[CR]Re: Fake GIOS -> Miele -> Gardin?

(Example: History)

To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Grant McLean" <grant.mclean@sympatico.ca>
Subject: [CR]Re: Fake GIOS -> Miele -> Gardin?
Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2007 20:39:01 -0400


Hi Patrick,

I'm sure the Miele's, and their dog were very nice people.

I used the term "fiasco" to describe the financial situation during several bankruptcies, and the several million dollars of Ontario government loans that were never repaid.

No doubt some Miele bikes represented great value, maybe that's why they kept going out of business, as they sold product for less than it cost to make it.

There are several other list members here who were in the biz here at the time. Contrary to the "nice people" touchy-feely memories we all have of the time, there are many examples of fraud, deception, and trickery from their history that are maybe best left under the rocks of time...

Grant McLean Toronto, Canada

From: David Patrick <patrick-ajdb(AT)sbcglobal.net> Subject: [CR]Re: Fake GIOS -> Miele -> Gardin?

I think Grant's post helps to paint a somewhat inaccurate picture of Miele. As far as Grant's statement that "my impression is that it was a fiasco" is far-fetched, in my opinion. Both my younger brother and I bought Miele road bikes around 1990, for the reason that they represented very good quality for a very good price. I had gone back to grad school around then and needed something to race on without draining my pocketbook, and a Miele Latina fit the bill perfectly (Columbus SL tubing w/Campy Chorus group, Sikkens paint and full chromed fork. Cinelli bars & stem, Ambrosio rims). My brother had a Miele Lupa, which was named after the Miele's dog. Yes, Guiseppe Ferrara was the designer and oversaw framebuilding, but the Miele family (Jim and his wife Vicky) oversaw th