Road Bike Parts Appraisal

Vintage Cinelli Spinaci Aero Bar Extensions with Integrated Stem

This is a vintage Cinelli bicycle component setup featuring 'Spinaci' style aerodynamic clip-on bar extensions mounted to a silver Cinelli quill stem. The item consists of two black curved alloy tubes that serve as armrests and the base for the aero extension, which is wrapped in a vibrant neon yellow/lime green handlebar tape. A notable feature is the presence of the 'Cinelli' logo engraved on the stem and the Italian 'Tricolore' flag decals near the connection points of the bars, indicating its high-end Italian manufacturing heritage during the mid-to-late 1990s. The construction utilizes lightweight aluminum alloy for both the bars and the stem. The armrest pads exhibit a textured, cracked, or 'elephant skin' appearance, which appears to be the original foam material showing signs of age and degradation. The neon tape shows heavy wear and staining at the front-most point of the extension, likely from hand contact. There are visible paint chips and scuffs on the black coating of the alloy bars, particularly near the clamping mechanisms. The quill stem is finished in a polished silver and includes a single recessed hex bolt for tightening. This specific configuration of 'Spinaci' bars was popular in professional road racing before being banned by the UCI in 1997 for safety reasons, making them a significant piece of cycling history and a highly sought-after item for period-correct vintage road bike restorations.