1946 Tipo Roma – BO5289 – Gently Restored

This very special Tipo Roma came to me a number of years back and the post “on arrival” can be found here. Without digressing too much, this is the same Tipo Roma in its original condition, but not “the bike” that Gino Bartali rode to with the 1946 Giro d’Italia. And over the years I […]

1970 Roma Olimpiade Specialissima: Tear down

To pick up from the last post, here is the Roma as it arrived after getting out of the shipping box and a quick assembly to check it all out before tearing it down for a very gentle restoration. I am still overwhelmed with the near perfect condition of this bike, 55 years after it […]

1970 Roma Olimpiade Record Specialissima joins the collection

It’s been a while since I added a new Legnano to the collection, and what an addition this Roma makes. It was recently acquired from a shop owner in Ithaca, New York who contracted me wanting a good home for the bike on behalf of a customer. After seeing a few photos of the bike […]

Way-Assauto or Magistroni: Who produced the cranksets for Legnano? Part 2

Updated July 11, 2020 The first part of this article relied primarily on the 335 page parts catalog published by Emilio Bozzi SpA in 1950.  As discussed, there was a remarkable similarity in the overall design of steel cranksets for several decades and most people would require a brand engraving to tell one from the […]

Way-Assauto or Magistroni: Who produced the cranksets for Legnano? Part 1

Throughout the various posts and pages of this website, I have taken the position that the cranksets fitted to the Legnano corsa models and some of the top sportivo models were produced by Way-Assauto.  The conclusion thus far has been based primarily on the chainring design and what would appear to have been a well […]

A 1963 Gran Premio frame is found in the basement of a bike shop in Uruguay

A writer in Montevideo sent me these photos of a Gran Premio frame that he discovered in the basement of a local bike shop.  Still wrapped in the original protective paper, this Legnano was resting for more than 50 years before it saw the light in 2016.  Great to see the original ‘verniciatura trasparente verde’ […]

1972 Frejus Professional ‘Corsa Speciale’ joins the collection

This well maintained Frejus Professional has joined the collection with my thanks to Craig Smith of Casper, Wyoming.  Craig is the original owner of this bike and he told me it was purchased from Oscar Waystyn Cycles in Chicago that remains in operation on Fullerton Avenue after four generations.  Oscar Sr. was the son of Emil, a […]

Federico Brozzi’s 1946 Tipo Roma in sheep’s clothing

Another interesting Legnano courtesy of Federico Brozzi from the city of Parma in Italy. It is sometimes the case that Legnano city bikes or Sportivo models have been refinished and refitted as road bikes.  Many times this is to the preference of the owner and regrettably at other times it is for the purpose of […]

Discovering Armando’s 1951 Tipo Roma Simplex Model

Each week I enjoy receiving queries from readers around the world as to how old or what model is my Legnano.  Please keep these emails coming (info@condorino.com) as I enjoy the opportunity to share what I know and also to add new knowledge for the benefit of all Legnano aficionados.  Many of your requests are […]