Originally Posted by
dbakl
Is it true Cino's brother started the frame building business? If so, how early?
Yes, fork bend does not look right for the frame.
Yes, two of Cino's older brothers, Giotto and Arrigo, started the production of stems, bars and bicycles under Giotto's guidance before Cino got involved. The production of bars and stems started in the very late 30's or very early 40's. The first frames (labeled "Giotto Cinelli" "Firenze") were built in late 1946 or early 1947. By 1948 the production had been switched over to the Cinelli name and by 1949, the production stated "Milano" as being the place of business. Giotto went on to work in another field. Arrigo continued producing bars and stems for motorcycles for under his own name as well as bicycle stems and bars for selected "existing customers". I know of five Giotto Cinelli frames/bikes, two of which are in the US.