To me, there are tiers of Italian builders, and it does depend on the era of the bike...this is, at best, a rough guideline, and quite subjective. As others noted, they vary in ride qualities depending on model and era...and even can vary for riders of different sizes/weights.
Basically you have your top level big names, and depending on the era, it's usually some combination of:
Masi
De Rosa
Colnago
Cinelli
Pinarello
Pogliaghi
Bianchi (a bit different based on their extensive range)
^ These are the bikes with brand recognition and status.
Then you have higher end Italians that are less well regarded or valued for a variety of reasons. Often they were the slight budget alternative, or more available during shortage, than the bikes above. They typically had less profile on the racing circuit and/or less influence on design. They often tried to capitalize on markets and trends pioneered by others.
Ciocc
Rossin
Most Ten speed drive stuff
Basso
Scapin
You have the higher end stuff from companies that offer more of a full service line. Typically these are also less well regarded in the market than your top of market stuff. They also have mid-low level models. Sometimes you'll find high end examples of these that were contract built by very prestigious frame builders.
Olmo
Atala
Bianchi
The Bozzi brands
Bottechia
Finally you have less well known, but highly respected smaller builders:
Galmozzi
Picchio
Grandis
Marnati
Marastoni
You have the bikes contracted for others - and often these are great bikes. The BMZ catalog bikes, billato brothers lemonds, etc.
Different people would compile these classes differently, and brands changed categories at different points. Frejus in 1937 is not frejus from 1978. It's not a hard science. Some brands are well known in Italy and hardly known here...like Olympia.
Touch a lot of them, ride a lot of them and buy what you want. A lot of the differences are debatable and subjective.
Last edited by KonAaron Snake; 08-27-19 at 09:54 AM.