... Mangano's was part of the reigning postwar triumvirate of top-tier bike shops in NYC, the other two being Tom Avenia's, the exclusive importer of Frejus/Legnano based in Harlem (originally located on 119th St), and Stuyvesant Bicycle in lower Manhattan (run by Sal Corso), who had always imported Atala.
The Mangano family had various business interests in Bklyn, but I believe it was Benny Mangano that ran the shop... they were also factory agents for Fiorelli.
Joe LaTassa
Hellertown, PA
From: coel canth <coelcanth@gmail.com> Subject: [CR] Mangano Cycle Co. Brooklyn, NY To: "Classic Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Date: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 6:14 PM
has anyone heard of this old Brooklyn shop once located on Avenue U in Gravesend ?? maybe some of you BVVW oldtimers ?
I've just come across my second early 60s Italian lightweight bearing their decal; the first being a ca. 1961 Chiorda, campy Gran Sport/Magistroni, universal mod. 61 brakeset.. da latest find is a ca. 1963 Atala, full campy Record, probably had the same centerpull brakes
some pics here: http://www.flickr.com/
seems like they dealt with some pretty nice stuff pre bike boom, just curious if anyone has a recollection or anecdote, or maybe another bike that passed through their shop. i wonder what other marques they carried ?
andrei padlowski
brooklyn, ny