I have received the following offlist regarding the clover leaf/clubs. It's a slightly different version; but also makes no mention of the Dancelli family crest:
The account (by Sergio Meda) varies a bit from Ernesto's words, published in his autobiography "Colnago, The Bicycle" 2007 by Pier Augusto Stogi. Here is his account:
from page 88:
(Referring to Dancelli's victory at Milan - San Remo, 1970. The first by an Italian in 17 years)
Colnago: "The ace of spades had arrived. "Why the Ace of Spades"?. The idea came from Bruno Raschi, who wrote that Dancelli had won on a bicycle that was in bloom. That evening (1970) I met him in a restaurant in Laigueglia and the great journalist asked me: "Ernesto, why don't you make a symbol of the victory"? I liked the idea right away. San Remo, city of flowers, and Reschi had written that the bicycle was in bloom, and I was hoping in my heart that I would become the an ace in the world of bicycles. As soon as I got home, I made a new logo - the Ace of Spades. Today that logo is recognized all over the world"
The writer that provided that to me added: The english version of the book uses the word "spades" although I believe that it was a translation error.
Angel Garcia Long Valley, NJ
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Angel Garcia <veronaman@gmail.com> Date: Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 5:33 PM Subject: [CR]Dancelli Bicycle Frame & Colnago To: CLASSIC RENDEZVOUS <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
I would like to point out that the story of how the Colnago "clover leaf" came to be is described differently in the book COLNAGO by Sergio Meda.This book was published in 1986 limited numbers and was not for sale (Ernesto was gracious enough to sign mine last year in Milan).
"For the present trademark, the ace of clubs, we must wait till 1970 when Michele Dancelli won the Milan-Sanremo on a Colnago, ending a 17 year famine that had lasted until Loretto Petrucci's double. The ace of clubs (trans: known as the ace of flowers in Italian) was an idea that came to Colnago, a man easily moved, by momentous occasions, the next day while reading the Gazzetta dello Sport. Bruno Raschi had produced one of his usual imaginative pieces, simple but effective. It revolved around Sanremo "city of flowers", and the picture of a cavalcade through two continuous streams of people packed together to cheer the long awaited Italian victory. Raschi wrote of a bicycle in full bloom surmounted by Dancelli, effortless, light as a feather. So Colnago created the flower with just a C in the centre, the one that still appears today...."
Angel Garcia Long Valley, NJ p.s. I wonder if that Petrucci that has shown up on ebay from time to time is named after Loretto Petrucci ?
Jerry,
I don't know too much, but I do have some slight experience with the newer Dancelli frames. I had occasion to ride a newer one, made out of Columbus MAX tubing, and it was a delightful ride. So delightful, in fact, that I recently purcased it from the fellow that lent it to me. He bought the frame while abroad in Germany, and if fairly knowledgable about the pedigree. Here's what he thinks about the Dancelli frames:
=== "The Dancelli bikes are named for Michelli Dancelli a Professional racer from the late '60's and early '70's. He rode for the Salvarini and Molteni teams. At Molteni he was a road Captain for Eddy Merckx.His most famous win was the Milan-San Remo while at Molteni. At the time the team was riding bikes made by Colnago.
The Dancelli family crest had a clover leaf on it, before Dancelli's win in the Milan-San Remo Colnago did not have a "brand", in honour of Dancelli's win at San Remo Ernesto Colnago adopted the clover leaf to represent Colnago and that is still used to this day.
The Dancelli brand, was like many bikes in Europe - a name attached to frames made under contract in one of the big frame shops. Dancelli frames were made by both Colnago and Merckx at various points. I think this particular frame was made by Colnago rather than MErckx and I base that on the seat stays which are different than anything Merckx ever did, but not different than what was done by Colnago over the years.
Dancelli frames, to the best of my knowledge were never imported to any country outside of continental Europe." ===
That's all I know. there are a couple of Dancelli frames up on eBay right now, and I can send you pics of my new aquisition if you like.
John Damiano San Ramon CA USA
I have been looking at several pictures of Dancelli frames from the 80's
> . They appear to be good quality Italian frames with good attention to d
> etail and finish. I believe many were sold into Germany & Austria. If an
> yone is familiar with this frame, I would like to get some background in
> formation on them regarding quality, quantity, when first produced and w
> ho actually made them. I believe they may still be making bikes today. T
> hanks for the help!
> Jerry Jeter
> Wildwood, MO
> USA