The REGISTER OF EROICA BICYCLES aims to collect images, news and data with the intention of creating a catalogue of Racing, Travel, City, Sport, Cyclocross and Folding bicycles.

ART. 1 GENERAL INFORMATION

To be eligible for the Register of Eroica Bicycles, all bicycles must have been built before 1987 and have reached the present day in an appreciable state of conservation or recovery through restoration.

By Eroica Bicycles (or Vintage Bicycles), we mean all road bikes built up to 1987, with or without gears, such as those built in the late 19 th or early 20 th century. These bicycles generally have a steel frame, but rare aluminum frames are accepted. The year 1987 is used as the cut-off point as this is when pedals with traditional toe clips were replaced by modern quick release pedals (although some cyclists, such as the French rider Hinault, had already been using the modern pedals for some years).

Regarding components, bicycles should adhere to the following general guidelines:

1. More recent bikes with gears and derailleurs must have shift levers on the down tube of the frame (exceptions include pre-1980 non indexed bar-end gear shifters);
2. Pedals may have toe clips and straps or original pedals for older bikes; quick release, clip-less pedals are not allowed;
3. Brake cables must pass outside and over the handlebars (cables can pass inside the frame);
4. Older bicycles with gears must have the original gears;
5. Wheels must have at least 32 spokes laced to a low profile rim (20 mm depth or less); rims must be of either steel, aluminium or wood;
6. Both tubular tyres and clinchers with inner tubes are allowed;
7. We invite participants to fit saddles from the same period as the bicycles, so a model from 1987 or earlier; alternatively we suggest fitting a vintage model of modern production. Carbon saddles are not permitted;
8. Change of the gear ratios is allowed;
9. There are no restrictions regarding the type of brakes, as long as they are in keeping with the period of construction of the bicycle and they are safe.

Obviously, early 20 th century bicycles without gears do not need to comply with the above criteria aslong as they have their original components.

ART. 2 EROICA BICYCLE REGISTER

The REGISTER consists of numbered cards containing indications such as brand, model, year of construction, colour, frame height, possible serial number and origin, if known. Details concerning the components are also included, such as: gears, brakes, handlebars, saddle etc., as well as any notes of interest when cataloguing the vehicle.

The card includes a photo indicating whether the bicycle is Restored or Preserved and, in this case, the state of conservation (excellent, good, sufficient).

Further photographs of relevant details may be taken.

ART. 3 RACING BICYCLE

By racing bicycles, we mean all touring, competitive, amateur or professional bicycles, for use on the road or track. Bicycle characteristics, divided into eras, are indicated below.

Art. 3.1 Racing Bicycle Early 1900s – late 1920s

Pre-1920s

The pre-1920s bicycle has the following characteristics:

• Steel frame
• Iron or wooden rims
• Single gear
• Spoon brakes
• Tyres with inner tube

Post-1920s

The post-1920s Bicycle has the following characteristics:

• Steel frame
• Iron rims
• Flip-flop hubs (freewheels on both sides)
• Bowden brakes
• Tyres with inner tube (tubulars since the 1930s)

Art 3.2 Racing bicycles 1930s – 1940s

The 1930s and ’40s racing bicycle has the following characteristics:

• Steel frame
• Low grip or steel racing handlebars
• Leather saddle
• Wood, steel or aluminium rims
• Tubulars or tyres with inner tubes
• Quick release hubs
• Aluminum mudguards, 3 sections
• Flip-flop hubs with a fixed sprocket on one side of the hub and a max 3-speed freewheel on the other; or Vittoria, Simplex (all models), Champion, Cervino, Campionissimo gear set, slat shifting system (Campagnolo Corsa shifting system, with front derailleur with lever control and double front chain-ring)
• Up to 4-speed freewheel
• Pedals with steel toe clips and leather straps
• Aluminum bottles

Art 3.3 Racing bicycles from the 1950s

The 1950s racing bicycle has the following characteristics:

• Frame mainly in steel
• Racing handlebars, mainly in steel
• Aluminum wheel rims
• Wired rear derailleur (Simplex, Campagnolo, Paris-Roubaix, Gran Sport and Record various versions), with front and rear derailleur levers on the down tube or at the end of the handlebars
• Leather saddle
• 2-chainring crank
• 5-speed freewheel
• Pedals with steel toe clips and leather straps
• Aluminum or plastic bottles

Art. 3.4 Racing bicycles from the 1960s

The 1960s racing bicycle has the following characteristics:

• Steel frame
• Racing handlebars, mainly in aluminium
• Wheels with aluminum rims and tubular
• Gears: Campagnolo Record, Simplex Tour de France; later (since 1967) Nuovo Record in aluminium, with levers on the down tube or at the end of the handlebars. Shifters, cablestop and front derailleur fixed by a band
• 2-chainring crank
• Saddle in leather or plastic
• 5-speed freewheel
• Pedals with steel toe clips and leather straps
• Plastic bottles

Art. 3.5 Racing bicycles from the 1970s – late 1980s

The 1970s/late 1980s racing bicycle has the following characteristics:

• Steel or aluminum frame (Alan Vitus)
• Aluminum racing handlebars
• Wired derailleur and shifting system: (Campagnolo Nuovo Record/Super Record, C Record, Gipiemme, Galli, Shimano, Zeus and others); Shifters, cable guides, cable stop and front derailleur welded to the frame
• Components in aluminum alloy, titanium or plastic resin (Ofmega, Simplex)
• 6/7 speed freewheel in metal and/or light alloy
• Saddle in plastic materials with leather coverings
• Pedals with steel or aluminum toe clips and leather straps
• Wheels with tubular or clincher tyres and aluminum rims
• Plastic bottles also with aerodynamic shapes

ART. 4 TRAVEL OR CITY BICYCLE

The term “Travel or city bicycle” refers to bicycles used for short journeys in the city or for short distances.

Art. 4.1 Travel or city bicycle from the 1930s – 1940s

The 1930s/40s travel or city bicycle has the following characteristics:

• Steel frame
• High grip handlebars, also in aluminium
• Wired and/or rod or coaster brakes
• One speed
• Mudguards and chain carter
• Wide leather saddle (with or without springs)
• Wheels with tyres and inner tubes
• Wood, steel or aluminum rims with 26” and 28” diameters

Art. 4.2 Travel or City bicycles 1950s / ‘60s / ‘70s / ‘80s

The 1950s/’60s/’70s/’80s travel or city bicycle has the following characteristics:

• Steel frame
• High grip steel or aluminum handlebars
• Wired and/or rod or coaster brakes
• One speed
• Mudguards and chain carter
• Saddle in leather or plastic materials (with or without springs)
• Tyres with inner tubes
• Inner tube
• Steel or aluminum rims with 26” and 28” diameter

ART. 5 SPORTS’ BICYCLE

Sports’ bicycles are bicycles used for travel in the city, for short or longer trips. Multi-speed gearbox.

Art. 5.1 Sports bicycles from the 1930s/’40s/’50s

Sports’ Bicycles from the 1930s/’40s/’50s have the following characteristics:

• Steel frame
• High grip handlebar
• Up to 3-speed shifting system
• Shifter on down or horizontal tube or dropout
• Tyres with a narrower section
• Steel and aluminum wheels
• In some racing bicycles, a more chiselled saddle
• Mudguards and chain carter
• Front and rear light system with dynamo
• Reflectors on the pedals

Art. 5.2 Sports Bicycles from the 1960s/’70s/’80s

Sports’ Bicycles from the 1960s/’70s/’80s have the following characteristics:

• Steel frame
• Narrow steel and aluminum handlebars
• Shifting system up to 6 speeds
• Double front sprocket, wire controls
• Tyres with an even narrower section
• Steel and/or aluminum wheels
• A more chiselled saddle in various materials, in some racing bicycles
• Fender and chain guards
• Front and rear light system with dynamo
• Reflectors on the pedals

ART. 6 FOLDING BICYCLE

Bicycles whose main feature is the presence of a central joint or device that allows the closure of the steel frame on itself, reducing its length. Suitable for easy transport by in car and/or other vehicles (coaches, trains). Other features are:

• One speed
• Dynamo lighting system, compliant with the Rules of the Road
• Wheel sizes from 16” to 24”

ART. 7 STATE OF CONSERVATION OR RESTORATION

The originality and restoration of the bicycle is evaluated by a Panel of Experts and they will identify the state of conservation or restoration as:

A. SUFFICIENT: Bicycle preserved or restored in an approximate manner, with non-contemporaneous components;

B. GOOD: Bicycle preserved or restored with original or reproduced components, but contemporary with the bicycle;

C. EXCELLENT: Bicycle preserved with original components or impeccably restored, with original, not reproduced, components;

D. NOT SUITABLE: Bicycle that does not have the characteristics listed in article 1 and following or that are not suitable for travel on the road. If it is not suitable, the bicycle can be restored and subsequently included in the catalogue on request.

ART. 8 EXTRAORDINARY ANNOTATIONS

The components of the bicycle will be identified as special or extraordinary only if original, authentic and judged as such by the Panel of Experts.

ART. 9 PANEL OF EXPERTS

The Panel of Experts is composed of experts, who will evaluate the bicycle, also relying on the data provided by the owner.

The correspondence of the data declared with the actual state of the bicycle is verified by a Panel of Experts, which reserves the right to contest the data provided by the owner relying on the experience and specific knowledge of its members.

ART. 10 ENTRY IN THE REGISTER

The request for registration of your bicycle must take place through two basic steps:

• registration
• presentation of the bicycle at events for technical checks

ART.10.1 REGISTRATION

Registration takes place through the following steps:

- Filling the Technical Data Sheet of the bicycle (form available at the following LINK)

- Payment of the registration fee via the payment platform available, for the L'Eroica di Gaiole in Chianti, at the following links:

• THURSDAY (LINK)
• FRIDAY and SATURDAY (LINK)

- Sending the following documents and information to the registry mail box ([email protected]c):

• Receipt of payment of the registration fee
• Technical Data Sheet
• Indication of the event (Eroica Montalcino / Eroica Gaiole) in which you intend to present the bike for technical verification

ART.10.2 PRESENTATION

Once registered, the applicant must present himself with the bicycle at the chosen event.

The planned events are the following:

• L'Eroica di Gaiole in Chianti, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday
• Eroica Montalcino, on Fridays and Saturdays.

ART. 11 REGISTRATION FEE

Registration in the register involves a single payment of €30.

An administration fee of €15 must be paid to modify the information on the Register.

ART. 12 BICYCLE BOOKLET AND CERTIFICATE

Following recognition of the validity of the data provided, each EROICA BIKE is issued with a certificate and an aluminum plate, bearing the registration number, to be punched onto the bicycle frame.

ART. 13 TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP

Any change of ownership must be communicated by sending an email to the register box ([email protected]). If expressly requested, the new registration certificate will be sent with the modification of the data relating to the property, subject to the payment of an administrative fee of 15 euros.