Re: [CR] Chiorda bikes

(Example: Framebuilders:Brian Baylis)

From: <IKersey@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2003 07:49:50 EST
Subject: Re: [CR] Chiorda bikes
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


Per my copy of The Complete Buyer's Guide to Bicycles (1973), Chiorda bicycles were imported to the US by Portofino (don't know if they were NY based). The high end model was the Professional Model 1050, which is listed as $500 retail. It came with Cinelli stem (w/ allen bolt) and bars, Unica palstic saddle, Pneudan Criterium tubular tires, and all Campy components (brakes, crankset, hubs, ders.). Unfortunately the guide only identifies the cranks and hubs as Campy Record, everything else is just "campagnolo."

Lesser models listed are the Gimondi Model 1053, listed at $200 retail with centerpull brakes (unspecified) and Pneudan tubulars; and Models 030/031, listed at $150.

While the guide is maddeningly short of specifics regarding this marque, it does comment that: "Unfortunately, although Chiorda makes an excellent high line racing bicycle, the 'Professional, Model 1050,' the middle price range Chiorda models are tainted by the smell of discount outlets. Chiordas are sold in discount and large department stores, and we feel, very strongly, that if you can get a bicycle in such an outlet, you should never buy that bicycle from a bicycle store. Not that the 'Gimondi' is being sold at discount process, which it is not, but it stands to reason (except in the cases of the very expensive models) the same busy assembly line is putting together the low and middle priced models. The fact that the manufacture is producing quantity in place of quality, usually leads to sloppy assembly on all these models and poor quality control in general."

Hope this helps somewhat,

Ian Kersey
Williamsburg, VA