Found: Vintage Italian Steel Bikes

Welcome to Found, a series where classic goods, ready for a new home, are handpicked by Gear Patrol‘s writers and editors.

Nothing rides like a lugged steel-frame bike, and of all the steel-frame bikes produced, some of the finest came out of Italy between the late ’70s and early ’90s. It was the golden era of cycling. Names like Greg Lemond, Andy Hampsten, Bernard Hinault, Francesco Moser and Laurent Fignon graced L’Alpe d’Huez. Helmets weren’t required yet, the headband was the headgear of choice, and Campagnolo was the preferred groupset for pro riders. It was a simpler time, before every race bike was developed in a wind tunnel and before every inch of a bike was crafted from carbon fiber. Each of these bikes is a reminder of those times, whether you’re out riding it or it’s hanging above your mantle.

Rauler Arabesque Pista Track Bike

What We Like: One word: hubs. The C-Record Pista hubs on this Rauler make us feel all warm and fuzzy; add to that a full-on Campy parts spec and Vittoria Corsa CL tires, and this bike might as well be a puppy.
From the Seller: “Rauler were originally contracted by Colnago to build frames under Ernesto’s marque until they parted ways in 1984, and were also responsible for Colnago’s pantography.”

Era: 1980s
Location: Bremen, Germany

Bianchi Celeste

What We Like: Not only does this Celeste look like it’s in fantastic shape, it also comes with a matching water bottle and frame pump. It’s also kitted with a full Campagnolo parts spec and an original 3ttt saddle.
From the Seller: “This Bianchi from approximately 1973 shows perfectly the typical Bianchi charm regardless of its age.”

Era: 1973
Location: Berlin, Germany

De Rosa Professional SLX

What We Like: This De Rosa is an Ariostea team edition. Ariostea was an Italian professional cycling team from 1984 to 1993. That means it has a special team paint job and decals.
From the Seller: “This bike has original electric-blue paint and decals, and beautiful chrome. I equipped it with a complete Campagnolo Super Record 1984 group containing some rare components like the curved SR shifters, 175 length crankset dated 1984 and titanium Super Record pedals.”

Era: 1984
Location: Bucharest, Romania

Olmo La Biciclissima

What We Like: The Olmo branded seatpost, chainring and the Olmo embossed on the seatstay make this ’70s classic a work of art and a perfect L’Eroica bike.
From the Seller: “Restored, professionally repainted and new decals.”

Era: 1970s
Location: Porza, Switzerland

Masi Prestige

What We Like: This particular Masi Prestige was custom built in Milan, has color-matching everything and even has the subtle details of the world champ stripes on the downtube.
From the Seller: “Masi bikes do not only look terrific, they also ride like a dream. Just the right balance between comfort and agility.”

Era: 1979
Location: Berlin, Germany

Pinarello S.Prestige

What We Like: What’s better than a gold Pinarello spec’d with Campy Super Record? Nothing comes to mind. Original paint and decals make this one a no-brainer.
From the Seller: “The bike is from 1984 and is in original condition; it hasn’t gone too many miles.”

Era: 1984
Location: Berlin, Germany

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