Remembered maybe more for his cycling career Cino Cinelli has change the face of cycling as we know it today. From his days winning races like the Milan-San Remo in 1943, the Giro di Lombardia in 1938, and the Tour of the Apennines in 1937. His brilliant intuitions led him to start a company in his own name in 1948.
In 1978, Cino handed the company over to a young entrepreneur in the steel tube industry with the bicycle at heart. Antonio Colombo owner of Columbus tubing had a different interpretation, perhaps more visionary, the eye sees beyond the present.
From the beginning up to the present, competition is always in Cinelli’s DNA. Its handlebars are chosen by Champions such as Lemon, Fignon, Hinault and Chiappucci, without forgetting Lance Armstorng and Mario Cipollini and also Di Luca, Freire and Simoni.
Below is a brief look into the way Cinelli has continuede to reinvent the way we look at modern bycicle and the way we ride them.
1919 Columbus is born
The beginning of a great firm.
1940 Racing
A sprint between Cinelli, Brici and Coppi.
1951 Binda Foot Straps
The first ones in history, a myth which doesn’t stop surprising.
1962 Unicanitor Saddle
It is the first saddle with plastic body. A revolution in its era.
1963 Aluminium Handlebar
Round shape and light alloy. The modern handlebar was invented by Cino Cinelli.
1971 – M71 Pedal
The first quick release pedal in history was patented by Cino Cinelli.
1980 Cinelli Laser
Since its creation the lazer has won 28 gold medals at the Olympics and Worldchampionships, pioneering TiG welding in bicycle frames, the Laser is exhibited at the Contemporary Art Museum in Chicago.
1987 Cork Ribbon
Unique, shock-absorbing, comfortable, colourful. The original is Cinelli.
1993 Lance Armstrong
Wins the World Championship with Cinelli components.
2002 Ram
Integrated monocoque carbon fiber handlebar defined “the crown jewel of the carbon revolution” by Velonews magazine.
These are the roots of Cinelli, this is the presence that it has: today Cinelli is mentioned in the Dictionary of Italian Design (Rizzoli, 1999), in the ADI Design Index (2000-2001), and the Corriere della Sera newspaper calls it a cult object in the USA like Ferrari, Vespa, Lavazza or Fornasetti (9th January 1999).
Truly a remarkable company.
