[CR] VINTAGE RAPHAEL GEMINIANI CAMPAGNOLO BIKE (and French "ride quality")

(Example: Racing:Beryl Burton)

Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:36:50 -0800
From: "Fred Rednor" <fred_rednor@yahoo.com>
To: Dale Brown <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
In-Reply-To: <3A20AEE9-14F6-4F55-9E03-A1BB975DCEB7@earthlink.net>
Subject: [CR] VINTAGE RAPHAEL GEMINIANI CAMPAGNOLO BIKE (and French "ride quality")


> What is the ride like on Raphael Geminiani bikes? Dennis > Stone, owner > of my LBS, Stone's Cyclery, really loved his and > regrets having ever sold it. > > His evaluation piques my curiosity about this ebay offering > (#400018155864) more than just a bit. (I'm off to the > archives next, since this is my third-and-out.)

Jon,

I have not ridden one of these, but I would expect the Ride Quality to be on a par with other bikes made by French contract builders. Which is to say, that it should be excellent. To me, that's one of the great things about French bikes - i.e. even the most inexpensive ones have a nice "ride". Sometimes I would deplore their choice of parts, or their choice of tubing, or the paint work - yet the bikes still rode beautifully.

BTW if I had some spare cash, I'd buy that Geminiani. I've never regretted the money I've spent on mid-priced classic bikes. Let's say one over-spends by $75. If you actually ride the bike after cleaning it up, I guarantee that $75 would be paid back in the form of enjoyment.
       Best regards,
       Fred Rednor - Arlington, Virginia (USA)