Of the major Italian builders, where would you put each in regards to hierarchy?
04-28-16 | 11:53 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 670
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Of the major Italian builders, where would you put each in regards to hierarchy?
Let me first give a disclaimer. I know each company has different levels of frames. It's not fair to say Alfa Romeo is better than Ferrari because you're comparing an Alfa 33 Stradale to a Ferrari Dino.
I understand that companies go through transitions. In this list, I'm referring to the companies in their prime/building bikes in Italy.
Everyone has their favorite company but if trying to remain objective as possible, how would you rate their hierarchy?
This can include overall history, pedigree, racing history, overall quality, etc..
For simplicity, you could just put your top 5 or top 10.
-Pinarello
-De Rosa
-Bianchi
-Colnago
-Cinelli
-Ciocc
-Masi
-Rossin
-Tommasini
-Guerciotti
-Basso
-Casati
-Pegoretti
-Scapin
-Benotto
-Moser
-Gios
-Olmo
I tried to keep it around 15....also pretty sure I made a brainfart and omitted a company that should be there. Feel free to add a company you feel more fitting.
This is out of curiosity and figured it would be fun.
I understand that companies go through transitions. In this list, I'm referring to the companies in their prime/building bikes in Italy.
Everyone has their favorite company but if trying to remain objective as possible, how would you rate their hierarchy?
This can include overall history, pedigree, racing history, overall quality, etc..
For simplicity, you could just put your top 5 or top 10.
-Pinarello
-De Rosa
-Bianchi
-Colnago
-Cinelli
-Ciocc
-Masi
-Rossin
-Tommasini
-Guerciotti
-Basso
-Casati
-Pegoretti
-Scapin
-Benotto
-Moser
-Gios
-Olmo
I tried to keep it around 15....also pretty sure I made a brainfart and omitted a company that should be there. Feel free to add a company you feel more fitting.
This is out of curiosity and figured it would be fun.
04-29-16 | 12:05 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,955
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From: Port Angeles, WA
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Grandis is the only one that's any good, the rest are all junk. Everybody knows this.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
04-29-16 | 12:20 AM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 1
From: Northern San Diego
Bikes: mid 1980s De Rosa SL, 1985 Tommasini Super Prestige all Campy SR, 1992 Paramount PDG Series 7, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1998 Trek Y-foil, 2006 Schwinn Super Sport GS, 2006 Specialized Hardrock Sport
Cinelli
Pinarello
Colnago
Masi
Tommasini
Ciocc
all the rest of 'em
BTW, I'll be happy to dispose of your "junk" 1986 De Rosa Professional for you. I'll even pay the shipping, because I firmly believe in keeping the environment clean and uncluttered.
Last edited by D1andonlyDman; 04-29-16 at 12:23 AM.
04-29-16 | 12:44 AM
#4
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 670
Likes: 56
04-29-16 | 04:04 AM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13,358
Likes: 665
From: northern michigan
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
List according to MSRP? Racing successes? Popularity? Or is it subject to the official BF panel of experts?
04-29-16 | 05:47 AM
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,348
Likes: 9,990
From: Utah
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
Where's the Billato Brothers? Two of the three bikes I have made by them are pure magic!
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
04-29-16 | 06:02 AM
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,212
Likes: 3,123
I've only owned eight high end Italian bicycles long enough to make a valid, relative assessment. The order is as follows:
Scapin
Marinoni
Pinarello
Olmo
Colnago
Cinelli
Legnano
Bottecchia
Scapin
Marinoni
Pinarello
Olmo
Colnago
Cinelli
Legnano
Bottecchia
Last edited by T-Mar; 04-29-16 at 06:06 AM.
04-29-16 | 06:32 AM
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,405
Likes: 63
From: AZ/WA
Bikes: Yes
Then Gios and I have come across some nice Rossin and Scapin. As my brother in law said when he looked at a couple italian bikes "mmmm...I can smell the marinara"
.
Last edited by Bikerider007; 04-29-16 at 06:39 AM.
04-29-16 | 06:51 AM
#18
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15,946
Likes: 371
From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
peugeot
miyata
Ephgrave
ccm
trek
concorde
cilo
Puch
miyata
Ephgrave
ccm
trek
concorde
cilo
Puch
04-29-16 | 07:38 AM
#20
multimodal commuter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,810
Likes: 597
From: NJ, NYC, LI
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
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www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
04-29-16 | 07:45 AM
#21
I AM AI
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,288
Likes: 1,170
From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: 2008 S-Works Roubaix SL, 1979 Raleigh Comp GS, 1978 Schwinn Volare
Gelatto
Lasagne
Vito Scagagratti or something
Ferrari
Dante (particularly the Inferno model)
Hell, I dunno. I still haven't owned a Columbus frame.
Lasagne
Vito Scagagratti or something
Ferrari
Dante (particularly the Inferno model)
Hell, I dunno. I still haven't owned a Columbus frame.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
04-29-16 | 08:32 AM
#24
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 248
From: Southern Maryland
Bikes: A few
My favorites are the ones I have ridden. What would be the basis for judging the others? Word of mouth?
I put lime in my beer because I've seen others do it. Therefore it must be the right thing to do.
I put lime in my beer because I've seen others do it. Therefore it must be the right thing to do.
04-29-16 | 08:40 AM
#25
~>~
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,929
Likes: 187
From: TX Hill Country
Tommasini was in a class of their own for consistent high quality frameset manufacturing.
Never had to put a frame on the flat table or fork in the jig for alignment.
BB was always faced w/ threads chased, head & fork properly faced/milled.
Chrome and paint both durable and very attractive.
Tommasini framesets performed like they looked: Beautiful
-Bandera
Never had to put a frame on the flat table or fork in the jig for alignment.
BB was always faced w/ threads chased, head & fork properly faced/milled.
Chrome and paint both durable and very attractive.
Tommasini framesets performed like they looked: Beautiful
-Bandera