For us, the Nitro Express has always been the realization of the state-of-the-art in steel framebuilding. Over the years, as technical advances have occurred, we have continually improved our favorite bike. We think you will find the 2009 Nitro to be extraordinary in every way.

Materials: Columbus' Spirit tubing is the only choice for this project. Like Nivachrome (EL-OS, Genius, etc) and Foco, Spirit is made from a steel alloy specifically designed for bicycle frames. While we always loved frames made from Nivachrome and Foco, Spirit has the following improvements:

• It has an enhanced resistance to corrosion.
• It is much easier for both lugged frame and tig-frame builders to work with.
• It can be drawn thinner and still enjoy a longer lifetime of use.
• The mechanical characteristics of the steel; breaking load, fatigue resistance, are much superior to other bicycle tubes.
• The surface finish of Spirit tubes is better.

We chose a small frame building shop in Piemonte, in the Italian Alps, to build our Nitro Express. The workmanship is superb.

Here are the specs:

Head tube: 1" or 1/18"

Top tube: Level, 28 mm diameter

Downtube: 32mm diameter drawn to 0.38mm wall thickness.

Seat Post: 27.2

Bottom bracket threading: Italian (36x24)

Dropouts: Investment cast vertical.

Paint: Dupont Imron, custom done to your specs in the USA.

Fabrication technique: Tig-welded with investment-cast bottom bracket shell that has sockets for the chainstays and downtube and seat tubes. This not only makes the bottom bracket area stiffer, it gives a more precise and better aligned thread set for the bottom bracket bearings.

While we can chrome and paint a Torelli frame almost any way you want, we do have two standard packages for finishing a Nitro Express.

A. For the rider who wants a lightweight and reliable steel ride, a single color of American paint with no chrome. Suggested retail: $1650.00

B. Our traditional finish which includes a chrome-plated right chainstay and both dropouts and your choice of a single color of Dupont Imron. Suggested retail: $1,999.00

Sizes: 48 - 60 cm center to center

Geometry:

Nitro Express Frame Geometry

Frame Size	Head Tube	Seat Tube	Top Tube	Chain Stay
48	72	76.5	51.5	40.5
50	72	75	53	40.5
52	72.5	75	53.5	40.7
53	72.5	74.5	54	40.7
54	73	74.5	54.5	40.7
55	73	74	55.5	40.7
56	73	74	56	40.7
57	73.5	73.5	57	40.7
58	74	73.5	57.5	41.3
60	75	72	60.3	41.4

On a personal note. I hope this doesn't sound like bragging. OK, I am boasting. I have never failed to climb aboard a Nitro Express and not been enchanted by the ride. I think you'll find that a beautiful hand-made Italian steel bike made from the possible finest materials will give you joy and pleasure with every stroke of the pedals. Here's a picture of me riding my 1998 edition Nitro Express with Mauro Mondonico in the hills of Umbria, Italy.

-Chairman Bill