1. May 2022

Alois Imholz, 1936-80s, Eroica Setup

In 2019 I participated for the first time in the legendary Eroica Gaiole. After much deliberation, I decided to prepare the Alois Imholz race bike for this race. To take into account the long distance, Piste Bianche, the hilly landscape and my strength, I adapted the gear ratio and the wheels to the conditions. More about this with a click on the photograph.

1. January 2021

Jacques Mercet Course 1968

As a fan of Jacques Mercet's work, I am pleased to present this early example of his work from 1968. The owner(s) have valued it and replaced components with upgrades. Thus, the Campagnolo Nuovo Record change, Shimano Dura Ace brakes and grips, FT Bologna wheel hubs, and Super Champion Record du Monde rims were gradually added during Mercet's lifetime. It fell to me to carry on this tradition and install NOS Shimano brake handle rubbers, a NOS Benotto Celotape handlebar tape, NOS Christophe pedal straps in matching color and re-glue a set of new collés.

A click on the photograph directs to the image gallery and additional info.

10. October 2020

Mazza Service Course 1980s

The Mazza brand originates from Les Acacias, a suburb of Geneva. First Mazza racing bikes known to me were sold in the late 1970s. From the mid-1980s, Mazza frames were known for fancy color combinations with fluorescent colors and stencil work. A rarity on this frame is the Columbus Multishape tube and muff set, which was only available for a few years starting around 1987. A few renowned Italian frame builders like Boschetti, Tommasini, Somec, Cinelli built frames with MS. I don't know of any Swiss frame builders who used the Columbus MS tube set.

Ein Klick auf die Fotografie leitet zur Bildergalerie und zusätzlichen Infos.

3. October 2020

Masi Special 1968 upgrade Campagnolo No Logo brakes

Suddenly the opportunity arose to acquire a pair of very well preserved Campagnolo No Logo calipers for the Masi Special from 1968. Campagnolo's first brakes from 1968 were produced only 1 year in this design. Already in 1969 the calipers were labeled Campagnolo Brev. Inter. labeled. The cylindrical center brake bolt stop was provided from the same year with a chamfer. This served to ensure the distance to the lower control bearing shell. Accordingly, these 1st generation calipers have become a treasure. Found on Rennvelo.com

1. August 2020

Cycles Routens Cyclosportif 1980

A highlight of French frame building art by Jean Paul Routens from 1980. He is the son of the weiltberühmten Jo Routens from Grenoble. Jean Paul took over the atelier in December 1975, and his father continued to be there. The frame has all the insignia of Jo Routens -- few details were modified by Jean Paul such as the saddle clamp or the dropouts of Shiman Dura Ace. Jean Paul's comment on the bike: "super achat". A click on the photograph leads to the image gallery and additional info.

30. June 2020

Jacques Mercet Course 1985

As an intermezzo of the new photo series the latest curated racing bike. A fillet brazed racing bike from Swiss production, built exclusively to customer orders. The cable routing with minimal cable sleeves and how these merge into the frame is something of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Enjoy the photo series.

17. June 2020

Alex Moulton APB Nexus7 1997

Third presented bike from the new photo series is the newtimer Alex Moulton APB Nexus7 in black. A design object and individual means of transport in one for designers, architects, photographers, fashion designers and others. With great certainty it was delivered by the legendary Velolaboratorium of Andreas Nägeli at Schmelzbergstrasse in Zurich. 

31. May 2020

Jacques Mercet Course 1974

As the second bike from the new photo series, a rare racing bike from the frame builder Jacques Mercet from Renens near Lausanne is presented with pictures and text. Image is linked.

24. May 2020

Presentation of newly acquired bicycles

After a long break I photographed 7 more bikes. The living room became a photo studio and the nice weather of the last week provided a good light situation for daylight shots. The first racing bike portrayed is the C4 Class. More pictures will follow in the near future.

22. May 2020

Cosmos Bell end

Everything has its time. Search, find, research, revise, ride, enjoy, maintain, pass on. As a remarkable conclusion to my time with the Cosmos touring sport bike a short video.

According to research, the bell dates from the later 1920s, when chrome plating replaced nickel plating as the metal finish. It was manufactured by the company Metallwerke Otto Scharlach Nuremberg, which was founded as early as 1898. The sounding body is made of brass or bronze, as in the case of large bells, and gives them long-lasting sound. To the new owner harmony and much joy.

15. April 2020

Tombola Winner Concoursvelo 2020

Afternoon at the Concoursvelo. I was shortly in front of the issuance point of the Velo-ID, there my view fell on this scene. A well-dressed man was contemplating what was going on in the "Maurer" hall. Visitors lingered along the lined-up two-wheelers and their eyes did not seem to get enough of them. Now this was not really a peculiarity of a beauty contest, to linger on a chair and enjoy the beauty. But the red color of the bucket seat was not the only thing that made it special. What did it say in white letters? "I'm available in 100,000 different variations". Was the proclamation that of the chair? Or was it for human diversity?

I was amused by this ambiguity and had to document this. The picture was successful in my eyes and so I sent it in for participation in the photo contest at Concoursvelo. After a month and undecided things, finally the lot fell on my photography. This pleased me even more than if the jury had chosen it. The result was "Tombola Winner", because it was a decision by lot and a prize in kind, as is so common in tombolas. Not quite, because this prize was much more than a pack of spaghetti.

Soon thereafter, a package was hidden behind the milk crate door, the contents of which seemed to come from a time when Mr. Colnago gave the Pope a gold-plated racing bicycle.

29. March 2020

Velo-ID for bike lovers

As a joint project, Stefan Schäfter from speedbicycles.ch and André Schwyn from k-i-n-g.ch developed the Velo-ID a few months ago. We realized that there is the FIVA ID for historic motorcycles and automobiles, but bicycles were not considered. The VID leans visually on the Swiss vehicle ID cards, which probably everyone in Switzerland knows. A plus of the VID is the condition grade for the vehicle, which can give a selling point for a reasonable selling price of a bike in very good condition.

What better opportunity than the beauty contest for bicycles, i.e. CONCOURSVELO, could there have been to introduce this innovation to a wider velo enthusiastic crowd. Especially since the badge was offered free of charge by the developers at the show. At this point we would like to thank the photographer Njazi Nivokazi for the pictures, which we could use in the document.

All bikes were evaluated in the morning. The grade 1 is practically impossible. Top marks of 1.5, in a scale of 5 with 0.25 gradations, were given to those bikes that were new and original and showed no signs of wear. For very old bicycles, which were appropriately used and plagued by rust, there were condition grades above 3.

The evaluation of the ID cards issued was revealing. Of 60 participants, 25 took a VID (41.6%). Broken down by category, a surprising winner emerges. The biggest bike lovers are the owners of Touring/Randonneur bikes. Who would have predicted that?

26. March 2020

Concoursvelo 2020 Maurerhalle Basel, Switzerland

"Just in time" the Concoursvelo 2020 took place on March 8 already under difficult conditions. In the imposing concrete and glass architecture with impressive room height, owners gradually arrived with their exhibits. The busy organizer with black top hat Stefan Schäfter skillfully managed everything (like Chuck Norris). Under the expert guidance of Gilbert Voirol, the bikes were soon lined up. Njazi Nivokazi documented man-machine-number, man-machine and machine professionally photographically.

Soon the various jury groups swarmed out and examined the bikes in search of specimens worthy of crowning. Doris Moser was in charge of the salty and sweet treats, the fat 380V plug of the professional expresso station had to sit out undone. A spontaneous action of a helper brought a home coffee machine and solved the coffee problem.

I was on my way with evaluation slips for the Velo-ID action to be ready for the badge issue from 12 o'clock. After short technical hurdles, the instant printer then spit out its contribution to the ID card. Special thanks to Michi Buchegger, who spontaneously helped with the production of the badges. Every third participant redeemed the voucher and received a free Velo-ID offered by Speedbicycles and "kick into next gear".

The show was fully booked up to the maximum admitted visitors. The large number of exquisite bikes provided plenty to talk about, collectors and afficonados exchanged lively exchanges. The live performance offered acoustic indulgence to the "visual overdose" of colors and shapes. After 3 pm, the awarding of the best bikes by category took place and many awards were given. The winner of the show was a Jo Rountens Randonneur in outstanding original condition. When towards the end of the show sitting on dry land had become too violent, Scampi Cilcli took pity and donated some cartons of beer. A big thank you to organizers, the many helpers, artists and participants for this unique event, which brought collectors from Holland up to Berlin to Basel.

Registration for CV21 is launched (see concoursvelo.ch) and I sincerely hope that everyone stays healthy.

10. März 2020

Magazine for mens culture "The Heritage Post", No. 33

The latest issue of the men's culture magazine "The Heritage Post", No. 33 has the special topic Japan. Shortly before going to press, I received a request to use 4 pictures of the Koga Miyata Full Pro from my website for an article about classic Japanese racing bikes. I eagerly awaited the copy. When a thick cardboard envelope was in the mailbox and I opened it, I was amazed at the size of the thick magazine. Besides the article "On a Fuji around Fuji" there are many contents worth reading; I was particularly taken by the two reports on Japanese dogs.

6. March 2020

Corona pantografata

For years I have always been looking for a pantographed chainring for my Colnago Super and found no suitable offer. A virtually new chainring from the 1970s made before Christmas a trip to Italy in a workshop, which had already then engraved the chainrings of Colnago. After some manual work with saw, file and hand cutter, the 5 bars were gone. It would have been better to do the inlay work with black and yellow enamel paint only afterwards. In the end, the Colnago Super was crowned with a new chainring (ital. corona) even before the virus of the same name has put the world in mischief.

6. March 2020

2019 Bike ride bib numbers

The start of the bike rides was the "Winti Style Ride" with the revised emerald green Mercet with Adidas of the same color. From rather cool weather, the weather from Winterthur towards Neftenbach was better and better and in a cheerful mood, the apero in the spacious garden was wired by sunshine. Even the return trip to Zurich was blessed with mild weather. Once again a very successful trip.

With the blue Rauler Arabesco the Blue Style Ride in Zurich was in style. The tour through Zurich with new sections along the Limmat and delicious stops at the Viaduct and the Feldblumen break area in Altstetten was varied and enjoyable. The fact that in the end the dress code, which has been popular for years, once again skimmed the prizes was probably due to the watchmaker.

The 3rd Bergkönig event in Gstaad was our highlight of the event on Saturday during the judging. Sunday was so rainy that the starting number was brought home unharmed and in the dry. May the 2020 edition again be blessed with the most beautiful weather as at the premiere.

The most beautiful picture book weather sweetened the exertions at this year's Erioca in Gaiole di Chianti. I participated for the first time in an Eroica race and was amazed at the countless Italian bike brands that I had never heard of or seen. After training rides to the Castello and Saturday to Siena, the 106 km course was on the program on Sunday. I was overjoyed to have made it down all the sometimes dangerous descents in one piece and to arrive at the finish in good shape. Swiss participants often outed themselves on the route with having recognized my Imholz racing bike as a local brand.

8. April 2019

2nd place most beautiful offroad bike Audi Quattro Pikes Peak

With a shivery bike ride to the meeting point, a short espresso "ex and hop", quickly mounted the bikes on the roof rack and already started on the passenger seat of the Scampi Cicli Team Mercedes the ride towards Basel. In a good mood we whizzed through the Bötzberg and with a small loop we reached the Mecca of the most beautiful bikes, so to speak, concoursvelo 2019 in Lausen on Sunday, March 31, 2019. I was set as a specialist juror for the best vintage bike, but on the car roof thonte an Audi Quattro with 2 wheels. To my surprise and delight, this was honored by the expert jury offroad with the 2nd final rank and a certificate. A thoroughly successful event - and for those who are interested, the 3rd edition of concoursvelo on a Sunday in March 2020 is highly recommended. Info at concoursvelo.ch

8. Juli 2018

P. Del Po in front of building Militärstrasse 81

With the firm intention not to buy anything, I put a few more banknotes in the wallet before closing the apartment door. I went late on purpose to the bike fleemarket as that should protect me from good offers and temptations to buy. I was barely 5 minutes on the market, skimmed the bikes lined up in rows. Suddenly, my gaze lingered on something red. A quick visual check and all good intentions were powerless. I became the proud owner of this red P. Del Po. The installation of white Jagwire cable sleeves was not objectionable in terms of functionality, nor was the inexpensive leatherette saddle and black tires with reflector stripes, but red Weinmann brake cable sleeves in the original bag, a Brooks B15 from the 50s, new red Weinmann brake pads and a set of tires with brown sidewall made a pearl out of the already very well-kept bike. Photographed yesterday in front of the store where it was sold 60 years ago. Today's young store tenants were quite taken with the fact that this trouvaille came from this very store at Militärstrasse 81 in Zurich 4.

15. February 2018

Short visit at Rauler in Reggio Emilia, Italy

Paolo picked me up at the train station and we roared across town in his white SUV to Reglus Gozzi's workshop. He had stayed the afternoon especially, at our request, to receive us. Paolo and Reglus knew each other well and chatted while my eyes caught exciting glimpses of episodes in the making of Arabesco frames. Then Reglus pointed to the box with a few unprocessed sockets. Despite searching, he had not found a supplier in Italy. So probably not many new Rauler Arabesco will be built. Lucky who still orders one in time. The two ready to ship frames in red and yellow were super nice. Soon we roared away again, stopped in front of the breathtaking white station Reggio Emilia AV (Alta Veloce) of the star architect Calatrava and I thundered away shortly thereafter with 295 km/h direction Milano.

29. January 2018

First mountainbike gallery at kickintonextgear

Audi Quattro Pikes Peak edition of a Marin Team Titanium 1989

To become part of a racing bike collection a MTB must be an outstanding model and very particular. I guess this rare example, one from the first ever produced series of a MTB with a titanium frame meets the requirements with ease. It was commissioned by Quattro GmbH to honor the great victory of Walter Röhrl winning the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in the Rocky Mountains in 1987. The titanium frame was produced by Litespeed, USA and the bike was built up by Marin Bikes, California, USA. Limited Editon of 150. This one is 0018. Click on image to see the gallery.

29. January 2018

Looking forward to the "Bergkönig" jury 2018 at Gstaad, Switzerland

Collaged memory of the 2017 "Bergkönig" jury

A charming collaged memory of our jury team work at the first edition of the "Bergkönig" Swiss vintage cycling festival that took place in August 2017 in a marvelous alpine surrounding at Gstaad, Switzerland. I hope to see lots of fresh vintage racing bicycles at the jury 2018.

9. September 2017

New Sport-Bicycle-Gallery

For gallery view click image

Tour de Suisse 1941

29. August 2017

Bergkönig Palace Sprint, 2017

The first Bergkönig vintage race was taking place from 26.–27. August 2017 at best summer wheater conditions at Gstaad. Most of the participants have travelled already on Saturday to the event. Many took the chance to present their bicycles to the jury during the afternoon. Then the Bergkönig Palace Sprint was announced by three horn blows. The route went up to the Palace Gstaad and this apero became one of the highlights of the first day. With a glass of best champagne in the hand, standing in a noble garden landscape and a breathtaking panoramic view of the alps, life feels good. Many thanks to the event organizer Alex Beeler and Franziska, to the sponsors and all helpers. They all helped to make the premiere of the Bergkönig vintage race a big success.

18. July 2017

Figure of 10'000 reached

In the decisive phase of the race towards victory, the figure of 10'000 was achieved today. My heartfelt thanks to all supporters believing in the success realizing this Bicycle Coffee Table Book together.

23. Juni 2017

Ultra HD Print proof

The first proof printed with the Ultra HD Print raster is here. With an image resolution of 600 dpi the result is a brilliant color image. Compared with a bicycle image print in a well known book with a common AM raster. The side by side comparion of an image detail shows the large difference in sharp details. The prints are photographed digitally from the same distance and f-stop to provide a one by one compatibility.

1. June 2017

Crowdfunding on wemakeit.com

The crowdfunding is online since today 9 p.m.

26. May 2017

SRF 2 Kultur: Hörpunkt «200 YEARS OF BICYCLES – A LOVE AFFAIR»

I' glad to announce a special radio-event. Radio SRF2 Kultur in on air at Saturday 10. June 2017 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will be in front of the Gewerbemuseum at Winterthur with their transmitting bus. The 200th birthday of the bicycle will be celebrated. I was asked to participate in the hour 09:00 to 10:00 h to discus about the principle of bicycles.

22. May 2017

Official Crowdfunding video

FullHD 1080p time 2:30 min

Eventually the long-time expected official crowdfunding video is online. That means, the countdown runs. Only a few days left before the crowdfunding starts. Many thanks to Njazi for the packshots of the book and of course to all participants that made the video possible.

20. March 2017

Original Pizza Cup Particle Accelerator 2017

Impressions from the Amboss Ramp

After many years the market has held at the «Rote Fabrik» in Zurich, the Original Pizza Cup Teilchenbeschleuniger (Particle Accelerator) 2017 was announced this year to be at the Amboss Ramp in the city district «Kreis 5». A unique ambiance for presenting a rich selection of vintage bicycle components, jerseys and bicycles. Like always kickintonextgear was presenting his selection of vintage parts on a white laid table. Here and there I was asked about the article in the newpaper about my participation in the exhibition Bike / Design / City at the Gewerbemuseum Winterthur. The sale was a complete success. Many thanks to the Pizza Cup crew.

Next Sunday the ordinary Teilchenbeschleuniger 2017 takes place at the «Stierenmarktareal», hall 3, at Zug, Switzerland.

12. March 2017

Magni Exklusiv, 1985

Magni Exklusiv in rare anthrazit metallic paint. Images: © 2017 André Schwyn

Yesterday completely surprising I found this jewel at a fleemarket in Zurich. A few hours of cleaning, removing gummy fat in bearings, a fresh lube and adjusting the play in bearings, replacing and glueing tubulars, truing the wheels, replacing some parts,the bike shows its beauty. Still in very good condition, even the chrome plating is clean and shiny.

10. February 2017

Hugo Koblet Team, 1978, from Swiss Professional Roland Salm

Hugo Koblet Team bike from 1978

Exactly 6 years ago I found a racing bicycle equipped with a frame built by framebuilder Leo Estermann. The Hugo Koblet decals do not belong to this frame, I thought at that time. 2 years later, the frame was already paint stripped, I got in touch with a collector who was in possession of the frame builder book of Leo Estermann. We found a entry for the frame No. 1204 built 20.4.1978, ordered by Autesa AG for Roland Salm to be his Jelmoli Hugo Koblet Rad team bike for the 1978 Tour de Suisse. The team was sponsored by the Jelo-Bikeshop in Zurich. The other team professionals where René Savary, Ueli Suter und Bruno Wolfer. After a profound research how the frame was painted I contacted René Savary. He found a press fotography showing him on his team bike at the TdS. According to the image the frame was restored. The Hugo Koblet logo font I digitally remastered and the painter used dye cut templates and airbrush techniques to transfer the Logo font to the frame. The bike is equipped with the 1. generation Shimano Dura-Ace Gruppo, produced from 1973-1978.

29. January 2017

Exhibition Installations at the Gewerbemuseum Winterthur

The 3 by kickintonextgear developped installations are the nine floating Swiss bicycles from 1936-1988, on a wall, the presentation of 11 Campagnolo milestone rear derailleurs from the first series of the Gran Sport to the Super Record 11 speed  carbon model and a completely disassembled Cinelli Gazzetta della Strada bicycle presented as an exploded view.
The exhibition continues until July 30, 2017.

For more informations visit the website http://gewerbemuseum.ch/

14. September 2015

Cycles Stella Memorabilia

Cycles Stella in Bassecourt in the region Jura in Switzerland became fameous when designing the so called "Landi-Velo" for the Swiss National Exhibition in 1939. A stream lined cast aluminum shelf around steering and top tube containing the front light, a speedometer and of course a Swiss watch.

This paperweight made of a chrome plated star representing the brand logo  The engraving Cycles Stella Bassecourt, Tel 6117 gives a manufacturing year before 1939.