Inizialmente i principali leganti del ferro furono il cromo ed il molibdeno, tubi serie CICLEX.
Negli anni 70 – primi 80 i tubi SL erano il top di gamma, si sono evoluti nelle versioni SLX e TSX.
SP è l’acronimo di Strada Pesante, i tubi SLX sono per un utilizzo professionale e sono più leggeri.
In seguito negli anni 80 con l’aggiunta di nichel vanadio cromo è stata prodotta la serie NIVACROM.
Negli anni 90 sono state introdotte le serie microlegate e la saldatura tig.
Ogni step ha portato dei miglioramenti nelle caratteristiche meccaniche delle leghe quindi dei tubi di spessori minori dunque più leggeri.
Grafico tratto da: http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/columbus/columbuschart.htm
| TUBESET | SEAT TUBE
Thickness mm | DOWN TUBE
Thickness mm | TOP TUBE
Thickness mm | FORK BLADES
Thickness mm | CHAIN STAYS
Thickness mm | SEAT STAYS
Thickness mm | STEERER
Thickness mm | HEAD TUBE
Thickness mm | |
| MAX | Tube set for special racing bikes made from the exclusive Nivacrom® steel with exceptional strength characteristics. The elliptical cross-sections are oriented in such a way that the major axes are directly opposed to the highest active and passive stresses. This set has been designed to optimize efficiency under the demands of extreme bads: sprint, time trials, climbing and strong centrifugal acceleration when descending. Nivacrom Steel – Weight: 1900 g | 0.5/0.8
butted. oval shaped and tapered | 0.8/0.5/0.8
double butted. orthogonal oval tube ends | 0.7/0.4/0.7
double butted. orthogonal oval tube ends | 1/0.8
butted air profile | 0.6 | 0.5 | 2.3/1.55
butted + helical reinforcements | 1.5
|
| EL | Tube set for time trials over even terrain, climbs and triathlon events.Super-lightweight thanks to the reduced thickness of tubing made from the exclusive Nivacrom” steel with a very high yield point. Double-butted tubes and oval, butted unicrown fork blades. Nivacrom Steel – Weight: 1670 g | 0.6/0.8
butted | 0.8/0.5/0.8
double butted | 0.7/0.4/0.7
double butted | 0.8/1.2
butted unicrown | 0.7 | 0.6 | 2/1.55
butted + helical reinforcements | 1 |
| EL OVERSIZE | Drawing on the experience with the EL set in the toughest professional competitions, this set features tubes of comparable lightness but with increased diameters for greater rigidity thanks to the use of the exclusive Nivacrom* steel. Nivacrom® Steel – Weight: 1800 g | 0.6/0.8
butted | 0.7/0.4/0.7
double butted | 0.7/0.4/0.7
double butted | 1/0.6
butted unicrown | 0.6/0.8
butted | 0.7 | 2/1.55
butted + helical reinforcements | 0.8 |
| TSX | Tube set for professional use, coupling maximum performance with reduced weight. It is particularly suitable for stage races of more than 150 Km over mixed terrain.In addition to butted walls, this set has five helicoidal internal reinforcements, thus giving greater rigidity against tube flexing and torsion. Cyclex Steel – Weight: 1945 g | 0.6/0.9
butted + helical reinforcements | 0.8/0.6/0.8
double butted + helical reinforcements | 0.8/0.6/0.8
double butted + helical reinforcements | 0.9 | 0.8
butted with lengthwise reinforcements | 0.7 | 2.3/1.55
butted + helical reinforcements | 1 |
| SLX | “Superbutted” tube set specially designed for professional cyclists, featuring five spirals for greater rigidity in the joint area or the bottom bracket. Double-butted tube ends. Cyclex Steel – Weight: 1966 g | 0.6/0.9
butted + helical reinforcements | 0.9/0.6/0.9
double butted + helical reinforcements | 0.9/0.6/0.9
double butted | 0.9 | 0.8
butted with lengthwise reinforcements | 0.7 | 2.3/1.55
butted + helical reinforcements | 1 |
| SPX | “Superbutted” tube set with increased thickness for professional cyclists. Ideal for larqe frames. Double-butted tube ends. Cyclex Steel – Weight: 2325 g | 0.7/1
butted + helical reinforcements | 1/0.7/1
double butted + helical reinforcements | 1/0.7/1
double butted | 1.05 | 1
butted with lengthwise reinforcements | 1 | 2.3/1.55
butted + helical reinforcements | 1 |
| MS | Multishape, special tube set developed in collaboration with Gilco Design. Each tube profile is shaped to withstand specific stresses. Designed for competition use, it requires a precise riding style, and improves frame response to sudden shocks. Cyclex Steel – Weight: 1930 g | 0.6/0.9
butted + tapered | 1/0.7/1
double butted | 0.9/0.6/0.9
double butted | 0.9 | 0.9
right: with rectangular oval shape left: with triangular shape | 0.7 | 2.3/1.55
butted + helical reinforcements | 1 |
| SL | All-purpose, high-performance tube set for road races over even terrain. Double-butted tubes. Cold-rolled fork blades. Cyclex Steel – Weight: 1925 g | 0.6/0.9
butted | 0.9/0.6/0.9
double butted | 0.9/0.6/0.9
double butted | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 2.3/1.55
butted + helical reinforcements | 1 |
| SP | Heavy-duty, high-performance set, especially recommended for large frames. Double-butted tubing. Cold-rolled fork blades. Cyclex Steel – Weight: 2215 g | 0.7/1
butted | 1/0.7/1
double butted | 1/0.7/1
double butted | 1.05 | 1 | 1 | 2.3/1.55
butted + helical reinforcements | 1 |
| CROMOR | Built of cold-drawn, chrome-moly butted tubing, this set is for the more demanding riders who favour versatile, high-performance light frames, but can also be used for larger frames. Cr Mo Steel – Weight: 2190 g | 0.6/0.9
butted | 1/0.7/1
double butted | 0.9/0.7/0.9
double butted | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 2.3/1.55
butted + helical reinforcements | 1 |
| GARA | Road set especially suited for amateur and touring cyclists who demand stout, lightweight racing frames. Cr Mo Steel – Weight: 2300 g | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 2.3/1.55
butted | 1 |
| AELLE | Set for amateur and touring cyclists, built of cold-drawn, microalloyed-steel thin-wall tubing which makes it especially lightweight. CMn Steel – Weight: 2345 g | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 2.3/1.55
butted | 1 |
| MAX OR | Set exclusively designed for the toughest off-road races. The oversized oriented elliptical cross-sections have thicknesses of as little as 0.5-0.6 mm, thanks to the exceptional characteristics of the exclusive Nivacrom® steel. The oversized unicrown fork blades are cold-rolled for greater elastic strength and resilience. Nivacrom® Steel – Weight: 2180 g | 0.6/0.9
butted. oval shaped and tapered | 0.9/0.6/0.9
double butted. orthogonal oval tube ends | 0.8/0.5/0.8
double butted. orthogonal oval tube ends | 1.2/0.9
butted unicrown | 0.6/0.8
butted | 0.8 | 2.5/1.55
butted + helical reinforcements | 1 |
| NIVA OR | Tube set for off-road competitions and high-performance riding. It combines the excellent performance of Nivacrom’ steel with the traditional diameters. Nivacrom Steel – Weight: 2220 g | 0.6/0.9
butted | 1.1/0.7/0.9
triple butted | 0.9/0.6/0.9
double butted | 1.3/1.1
butted unicrown | 0.9 | 0.8 | 2.5/1.55
butted + helical reinforcements | 1 |
| NIVA OR OVERSIZE | Set built of oversized, round-section tubing for maximum off-road performance. The butted tubes are in the exclusive Nivacrom® steel, which has made it possible to increase diameter while reducing thickness, and hence weight. These features, and in particular the oversized tube cross-sections, ensure excellent rigidity and good handling over rugged terrain, making this set idea! for competitions. Nivacrom Steel – Weight: 2000 g | 0.5/0.8
butted | 0.9/0.6/0.9
double butted | 0.8/0.5/0.8
double butted | 1.2/0.8
butted unicrown | 0.6/0.8
butted | 0.7 | 2/1.55
butted + helical einforcements | 1 |
| CROMOR OR | Set for off-road experts who want to take on any terrain, regardless of difficulty, enjoying the maximum safety and dependability of an indestructible vehicle. The cold-drawn, chrome-moly tubing has butted ends. The butted unicrown fork blades have increased thickness in the weld areas. CrMo Steel • Weight: 2495 g | 0.7/1
butted . | 1.15/0.85/1.15
double butted | 0.9/0.6/0.9
double butted | 1.4/1.2
butted unicrown | 1 | 1 | 2.3/1.55
butted + he lical reinforcements | 1 |
| CROMOR OR OVERSIZE | Chrome-moly set specially designed for the most demanding mountain-bike enthusiasts. Oversized tube diameters give the frame excellent rigidity and stability, offering both pro and amateur cyclists a good measure of safety coupled with the characteristic lightness of Columbus butted tubing. CrMo Steel – Weight: 2580 g | 0.6/0.8
butted | 0.9/0.6/0.9
double butted | 0.8/0.5/0.8
double butted | 1.3/0.9
butted unicrown | 0.9 | 0.8 | 2.3/1.55
butted | 1 |
| GARA OR | In addition to the advantages offered by the GARA set, different diameters and thicknesses in the three tubes of the triangle make this MTB set highly shock-absorbing and resistant to stresses on rough terrain. CrMo Steel – Weight: 2740 g | 1 | 1 | 0.8 | 1.3
unicrown | 1 | 1 | 2.3/1.55
butted | 1 |