Midweek C&V: Ciocc...

That world's smallest bikeshop, the Velo, located here in Claremont has had so many cool classic and vintage steel rigs lately that I am finding it difficult to keep up. Maybe it is just a matter of not stopping by there. If I don't see it, I can't post it. But then I would feel like I missed out. Anyway, the latest find there is this Ciocc.

the complete picture

Campy drivetrain

Ciocc bikes have taken on cult status in recent years, especially those built within a certain time frame. Do a little research and you will find page after page concerning how to pronounce the name Ciocc, how the idea for the bikes was developed. Giovanni Pelizzoli built his first bikes under the name Ciocc in 1969. According to Classic Rendezvous, Ciocc is the nickname of Pelizzoli which, in the local Italian dialect, means poker faced and is the reason behind the head badge (though not on this particular model) and the company logo. Though Ciocc branded bikes are still being produced, Pelizzoli sold the name in 1980, thus the truly collectible ones date between the eleven years after he first started making them. The master builder creates bikes under his own name now, using classic steel tubing, aluminum, and carbon fiber.

more Campy drivetrain

fork crown pantograph with four-aces logo

Cinelli stem and bars, and along with the

Campy brake levers are a complete Italian cockpit

this one uses the Ciocc name as the head badge - others use the four-aces logo. this is likely a dating clue, but I am not sure which style is older

not sure the vintageness of these particular Kyokuto pedals, but their 

older models are quite collectable