George, Thanks so much for posting this information. I have felt strongly for some time, that Losa built the Magni frames, in addition to the early Guerciotti frames, and now you have confirmed, at least the first part of my hypothesis. Losa used a lot of little unique shapes as cutouts in the lugs, brazed-on fittings, and the underside of the bottom bracket shell. One obvious example is the use of a tear drop shape, which doesn't seem to show up too often elsewhere. I've seen where one shape might be used as a window in the head lug(s) on one marque's bike, and then as, say a relief cut out from under the b.b. on another marque frame. I suppose this is to keep things a bit fresh, while at the same time, providing a means of knowing which company the frame was built for.
To summarize: George has now provided proof that LOSA built the 1970s (and
probably some 1980s) PEP Magni and Cicli Magni frames. I strongly believe
that Losa also built the early Guerciotti frames (see the silver example at the
CR Guerciotti page), in addition to an Ives labeled frame I have here, John
Waner's Ferrari (Irene Ferrari), and some for other marques too. Matteo
recently sold a bike from Italy labeled Brazzo, and this too matches all the Losa
characteristics, in my opinion. The auction link no longer works, but here
are pics at Matteo's Wool Jersey space. Tell-tale signs abound...
http://www.wooljersey.com/
Thanks again, George!
Ciao, Mark Agree Southfield MI USA ~ ~ ~
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:53:01 +0000 From: <gholl@optonline.net> Subject: [CR] ICS Magni and PEP Magni
In recent days I've received several inquiries about a problem that had vexed me for sometime-what, if any, was the relationship between ICS Magni (ItalCicliSystems of Zurich) and another cycle marque called "PEP Magni". Over the last few years, several framesets labeled "PEP Magni" have been offered both on eBay and privately-some are "On Topic" and others are not. Two are on sale on eBay at the present moment. Among other explanations, some sellers alleged these PEP Magni framesets were made by ICS, others by Fiorenzo Magni, etc. I've finally got an answer to this after a conversation with Mr. Artemio Granzotto, the owner of the former ICS Company. PEP Magni was a bike shop located in Baggio, Italy, and owned by Peppino Magni, the former mechanic of the Italian Professional Team (Fiorenzo Magni, the great "third man of Italian cycling," was a member of this team)-thus the name "PEP" Magni. However, the framesets were made for Peppino Magni during the period 1975-1980 by Giovanni Losa in Vittuone. Losa is a very respected framemaker who produced bikes under his own name and for others including Cinelli. Although Mr. Losa's firm still exists, he suffered a stroke two years ago and, sadly, is no longer active. According to Mr. Granzotto, the "top of the line" PEP Magni" framesets were made with Cinelli lugs. Now, in about 1975 Mr. Granzotto decided to enter the bicycle business and received his first supply of framesets from Peppino Magni. He then decided to retain the name Magni, dropping the "PEP" appellation. The framesets were made to his design by Losa and finished, i.e. chromed and painted in Zurich. As many know, Mr. Granzotto had patented several modifications to Campagnolo derailleurs and chainwheels. ICS was most renowned for their chrome and gold plating of Campagnolo and Cinelli parts-these are highly collectible. The framesets were also available in a variety of chrome, chromovelato, gilt and other elaborate finishes-the "carriage-trade' was the ICS target market. CR has an exellent section on ICS and Dale has placed some very remarkable examples of ICS best bikes in the hands of collectors. George
George Hollenberg MD CT, USA
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