Handlebars - 02

HANDLEBARS:
3ttt Record Competizione Superleggero (modified) - 1974 to 1986 second edition engraved logo - thin wall aluminum alloy - T6 heat treatment - Clear anodized finish - Gimondi profile bar bend - 120 mm wide / 26.0 mm clamp sized bulged center section - 44 cm O-t-O / 116 mm reach / 178 mm drop - model Superleggero : ALMARC - leather handlebar covering - hand stitched sewn-on mounting - Black - model 66 : 3ttt handlebar end plugs - push-in style - domed ends - chrome plated ... [As can clearly be seen in the "BEFORE" pictures, this Pino Morroni was originally equipped with swept back handlebars of the type often associated with city bikes - this in consideration of the fact that the gentleman to whom it was first presented as a gift might charitably be characterized as a casual rider and one who was likely not much enamored of the prospect of hunching over a traditional drop style bar. Upon deciding to rebuild this bicycle in a manner more in keeping with its racing oriented geometry and competition steeped heritage, I opted instead to fit a set of 3ttt Superleggero handlebars having a Gimondi bend as these are a personal favorite of mine - something akin to a Pista profile having a fast forward bend and then a quick drop. Weighing in at a mere 240 grams (...without the leather wrapping as seen here, of course), these also happen to be the lightest and arguably one of the most reliably durable drop style handlebars that would have been contemporary to this bicycle. As for the ALMARC leather wrap, its application and execution exemplifies the finest traditions of "old world" craftsmanship, and indeed, similar ALMARC covered handlebars could be found as a fine finishing touch on several distinctive Italian bikes of the era including the Bianchi Super Leggera, the Ciöcc Mockba 80 Super Record and CLX 384 Aero Titanium, the Guerciotti Jet Super Record and GLX 7600 Super Record Pro, and the Somec 2001 C Record and Air Super Record.]