CINELLI “Bic-Eclectic”

Caught a glimpse of this one in my shelf; A scale bicycle like no other, fitted with a mix of unusual parts.
A spur to revisit my 1:1 unusual bicycle…



My Cinelli revisited
A good friend gave me this vintage Italian bicycle (detailed story somewhere in my earlier blog). I restored it but took a different route. I’ll call it Neo-Vintage; a mix of well-worn vintage parts (with oxidation, rust & scratches), refinished vintage parts and updated with non-conformist use of newer parts. A eclectic blend of old and new stuff.
Cinelli bikes have cult following in the same vein as Vespas, Lambrettas & Lamborghinis. They are design objects of desire!

My 60’s Cinelli head-badge. Brass & enamelled. 51mm size

They don't make them like they use too; intricate lugged brazing : Cinelli CS stamped lugs.

70mm x 36mm Bottom bracket lugged brazing detail

Vintage 1971 model Shimano Crane GS (DR 102) works! The very first Dura-Ace model.

Drop-out are Campagnolo 1010A , read : BREV CAMPAGNOLO

Vintage 1972 Shimano Dura-Ace EA-100 works! The first generation Dura-Ace model.

Old-school bracket, clamp on

Vintage 1960's Campagnolo 1006/A front hub by on Campagnolo fork ends

Newer quick release

Vintage hub on Campy drop-out

Meaty Panaracer tire on Ritchey makes for a comfortable ride

Vintage Cinelli stem 1A with the old logo

Newer Truvativ crank

Vintage legendary Unicanitor saddle in new cover

Vintage Belgian Weinmann Type 500 brakes

Weinmann Type 730 brake clears the big tire

A new use for vintage shifter bracket

A new use for one vintage bicycle….my personal joy ride!

An Italian exotic - VW connection and an unusual Vrod.

Lamborghini Murcielago? Or Gallardo? If you were thinking that this is the VW link, you're kinda right. For, Lamborghini is owned by Volkswagen AG. Good guess, but not these two hot exotics. This particular exotic is not that simple to guess.
Two Christmas seasons ago I got hold of this rare Italian beauty. Talking VWs and anything with wheels with a buddy in Lawson Street that lazy December afternoon, our topic shifted to two wheels.
This buddy remembered he has an old bicycle in the attic. Taking a look at it, I was surprised to see a gem in the rough.
A week later, just before Christmas, that friend needed a part for a VW Golf 2. He knew I have a spare ECU lying around and that I was drooling over the Italian vintage lightweight bicycle. Without hesitation we traded and that exotic was mine. That treasure came about because of VW, and that unusual connection was sealed by destiny.

My 1960's CINELLI Vintage Lightweight Bicycle.
This bicycle carries the badge of one of the most sought after vintage light-weight road bicycles, proudly displaying where it was made; MILANO. Lugged chromed frame with Campagnolo dropouts. Campagnolo wheel hubs. Cinelli stem and Cinelli Unicator saddle. 

I restored my Cinelli taking cues from prevailing car culture combined with road racing bicycle influences.

"GTV" Gran Turisimo Velo
Or Grand Touring Bicycle.
In touring guise...taking a Resto-Custom approach...the name is a tribute to EMPI's Joe Vittone of Italian descent and inspired by Grant Peterson's Rivendell bicycles.

"Vrod" Velo Roadster
In Hot Rod guise...strip down, fender-less lightweight....Classic Rod combination; Black, chrome and splashes of red…Vintage Rebel.

Cinelli trivia
- The Cinelli bicycle is an icon of great Italian designs which include the Ferrari, Lamborghini and Vespa. All of which have cult followings.
- The founder and the company bearing his name, is credited with landmarks in cycling history, innovations and designs.
- Vintage Cinelli lightweights can fetch prices beyond the US$4,000 mark today. Many enthusiast-collectors even consider them investments.