Rivola Road Bicycle 49 cm Silver from the ’70s!
This charming little road bike was manufactured in Massa Lombarda, Ravenna, by Gianni Rivola, son of company founder Giovani. Gianni took over frame building duties in the late ’70s, learning the secrets of the craft from Chiesa of Bologna. Gianni had inherited all the necessary equipment, including a check plan of the various geometries for different frame sizes from Bolognese builder Patelli.
A signature of Rivola frames and forks are the open seat and chain stay ends and open ended fork blades. On this particular frame set, which is painted in silver, these details are picked out by hand with enamel paint in burnt orange. The upper drive side chain stay has a section of chrome left unpainted, and outlined in the same orange hue. The underside of the bottom bracket shell has been drilled in nine places, and finished with a simple brazed cable guide.
Gianni Rivola always assembled bicycles for his customers using a combination of Campagnolo and Cinelli components, and this bike is no exception. The wheels comprise large flange Campagnolo Record hubs laced to dark grey Ambrosio rims, wearing Clement Grifo 61 tyres with pale sidewalls. The front wheel is radially spoked, the spoke orientation alternating between the inner and outer faces of the hub flanges.
This bike is in remarkably good condition given its age, with virtually no blemishes to the paintwork and decals. Having freshly greased and adjusted all the bearings and installed new cables and outers, it rides very nicely. Sat upon on the plain black leather saddle, with a comfortable grip on the Giro d’Italia drop handlebars, freshly wrapped in black cloth tape, the next owner will enjoy every mile on the way to and from their favourite cycling destination. This time warp late ’70s racer is guaranteed to draw admiring glances and favourable remarks from fellow afficionados of classic Italian steel road bikes.
Brand: Rivola
Frame size: 49cm ct.- ct. (top of tube 50.5 cm)
Top Tube Lenght: 51.5 cm ct.- ct.
Head tube height: 8.7 cm
Stand over height: 75 cm
PARTS
Headset: Campagnolo Record 1″
Cranks: 170 mm 53 t. X 42 t.
Brakes: Campagnolo Record
Der’s:Front Campagnolo Record and Rear N.R. ’73
B.B.: Campagnolo Record (It.)
Seatpost: Campagnolo Record
Bar: Cinelli Giro d’Italia (38 mm ct.- ct.)
Stem: Cinelli 1A 85 mm
Saddle: Cinelli Unicanitor
Wheel set: Campagnolo High Flange Hubs 32 holes, Ambrosio Montreal Rims, Clement Grifo 61
Chain and Cass.: Regina Oro
Condition: Good condition, original paint and stickers, small scratches, no dents
All bearings cleaned and regreased
All parts work perfect
