Raoul, et al, Gian Robert was an Italian manufacturing company, located in Padova. I have at least 3 different Torpado bicycles equipped with Gian Robert gears, originating from a span of nearly 30 years. Padova was also home to Torpado, which might explain the relationship between the companies. By far the nicest Gian Robert (G.R.) gears I have seen are on what is approximately believed to be a 1959 Torpado that I got from Dan Rivers in Toronto. It has a beautiful smooth bolt rear derailleur with red inlay in the logo, pressed in the chromed face plate. It's accompanied by a single side, clamp on d/t shifter that is similar in shape to the Campy lever of the time, but the logo raised from the face simply says "Gian Robert", in a different script than newer versions. Interestingly, the clamp band logo is located on the opposite side, where the other lever would have been. The front mechanism is a Simplex model "Competition" which is "operated by pressure to the actuating arm" (p.26, 1961 Cyclo-Pedia, Edition 4). In other words, it is one of those cool rod operated "suicide" front derailleurs. I have yet to go through the bike and rework it for operation, so I cannot tell about the function of the gears. Charlie Young sold me a Torpado Falco, junior racer model that is equipped with a G.R. Campione rear, and again a single shifter, for a 3 speed cluster. This der. is much less refined looking, even less so that the one in the 3 pc. set currently ending on Ebay. The shift lever now looks nearly identical to the Campy lever, but with the name and city changed. It is very difficult to determine the year of this bike, as it has conflicting "era" features. I suspect it is mid to late 1970s to very early 1980s. I have not ridden this one yet either :) Then there is a Torpado ladies comfort bike, model Europa Donna, with generator light, pink fenders, and a horn. Same Campione rear gear and shifter, but with a slightly nicer lever finishing attachment. This bike dates to about 1985-87 or so ... the last years of Torpado. In addition to the bikes, I have a front der. and double shifter set that looks like late 1960s or so. Not too pretty, I might add. I read on the list some time ago that the durability of 1970s G.R. gears was poor. Didn't one of you guys used to work in a shop and throw the brand new rears around to see how easily they broke in two? It was someone on this list, or the BOB list ... don't remember which. The rear mech. of original subject (whose auction ends in just minutes) looks like none of the ones I have, but it looks kinda nice!
That's my addition ... as usual, PICs are happily supplied upon request.
Ciao, Mark Agree Southfield MI
------------------------------------------------------------
In a message dated 3/30/2004 3:01:06 PM Eastern Standard Time,
classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org writes:
> Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 08:20:56 -0800
> From: "Chris Ioakimedes" <chriseye@comcast.net>
> To: "'C.R. List'" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Subject: RE: Gian-Robert Gear, All Metal , N.O.S. , eBay , 8 hours remain
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> In-Reply-To: <000001c4166d$198e0280$e64efea9@oemcomputer>
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>
> Hola,
> If you check his other auctions, he has a derailleur set with shifters
> and front derailleur. I have a Mondial with Gian Robert components, I
> will post some pictures of it soon.
> chris ioakimedes
> Fairfax California
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org
> [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Raoul
> Delmare
> Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 6:35 AM
> To: C.R. List; Bruce C.
> Subject: [CR]Gian-Robert Gear , All Metal , N.O.S. , eBay , 8 hours
> remain
>
> Here is an auction with no real takers yet .
>
> http://ebay.com/
>
> The item is a Gian Robert rear derailleur .
>
> Picking up the nearest "Ron Kitching's Handbook / Everything Cycling" ,
> I see Gian Robert is listed up towards the front , on page 25 . By
> the way , this is the early 1970's edition ( thanks Hilary! ) .
> Although there are no apparent copyright dates , there are time-lines
> on the first few pages . The most recent entry on those time-lines ,
> in this edition , is 1970 . I'm sure this edition was printed
> without changes for more than one year . So I'd just call this one
> the early-1970's edition .
>
> Here's what Ron Kitching had to say :
>
>
> " Since their introduction by RON KITCHING, GIAN ROBERT GEARS have
> gone from strength to strength. Now used by top amateurs and
> Professionals in all aspects of cycle sport, this derailleur gearing is
> different and better. Look for these special features: "
>
> " REAR GEARS
> * Improved wrap-round giving a much quicker change with less movement
> required on the control lever.
> * Popular deformable parallelogram design. Smaller and neater than
> other makes.
> * Unobtrusive spring loaded adjustment screws allowing a full range
> of variation of speeds and sprocket sizes.
> * New improved design.
> * Powerful return springs.
> * Ultra light weight but very strong. "
>
> " CAMPION MODEL. Super all chrome gear with nylon rollers, pivot
> bolts adjusted by Allen Key. Lever is also in chrome with the exception
> of the Banjo which is highly polished alloy. Range 13 to 32 teeth.
> Weight 12 1/4 ozs. complete ( 347 gms. ) . "
>
> " DELRYN MODEL. New re-design Delryn-steel gear. The parallelogram is
> made of black delryn tested to ensure only the hardest maltreatment will
> break it. The nylon rollers are fitted between chrome plated guides. A
> gear with good looks and designed for long life. Weight 10 1/4 ozs.
> complete ( 291 gms. ) . "
>
>
> And so !
>
> Here is a Campion model for sale , brand new , never used .
>
> I know Gian Robert rear gears have been mentioned on the C. R. List
> in the past .
>
>
> Here are my questions :
>
>
> 1.) Do we know exactly when they were made ? First year ? Final year
> ?
>
> 2.) Were they ever really used to win any big races ? Tours ?
> Classics ?
>
> 3.) I know we have rabid enthusiasts of the components from Campagnolo
> , and from Simplex , and from Zeus , here on this list . Do we
> have any serious fans of Gian Robert ?
>
> 4.) Were these components from Gian Robert made in Italia ? In France
> perhaps ?
>
> 5.) Were these ever stock equipment on any famous makers ? Is there
> some obscure model of genuine "Milremo" bicycle which came with these
> as standard equipment ?
>
> 6.) And , did they ever make any FRONTS , to go with the rears ?
>
>
> http://ebay.com/
>
>
> Thanks in advance ! I really have been wondering about these , ever
> since I saw one or two in person , sometime around 1978 .
>
>
> Raoul Delmare
> Marysville Kansas