Hello All, The Cinelli Riviera has always had a mysterious alure to me, ever since I saw a Riviera bottom bracket listed in my well worn 1970 Kitching catalog. What in the world was a Riviera? I knew that it was the third rung of the Cinelli hierarchy. I finally saw it Illustrated in a friends 50s Cinelli catalog. The frame is very unCinelli like, with chrome ornate nervexish headtube lugs, a fancy semi-sloping crown with numerous braze on fittings. Its hard to imagine these features on a low end frame. The long search proved to be highly productive in that I eventually found two frames and one complete bike. The complete bike came from Germany and was original with the exception of a low end 80s Huret rear derailleur and elcheapo pedals. The color combo is both striking and classic- orange with a white headtube and seattube panel. Chrome is found on the lugs, crown, frame and fork ends. The decals used are the typical of the era with a specific Mod. Riviera found on the seattube. Its interesting that Cinelli crest decals of the 50s vintage have a high metalic silver and gold content which makes them so much more attractive than the reproductions that are availible now. The componentry is fairly eclectic with France, Germany and of course Italy being represented. The hubs are 3 piece s.f. Gnutti laced to Altenberger rims. The rear wheel has a 4 speed cluster (14-22). The derailleur group consists of Simplex TdF rear and a rod activated Competition in front, and of course a single Simplex shifter. The Crankset is a Magistroni with Huret chainrings with a very narrow cross-over range, the outter ring is steel and the inner in aluminum. As I had mentioned earlier the pedals were not standard and I replaced them with with Sheffield type. The brakes are econo Altenberger with very interesting anatomical levers and gum hoods. I have never heard of a saddle called a "Club" and no, its not mounted to deter theft. The bar and stem are Schereen and finally the head set is the house brand made for a Riviera. So, whats it like riding this bike? Very strange at first with the very narrow bars and the too short stem. When standing, pedal position felt strange--like it was too far forward. But you know, the body is very adaptive and its not like I was going to be doing the Davis Double on this thing. I soon got into this bike, and I tell you, you have not lived until you have spent time on a bike with Simplex TdF and Competition derailleurs. What great fun! Seriously! The Shifting of the TdF is right on-- I know--all four gears. But shifting was so precise. What I really enjoyed was what has now become the opposite standard of shifting. Forward for low gears and back for high, just like the Nivex on the Singer Tandem. The Competition lever activated front is a real kick to use-- lighten up on the pedal pressure, stick your leg out a bit, reach down and gently shift that lever. This is the essence of vintage cycling! If you are interested in a Riviera, check German ebay and have some of our UK members keep an eye out, as I dont believe that they were brought into the US in any great numbers, if at all. The Riviera is listed in the Cinelli and Kitching catalogs as only availible in 57cm, however there was a ladies (rare) 50cm(?) listed in German ebay recently. The Riveria was also built up as a town bike with name sake handlebar/stem combo, fenders, chainguard,block pedal and mattress saddle--too cool! Dave Martinez Fremont Ca
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