schwinntraveler

Hi, i'm going to be visiting Italy in about 3 weeks. I'll be in Rome, Venice, Florence, Bolonga, and Milan. I'm wondering if there are any bike shops anyone would recommend going to for a new bike. I'm mostly interested in a track bike. But i'm considering a regular road bike. And i'll probably just be needing a frame. But if there are cheap, quality track wheelsets, and other parts then i would consider buying. And if there is anyone out there that has an Italian brand, or builder they would recommend, i'm all ears.

Thanks in advance,
wes

Johnny_Monkey

I can recommend my LBS in Milan, but you'll probably find it cheaper to buy bikes in the USA.

I have been to all those places as well (I was in Bologna last week for the first time but it was a very brief visit).

JonnyHK 

It looks like I am visiting Italy in November - my wife wants to do the Florence Marathon. We'll stay a total of 3 weeks and do a few other places (she has Italian heritage and speaks the language).

I thought it would be fun to do some cycling there, perhaps even do the course of the Florence-Bologna stage of this year's Giro d'Italia. Not too far, some nice hills. Probably freeze my balls off.

Taking a bike will be a bit of a nuisance for only a couple of days of a three week trip (don't want to haul it around the rest of the time!).

Can I rent a decent bike in Italy? Any contacts or ideas?
Can I leave my bike packed at a LBS when I'm not using it?

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks,
Jonny

Dafne

Hi there!

I am an Italian who comes from Treviso (very close to Venice), but is currently living in Brighton (UK).

As far as some Italian bike brands are concerned, you should try "Pinarello" or "Bianchi".

I am not a great expert though so you might want to have a look at something else.

Have a nice journey!

Riccardo

alanmiller

Hello Dafne,

I was excited to read your post since you are from Venice area. I will be riding from Bolzano to Venice from May 25-June 8. obstacles to bringing my bike are ridiculous, so I'm trying to find a recumbent to rent. Does Italy even have any recumbent shops? If so, I can't find any online. Can you give any advice? Thanks for your help!

flavio

Well, I was born in Bologna, studied one year in Rome, went in Milan several times, am living in Florence, and love Venice.
So the question is: where do you start? So that maybe I'll can tell you something about that town...

jtarver

I visited Cicli S.Bianchi and Florence by Bike a couple years ago. Florence by bike offers bike rental, but only hybrids when I was there. I would have to agree with the natives when they say it would be easier and cheaper to buy a bike stateside rather than deal with shipping it back. I found the used bike market to be rather confusing as most shops sell only new bikes, while repair shops(different from bike shops, they mostly do repairs) usually have a few beaters for sale. That being said, after a few days of hanging around, I convinced a guy at Florence by bike to sell me a handmade Denti with columbus tubing and full dura ace for $225 USD. So, you can find deals, you just have to be patient and persisitent, as Italian commerce is a bit different than in the US. The roads are pretty bumpy, so you may find riding a track bike a bit of a challenge, most folks just ride city bikes and I got a lot of raised eyebrows bombing around on a road bike with 23c tubulars.
P.S.- Watch out for cars and busses and people and scooters!

labelsquare

wow great thought...

i will go to italy for visiting..i like very much rome..nice architecture....