Pelizzoli Rides Again
TL;DR: this gem is finally back in these streets but still keeping its secrets.
Last winter I acquired and built up this frameset, which had spent many years unrideably stashed away, and posted on this sub a few months back after some test riding. I’ve finally been able to put over a hundred miles on it with warming/drying weather, and it’s quickly become a favorite for the ride: light, smooth, well-balanced and nimble as one would expect given the geometry but with surprisingly little flex, likely a credit to the SLX tubes — impressive considering the absence of a chainstay bridge.
It is a Pelizzoli Designer Microf C 40, similar to the Ciöcc Designer ‘84 Microf C 40, both made by Giovanni “Ciöcc” Pelizzoli, an Italian master frame builder. This one that bears his surname and signature features some unique flourishes in the construction: seat stays that mimic the fork’s curve into a fastback cluster, internal cable routing, pantographed Cinelli spoiler BB shell and chrome winged fork crown, filed-n-filled lugs, predictably exquisite craftsmanship all around. Painted cutouts include the FD braze-on, apparently for builders’ eyes only.
There are no serial numbers anywhere on frame or fork (the BB shell # is Cinelli’s), and it’s proven tough to find information. It has 126/100 spacing and Italian threading. At best guess Pelizzoli custom built it in the mid- or late-80s for R. Gemi, whose name is still faintly visible on the top tube. Fortunately I’m about his size, and with a bit of luck I hope to ride this thing right into my grave… but hopefully not anytime soon!