ROSSIN 'Pogliaghi' TT Prototype Featured Bike! on 07/6/2011
56.5cm Columbus SLX-Poliaghi TT/Pursuit Prototype
Modolo Bullhorn / 3TTT stem
Pogliaghi/Campagnolo
26" Ambrosio balsa-fibreglass disc/Mavic CXP33 650c
700c Ambrosio balsa-fibreglass disc/Mavic CXP33 700c
Campagnolo Croce D'Aune/Campagnolo
San Marco Rolls/Campagnolo Aero
Campagnolo w/ Bindi straps
Campagnolo
Campagnolo Delta/Super Record
Campagnolo/Sachs New Success Front Derailleur
This one of a kind Pogliaghi was a 1987-88 showbike. Beautiful lugging and seamless gusseting, gorgeous matching disc wheels. Campagnolo Croce D'Aune rear derailleur and Delta brakes. The yellow handlebar wrap with Campagnolo plugs ties it all together. I thought about the red saddle, but the yellow Rolls off my Coppi was not behaving itself. And then it hit me...more comfortable on the Pogliaghi, looks great, and an extra San Marco Concors(mint). Thanks to John Bunco at High Park Cycle, and Lorne at la bicicletta. Dreams can come true.
Update: I finally took this two-wheeled sex-pot out for a good stretch, with that rear Ambrosio disc nicely strapped in. May I say, without exaggeration, without risk of sounding indulgent...What a freakin rush. That wheel hums hypnotic, solid and fast, cutting through the wind like the bloody Bluenose. That's all.
November 5, 2008: Think me foolish or crazy, but I finally took the Pogliaghi out with both disc wheels. It was an epic ride through the shitty streets of Toronto. It handled like a dream, nimble and quick, eating up corners like a Criterium. The discs humming to a metronome-like pattern, music to the ears of the solitary time-trialist. I am honoured to have the opportunity bestowed upon me.
Update for November 6, 2oo8: I rode the Pogliaghi out again, same set-up as the day before. I felt strong, fast, it was to be the ride of my life. Ten minutes in, my front disc goes flat. Tubulars may be fast, but without a team support car in close proximity, I now question the practicality of tubulars in a non-race/support-car setting. Clinchers from here on in. I am honoured to have the opportunity of this work of art bestowed upon me. I'm not bragging, I'm just saying...
Feb. 03, 2009: I recently received a response from Signora Evy Fiorelli, daughter of one of the Fiorelli Bros.(of Coppi fame), regarding the Pogliaghi. She's associated with a museum in Novi Liguri, Italy(where Coppi and a half dozen other champions came from, and home of Fiorelli). She could find nothing on this bike. A previous attempt with another museum produced the same results. Too bad the Italians don't keep a history of their rich bicycle-building past. You would think. Well, the saga continues.
June 10. 2009: I've had the Delta brakes removed from the Pogliaghi and replaced with Super Records, donated by my frame builder Malcolm Munro of biseagal, here in Toronto. The Super Records look great, and I'll have photos when it's out of the shop. In case you're wondering, one Delta brake will go on the track bike Malcolm's built for me, and the fork matches the Delta brilliantly.
Important Notice: The Delta brake cable set-up in the picture has since been updated. The new set-up, as is presently found on these same Deltas, is with the brake cable cut flush. There's no excess cable, no overhang. Any excess cable, tucked into the works or otherwise, may work itself loose and possibly jam the brake works.