'Old School' Cycling Logos

"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I have hope for the human race." H G Wells.

A great passion of mine is cycling. On weekends I happily spend more time than is probably rational in tight-fitting lycra (ahem) spending hours zooming up hill and down dale, round long sweeping corners, whooshing alongside a coastline here and there, and sometimes straining up through mountainous terrain. I love it – and can't get enough of it.

Much recent development in the design and construction of road racing bikes is in using lightweight, space-age materials such as carbon fibre – as used by companies with names such as Zipp and Full Speed Ahead – whose visual, graphic language is contemporary, technical and 'speedy'. In a previous era, bicycles were lovingly hand-crafted, often in Italy (some still are of course), and many of these bicycle manufacturers not only built beautiful lightweight racing bicycles, but their logos, which were often type and script-based – were just as lovingly created  – and just as beautiful.

What's more, many of these exquisite 'old' logos, haven't been updated – they're still thankfully in use. They convey a sense of  'Italianness' and display a connection to a rich cycling heritage. Besides, how could anyone dare redesign some of these? They take a cyclist's (and a designer's) breath away.

Here's a 'gruppo' of wonderful old bicycle logos (many of which are still in use).

Bianchi (reportedly the oldest bicycle company in the world). Traditionally a Bianchi was only ever available in one colour: celeste (the blue/green colour here). Bianchi started making bikes in 1885. The unusual celeste colour is (according to legend) based on the striking eye colour of the then Queen of Italy. Other stories say that Bianchi purchased a cheap job lot of surplus paint after World War 1.

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Campagnolo bicycle components.

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Cinelli bicycle components.

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Colnago bicycles – possibly the most highly regarded of all bike brands.

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De Rosa bicycles, with old Campagnolo derailleur (bottom). More images of this lovingly restored bike here.

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Gios bicycles (are always the above blue).

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Masi bicycles.

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Merckx bicycles, from Belgium. Originated in the 1960/70s. Manufactured by the legendary Eddy Merckx (regarded by many as the greatest cyclist of all time).

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Olmo bicycles.

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Pashley bicycles from the UK (of whom I know nothing, but they have a terrific logo).

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Raleigh bicycles. Once the UK's most famous bike brand, now 'rebuilding' their brand after it disappeared from the market... Some great old Raleigh catalogues here (scroll down).

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Tommasini bicycles, not as well known as some other Italian brands – but their bikes are highly regarded.

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Wilier Triestina bicycles (a modified version of their original logo).

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And here's a whole glorious bunch more.

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From the 1+1=3 vault of 'old cycling stuff':

The legendary Fausto Coppi. Winner of the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy) on many occasions.

 Gino Bartali climbing in the Giro d'Italia (which he won twice).

Not too sure who these are in the Giro d'Italia.

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All bicycle logos © their owners. The above photographs have just been 'grabbed' off the web over the years. Many thanks to whoever posted them – but I can't remember who you are!

 

Comments

[Jesse]

I enjoyed this quite a bit. The only downside is I'll look down on my current bikes logo even worse. Hah

[Jeremy]

Very cool post. Loved the old Masi and Bianchi Logos.