Classic & Vintage - Buying a bicycle in Italy

My Fiancee and I are discussing honeymooning in Italy...which of course leads me to wonder about the possibility of buying a great new or used Italian beauty while there. Are prices any better? How is the used market? I think it would be very interesting getting a De Rosa or Cassati in the place of its birth, but I've found that often foreign products are cheaper in the US.

Casati? I raced a Casati and bag my first ever win back in the the mid 80s. It was my first real pro bike. Still have it and restored to race condition with all the original dings and such. Ten years ago, I was visiting Europe and purposely stayed in Northern Italy, Brescia, for 2 weeks. I visited many of the famous builders. One of them is, of course, Casati at Monza. I wanted to get measure up and have another Casati build for me. The other was Masi under the velodrome in Milan. His son is still there building them one at a time. I found out the wait time was over 2 months. The shipping and our tariffs were over 500 bucks. What a deal breaker. I was younger with a new wife ans a nwe house, so I had to watch my spending. Today, I would do it without question. If you can affort to bite the bullet and pay uncle sam the money then I think you really should. that would be "such cha" special bike.

Good morning KAS,

Good post look171!

We've vacationed three times in Italy over the last dozen years or so.

We aren't travel experts, but we have had fantastic experiences when we've visited.

I've also purchased a bike or two in Italy. Maybe I can help!

I'll just call you this afternoon. Too many details for a post. PM sent.

Cheers,
Gomango

Several years ago, I sold a vintage road bicycle to a fellow in Spain. I found it strange to be sending a vintage European bike back to Europe and mentioned this to the fellow. He told me that vintage road bicycles were hard to find over there and costly to buy at the time. Perhaps this is still the case today.

Probably not much help, but what a great souvenir to bring home, not to mention the opportunity to practice your "why I need this particular bike" argument with your new wife:-)

Thanks for the insight gents...I look forward to it mango!