'93 Geliano - please shed some light on this obscurity!

[henristig]

I've always had a thing for obscure bikes from the past, but this time I think I've met my match. There's a guy selling this gorgeous Geliano on a local forum and I'm super tempted, but I'd like to know a bit about the history of the bike/company before I commit. Problem is I can't seem to dig up much on the maker or any of its models. I'd really appreciate some help from you guys with this one...

Even though my French sucks I have managed as much research as to conclude that Geliano is (was?) a small French brand started some 70 years ago, which sold its bikes through a bike shop called Cycles Duret in Argent-sur-Sauldre in France. Other than that I'm clueless, apparently they were quite obscure. Does anybody know about their model line-up from the 80's-90's? The pictured bike is claimed to be a '93 model and looks absolutely stunning to me, but do you reckon it's one of the lower end bikes or is it possibly quite decent (he's asking 300€ for it)? What about the groupset? Also, I know Geliano built some TT-bikes as well, but this isn't one, right? The bent top tube is interesting though, wonder what this geo was originally designed for...

Anyways, please share any thoughts or knowledge you have about the brand and this model in particular. Thanks!

BTW, if bought it will be used for commuting ~25 miles a day. Beats a rigid MTB, yes?

 

[half cog]

Re:

Looks like a low pro TT bike to me. The front end of the top tube should be lower than the back end. Many were fitted with a smaller front wheel as well to lower the front even more.Have seen photos of one of these before and very nice too but it is a long while ago and I dont remember any details attached to the photo.may not be a comfy ride but should be quick enough.
Regards
Peter

 

[lastpubrunner]

Re:

I was out on my Geliano, just yesterday !

It rides brilliantly - I've never regretted buying it.

There's a pic of it here :

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... it=geliano

 

[henristig]

Re:

Thanks for the replies guys, glad to hear someone else is on a Geliano too! Peer support I guess.

I posted this bike on the "How much?" thread and got quite an alarming reply:

Sorry to say this but it's a mess. Paint on seatpost and chainset suggests the owner had some left over when they patched the frame up. Seriously, give this a wide birth, it's someone's parts bike. Calipers are very low level Shimano, someone has painted the chainset, this is a real no, no. The rims look new and cheap which suggests equally poor hubs. Don't buy it, you could spend this kind of money on something much, much better.

Do you think agentorange is on point??? I'm starting to hesitate a bit to be honest, and wouldn't want to ride something too uncomfortable either (although my back is still young compared to some of you oldies ). It still looks cool IMO....

 

[Little Al]

Re: Re:

Thanks for the replies guys, glad to hear someone else is on a Geliano too! Peer support I guess.

I posted this bike on the "How much?" thread and got quite an alarming reply:

Sorry to say this but it's a mess. Paint on seatpost and chainset suggests the owner had some left over when they patched the frame up. Seriously, give this a wide birth, it's someone's parts bike. Calipers are very low level Shimano, someone has painted the chainset, this is a real no, no. The rims look new and cheap which suggests equally poor hubs. Don't buy it, you could spend this kind of money on something much, much better.

Do you think agentorange is on point??? I'm starting to hesitate a bit to be honest, and wouldn't want to ride something too uncomfortable either (although my back is still young compared to some of you oldies ). It still looks cool IMO....

If you are serious about this bike I would VERY carefully check it over as I think the Top Tube is not as manufactured. It has been said it could be a 24" front wheel LO PRO with 700 forks & wheel, but the head angle doesn"t look right I think as said it is a bit of a bitsa with maybe the Geliano decals, you could check the seat post size, & if it"s not 26.8 or 27.2 you will know it"s likely to be low end spec tubing in which case I would doubt if it"s genuine, as I have no knowledge of Geliano building low end frames & I don"t think they marketed mass produced low end frames/bikes The ones i"ve seen over here have all been top end kit for the time of manufacture

 

[bduc61]

Re:

well as a froggie, I will add my pinch of salt

I agree about the painted seatpost being quite dubious but.....

here is a pic from a french cyclist in the shop of Geliano Duret in Argent sur Sauldre !



and here other pics made within the shop

scroll down to the middle of the long page

http://www.pignonfixe.com/printthread.p ... 0&page=101


so coordination of paint seems less bizarre :shock:

Isn't it a sachs crankset and rear mech ?

Its true the frame is not identical but Geliano is such an obscure make than "faking" it would clearly be a very devious entreprise

As mentionned, I would check the diameter of the seatpost to make sure about the quality of the tubing
check if there is a frame number or engraving of any sort
and maybe contact the shop in France with a pic - they may be of help :idea:

http://www.velo-cycle-vtt.com/
8 rue de Clémont
18410 Argent sur Sauldre
France
33(0)2 48 73 60 66

 

[Little Al]

There appears several differences in the two bikes in the photos OP frame only seems to have curved top tube & seat stays on TT/ST lug, frame in shop appears to have curved top & seat tube & seat stays shot into seat tube, which is a set up used on TT bikes by other frame builders, it just seems that the OP frame is neither a conventional road frame or a curly tube TT . A local cycling club in my area has around 5 or so members with Geliano frames & all are standard diamond frames. I am in no way saying the OP frame is/is not a Geliano frame just urging a bit of caution so that you don"t if you do buy end up with pigs ear frame for silk purse price

 

[PANZR]

It's awesome...definitely buy it

I've seen a Geliano TT bike with similar paint on the cranks, seat post and even the bottle cage
Looks legitimate to me

 

[Diamant_Don]

Re:

Love it! I can't see anything suspicious here… just a gorgeous lo-pro. Go for it, fella!

EDIT: EUR300 possibly a bit much? Is he open to offers?

 

[bduc61]

It's awesome...definitely buy it

possibly but a t a discount :idea:

I think part of the group is sachs new success - at least the crankset seem to
rear der could be shimano 600 tricolor as the sachs can look quite similar but has not parts of the body grey
the brake calipers could also be sachs - rebranded modolo- but nothing sure about that - but the brake levers are not
front der could be a shimano 600 tricolor :idea: