Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Olympia Borghi

Olympia Borghi

The 2011 range from Olympia Cicli is, as you’d expect from Italy’s second oldest and largest bicycle manufacturer (after Bianchi), the latest technology covered with a bombardment of logos and swooshes. So it’s refreshing to encounter a bike from their classic past: an Olympia Borghi.

For Italy’s second oldest and largest bicycle manufacturer, information on the history is scarce, in English, at least. Olympia Borghi bicycles were built from 1893 until 1959 by a company founded by Carlos Borghi. In 1959 the company was sold to Antonio and Pasquale Fontana and these bicycles were badged Olympia from that date onwards. Orco Cicli, a bike shop and builder located in Milan, orchestrated the restoration, although very little was required. New Brooks saddle and tape, cables and housing, brake pads and toe straps: now this Olympia is L’Eroica ready!

Special thanks to Riccardo Cerrone contributing the photos, and Bike Forums user keidal for the rare tidbits of information on Olympia Borghi’s history.

Olympia Borghi
Olympia Borghi
Olympia Borghi
Olympia Borghi
Olympia Borghi
Olympia Borghi
Olympia Borghi
Olympia Borghi
Olympia Borghi
Olympia Borghi