If I remember correctly Lon Haldeman and perhaps his now wife Sue Notarangelo sponsored Excel components made by Rino. I do know for sure Lon did. I know I can dig up adverts from 80's Bicycling mags after my move and unpacking. I do not recall seeing Lon riding them, just his Pacer 2000 computer and Specialized custom bike. I met both Sue and Lon through their matchmaker, a man named Fritz Moericke who persuaded Sue into doing the ultra-marathon riding, and eventually led to her meeting Lon. I worked with Fritz at Paul's Bike Shop in Urbana, Illinois (now closed). This was 1980 or so timeframe. Fritz bought the shop from the eccentric Paul (Mercian retailer also), and to this day I have not been able to locate either. I did get to ride with Sue during her 24 hour record ride, even cautioned by officials to stay further back behind her. She did 401 or so miles in 24 hrs, I did maybe 75 that day. I also rode a century with Lon in the group, and he said goodbye at mile 30 and just took off. I always remember that century when I ride another one. Great memories!
But, as far as the Excel/Rino components, I have never seen a fully equipped Excel bike except in ads. I do not recall the components made by Rino being called anything besides Excel; I could very well be wrong though.
Tony Zanussi
----Original Message Follows---- From: ABB3330002@aol.com To: moos@penn.com, tanoda@d1.dion.ne.jp CC: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [Classicrendezvous] Any GALLI experts/afficiandos on CR list? Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2000 12:11:51 EST
Rino was an Italian company.. I have a beautifully aero seatpost they made in the early 80s. They appeared at the new York bike show in 1980 and were actually giving complete gruppos at their cost to develop a following among afficionados. I guess they didn't succeed. But the components were beautifully polished and designed; can't speak for quality as I only bought the seatpost which was an alternate and equally beautiful as the Dura Ace AX post which had just been released. Alan Bernstein
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