This is a Gamba bicycle. It was made by Galmozzi under contract to a bicycle shop in Milan. Then the question is, it a Galmozzi or a Gamba? It's a Gamba. A hypothetical question, right?
Okay, now you find a bicycle without decals that is a Gamba. You know it is a Gamba because of the pantographed seat post and stem. It is obviously a Gamba, right?
But under the paint of the seat tube is an embossed rooster. The rooster symbol of Galmozzi. Is it still a Gamba or did it suddenly become a Galmozzi?
Let's say, for the sake of discussion, that you are on Ebay one day and come across a Galmozzi headbadge. If you put that headbadge on the bicycle, Francisco Galmozzi himself would say it was a Galmozzi. This should have nothing to do with it, but keep in mind that the Galmozzi is collectible, the Gamba less so.
Is it still a Gamba? Or a Galmozzi? Hypothetically.
Let's say, for the sake of discussion, that you are on Ebay one day and come across a Galmozzi headbadge. If you put that headbadge on the bicycle, Francisco Galmozzi himself would say it was a Galmozzi. This should have nothing to do with it, but keep in mind that the Galmozzi is collectible, the Gamba less so.
Is it still a Gamba? Or a Galmozzi? Hypothetically.
24 comments:
That depends. Is it, hypothetically, around a 56.5 - 57?
I would guess that it's closer to a hypothetical 54 to 55 cm. But I could be wrong.
Its a Galmozzi! The seat post and stem could have been installed at anytime in the last 40 years since it was manufactured. Oops, I lost them. What seat post and stem???
-Tony
I like Tony's answer. And to Jonny it is 55 CtC seat tube. And I bought it (the Maroon one)on EB for cheap from some single speed "BOY" in the Bay Area. One man's ceiling is another man's floor.
Much like the Gelli I saw last weekend. To be sure, I'd really like to see the head tube stamped "Galmozzi". But, assuming it's there as well... to me, a bike is that of the maker. If a Cannondale were logo'd with "Erik's"... it certainly would not be an original Erik, nice a guy as he is. Even though Gamba is Italian and sounds sexier, same story.
The conundrum comes when you decide you'd like to restore it to be a true Galmozzi. At that point, you're starting to lose collectability. But if you're nuts about certain brands, you're doing what you want with it anyway, right? As long as it makes you happy and want to ride... who cares what it is!?! It's beautiful either way!
Is that a powdercoat paint job?
Gunnar:
I do not think it is powder coat, god lets hope not. Obviously not the orig. paint.
Troops any votes on the new color? It has to be either a single paint or a paint w/ white panels.
The '83 Takao Noda cinnamon red with white panels is nice. His 1950 appears to be a similar color.
http://tinyurl.com/ygjnmlf
Agreed. Also, hate to say it, but it will need a Galmozzi head badge! I happen to have recently bough a repro from a guy in Milan... not sure how badly I want to get rid of it though! Actually, I read elsewhere that they changed over to the decal on the head tube around 73 or 74... so, maybe not!
I believe Mr. Gabus already has a Galmozzi head badge.
OK Gunnar... my next obvious question... who/where does this bike reside? Any other info or history? I must've missed out on some background info!
Laguna Beach in the possession of one Jack Gabus, a.k.a. The Echelon Man.
Now that we have all this silly shit out of the way, I vote for keeping it a Gamba, because that what it was originally and the pantographing is first rate.
I'm torn... not sure "Leg Bike Shop" is gonna go down in history!
I dunno. If there was a Rydjor bike, a couple of us would snap them up in a heartbeat. But yes, it's a small pool.
I was wondering if someone was going to get the Latin ethos of Gamba. We have plenty of Legs in So Cali so Galmozzi it will be. I have all the correct parts encluding the Universal 61's Ctr Pulls.
I shall squeal happily all the way down the road. As for the color I vote for a light Silver/Blue met. w/ white panels.
Can some suggest a painter.... let me guess? Kvale?
The "G" on the seatpost will have to stand for that famous Swiss rider and mostly beer drinker GABUS.
Hate to say it guys, but I just stumbled upon another... and it may end up in my stable... check my blog!
Cambio Corsa!!... Oooh Masini you have hit the jackpot. Great Patina and the works.
Belissima!!
Gabus
Shall I take comments over on my site now about which color I should or should not paint this one?
To be honest, it looks like someone wanted it celeste and then someone else wanted to see if it was really a Galmozzi and started to scrape said paint off!
I remember when Jack bought this frame. He was going to restore it and needed decals. I put him in touch with Giorgio (vintagetransfers.it) whom I believe sold Jack his last set of original Gamba decals. I hope you'll keep it a Gamba.
Gridplan:
interesting post. I do have a set of decals one sent to Greg Softley for repro. I have the other set in my stash. Why so inrested in keeping the Gamba linage? And please out youself to Gunnar for me.
Echelon
Well now, that was fun.
I vote on keeping it a Gamba. I met a guy in San Francisco about 15 years ago that had one. He went to the Gamba shop on a trip back to Italy with his Dad when he was a teenager (his Dad was Italian) back in the sixties. His bike was Celeste (aqua green). I really wanted him to sell it to me as he had a lot of bikes and hadn't ridden the Gamba in thirty years but he had too many memories invested in the thing and didn't want to sell it.
Chuck velo-retro.com
From his last email I think Jack is slowly coming around to good thinking.
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