Bianchi 120: a history of road races, remembrance, values.
Bianchi. A name synonymous with cycling and great bicycles since 120 years.
A factory whose history, since far back in 1885, intertwines with the evolution of the ancient “velocipede”: since then a steady and unrelenting development and a long string of triumphs in the most prestigious competitions (more than thousands successes, including six world titles) which made Bianchi a brand famous worldwide, putting together quality and drive to perfection.
Features which marked the life and activity of Edoardo Bianchi and his first shop in Via Nirone, Milan more than a century ago: a creative and versatile mind and the entrepreneurial skills fuelled the development of the little shop brimming with inventions, innovations, new products and of course huge popular success.
A success which shaped the history of Bianchi, set in its genes and forged its approach to road racing with genuine passion and sacrifice.

The Cannondale product creation process starts and ends with the rider. In some cases this rider may be a world-class athlete that is capable of topping the world's most prestigious podiums. In other instances the rider is someone who just enjoys pedaling for that morning coffee and bagel. Nonetheless, every detail is scrutinized-because our goal is to exceed expectations, each and every time.

Our highly trained industrial designers and engineers live it, dream it, make it and ride it. Cannondale bikes are products of our lifestyle and our engineers will tweak and tune until it meets the demands that are set by our testing standards and more importantly the rider.

Using the latest resources and software such Pro Engineer and CAD, our engineers can build a bike tube by tube and test it virtually by applying virtual loads through Finite Elimate Analysis or FEA before a welding torch is even lit or mold is put into place. Our composites engineers not only design bikes but also the molds, layup schedules and tooling to manufacture the bikes.

The Cannondale product creation process starts and ends with the rider. In some cases this rider may be a world-class athlete that is capable of topping the world's most prestigious podiums. In other instances the rider is someone who just enjoys pedaling for that morning coffee and bagel. Nonetheless, every detail is scrutinized-because our goal is to exceed expectations, each and every time.

Our highly trained industrial designers and engineers live it, dream it, make it and ride it. Cannondale bikes are products of our lifestyle and our engineers will tweak and tune until it meets the demands that are set by our testing standards and more importantly the rider.

Using the latest resources and software such Pro Engineer and CAD, our engineers can build a bike tube by tube and test it virtually by applying virtual loads through Finite Elimate Analysis or FEA before a welding torch is even lit or mold is put into place. Our composites engineers not only design bikes but also the molds, layup schedules and tooling to manufacture the bikes.

Bij Duell is er maar één materiaal om het ideale frame van te bouwen ; STAAL !! Met 25 jaar heb ik alle generaties materiaal meegemaakt ben ik er van overtuigd dat staal de rijder een aantal unieke rijeigenschappen biedt die niet in aluminium of carbon te vinden zijn. Denk aan het dempen van resonanties, de stijfheid, het maatwerk dat bijna ongelimiteerd mogelijk is. En neem de levensduur van staal. Kortom voor mij is er geen vergelijkbaar materiaal.

Jan van Dalen
Meesterframebouwer Duell Professional Cycling

Veertig jaar passie
met de technologie van morgen.
Een fiets van Jan Janssen is voor eenieder iets bijzonders. Een buitengewoon
betrouwbaar topproduct omdat hij door uzelf wordt samengesteld met de beste
componenten ter wereld door Jan Janssen voor u geselecteerd.
Ons uitgangspunt bij de ontwikkeling van iedere fiets is ‘maximaal fietsplezier’ voor u.
Waarbij u tevens de mogelijkheid moet hebben uw fiets op een aantal punten aan te
passen zodat deze nog beter aansluit op uw specifieke gebruiksbehoeften. Niet voor
niets geldt Jan Janssen al jaren als de pionier op het gebied van ‘fietsen-op-maat’ . Een
titel waar we trots op zijn en waarvoor we continu innoveren en verbeteren, zodat we u
een fantastische collectie sportieve en exclusieve fietsen kunnen voorstellen. Modellen
die -hoe verschillend ze ook zijn- voldoen aan de allerhoogste eisen én waarmee u
niet alleen in het bezit bent van topkwaliteit en exclusiviteit maar van gegarandeerd
fietsplezier.
Of zoals we zelf graag zeggen ‘perfectie op maat gemaakt’.

Jan Janssen mountainbikes zijn een perfect voorbeeld van een zeer goede prijs/ kwaliteit verhouding. U kan bij alle modellen kiezen uit een ruim assortiment groepen, vorken etc.. U kan zelfs de kleur kiezen met het colorstudio systeem van Jan Janssen.

Veertig jaar passie
met de technologie van morgen.
Een fiets van Jan Janssen is voor eenieder iets bijzonders. Een buitengewoon
betrouwbaar topproduct omdat hij door uzelf wordt samengesteld met de beste
componenten ter wereld door Jan Janssen voor u geselecteerd.
Ons uitgangspunt bij de ontwikkeling van iedere fiets is ‘maximaal fietsplezier’ voor u.
Waarbij u tevens de mogelijkheid moet hebben uw fiets op een aantal punten aan te
passen zodat deze nog beter aansluit op uw specifieke gebruiksbehoeften. Niet voor
niets geldt Jan Janssen al jaren als de pionier op het gebied van ‘fietsen-op-maat’ . Een
titel waar we trots op zijn en waarvoor we continu innoveren en verbeteren, zodat we u
een fantastische collectie sportieve en exclusieve fietsen kunnen voorstellen. Modellen
die -hoe verschillend ze ook zijn- voldoen aan de allerhoogste eisen én waarmee u
niet alleen in het bezit bent van topkwaliteit en exclusiviteit maar van gegarandeerd
fietsplezier.
Of zoals we zelf graag zeggen ‘perfectie op maat gemaakt’.

GIOVANNI Pinarello , the eight of twelve brothers, was born in Catena di Villorba in 1922. He was born at a time when life could be rather difficult, which was not uncommon, for many families ot the humble, and peasant backgrounds, in the rural farming areas of Veneto. The struggles of a simple farming life, as well as surviving the hardships of both World Wars, greatly effected an influenced the life of Giovanni Pinarello and his family. His impoverished and simple upbringing was not able to extinguish a passion Giovanni discovered he hard for the "Two Wheels".

With his determination and his love for the bicycle, Giovanni was able to make his dream come true. He made it possible to borrow whatever he needed to become part of the world of cycling. So at the age of seventeen, he began competing in the junior's category. Giovanni's dream soon became a reality and his passion began to bring him many victories. In 1947, after winning over sixty titles as an amateur, he became a member of the professional world of cycling. He was part of the professional cycling world until 1953, with five wins to his mention. With the end of this cycling career, the birth and realization of yet another of Giovanni's passions arose, the PINARELLO (the bicycle).

The making of the Pinarello began in Catena di Villorba, towards the end of the 1940's. The roots of Pinarello can be traced back to the beginning of WW II. This is when, at the age of fifteen, Giovanni began making bicycles at the factory of Paglianti. He continued making bicycles throughout his amateur cycling career. Bicycle manufacturing for the Pinarello family can be traced as far back as 1922, when Giovanni's cousin Alessandro was already making bicycles in a small factory. The beginning of this manufacturing was signified with a gold medal and a diploma in his recognition, given at the prestigious Milan Bicycle Fair of 1925.

In 1952 an opportunity presented itself to Giovanni Pinarello as a direct result of a major disappointment in his cycling career. The opportunity was for him to become an integral part of the very beginning ot the manufacturing world of bicycles in Treviso. The disappointment was that he had to give up his first love and passion, bicycle racing


In 1952, Giovanni was presented with the dilemma of having to give up the chance to participate in the very prestigious Giro d'Italia. He was to be replaced to make way for the up and coming new star, Pasqualino Fornara. Giovanni had no choice in the matter. His sponsor, Bottecchia, offered him 100,000 Lire, a great deal of money for the times. That loss later became his fortune, career, and success, with the beginning and opening of the first and most renowned bicycle store in Treviso.

Pinarello was fortunate to be in a very economically prosperous area of Italy. This area was also synonymous with cycling and known for its manufacturing excellence. His intuition told him to take advantage of the opportunity that presented itself, and to be part of the world of team sponsorship. At first he began by helping to promote and advertise for small local teams. He also aided in the survival of the teams with whatever they needed to be able to participate in the competitive and expensive world of racing.
The first team to participate in a national competition with a Pinarello bicycle was la Padovani, in 1957. This marked the beginning of sponsoring many bicycle teams. Sponsorship was a very important and crucial vehicle in the recognition and promotion of the Pinarello name. It also helped to promote his bicycle store in Treviso.

In 1960 came the sponsoring of the first professional team, the Mainetti, which developed and produced many champion cyclists of the area. In 1966 the success of Guido de Rosso truly made a difference for Pinarello in the professional wordl of cycling. His victory in the Tour d'Avenir in France put the Treviso on the cycling map. This was the first international victory for Pinarello.

The first victory at the Giro d'Italia in 1975 by Fausto Bertoglio (Jolly Ceramica team), was another very important victory that boosted the fame and substance of the Pinarello reputation. After many years of team affiliations in the professional field, this was an instant and sensational result from the Jolly Ceramica team since their partnership only began in 1974. The final victory and other particular success at the Giro of 1975 were significant in putting the Pinarello name over the top. Until recently, Pinarello has never experienced such frame and notoriety. The name was now visible through the media having exposure through the television and began to be recognized for its exclusive artistic performance. The decade of the 80's proved to be quite fruitful with many victories in the field of cycling.


In 1980 Pinarello affiliated itself with Inoxpran, the leader in the development of stainless steel (also known for its specialty kitchen accessories). Inoxpran was in part responsible for revitalizing the once victorious cycling athletes that made up the Jolly team. They began the season with very promising riders, and a very experienced team, captained by Giovanni Battaglin. For the first time since Pinarello had begun sponsoring various professional teams, the Pinarello logo was finally seen on the team jersey as an official sponsor, alongside Inoxpran. This team was one of an extremely competitive caliber, which right from its beginnings was victorious in many races of international status. The year 1981 proved to be an extraordinary season for this power house of a team. Among its numerous victories, they captured two of the most distinguished international races, the Vuelta di Spagna and the Giro d'Italia.

Another enormous boost to Pinarello's popularity came in the 1984 Olympics. A U.S. rider by the name of Alexi Grewal took home the gold medal on a Pinarello bicycle. Throughout the years the Pinarello victories continued, making it possible for many successful partnerships. One of these teams was Banesto, of which the Spanish champion Miguel Indurain was a team member, made the Pinarello the team bicycle.

Indurain was just an amateur then but would ride a Pinarello to victories at five Tour de France's, two Giro d'Italia's, an Olympic victory, a world time trial championship, an hour record, and many other international victories.


With the recognition obtained at the Giro d'Italia with Indurain in '92 and '93, and even with the victory of Chioccioli in '91, the victory that most stands out is the first Tour de France win in 1988 with Pedro Delgado of the Reynolds team (later called Banesto).

It was during Pinarello's partnership with many professional teams that the Pinarello name became associated with many important Italian teams, such as the Del Tongo team from '88 to '91 and the Mercatone Uno team from '92 to '95. Among the many victories of the above mentioned partnerships, the one that remains the most important is the one formed in '91 with Chioccioli of the Del Tongo.

In addition to the long Tours, the numerous and extraordinary successes of Cipollini, the most internationally well-known "sprinter" have greatly contributed to the popularity of the Pinarello name and deserve to be remembered.


Cipollini has infact, together with Indurain, been a famous testimonial of Pinarello's advertising compaigns. More recently, the success of the current teams, particularly Telekom, Brescialat and Banesto, should be mentioned.

In 1996 and 1997, Telekom achieved remarkable results, becoming one of the most well-known teams in the world, with unexpected successes including the victory of Riis and the second place of Ullrich in the Tour de France in 1996.

The success of Pinarello has been reconfirmed in the seasons 1997 with the 6th consecutive victory in the Tour de France and in 1998 with the second place of Jan Ullrich always in the Tour de France.

Ruim 6 jaar heb ik een eigen fietsenwinkel gehad. Bij veel fietsenmerken mis ik wat fietsers nodig hebben; een speciaal gemaakte fiets die rekening houdt met de wensen en eisen van de uiteindelijke gebruiker. Ook zie ik dat op 'verstopte' plekken vaak slechte onderdelen worden gebruik. Ik wil dat veranderen en richtte daarom in 1998 Santos op. Een fietsmerk dat uitgaat van de fietser; wat wil je en wat heb je nodig. Een merk dat let op kwaliteit, ook daar waar het niet opvalt. Zoals wielen met verlijmde spaken en een balhoofdstel met roestvrije lagers. Dat hebben we overigens zelf ontwikkeld want het was niet te koop.

1997-heden

In 1997 begon het Santos tijdperk. Vanwege mijn jeugdliefde terug gekeerd naar Nederland wilde ik mijn eigen merk fietsen beginnen, en Santos werd de naam. Met de kennis en ervaring van 6 jaar winkel als bagage en de vlinders in mijn buik begon ik aan dit avontuur. En 1998 was het dan zover, mijn eerste Santos verkocht ik ergens in maart. Aan welke winkel weet ik niet meer precies. Wat ik wel weet is dat ik de winkels die het geweest kunnen zijn (het zijn er 4) tot op de dag van vandaag nog klant van Santos zijn.



En nu, 10 jaar verder, is Santos uitgegroeid tot een landelijk bekend merk dat bekend staat om zijn ideeën en kwaliteit. Het merk van de Travelmaster vakantiefietsen, de Marathon Carbon, de legendarische mountainbike SCC 03 (5e op het WK, 4e op het EK, 13e op de Olympische spelen) en de 'beruchte' Santos Bike Patrol politiefietsen.

1990-1996

Mijn winkel tijd in München. In een paar jaar tijd groeien van startende winkel naar dé mountainbike speciaalzaak van zuid Duitsland. Voor mij als jonge winkelier (ik was 21 toen ik begon) een droom die uitkwam. Ruim 6 jaar woonden en werkte ik in deze prachtige omgeving. De Alpen op een uurtje rijden van thuis, lekker weer en dagelijks tussen de mooiste fietsen werken. En als we zin hadden snel in de auto naar het Gardameer voor een weekend écht biken!



De winkel maakte mijn tijd in het buitenland tot een bijzondere periode. Samen met een andere 'buitenlander' runde ik deze mountainbike speciaal zaak. Zomer en winter in korte broek, verkochten wij, een Nederlander en een Portugees, de eerste custombuilt fietsen in de stad. Het zou het begin zijn van wat ik toen nog niet kon weten, het begin van Santos.

1984-1989
In 1984 koop ik, Robbert Rutgrink, mijn eerste mountainbike. Ik ben dan 15 jaar, sinds een paar jaar wielrenner en op zoek naar een geschikte fiets om in de winter mee te trainen. Het wordt mijn eerste mountainbike, een Giant Super Sierra. Met zijn zwart chrome frame en de complete Shimano XT groep erop (toen nog met 3 x 6 = 18 versnellingen) een absolute topfiets! De eerste mountainbike in mijn regio en één van de eerste mountainbikes in Nederland.



De begin periode van het mountainbiken in Nederland heb ik als wedstrijdrijder van dichtbij meegemaakt. Van de Worldcup in Hoeffallize tot de tweedaagse MTB versie van Parijs-Roubaix en de eerste NK's. Ik heb het gereden. De eerste Rock Shox voorvorken en SPD pedalen, ze kwamen op mijn fiets.



Ik weet niet beter dan dat ik nieuwe onderdelen aan het uitproberen was. De Allsop Carbon beam (12cm vering in je 'zadelpen'), dichte achterwielen, de eerste geveerde Proflex frames, hartslagmeters (Polar Sporttester PE300), banden met grip (Onza Porcupine), de eerste experimenten met clickpedalen op de mountainbike (toen ik begon met mountainbiken waren er nog geen SPD pedalen!) en de Suntour rapidfire shifters. Ik wilde alles uitproberen. En nog steeds probeer en test ik alle onderdelen zelf.

For over 12 years Storck has been developing innovative ground breaking and timeless products which have won numerous tests and design awards. This year we have created several new highlights, which continue the proven Storck tradition. Products, which offer the best compromise of longevity, lightweight and strength on- or off-road. Characteristic for Storck: the continuous re-development of existing technologies, the application of the most modern materials available and award winning design. Numerous innovations which are standard features today were developed, patented and introduced by Storck. No other manufacturer takes such intensive care of its products, our designs are never out of date. Our bikes must match the individuality of their owners – this is why you can configure your own personal dream bike and truly experience the fascination of owning a Storck.

The Storck Team.

In our E-Bikes, modern mobility meets high bicycle technology. The sophisticated design of our hybrid bikes is the basis for a new generation of E-Bikes. Whether you use it as a classic pedelec or as an electrical bike*, the power, the low noise level and the cruising range of our Raddar concept will make you feel comfortable. * Kfz-Zulassungspflicht / vehicle registration certificate required

At Van Nicholas the research, design and fabrication process is a continuously evolving process with one aim: to create the best frames possible for their intended application. We believe that the best material for bicycle frame construction is Titanium. So aerospace grade Titanium is the only material we use.
Why TI?
It’s strong, light and completely corrosion proof. It delivers a magical ride: stiff enough for energy transfer without losing power; compliant enough to be comfortable, whatever the distance and speed. The fact that it’s beautiful to look isn’t lost on us either for a fair price. A Van Nicholas bicycle is not made for everyone, it’s made for you. Our range of performance titanium frames are made from seamless tubing and offered in a comprehensive range of sizes as well as a full custom option. With sophisticated, fork, component and wheel set choices, a truly individual bicycle is created for you. This methodology ensures optimum fit, comfort and importantly function and performance of your bicycle.
Family Business
I have been designing frames with this Titanium for eight years. It has become, I freely admit, an obsession. We started out as a family company, and remain one at heart: for example my partner is the Sales and Marketing Director. And my father, a keen cyclist all his life, oversees the hand-building of every bike to each customer’s specifications. Obviously, we also employ people to whom we’re not related by blood. Although the bond is just as strong. That’s because we all share the same passion. A commitment to designing and building the best bikes we possibly can (for the fairest possible price). Allied to providing a service that is second to-none. This potent combination is behind the fact that we guarantee every Van Nicholas frame for life.
Change only if you improve
We constantly seek to evolve. New for 2008, is the Blaze – our first Multi-sport machine - and a refined range of our own parts and clothing. These complement the most current, top-brand Group Sets and components we hold in stock, so you can specify your Van Nicholas exactly how you want. And of course, if you want the ultimate option, we’ll even custom-build one of our frames exactly to your individual dimensions. As founder and Head of Design of the company, I’m proud of the Van Nicholas range, so I am pleased you’re taking a closer look.

Thank you. And don’t hesitate to email me if you have any questions at jw@vannicholas.com
Jan-Willem Sintnicolaas
Founder & Head of Design