jackc

That's what happens when you wear one of those sissy helmets and your bike is made from some kinda black fiberglass!

David Newton

I'd like to add nothing to this thread, just to keep it going. Weirdest topic I can remember, but we were introduced to a brand hardly ever heard of, some of them built by Colnago, one by Mario "something" and no pics until some gas-pipe shows up.
Oh yes, and the jewel of the thread, a bike called "Canardly", that's my take away!

jackc

You Said: <<<<<"Weirdest topic I can remember, but we were introduced to a brand hardly ever heard of, some of them built by Colnago, one by Mario "something" and no pics until some gas-pipe shows up.">>>>>>

... kinda like your guitars

YoKev

settle down newbie

jackc

Maybe you should give that advice to the hipster guitar maker....if he doesn't like vintage road bikes then maybe he shouldn't read the threads instead of posting his wrong opinionated degrading dribble!

David Newton

What's wrong with my dribble?
I've been poring over this thread, hoping for news of a Rolls built by Mario-something, out of pipe better than hi-ten.
And "hipster guitar maker" is a compliment, so sticks-n-stones...

oldbikenewbike

I had one and sold it years ago. Same light blue color with white. I could never figure out, though, as to why they painted over a frame that was entirely chromed!! Crazy...

JosephCP

Here ya go....still a work in progress and much advance since these pics were taken.

Picasa Web Albums - Joe P - Rolls

Let me know your interest.

Joe-p@msn.com

MikeSimone

I noticed a great thread from 2004-2011 about Rolls bicycles, and I will post a good bit of information to that thread (if it is still open) about the top road racing "Strada Professionisti" frame that Rolls had made in Italy in the early 1970s. Our collegiate team at West Point used them 1973-1975, and for a few years more after I graduated in 1975. I still have mine and love riding it, although I converted it to a fixed-gear 16 years ago. I have photos of the original bike, the reconditioned Rolls, and information I'd be glad to share about the dozen or so Campy-equipped Rolls that we obtained through Cyclesport in Park Ridge, NJ, and the early days of collegiate racing that the West Point team was active in promoting on the East Coast in in the mid-seventies.

More to follow soon,

Mike

jackc

Love to see the pictures...please post them!

Duke7777

A friend of mine just picked up one of these high-end Rolls bikes from the 70s and asked if I could find any info on them. I had never heard of them before, but there appears to be some good info on this thread. My friend's frame has been repainted and has no decals. Would anyone know where to find them?

jackc

There are companies that recreate decals for restoration....I suppose you'll need dimensions and pictures of original decals for them to duplicate.

MikeSimone

Yes, I have an old set from 1974 that I got as spares from Cyclesport in NJ, where our West Point college racing team bought our high-end (Colnago made) Rolls criterium road bikes. I've scanned them and will try to attach the JPEG file. If it does not work, Duke777 and Jackc can shoot me a text at 703-268-3460 and we'll get them sent via text or email. Same for hi-res photos of my bike in its original finish 1974, and after it was repainted with recreated decals (close, but not quite . . .) in 2002. Mike Simone

MikeSimone

Rolls 1974, repainted with recreated decals in 2002.

MikeSimone

1974 Rolls, repainted in 2002.

bpford59

beauty Mike!
I came across one of the lower end, sky blue Rolls with no wheels. The frame seems to be straight but the fork may be bent (like the one earlier in this post) It's a large frame too, 62cm or so seat tube, smaller top tube. If anyone's interested, let me know.

Wildwood 

Bad Lag

Any pics? Are you sure it's low end? Perhaps it's just stripped (hoping).

bpford59

here you go Bad Lag..
let me know what ya think

jackc

Where are you located and how much are you asking?

KenNC

Wow, that looks exactly like my very first road bike, which I purchased from Cyclesport in NJ, for about 120-150, in the early 70s. Sadly mine was stolen (definitely not saying the bike in the pic is mine, there were clearly many like mine sold!). I thought it rode great (my 14 year old impression). Replaced it with a Motobecane Mirage or Super Mirage which I also purchased from Cyclesport (and which I donated some years ago). Never liked the Motobecane quite as much as that very first Rolls. Hope you get it to a good home!

bpford59

jackc, i guess $75 plus shipping if you're interested
sorry for the delayed response

Bad Lag

It's a nice bike but one of the lower end models, unlike the one shown by MikeSimone, above. That one, MikeSimone's, is a seriously nice frame.

I had one like yours with the exception of the color. Mine was white with blue, like the one jackc posted, whereas yours is blue with white. If the frame and fork are undamaged, clean it up and stop the rust and you could have a very serviceable bike. Mine was a very fun ride.

JosephCP

Here is mine: https://drive.google.com/open?id=10E...UBjj537UKhNZST


If you need further details, history, or anything like that, let me know. joe-p@msn.com

The pics speak for themselves.



Thanks


Joe

MikeSimone

Joseph,
thanks! That is exactly what my first Rolls looked like in 1973. The West Point team acquired 10 that year and most were medium gray. The decals, lugs, components are identical (although the team bikes had Weimann center pull brakes reduce cost). Walt Grotz at CycleSport in NJ then offered cadets the same model for a great price in 1974 for their personal bikes (the 10 belonged to the school team), which is when I got mine in blue. Still have the five-cog Regina freewheel and the Campy components, although in a box because I converted mine to Campy fixed gear about 15 years ago, which I still ride regularly.

When and where did you acquire your Rolls?

Mike