Milani late '70s road bike

[CumbrianDynamo]

I picked up this bike recently for about £200. Does anyone know much about Milani bikes?

It's branded Mantovani but the forks and seatstays are stamped with Milani and a clover so am assuming it was built by Milani and that Mantovani is either a shop or a team. I was told it was from 1979, but not sure if this is accurate.

It's got a Nuovo Gran Sport drivetrain and the chainrings also have the clover stamped on them although they are Campagnolo. Brakes are Gran Sport (but with old 105 levers for some reason). 3ttt Competizione bars with a Chiementin 3ttt stem. FIR rims and Gipiemme Sprint hubs.

 

[kermisking]

This frame was made in Luigino (Gino) Milani's frame shop in Verona Italy . Milani's most famous apprentice was Dario Pegoretti and Milani was a contract builder who made a lot of frames for Pinarello among other famous Italian companies . So you could say you have a very fine racing bicycle for minimal money enjoy !. Chiementin was a shop in the same region of Italy as Milani who had frames made by Milani declared Chiementin. I would suspect the frame will be made of columbus SL which is better quality than the Gara decal applied to your bike .

 

[Fifthgrace]

What a bargain! Thanks for the info on Milani Kermisking-will be looking out for more Milani frames/bikes now...

 

[CumbrianDynamo]

This frame was made in Luigino (Gino) Milani's frame shop in Verona Italy . Milani's most famous apprentice was Dario Pegoretti and Milani was a contract builder who made a lot of frames for Pinarello among other famous Italian companies . So you could say you have a very fine racing bicycle for minimal money enjoy !. Chiementin was a shop in the same region of Italy as Milani who had frames made by Milani declared Chiementin. I would suspect the frame will be made of columbus SL which is better quality than the Gara decal applied to your bike .

Amazing knowledge and information - thanks Kermisking. Curious as to the comment re the tubing. Is that what Milani tended to use, and why do you think there would be a decal for an inferior quality steel?

It's definitely a nice bike to ride, although would like to replace the brake pads as I don't have total confidence in their stopping ability, especially in the wet. I have some Campag replacements but only realised after I ordered them that the brake blocks are a sealed unit so I can't slide the old ones out - may require a screwdriver and some warm water to coax them!

 

[barsid]

Good looking bike and what a bargain ! Mine is a bit shabby and overpainted but sports the same lug pattern on seat tube and fork crowns. Interesting to read the history and if you track down a source for decals, please share ?