Turin bike co-op
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Turin bike co-op
Turin Stories anyone? I bought my first ten speed there. Ordered it at the shop pictured, then they moved a couple block away. Picked it up after they moved.
Bought a bike like this, Turin, in 1971.Think it was $125 with tax and all. Came with an Ideale 90 saddle!
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F153476982372
Bike pictured is currently on ebay for $160. Keep thinking about buying it. Mine was silver with the foil decals.
Bought a bike like this, Turin, in 1971.Think it was $125 with tax and all. Came with an Ideale 90 saddle!
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F153476982372
Bike pictured is currently on ebay for $160. Keep thinking about buying it. Mine was silver with the foil decals.
Likes For big chainring:
#2
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
My sister got her first non-kid's bike there, late 1960s or early 1970s. (We lived in Evanston.)
Likes For Cyclist0108:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,866
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1854 Post(s)
Liked 660 Times
in
503 Posts
Turin Stories anyone? I bought my first ten speed there. Ordered it at the shop pictured, then they moved a couple block away. Picked it up after they moved.
Bought a bike like this, Turin, in 1971.Think it was $125 with tax and all. Came with an Ideale 90 saddle!
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F153476982372
Bike pictured is currently on ebay for $160. Keep thinking about buying it. Mine was silver with the foil decals.
Bought a bike like this, Turin, in 1971.Think it was $125 with tax and all. Came with an Ideale 90 saddle!
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F153476982372
Bike pictured is currently on ebay for $160. Keep thinking about buying it. Mine was silver with the foil decals.
My recollection of those old Turin-branded bikes is that they followed the specification of a UO-8. Lee, a savvy retailer probably thought he could sell a bike at least as good as a UO-8 for less, and at lower cost with his Co-op sourcing advantages. If I ever see him again I might ask him. A few friends had them, but I don't know how they rode.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,866
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1854 Post(s)
Liked 660 Times
in
503 Posts
I also saw an early Italian Masi hanging on the wall, and an Alex Singer on the wall awaiting its delivery.
Likes For thinktubes:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,866
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1854 Post(s)
Liked 660 Times
in
503 Posts
Lincoln 9? A Lincoln Avenue "bicycle gang?"
Plus, you live in Evanston? "across the street from Chicago"
PM me if you like.
Plus, you live in Evanston? "across the street from Chicago"
PM me if you like.
#8
Senior Member
I moved to Evanston in 1981 with an Atala Competizione that was ridable but needed a headset. Turin made an appointment for the service! Later that year, after my bike was stolen the week before the Harmon Hundred, I rode every bike I could find at Turin, Pony Shop, and RRB, liking nothing. My guy at Turin (Mike, an art student) showed me a Turin-branded 531 frame that came in on trade. He said it was made by MKM, and I recognized the K (Ron Kitching). It turns out it probably IS an MKM from 1973, although I once met a guy who said he did accounting for Lee in those years and never wrote a check to MKM. Anyway, I'm still riding that bike.
I'm still using the original wind trainer, the Aries (Campy-copy) seatpost, TA Cyclotouriste cranks, the Blackburn rack, Superbe brakes, and Kirtland seat bag that I bought from Turin, too. The Avocet hubs and seat and Campy-copy SR crankset that I bought with the frame are still in my possession. I didn't spend much money there, but what I bought lasted.
Funny thing about the Avocet hubs - I bought them new, in a sealed box labelled as sealed hubs, so I rode for decades without maintaining them. A few years ago I actually looked closely at them and found they were not sealed at all. They had so much grease in them, though, that the lack of maintenance did not cause any problems.
There's a Turin in Chicago with a website that had a rundown of their history. They're redesigning the website now, though. They donate prizes to the WTTW (PBS) sweepstakes. I keep thinking of visiting them, but it's faster to bike there than to drive, and I don't want to ride in city traffic. Catch-22, I know....
Wheel & Sprocket replaced them - good people, but corporate, which is one of the ways to succeed in the business now.
I'm still using the original wind trainer, the Aries (Campy-copy) seatpost, TA Cyclotouriste cranks, the Blackburn rack, Superbe brakes, and Kirtland seat bag that I bought from Turin, too. The Avocet hubs and seat and Campy-copy SR crankset that I bought with the frame are still in my possession. I didn't spend much money there, but what I bought lasted.
Funny thing about the Avocet hubs - I bought them new, in a sealed box labelled as sealed hubs, so I rode for decades without maintaining them. A few years ago I actually looked closely at them and found they were not sealed at all. They had so much grease in them, though, that the lack of maintenance did not cause any problems.
There's a Turin in Chicago with a website that had a rundown of their history. They're redesigning the website now, though. They donate prizes to the WTTW (PBS) sweepstakes. I keep thinking of visiting them, but it's faster to bike there than to drive, and I don't want to ride in city traffic. Catch-22, I know....
Wheel & Sprocket replaced them - good people, but corporate, which is one of the ways to succeed in the business now.
#9
Senior Member
I flipped a Turin several years ago during the fixie craze. Same color as the OP. A guy who was familiar with the history came out from the city and bought it.
__________________
Be where your feet are.......Lisa Bluder
Be where your feet are.......Lisa Bluder
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 14,242
Mentioned: 415 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3802 Post(s)
Liked 3,324 Times
in
2,170 Posts
-----
A shop near me home was Turin affiliated about 1971-72.
The Turin badged machines they stocked were done by Manufrance.
Models which came with cottered chainsets were fitted with an odd bottom bracket assembly from REWAX.
It was the usual REWAX black oxide finish but instead of the usual cup and cone arrangement the spindles had a groove, rather than a shoulder, for the bearings to run on. Reckon they could be referred to as "annular." The arrangement did not work and all of the bottom brackets had to be replaced with conventional cup and cone ones. Do no know if Turin got credit from Manufrance or if Manufrance got credit from REWAX.
Perhaps another reader will have more information on this...
-----
A shop near me home was Turin affiliated about 1971-72.
The Turin badged machines they stocked were done by Manufrance.
Models which came with cottered chainsets were fitted with an odd bottom bracket assembly from REWAX.
It was the usual REWAX black oxide finish but instead of the usual cup and cone arrangement the spindles had a groove, rather than a shoulder, for the bearings to run on. Reckon they could be referred to as "annular." The arrangement did not work and all of the bottom brackets had to be replaced with conventional cup and cone ones. Do no know if Turin got credit from Manufrance or if Manufrance got credit from REWAX.
Perhaps another reader will have more information on this...
-----
Last edited by juvela; 12-27-19 at 03:51 PM. Reason: spellin'
#11
Shifting is fun!
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Holland, NL
Posts: 10,997
Bikes: Yes, please.
Mentioned: 279 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2192 Post(s)
Liked 4,580 Times
in
1,762 Posts
I thought this thread would be about an Italian co-op. But apparently there are more Turins in the US than in Italy.
Likes For non-fixie:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,826 Times
in
1,994 Posts
I only visited the Chicago shop once in 1974 during the Nationals that were held in Northbrook.
interesting shop- lots to see, busy at the time, it was Summer.
they were out of stock on wherlcovers
i had two standing orders for a pair.
i purchased mine a year later secondhand as it was just a SoCal junior racer thing to own.
interesting shop- lots to see, busy at the time, it was Summer.
they were out of stock on wherlcovers
i had two standing orders for a pair.
i purchased mine a year later secondhand as it was just a SoCal junior racer thing to own.
#14
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 422 Times
in
282 Posts
Recently offered on Craigslust' Chicago, an original Turin branded bike in great condition. Showed character and attractive paint. Curious who the maker was.
(Searching old postings and worthy to post here.)
(Searching old postings and worthy to post here.)
#15
Senior Member
Turin branded bikes were Cycles France-Loire, better known as Mercier. Final batch was Superia. There were several oddball BBs which were a problem. They only failed if you used them. Those BBs were present in first place because bargaining on price was a bit too intense. The stickers were by the late great Rudy Seno and were good enough they got placed on many frames with no connection to the shop at all. We had big oversupply and gave stickers away to any who asked.
Turin Denver is Alan Fine who was a Chicago Turin original. Or as close to original as matters here. He is again a partner in the latest incarnation on Damen in Chicago.
There was an MKM that came through the shop in '73. It was brought in by a friend of store who had picked up a couple frames while in UK. Beautiful frame. There were lots and lots of side deals like that which generated no records. The CPA never saw the fourth set of books. He knows a lot but no one knows everything about that circus. I count 5 original partners in the photo. Not sure if Alan is there, would have to ask my wife. Still see two of them regularly. Saw a third and got his old Automoto recently. A fourth is deceased. If you asked any of these people about any event connected to store history you would get tales so wildly different----legends and mists of time.
Turin Denver is Alan Fine who was a Chicago Turin original. Or as close to original as matters here. He is again a partner in the latest incarnation on Damen in Chicago.
There was an MKM that came through the shop in '73. It was brought in by a friend of store who had picked up a couple frames while in UK. Beautiful frame. There were lots and lots of side deals like that which generated no records. The CPA never saw the fourth set of books. He knows a lot but no one knows everything about that circus. I count 5 original partners in the photo. Not sure if Alan is there, would have to ask my wife. Still see two of them regularly. Saw a third and got his old Automoto recently. A fourth is deceased. If you asked any of these people about any event connected to store history you would get tales so wildly different----legends and mists of time.
#16
Senior Member
I bought two bikes from the Denver store. The first was stolen, then I got another. I rode the second one for a couple of years as a commuter in Denver, then later in Boston. I rode it around New England and once to Cape Breton Island, NS. I learned a lot about bicycle maintenance with that bike. Nowadays it would be dismissed as a low end, gas pipe bike, but I enjoyed it. It came with a Brooks B-17, which I still ride occaisionally.
#17
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: The Lou
Posts: 340
Bikes: 82 Trek 710, 90 Trek 750, 86 Vitus, Nishiki Cervino, 1989 Bianchi CdI, 2 Nashbars, an Italian Steel MTB, Sears Spaceliner, and a 74 Schwinn Speedster. I also manage a fleet of Volcanic Patrol bikes, 83 of them.
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 109 Post(s)
Liked 234 Times
in
120 Posts
I don't remember what this was for but I had Turin add top tube braze-ons, downtime shifter braze-ons, and a second water bottle braze-on to my 82 Trek 710, after t was stolen and I recovered it. The original top tube braze-ons were damaged by the thief when he also stole my tool box and carried it on the top tube crushing them.
It was a great shop to hang out and pick up pointers as a young mechanic...
I know I spent more than three dollars there.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,147
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2361 Post(s)
Liked 1,745 Times
in
1,189 Posts
Wouldn't it be fun to sleuth out who all those guys are, where they are now?
Original location is now part of a big pastry shop, that takes up four storefronts on N. Clark. Evanston location is now part of the Wheel & Sprocket empire.
Original location is now part of a big pastry shop, that takes up four storefronts on N. Clark. Evanston location is now part of the Wheel & Sprocket empire.
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Likes For big chainring:
#20
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 422 Times
in
282 Posts
Note their phone number.
-------
My '72 Witcomb (UK made) passed through the Turin shop.
Witcomb from England to the USA, onto Australia, then back to USA.
----
Anyways, pulled the following clipping from an old 'Bicycling' magazine article posted elsewhere on the forum. Please clue us in.
April 1982 - Belmont cycling ad
-------
My '72 Witcomb (UK made) passed through the Turin shop.
Witcomb from England to the USA, onto Australia, then back to USA.
----
Anyways, pulled the following clipping from an old 'Bicycling' magazine article posted elsewhere on the forum. Please clue us in.
April 1982 - Belmont cycling ad
Last edited by crank_addict; 12-28-19 at 07:02 PM.
#21
Senior Member
Nothing to do with Turin. That is Fred Boshart's Belmont Schwinn Cyclery. Just about time when he took that shop from being a neighborhood Schwinn dealer to a race shop, he hoped. He had a decent run but was gone ten years after that ad. Good rider, sensible and practical coach. Sponsored Belmont Bike Club and a few decent riders, notably giving a start to Chris Washkevich. Who of course graduated to Turin and then turned pro.
#22
Senior Member
But they are private people. Lee still sells Lake shoes and has the bike shop on Damen so I suppose that is public enough. Ron is winding up RRB Cycles. We are all getting old here. Carol is deceased and Ike (hubs for eyes) is deceased. Past that more details would feel like an intrusion.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,866
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1854 Post(s)
Liked 660 Times
in
503 Posts
I bought two bikes from the Denver store. The first was stolen, then I got another. I rode the second one for a couple of years as a commuter in Denver, then later in Boston. I rode it around New England and once to Cape Breton Island, NS. I learned a lot about bicycle maintenance with that bike. Nowadays it would be dismissed as a low end, gas pipe bike, but I enjoyed it. It came with a Brooks B-17, which I still ride occaisionally.
I still have the Ideale saddle! Now that I know how to set up leather saddles (sheesh, that took a long time!) it is VERY comfortable on my Mondonico.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,866
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1854 Post(s)
Liked 660 Times
in
503 Posts
Nothing to sleuth. I could tell you all about 8 of them right now and the other three could find out easily. Carol's dog probably I could only get you a name.
But they are private people. Lee still sells Lake shoes and has the bike shop on Damen so I suppose that is public enough. Ron is winding up RRB Cycles. We are all getting old here. Carol is deceased and Ike (hubs for eyes) is deceased. Past that more details would feel like an intrusion.
But they are private people. Lee still sells Lake shoes and has the bike shop on Damen so I suppose that is public enough. Ron is winding up RRB Cycles. We are all getting old here. Carol is deceased and Ike (hubs for eyes) is deceased. Past that more details would feel like an intrusion.