Rigi For Francesco Moser Rare Roadbike 1980s

In Italian Bici Corta means 'short bike'. This is what Giorgio Rinaldi, the Italian engineer who designed and built the "Bici corta" (Rigi comes from RInaldi GIorgio), wanted to create: a shorter, therefore lighter, swifter handling and better climbing bicycle frame.

To do that, he radically changed the seat tube configuration, using - instead of the standard seat tube of 1" diameter - two smaller tubes, about the size of stays.
These twin seat tubes run from the seat cluster to the outside edges of the bottom bracket shell. This allows the rear triangle to be drastically shortened, placing the rear wheel between the twin seat tubes.

Through the corners, maneuvering in the pack, a rider can feel the difference as the bicycle becomes extremely well responding.

By anchoring the twin tubes at the outside edges of the bb-shell, a structural rigidity is attained that is absolutely incredible. Hill climbing, massed start and sprinting make the Rigi shine. Instead of flexing the bottom bracket shell, you are putting your power where it belongs, straight into the freewheel.

But should a high class bike not be light, too? Yes it should.
First consider the fact that a shorter rear triangle means shorter chain and seat stays. And the weight savings of the frame design allow a shorter, thus lighter chain, too!

The Rigi were usually built with Columbus tubing throughout.

We do not know which kind of collaboration was going on between the Moser works and Rinaldi, but obviously there must have been some connection.
Our Moser Rigi does not only come with the beautiful Rigi dropouts but also with fine cutouts in the bottom bracket shell!
As for the parts there can be nothing less than something extra fine - Here it is a Gipiemme Special Strada groupset with a Campagnolo Record derailleur set which has hardly seen any use and includes a professional level wheelset with bonded spokes. The fine Almarc leather cover gives this machine the extra touch of class it deserves.

The bike is perfectly rideable and would make for a great eyecatcher at L'Eroica or other vintage cycling events.