I was offered a 21-inch, 1970s Rondinella a couple of weeks ago but it's not my cup of tea. However, it seems a good bike and is on offer at a good price-£50 plus shipping.
Here's what HIlary Stone had to say about this marque:
"Rondinella was Vic Edwards, a framebuilder from Romford in Essex. He built under this name and also for Condor too. I have a feeling he also worked for Hetchins as well. The frames I have seen of his were all really rather neat. I think he died in the early 90s. Certainly Rondinella was a 70s and 80s name I visited him about 1985 - he worked on his own."
The seller lives in England and I don't know him at all. However, I said I would offer the bike to the list and anyone who's interested can contact him directly. Here's what he said about it: "I have a Rondinella road bike for sale: 21" frame, Reynolds 531 tubing throughout and very light. I think it dates from the early seventies. I bought it second-hand in the mid-eighties. The paintwork is the original flame orange and I had the front forks re-chromed a few years ago. It is fitted with sprints and tubs and a mixture of Shimano, Mavic and Campag components. I don't ride it any more and need the space in our shed so it's going cheap - I'm looking for about £50
Here is a list of the components:
Reynolds 531 butted frame and forks
ttt handlebar stem
Shimano headset
Weinmann type 500 brakes, CLB levers
Suntour rear mech. (5-speed)
Gipiemme 52t chainring (+ spare Stronglight 48t chainring)
SR Royal seatpost and cranks
Alloy toeclips/pedals
Front wheel: Campagnolo hub/Fiamme sprint rim
Rear wheel: Shimano hub/Mavic sprint rim"
The seller's name is Ian Maunders and his email address is: nimaunders@supanet.com
Good luck,
Bruce
Dundee
Scotland