The 585

Hey guys, my wife and I just moved to Italy for a job opportunity and we've noticed there are so many people biking around on older looking city bikes, all with fenders, racks, and chainguards. Most of them look in rougher shape but seem to get the job done nicely. I've got a road bike for my quick longer rides, but I'd LOVE to pick up one of these for in and around town biking. Is anyone familiar with these, and where the best place to buy one would be? I haven't found any bike shops here yet. Thanks in advance!

juvela

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this type of bicycle is termed a "condorino"

drive train is typically a three, four or five speed derailleur one

upright bar, mudguards, chainguard & rack

typically wheel size 650B, or occasionally 700

there are perpetually oodles of them for sale in the classifieds

check on https://www.subito.it


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clubman 

I was all over the Puglia/Bari region on the Adriatic coast for almost a month and never saw a bike shop of any sort. Yet everyone seems to ride a bike (or scooter)

As juvela says, the internet is your friend, cough...

chainwhip

https://www.subito.it/hobby-collezio...-317305721.htm

Site translation to engrich:
"White Bikini with 28 clincher wheels with Campagnolo Valentino gearbox ready to travel. Measure 56".

noobinsf 

Also, what better motivation to learn to speak Italian (if you don't already) than to chat with locals about their bikes?

Mr. Spadoni 

Where in Italy are you ? I might have some ideas.

CliffordK

You didn't say where you are in Italy. Apparently you have found some bikes.

A town like Parma in the PO valley has bikes literally EVERYWHERE... or at least it did when I was there.

Perugia, up in the hills, had hardly a single bike (although perhaps the city was divided between the old town and new parts).

I remember a couple of bike shops in Parma.

Anyway, I'd encourage you to try Parma/Piacenza/Reggio Emilia. Also, I think someone mentioned some of the East Coast. Rimini?

I don't think Venice would be the place, but perhaps Padova or Verona. I'm trying to remember the terrain around there.

Perhaps some prejudice rubbing off, but I'd look for beat up commuters in the South and new bikes in the North.

There would have to be bikes around Milano, but the demands on a big city would be much different than a small town.

I'm sure things have changed substantially over the years, but the further off the beaten path you get, the better it is to know a little Italian.

CliffordK

Have you tried to Google "bicicletta"?

The 585

Ah, perfect!! That's it, thanks!

I'm in Vicenza and very unfamiliar with using subito.it or anything like that. But it seems like EVERYONE rides these bikes and I'd love to find one for sale.

CliffordK

Are you working there?

When I was in Italy, albeit a few years ago, a lot was done by word of mouth.

Ask around your office who is the bicycle aficionado.

When Dad was on Sabbatical back in 1982, we met the janitor at the hospital where he was working, and described what I was looking for. Language was a bit of a problem at the time, but we made it work. He showed up with a couple of bikes, I'm not quite sure from where, but they weren't quite right. Then he showed up with a used Colnago Super. And that WAS THE ONE.

Of course, he might not have been interested in the commuters, but I'm sure he would have known where to look.

In Parma, I eventually found the Colnago bike shop (tiny shop with a box full of frames, doing mostly custom assembly), and the Bianchi shop. As well as a couple of other shops around. I'm not sure how I found them all. I think I found a couple of shops on my own, but I'd have never found the Colnago shop unless someone had shown me where it was.

Simply searching for "Biciclette Vicenza" brings up a map of several shops.

https://www.google.com/search?q=biciclette+Vicenza

https://www.subito.it/annunci-veneto...lette/vicenza/

Whew, nothing is cheap!!!

https://www.subito.it/biciclette/bic...-309223393.htm
https://www.subito.it/biciclette/bic...-317280413.htm
https://www.subito.it/biciclette/bic...-278220386.htm

chainwhip

and check out a Legnano...looks like a deraileur bike setup as a single speed, seems to have a freewheel still.
Also seems to have Campy downtube shiftlever.
90 euros.






https://www.subito.it/biciclette/con...-294108012.htm


Same seller, "Silvio" has another " condorino" listed at 150 euro, also red (also Milano):

https://www.subito.it/biciclette/bic...-294107830.htm

Mr. Spadoni 

I have not been in your part of Italy for a couple years but you can find a new city bike there. Expect that the shop may not look like much but they will have something you like. I think the web address shows up on the screen shot. If this doesn’t work, google repair shops. Or, if you would like to practice your Italian, ask someone riding a newer city bike where they bought it. If the bike has an Italian name that you never heard of, it’s from a smaller shop. Italian shops often offer there own house brand, even if it’s a small shop

Mr. Spadoni 

And yes, the shop is in your town

repechage

From reports of shops in Italy that I have seen and read, I think the small shops on side streets with maybe a doorway entrance only, no display windows is what I would be asking about.

The 585

Thanks, guys. I found a couple bikes in my area that look pretty neat, do you think either of these look worth checking out for the price?

https://www.subito.it/biciclette/bic...-319201061.htm
https://www.subito.it/biciclette/bic...-314588511.htm

JaccoW

Nice handlebars! Now I know what Soma based their Condorina handlebar on!

Chombi1 

Just don't look for a "Fides" bicycle.......

The 585

Couple more I found that look pretty interesting (Erma and Atala):

https://www.subito.it/biciclette/erm...-317952764.htm
https://www.subito.it/biciclette/bic...-318123832.htm

Colorado Kid

Nice bikes. That one with a derailleur, anyway you put a chain guard on a bike that doesn't come with it?

noglider 

They are all beautiful.

jackbombay

I was in Florence about 10 years ago and there were so many well used bikes still in use all over the city. I really like seeing bikes that are "well worn". So many bikes never get worn out, but ultimately its the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a bicycle. Too many bikes never get worn out. Don't get me wrong, I really like a well maintained bicycles that ride flawlessly, but theres an undeniable beauty of a well worn bicycle, and I've never seen as many well worn bicycles as I saw in Italy :-)

JaccoW

It's quite common in Europe. Or at least it was. Many city/commuter bikes are just more practical here. Probably even original looking at the matching colour.
You wouldn't want your trousers to get dirty if you're riding a bike, do you?

The 585

I agree. I love the number of older bikes I see still on the road here. It's quite impressive.

This Erma is my size and appears in decent condition... does it look like a good buy? Steel frame. https://www.subito.it/biciclette/erm...-317952764.htm

I'm completely not used to the pricing for the used bicycle market, any advice appreciated!

The 585

May be checking out this Berga city bike tomorrow as well: https://www.subito.it/biciclette/bic...-319492728.htm

At 70 Euros, does that look like a fair price?

jackbombay

I like the Erma better for 30 more euros. As far as whether the prices are fair, hard for any of us to say not living there.

How long are you going to be there? Having a decent bike to get around is an expense I'll gladly incur unless I'm only there for a very short time.