From Rouleur.cc
WORDS: JAMES STARTT
When it comes to iconic cycling brands, few can match the storied reputation of Cinelli. Founded by Italian professional Cino Cinelli, the company has produced some of the most coveted bicycles in the history of the sport.
The legendary Supercorsa frameset, first designed for Fausto Coppi, was only produced in small numbers and models still fetch high prices today, while their iconoclastic Laser took aerodynamic design to new heights in the 1980s, winning international awards even outside of the sport. But while the historic Italian brand is proud of its past, it has its eye on the future, and a new collaboration with Taylor Phinney, the former professional-turned artist, is offering just one glimpse of this.
Cino Cinelli founded the eponymous company in 1948. A formidable racer, Cinelli won Milan-Sanremo and the Tour of Lombardy as well as three stages in the Giro d’Italia. He also wore the maglia rosa. However, with racing opportunities limited during the war, he instead focused on developing his brand.
“Cino was one of those guys that knew everybody and was always at the centre of everything. He was an incredible communicator,” says Cinelli archivist Marcello Manca. “Even after his career was over he worked closely with cyclists. He founded the professional cyclists’ trade union, of which he was the president for 24 years, in 1946. In addition, his wife was Swiss and spoke five languages. That was very rare at the time, and it allowed him to develop connections around the world. But Cino liked to keep his hands dirty. He always had his head inside the bike.”
