Olympia, Man Bicycle, 1927, Italy Olympia is one of the oldest Italian brands. Established in 1893 in Milan by Borghi & Guerra, the company started as a mechanical processing firm. In 1895 Carlo Borghi took over the shares of the company and started dedicating to bicycle manufacturing, for which he built exclusive and refined components...

Olympia, Folding military bicycle, 1920, Italy This is a military bicycle produced from the early 20s by Olympia for many corps of the Royal Italian Army Italian troops used it also during World War II. Technical notes: Solid rubber tires TEBRO leather seat Foldable frame Big rear fork with springs Steel frame Special STELLA reinforced...

Compagnie Parisienne des Vélocipèdes, pedal bicycle, France, 1870/72 The Michaux brothers and their partners recognized how to take advantage of the hype and the growing request of the market. The employees of the Compagnie Parisienne des Vélocipèdes, (born together with Olivier Frères) that built and assembled the bicycles became 300. Michaux decided then to sell his...

Manifacture Francaise d’Armes & Cycles Saint Etienne, Man bicycle, 1910, France This bicycle, produced by the company that takes its name from the city where it’s located, uses a particular system that allows you to pedal backwards. The Manifacture Francaise started producing bicycles after realizing the potential this vehicle had. Many models were sold abroad...

Manifacture Francaise d’Armes & Cycles Saint Etienne, Woman Bicycle, 1907, France This bicycle, produced by the company that takes its name from the city where it’s located, uses a particular system that allows you to pedal backwards. The Manifacture Francaise started producing bicycles after realizing the potential this vehicle had. Many models were sold abroad...

Manifacture Francaise d’Armes & Cycles Saint Etienne, Man Bicycle, 1903, France This bicycle, produced by the company that takes its name from the city where it’s located, uses a particular system that allows you to pedal backwards. The Manifacture Francaise started producing bicycles after realizing the potential this vehicle had. Many models were sold abroad...

Magnat & Debon, Man Bicycle, 1920, France This French company was established in 1892 in Grenoble. During the 20s, it joined Peugeot, together with Terrot. Magnat & Debon later started the production of engines and motorcycles. Technical notes: Black paint Black iron rims 2/3 speed gearbox on the front hub, operated by a shaft on the...

FN, touring bicycle with driveshaft, 1898, Belgium This model has a particular innovation: the driveshaft that replaces the chain. The driveshaft does not allow you to stop pedaling and after few miles the gears got dirty because of the road conditions at the time. On this elegant modern bicycle there’s place for a pocket watch...

Lygie, racing bicycle, 1926, Italy In 1905 Alfredo Sironi obtained the exclusive rights from the parent company to assemble Lygie bicycle for the Italian market. It seems that Ligye later stopped the production in France. In Italy the brand kept existing despite changing owners. In 1908 the owner of the brand was the company Rolando Costruzioni...

Legnano, racing bicycle, 1948, Italy The Legnano company was born in 1907, initially under the name of “Wolsit Officine Legnanesi Automobili”. After the first year the company had already built 25.000 bicycles: Italy starts to travel, the road network widens. Legnano bicycles attend many races and due to their robustness, they won many as well. Emilio Bozzi had...

Legnano, Man Bicycle, 1940, Italy A man bicycle, with a classic timeless styling. Since the characteristics are similar, we think this bicycle was bought together with the Legnano woman bicycle and the two were probably owned by a couple. Technical notes: Black paint with golden touches Lock Legnano seat Tool bag Mud flap under the...

Legnano, Woman bicycle, 1940, Italy A classic woman bicycle, with a timeless charm. Since the characteristics are similar, we think this bicycle was bought together with the Legnano man bicycle and the two were probably owned by a couple. Technical notes: Black paint with golden touches Oal lock Brooks seat Mud flap under the front...

Labor, racing bicycle, 1905, France The frame adopted by Labor bicycles can be considered as the precursor of the extra rigid frame. They realized that the “cadre” frame with the (new) horizontal tube had the tendency to flex and consequently absorb energy during races; they tried to solve the problem by reducing the size and...

Cycles L’Etoile D’Or, racing bicycle, 1930/40, France Technical Data: Blue color with red inserts Wooden circles Frame with arched connecting tube Double pinion, one of which is free Brakes Pincer gun Brooks saddle

Grandis High-Range, Racing bicycle, 1987, Italy Silvino Grandis, born 1920, started building bicycles in 1930. He soon became foreman in a company of Verona, that closed in 1965/66. That is when Grandis began to think about a personal production, with his own brand. At the start of 1980 his sons Ezio and Mario joined the company. The production is now composed...

Grandis, Racing bicycle, 1980, Italy Silvino Grandis, born 1920, started building bicycles in 1930. He soon became foreman in a company of Verona, that closed in 1965/66. That is when Grandis began to think about a personal production, with his own brand. At the start of 1980 his sons Ezio and Mario joined the company. The production is now composed of...

Grandis, Racing bicycle, 1980, Italy Silvino Grandis, born 1920, started building bicycles in 1930. He soon became foreman in a company of Verona, that closed in 1965/66. That is when Grandis began to think about a personal production, with his own brand. At the start of 1980 his sons Ezio and Mario joined the company. The production is now composed of...

Goricke Super Z, Man bicycle, 1934, Austria The bicycle shown is still preserved into its original packaging. It was sent to Asmara and then sent back to the sender still packed up. Goricke, famous Austrian brand established in 1899, had already been selling bicycles from the early 1900s on the Italian market, that trustingly accepted the Austrian...

Gladiator, Touring Bicycle, 1909, France Touring bicycle with typical wooden rims and fenders; the front and rear lights are powered by an acetylene bottle located on the vertical tube of the frame.  “Pierre Alexandre Darracq is a French businessman,  pioneer of car industry. Born in Bordeaux the 10th November 1855, from a Basque family, Pierre Alexandre...

Ganna, racing bicycle, 1938, Italy The company Ganna was established in Varese in 1910 by Luigi Ganna, the 1st Giro d’Italia winner (1909). In the sports field Ganna was always present with champions of great fame: among the many, the great Fiorenzo Magni. Technical notes: New grey Ganna official livery (introduced in 1932) SUPER CHAMPION cable-operated 3-speed...

Ganna “Giro d’Italia”, racing bicycle, 1923, Italy GANNA: Company established in Varese in 1910 by Luigi Ganna, the winner of the 1st Giro d’ Italia in 1909. GANNA motorcycles are famous as well. Technical notes: 1923 Giro d’Italia model Long frame Racing forks Double pinion/fixed free wheel Oilers on the pedal bearing and the hubs Detachable racing fenders...

FN with driveshaft, Touring bicycle, 1905, Belgium The Belgian company FN got into this bicycle business produzione di biciclette at the end of 1880. The company immediately introduced this new transmission with the Cardan joint. The absence of a chain obviously erased the chance of breaking it and getting your clothes dirty while riding it....

FN with driveshaft, Touring bicycle, 1906, Belgium F.N. is the acronym of Fabrique Nationale D’Armes De Guerre – Herstal (Belgium), a company established in 1815 as gun and ammo manufacturer. In 1885 started producing velocipedes, offering a new chainless transmission, using a driveshaft. Technical notes: Driveshaft trasmission, no chain BROWN SADDLES seat Bell operated by the rolling resistance of...

Faggi Freccia Rossa, racing bicycle, 1947, Italy FAGGI: Company established in Ravenna in 1911 by Paolo Faggi. It later moved to Milan, the production increased and the company became an important 2-wheels industrial reality. This great bicycle, after WWII, was common among amateur cyclists that raced for the best non-professional teams. Technical notes: 1947 Faggi Freccia...

Durkopp-Brennabor, touring bicycle, 1910, Germany The main characteristic of the Durkopp is with no doubt its natural rubber tires, strategically pierced to avoid the nightmare of every cyclist: a flat tire. Rocks, dumps and nails couldn’t stop even the most fearful  cyclist. Innovations don’t stop here: the frame is reinforced with oblique tubes and provided safety even...

Durkopp, Gendarme’s bicycle, 1930/70, Switzerland This bicycle was produced from 1930 to 1970 by Durkopp for the Swiss Gendarmerie. Strong and solid, this bicycle became timeless. Some were made under license in other countries too. Technical notes: Spoon brake on the front tire Leather seat Hand pump on the horizontal tube Tool bag Service bag...

Doniselli, racing bicycle, 1937, Italy DONISELLI: Company established in Milan by V. Doniselli in 1919, the company became famous in the sports field between the 50s and 60s, when Giovanni Borghi’s Ignis team raced on Doniselli bicycles. Technical notes: 1937 Doniselli Supercorsa Double pinion Light alloy rims NIEDDU – VITTORIA MARGHERITA gearbox Oiler for the transmission DONISELLI...