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Bicycle Heads: Help Me Identify This

post #1 of 52
3/14/07 at 9:24pm
Thread Starter 
The Sartorialist has an amazing picture of an old Italian man with a beautiful bike which you can view here. I've been trying to find a decent-looking commuter for awhile now and I'm totally flabbergasted with the looks of this bike. I'm not a gear-head, but I love to ride. Does anyone know what this is? Maybe someone can point me in the direction of a bike with similar styling? All I can identify is what looks like an older Brooks saddle...
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post #2 of 52
3/14/07 at 9:48pm
I'm not a bikehead either, but I think that's an Amsterdam style bike. Electra are remaking a version of these now: http://www.electrabike.com/06_new/flash_index.html Doesn't look quite as high quality. I bookmarked another site which has a really great version of this bike. I'll look for it. I'd love one for cruising around my town, too.
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post #3 of 52
3/14/07 at 10:00pm
OK, this is closer: Jorg and Olif. Bikes look a little more like original, with great looking saddles and nicer quality materials than the Electra.

http://www.jorgandolif.com/
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post #4 of 52
3/14/07 at 10:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Parker View Post
OK, this is closer: Jorg and Olif. Bikes look a little more like original, with great looking saddles and nicer quality materials than the Electra.

http://www.jorgandolif.com/

Wow, that jorg & olif is beautiful. I think one may be in my future. Thanks!
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post #5 of 52
3/14/07 at 10:54pm
Could it be an old Raleigh?


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post #6 of 52
3/15/07 at 12:21am
Many of the bikes in Japan are of that style and new bikes are still sold there in such a style.

In the US finding one might be a bit harder. You could try Reise and Muller for a modern interpretation.
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post #7 of 52
3/15/07 at 2:14am
keep in mind that this style of bicycle is generally very heavy.
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post #8 of 52
3/15/07 at 4:07am
That's a Bianchi, model "Lusso", made in Milano. I own exactly the same model, and have loved it for more than ten years. These are far lighter than the Raleighs or even the Dutch bikes, quite fragile, and rusts worse than an old Alfa Romeo Alfetta. Mine is now hidden away in a storeroom at work, awaiting its spring overhaul. I'll see if I can find an old photo of mine. The closed chain housing is very practical, as you don't need bicycle clips. Brakes are operated by rods and levers, rather than cables. The Raleigh that LK posted has the same system. Btw, did anyone see "La Vita é bella"? It's the same bike as Roberto Benigni uses as his "family car" in the film, before the war. Like so:
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post #9 of 52
3/15/07 at 6:18am
Here's mine (very old photo, from some campus newspaper, I think): As you can see, the lid on the chain housing is missing - I have few hopes of ever getting hold of one, but I like the look of the crank anyway. The silvery thing on the fork is a holder for umbrellas and tennis rackets. I also pimped it up a bit: Removed the parcel rack for a cleaner line over the back wheel, fixed the biggest bell I could find to the handle-bars, and changed the seat. (The original is a big, foam-padded affair that really destroys the look of the bike. The gent in The Sartorialist's photo seems to have mounted a Brooks saddle, as the OP said.) My seat is black, with a white back strap, to match the tyres. And no, it's not a black suit. Charcoal.
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post #10 of 52
3/15/07 at 6:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by matadorpoeta View Post
keep in mind that this style of bicycle is generally very heavy.
Builds character. And leg muscle.
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post #11 of 52
3/15/07 at 10:27am
I'm glad to see the owner did not trade in his attache for a messenger bag. Just pray the clasp doesn't come undone on a busy street.
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post #12 of 52
3/15/07 at 11:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dr.no View Post
I'm glad to see the owner did not trade in his attache for a messenger bag. Just pray the clasp doesn't come undone on a busy street.
+1 on the not-trading-in bit. I think, though, that this is a saddle-bag type of case, to be hung over the bicycle top-tube.
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post #13 of 52
3/16/07 at 5:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky Strike View Post
Builds character.

And leg muscle.

I'll stick to my race-derived aluminum, thanks:



Anyways, bike for 2-3 hours against the wind every weekend and watch your leg muscles grow.

Jon.
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post #14 of 52
3/16/07 at 5:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by imageWIS View Post
I'll stick to my race-derived aluminum, thanks:

Anyways, bike for 2-3 hours against the wind every weekend and watch your leg muscles grow.

Jon.

+1. Or a modern variation using a light steel frame and single speed; especially on a Seven frame.
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post #15 of 52
5/31/07 at 3:24pm
Great photo. I'm glad The Sartorialist is featuring more people on bicycles. I'm a car and motorcycle nut, but for getting around downtown, nothing beats a bike. People look at me oddly because I'm pedaling a heavy 60 year old bicycle in a suit, but I love it. I've had newer and lighter bikes, but single and 3-speeds are much more to my liking, even on hills. It builds stamina, muscles, and character. I'd disagree on the luggage rack though; my lady likes to ride on it like they do in Amsterdam. There are a few places to find Dutch "fietsen" in the USA. I hope they become more popular.
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