Guinessisgoodforyou
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Look at the details..
Not vintage or French, Worldwide Tourers, Campeurs, Porteurs, Audax, Randonneurs, Commuters
- Thread starter Guinessisgoodforyou
- Start date
Guinessisgoodforyou
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Guinessisgoodforyou
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Olympia randonneur sold from steelvintage.com
For the record in case it is removed and we lose information about this bicycle.
The Italian brand Olympia was founded in 1893 by Carlo Borghi. In 1959 the brand was subsequently acquired by Antonio and Pasquale Fontana who at that time already owned the brand Sanremo, among the others. The company is nowadays located in Piove di Sacco (Padova).
Our particular Olympia has been specially built to cope with riding in all kind of conditions. The classic lugged steel frame shares many details with the brand's top model, the Special Piuma. It is chromed just as the Piuma and it comes with the signature engraved headtube - absolutely lovely.
The differences start with the geometry and the dropouts. This bike has been designed to take mudguards and even a small rack if need be. It is perfectly suited for riding in the rain, thus some touring under unpredictable weather conditions does not jeopardize your plans. The tires are wider than you would expect on pure racing bikes. Supple 28mm Panaracer Pasela PT rubbers make sure that there is some extra traction for rides off the beaten path and offer the needed comfort for long days in the saddle.
All that does not mean the bike is limited to that style of riding. It is as well suited to go for a fast spin or even some classic style commuting.
Our Olympia is definitely an eye catcher. Be prepared to get some compliments when your are riding this beauty!
For the record in case it is removed and we lose information about this bicycle.
The Italian brand Olympia was founded in 1893 by Carlo Borghi. In 1959 the brand was subsequently acquired by Antonio and Pasquale Fontana who at that time already owned the brand Sanremo, among the others. The company is nowadays located in Piove di Sacco (Padova).
Our particular Olympia has been specially built to cope with riding in all kind of conditions. The classic lugged steel frame shares many details with the brand's top model, the Special Piuma. It is chromed just as the Piuma and it comes with the signature engraved headtube - absolutely lovely.
The differences start with the geometry and the dropouts. This bike has been designed to take mudguards and even a small rack if need be. It is perfectly suited for riding in the rain, thus some touring under unpredictable weather conditions does not jeopardize your plans. The tires are wider than you would expect on pure racing bikes. Supple 28mm Panaracer Pasela PT rubbers make sure that there is some extra traction for rides off the beaten path and offer the needed comfort for long days in the saddle.
All that does not mean the bike is limited to that style of riding. It is as well suited to go for a fast spin or even some classic style commuting.
Our Olympia is definitely an eye catcher. Be prepared to get some compliments when your are riding this beauty!
Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
End.
Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
1950s G.Piazza Cambio Corsa classic bicycle sold from steelvintage.com
For the record in case it is removed and we lose information about this bicycle.
In 1951, Giovanni "Piazzino" Piazza opened his artisanal bike shop in Via Carlo Rota 8, Monza, Italy. Giovanni was a passionate rider and more importantly a mechanic and a frame builder. This passion came to light on the frames which were beautifully and skillfully made. Later on, with a help of his son Giulio, Cicli G.Piazza started to sell and repair also motorcycles an often seen scenario for small bike shops in Italy in the 50s and 60s. In 1976, Giulio handed the business to his son completely and actually, it still exists, it has just moved few houses down the same street.
Our G. Piazza is a truly lovely bicycle with proper patina and a great frame. The rear triangle is specifically shaped for the usage of Campagnolo's first shifter - the rod operated Cambio Corsa. The disadvantages of this system like reaching to the rear while pedaling backwards were countered by a chain being under strong tension and thus being less prone to jump of the chainset. The latter was a huge plus in races on rough roads with cobbles and potholes. This chain tension was partly responsible for Fausto Coppi's Parix-Roubaix victory though with an improved version of this shifting. And with a bit of training, some riders mastered the Cambio Corsa to a degree, where changing gears looked absolutely flawless. Gino Bartali for example famously won his second Tour de France with this shifter.
Apart of the shifting, tit is equipped with original parts like Magistroni crankset and bottom bracket, Universal brakes, Way pedals or the Gara integrated cockpit with original resin grips.
But back to the frame. We have to mention the lugs. They are precisely filed to achieve a very elegant and smooth transition to the tubes. The head tube lugs are chromed and all are underlined by hand.
In the current setup with swept back handlebars and mudguards, it could be used as a nimble city bike. But remove the chain guard, switch the cockpit for period correct drop bars and thanks to the agile frame geometry you could turn it into a classic road bike as well.
For the record in case it is removed and we lose information about this bicycle.
In 1951, Giovanni "Piazzino" Piazza opened his artisanal bike shop in Via Carlo Rota 8, Monza, Italy. Giovanni was a passionate rider and more importantly a mechanic and a frame builder. This passion came to light on the frames which were beautifully and skillfully made. Later on, with a help of his son Giulio, Cicli G.Piazza started to sell and repair also motorcycles an often seen scenario for small bike shops in Italy in the 50s and 60s. In 1976, Giulio handed the business to his son completely and actually, it still exists, it has just moved few houses down the same street.
Our G. Piazza is a truly lovely bicycle with proper patina and a great frame. The rear triangle is specifically shaped for the usage of Campagnolo's first shifter - the rod operated Cambio Corsa. The disadvantages of this system like reaching to the rear while pedaling backwards were countered by a chain being under strong tension and thus being less prone to jump of the chainset. The latter was a huge plus in races on rough roads with cobbles and potholes. This chain tension was partly responsible for Fausto Coppi's Parix-Roubaix victory though with an improved version of this shifting. And with a bit of training, some riders mastered the Cambio Corsa to a degree, where changing gears looked absolutely flawless. Gino Bartali for example famously won his second Tour de France with this shifter.
Apart of the shifting, tit is equipped with original parts like Magistroni crankset and bottom bracket, Universal brakes, Way pedals or the Gara integrated cockpit with original resin grips.
But back to the frame. We have to mention the lugs. They are precisely filed to achieve a very elegant and smooth transition to the tubes. The head tube lugs are chromed and all are underlined by hand.
In the current setup with swept back handlebars and mudguards, it could be used as a nimble city bike. But remove the chain guard, switch the cockpit for period correct drop bars and thanks to the agile frame geometry you could turn it into a classic road bike as well.
Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
End.
LondonClassic
Retro Guru
Must have been a pretty quiet day at the office for someone to suggest they should cast that into the inside of the lever.
chickendrumsticks
Senior Retro Guru
Ouch! That fork clamp with a grub screw that is driven through the paint into the tube.
Other than that lovely.
Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
It's the dynamo earth screw.
chickendrumsticks
Senior Retro Guru
I know what it is. That doesn't make it any better IMO. There are better ways...
Sorry for waspiness!
