Bike of the Week: Montelatici Special with full Campy Nuovo Record

Vasco Montelatici had a long time involvement with bicycle racing, not only as a shop owner and sponsor, but as a racer himself.  Vasco was Campione del Mondo in 1955 (amateur road champion).  It is known that Vasco was an old friend and business associate of Cino Cinelli.

Matteo Brandi arranged to send 14 of these frames to the US, where they were offered to members of the Classic Rendezvous e-mail list, a loosely connected group of vintage lightweight bicycle collectors spread all over the world. These frames have some unique features, such as an unusual scalloped rear drop out and fork drop out attachment. There appears to be two different styles of lug windows and bottom bracket cut outs in the group, but all the frames have the scalloped drop out attachments and fork and rear  stays.

Construction techniques, materials, geometry and style indicate that the Montelatici frames were made sometime in the 1970s.

Some collectors have observed that the brazing pin placement is similar to that used by Cinelli in the 1970s. The personal and business relationship between Cino Cinelli and Vasco Montelatici could indicate the frames were made by Cinelli for his old friend.

This 53cm bike, a true collectors item, is for sale at $3600.  So come by the shop and check it out- it’s on display for all to marvel at until some lucky retro-grouch falls in love and rides off into the sunset with it.