columbus Aella tubing, almost identical colouring to the OP but lacks the chrome. The seller knew very little other than it came to him with a Campagnolo Mirage triple group on it. Not sure how to upload pics. Ive a shimano 600 tricolour group-set to hang off it and hoping to turn it into a nice winter ride. Cheers. Jonny

[baronsouthside]

Ive uploaded some pics to another forums here in the UK. Link here, Any help to identify a maker or shop would be appreciated.

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... 2&t=390478

Jonny

[baronsouthside]

So in case the OP checks in every now and again, I think I've narrowed down the frame maker to a Italian company called Tecnotrat. They made frames under many names like Debernardi, Saronni etc but also made frames for export/to order to be badged locally (hence the 68mm British threaded BB). Still no closer to working out the individual shop with this brand name but there is enough photos and info online about Tecnotrat that point these frames in their direction, the heart shaped lugs, fast back seat lug, Columbus tubing and dropouts, the frame size stamp position on the BB. Only thing i haven't got is an example of a Tecnotrat serial number. My SN is very exact, JA 04 97. which I read as, January 4th, 1997. Here is a link to a Tecnotrat brochure someone has posted on line, Cheers Jonny.

http://www.italiaanseracefietsen.com/20 ... it-italie/