Wilier Triestina Ramato

Another well known and highly respected Italian cycling manufacturer is Wilier. 

Wiler was founded in 1906 by Pietro Dal Molin. After World War II Wiler formed a professional cycling team led by Giordano Cottur of Trieste, Italy. In 1945 the name of the brand was changed to Wilier Triestina, and the distinctive copper coloured finish became a trademark of the brand.

At this time, of course, all frames were made from steel and the copper coloured finish was quite unique.

Here is a fine example of a Wilier Trieste steel framed bicycle from the early 1980's using Columbus tubing.

Due to the resurgence of retro steel frames Wilier have reintroduced the copper coloured 'Ramato' finish on modern steel, and the modern version is absolutely amazing.

There is certainly something special about fitting a modern Campy groupset to a modern steel framed bike....and a little bit of chrome rounds off the deal nicely!

Wilier are calling the most recent edition of this model the "Superleggera". Producing a copper finish on the frame is quite an expensive exercise, so the pricing of this model is not accessible to all cyclists. 

Thankfully Wilier have produced the same frame in alternative finishes that allows the bike to be more affordable to us all. The frame also comes in black, red, and white.....same frame, with the same impressive detailing.

See the Wilier website for further info....

...a beautifully crafted steel bicycle for the modern retro rider!

Safe riding.

James @ PVC.

Omata analogue GPS speedometer

Did you have one of these speedos on your bike when you were young?

Well, you're all grown up now and you deserve to have one of these....an OMATA analogue GPS cycling speedo. 

The OMATA analogue cycling speedo is a modern twist on the old analogue bike speedo. 

It has the ultra modern convenience of capturing all the digital data you will need and at the same time compliment your ride with its stylish good looks. The speedo will look great on a modern bike and will also compliment any retro road bike. 

The team who created the speedo are avid cyclists who have focused their efforts on creating a quality retro product that provides all the digital information that the modern cyclist would expect. From what I have read there has been no compromise in its development.

The design of the product has been finalised and they've commenced raising funds through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. The speedos will come in your choice of two colours pictured above, and both colours have the option of either imperial (miles) or metric (kilometres) measurements.

As with conventional digital speedos, your data can be downloaded after your ride, but really....have you ever seen a digital speedo that looks as good as this!

There's a lot more info at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/omata/omata-one-analog-gps-speedometer

The fundraising campaign started today and will last until May 5, 2016. You can assist the project in 3 ways:

• A pledge of US$40 will buy you a 'Friends of OMATA pack'. For this amount you will receive not only the heart felt thanks of the fundraising team, but an OMATA cycling cap, some OMATA stickers, and regular backer updates, or
• For a pledge of US$499 you will receive one of 200 numbered Limited Edition OMATA speedos, or
• For a $3000 pledge 20 lucky investors will receive a Limited Edition OMATA speedo that includes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride the roads of the Santa Monica Mountains (California) with the brand ambassador and cycling legend Fabian Cancellara, along with the founders of OMATA.

..and as with all Kickstarter campaigns your pledges are only actioned if the target fundraising amount is realised.

OMATA brand ambassador Fabian Cancellara

At this stage I've only committed to a $40 pledge but I'm certainly considering the next step!

I have found that modern cycling computers are not only ugly, most are very complicated to use. The OMATA speedo is a stylish easy to use speedo that has all of the modern desirable features. To quote one of the creators of the OMATA speedo, "The more you leave out makes it a better product!"

Well worth a look....and if you would like to, please help them along.

Safe rides.

James @ PVC

WA Historical Cycle Club display - March 2016

This year during the month of March the Museum of Perth in collaboration with the WA Historical Cycle Club are proudly presenting a display of Western Australian cycling treasures to the public. 

The display is being held in the city in Grand Lane that runs just off the Murray Street mall near Barrack Street. It's a great little laneway full of artistic treasures and street art.

As you enter the laneway and walk toward the display entrance there are images on the laneway walls by Tony Lendrum of Perth bike riders and their bikes. Each image is accompanied with a short story of the bicycle and its rider. The stories demonstrate that diversity in cycling is very broad and interest in cycling has gained popularity with a staggering pace. Here are a couple of the images....

The entrance to the display area is colourful and on entry you are greeted by friendly staff running a small stylish cafe.

Once inside the doorway the entry to the display is by a gold coin donation. The display area is very cosy and it has a small theatrette at the rear that rolls out a short film that focuses on the cycling culture in the worlds friendliest cycling city of Groningen in The Netherlands.

The main focus of the display however is on Western Australia's cycling history. There are a few vintage bicycles with info that connects them to the history of our state, and one of Steele Bishops time trial bikes from the early 1980's. Steele Bishop won the World Title for the 5000 metre Individual Pursuit in1983. The Kalamunda boy was inducted into the WA Hall of Champions in 1985.

Also on display is an 1874 penny farthing, a 1950 Hartley by Speedwell, and a 1905 "Guvnor" styled Armstrong path racer from Kalgoorlie.  

For me the most impressive bike is a 1957 Swansea (6 swan) track bike. This bike is an outstanding example of a Swansea track bike from the late 1950's. Swansea was a local Fremantle based bicycle company..... Fremantle of course is where the Swan (River) meets the sea, hence the company name. 

Here are a few images of the bikes on display.

1950 Hartley by Speedwell

1905 Armstrong

1957 Swansea - 6 swan

There are locally produced books for sale and other items of interest that I haven't covered. The display is open until Wednesday 6 April, 2016. 

Opening hours:   Monday - Friday: 9am - 3pm,   Saturday: 9am - 2pm.

Please come along, make a donation and enjoy the display.

Safe riding.

James @ PVC. 

Late 1990's De Rosa Nuovo Classico

De Rosa bicycle founder Ugo De Rosa was born on 27 January, 1934 in Milan, Italy. Ugo initially raced bicycles and then focused his talents on building bicycles.

De Rosa's passion for racing led him to study mechanics and engineering at a technical college, and after the war he opened his first shop and commenced the manufacture of racing bicycles. In 1958 he was asked by the famous cyclist Raphael Geminiani to build him a bike for the upcoming Giro Italia race.

After this, bikes built by Ugo De Rosa became a fixture in the professional European peloton of the 1960s. The Faema team was the first team to ride De Rosa frames. 

In 1969 De Rosa was approached by Gianni Motta, who engaged De Rosa as his frame builder and mechanic. De Rosa accepted the offer and became the bicycle supplier to Motta's professional cycling team. It was during this period that one of the greatest stars of cycling, Mr Eddy Merckx (you may have heard of him!) rode bicycles manufactured by De Rosa. 

De Rosa built some frames for Merckx around this time, but it was not until 1973 that their relationship was formalized and De Rosa became the official frame builder and mechanic for the Molteni team which Merckx captained. Merckx and his teammates won nearly all the major European races including the Tour De France, the Giro d'Italia, Milan San Remo and the World Championships. 

Since then the De Rosa company has continued to manufacture high quality steel framed bicycles. The two most notable steel frames are called the Neo Primato and the Nuovo Classico (New Classic). 

Here is a New Classic from the late 1990's, a beautifully crafted steel bicycle dripping with classic Campagnolo Chorus and Campagnolo Record parts, Mavic rims, and a San Marco Rolls saddle.

....another classic that stands alone given the history behind the De Rosa brand.

Safe riding.

James @ PVC

Cycling tattoos

Some people are obsessed with bicycles, and some people are obsessed with tattoos....and when the two worlds collide some choose to display their obsession for all to see.

I don't have any tattoos, but I'm almost tempted to indulge after seeing these images of cycling tattoos.

For some strange and seductive reason the Italian "Campagnolo" brand (pronounced Cam-pan-yolo) attracts much attention. Campy enthusiasts love to display their commitment to the brand by permanently marking themselves with the famous label.

For whatever reason the famous Japanese "Shimano" brand just doesn't attract the same amount of attention for those willing to tattoo themselves. I suppose some cyclists don't want their passion mistaken for the passions of a fisherman! 

So whilst we're all loving the Campy brand lets have a look at these images of Campagnolo products that show us why some people love the brand so much...

Campagnolo C-Record Sheriff-Star hubs.

Campagnolo 50th Anniversary gold plated groupset.

Campagnolo Delta styled brake set.

Polished modern Campagnolo Record hubs.

....need I say more!

The polished silver Campy Record hubs for Campagnolo 11 speed courtesy of Jonathan Bell from www.noble-wheels.com

Please ride safe.

James @ PVC

Early 1990's Cinelli Supercorsa

Here is a beautiful bike - an Italian built Cinelli Supercorsa in red with chromed lugs. 

First produced by Cinelli in 1960, the Supercorsa was introduced as the Model S.C. Since then Cinelli have continued manufacturing the steel Supercorsa frame which has become a very collectable item for those interested in vintage bikes. An outstanding feature of the frame is the famous Cinelli flying 'C' logo pantographed on each side of the fork crown....a beautiful addition to an already stunning frame. 

This bike features Campagnolo Delta brakes which were way ahead of their time. The Supercorsa frame features the 'fast back' seat post bolt system that was first introduced by Cinelli in 1953.

The drive train is a Campagnolo C Record 7 speed groupset, which was a high end groupset that was very typical of the time. The frame is fitted with a standard Cinelli 1R 26.0 stem and Cinelli handlebar.

The bike glides along on Mavic Ceramic rims that were first introduced by the French wheel manufacturer in 1991.

I hope you enjoyed this post.

Safe riding.... James @ PVC.