Re-interpreting the wheel?

These days, even with the many categories of bicycling that are now currently popular, it is still easy for vintage cycling enthusiasts to see their projects through the narrow lens of a “period correct” view. That perspective can limit what a project bicycle could become to whatever they did “back in the day.” If we consider where cycling is today then we have many more options as to what a bicycle can be. Randonneuring, gravel biking, cross bikes, touring and commuting are all disciplines which are gaining in popularity while traditional road racing has entered a kind of decline. In deciding how to build this Girardengo I will adopt a broader view of what a bicycle can/should be. To re-interpret a classic bicycle with the possibilities of today in mind!

Vintage Italian Gravel bike

To me this Girardengo is the perfect platform for a build like this. It is a revered name in cycling and is overall underappreciated as a marque. The greater frame clearance for larger tires make it an ideal candidate for a gravel bike. The quality of these frames does vary widely, based in part not just on the tier of the bike but also when it may have been built in the chronology of the company. There are many examples of truly top shelf Girardengo bicycles out there. This one is probably a second tier bike as some of the finishing details are just a little rough but it is still a quality piece and a worthy candidate for this build.

This is the fourth Girardengo to take up residence in my humble collection. I acquired it as a a frame only, completely stripped of any fittings or badges. It has been repainted and has no apparent frame numbers for reference or further identification. Construction details establish it as a Girardengo from 1963 – 65, attributable to the existing rivet holes for badges on both the head tube and seat tube. Earlier models had no such badge on the seat tube, though some earlier models did have a seat tube decal.

All Italian?

Well that’s the plan, to try and keep this creation essentially Italian. To me that means that it must have Campagnolo hubs and derailleurs at the very least. The brakes will be a bit of a challenge but will be chosen on the basis of reach and tire clearance needs. I’m going to try some Universal models as a starting point and see how that goes. The bars and stem will be difficult and I may end up with something more modern like a riser stem with dirt drop bars. Of course it will have a Brooks saddle and probably a modern seat post as well. 26.4 mm posts in good condition can be quite pricey but you can find some nice looking new units for quite reasonable prices. Pedals will almost certainly be an SPD compatible mountain type pedal. The unusual mix of components may make it a bit of a Resto-Vintage-Franken-Grinder but it’s heart will be Italian!

The plan is to build the bike up with the frame “as is” without fresh paint, as a “proof of concept” mock-up. Once I am pleased with the function and get it set up just the way I want then I will break it down again for paint and decals before doing a final assembly. The finished bike will be a few months away but I am a patient amateur constructor/tinkerer/builder. Hmmm, maybe I need to find a better way to define my skill set!

Original post on this bike is here.