gthomson

Does anyone know about this bike which is listed in a local FB marletplace? I see the company is still making bikes but can't say they have the best website! https://www.minelli-bikes.com/home.html

Was this older bike a decent bike? Looks to be in pretty good shape and the price is decent, considering this crazy bike frantic market we are currently in.

clubman 

IMO most Minellis of the 90's were very poorly made department store bikes, mostly BSOs. That one resembles a decent bike but you'd have to inspect and ride it to tell. I wouldn't generally even look at one. Apologies to anyone who has a nice Minelli.

T-Mar

Minelli was a brand created by Victoria Precision of Montreal, circa 1988. They were a bit late to the party but part of the mid-1980s trend for Canadian brands with Italian sounding names, if not influence. Others of the period were Miele, Santini (Bloor Cycle house brand), Bonelli (Sports Excellence) and Fiori (Norco).

I can't recall seeing a Minelli above lower mid-range. While I can't identify the components from the photo, the exposed brake nuts would appear to indicate entry level. Also, I don't see any signs of a tubing decal, so it's likely hi-tensile steel. At least it appears to have 700C wheels.

bertinjim 

gthomson - Generic Japanese style bikes built to a price point. It actually looks fairly decent with forged dropouts, alloy components, an SIS Exage group (likely steel chainrings), alloy rimmed QR wheels. Would probably make a nice hack around bike or a winter trainer with a set of fenders.

Feldman

If I owned one I'd have to name it "Liza."

gthomson

That's great information, thanks. I wonder if they sub contracted for other European bikes like Peugeot or Gitane? I know they were also built in Montreal. According to Wikipedia, Miele bikes were made by Jim Miele in the Toronto area until he ran into problems and sold off the name. Here in Ontario they were a very popular bike in the 80s.

yeah I thought it looked alright as well and so assumed it was some small Italian brand that didn't last. The Italian looking colours sell that idea that it was from Italy but I suppose the price point does not! There are a ton of bike manufactures from the 80's that have gone the way of the Dodo. I'll see if the price comes down a bit more.

"Liza" ha ha good name.

Just as a reference, a real Italian made bike from the 80's (Bianchi, Benotto, Pinnarelo, etc...), will fetch closer to $1000 CDN around here. The bike madness has hit pretty hard in Southern Ontario, Canada.