Alvin Drysdale: Mid-Century Mystery

Some people pass through life leaving little trace of themselves, though their work may be significant. In Judaism, there is the legend of the lamed vov, the thirty-six good souls whose mere existence is enough to justify to God the continuation of the world. These are simple persons who are compassionate in the Buddhist sense,…

Read More

Tech Specs: 1963 Cinelli Mod. Super Corsa

Cinelli Model Super Corsa (SC) Frame & Fork Campagnolo & TA Drivetrain Cinelli, Mafac & Brooks Cockpit Campagnolo & Mavic Wheelset Arranged by Spence Wolf of Cupertino Bike Shop

Mario Confente: Passion Personified

Road bike racing likely comes to most people’s minds when they think about sports in Italy. Given this strong association, it’s no wonder the country is birthplace to so many of cycling’s most legendary figures. Mario Confente – in a lifetime shorter than most – gained a prominent place in cycling’s pantheon as both racer…

Read More

Holdsworth: British Reliability, Personified

Like so many other useful things at that time and place, cycling apparel was difficult to obtain after World War One in Europe. The continent had been thoroughly ravished by a half-decade of brutal conflict and matters of sport went largely unaddressed by everyone except for their most ardent supporters.

J. Lefol: Inventeur – Constructeur

As with other French component makers from cycling’s golden era that remain popular today – Ideale, JOS, Maxi-Car and Stronglight, to name a few – surprisingly little is known about the Lefol marque given the timeless familiarity of the company’s fenders. Maybe aluminum just rusts slower than steel, with oxidation resistance preserving Lefol’s legacy more…

Read More

Reparto Corse: Edoardo Bianchi & the History of Bianchi Bicycles

Many years ago, I was strolling through a garage sale early one Saturday morning when I stumbled upon a pile of vintage lightweight bike framesets and parts. There were quite a few nice finds in the mix: A minty fresh Peugeot PX-10, a Carlton with Reynolds 531 tubing, and a newer Raleigh frame and fork….

Read More

Bianchi Bicycles Image Gallery

Edoardo Bianchi and his namesake bicycle, motorcycle and automobile company have helped usher in modern transportation since 1885. That’s because Bianchi and his company’s “Reparto Corse” racing division were first to use several innovations that have since become cornerstone features of these transportation devices. Regarding bicycles, Bianchi was the first large-scale Italian manufacturer to incorporate…

Read More

Jo Routens: Randonneur de l’Excellence

Joseph “Jo” Routens was one of the greatest makers of randonneur, cyclotouring and cyclosportif bicycles in all of cycling history. The only other name regularly considered alongside his more aged contemporaries, Rene Herse and Alex Singer, Routens was distinct from these seminal influences in his unwavering commitment to the everyday cyclist. Initially through his partnership with…

Read More