What student does not take a kind of secret pride in being able to teach the teacher something? As I've noted elsewhere on this site, whenever I've needed an answer about a vintage lightweight bicycle, I've turned to my friend of thirty years, Charlie Dixon. It is a rare occasion, indeed, when I can tell him anything new about old bicycles. But many years ago, long before Google, I surprised my friend when I told him I had discovered a beautiful, rare, and important bike that I wanted to own one day, named "Gloria."
Charlie soon focused on images of pre and post war Gloria bicycles and, as I might have predicted, quickly established himself as my go-to expert on all things Gloria. (He even beat me to the punch in acquiring a Gloria for himself!). Glorias do not turn up very often, and Charlie searched for quite a while until the bike you see here came my way. The bare frame arrived from Italy. Slowly but surely we acquired the necessary period correct components that Charlie needed to complete the build. We wanted to get this one right.
Alfredo Forcesi began manufacturing Gloria bicycles in 1922 in Milan, soon attracting to his ranks some of the most famous future frame builders in the world, including Faliero Masi and Ernesto Colnago. Beginning in 1923, pro riders soon to earn legendary status were riding Gloria bicycles: names like Ferrario, Camusso, Giradengo and Guerra. Gloria's reputation grew until by the end of World War II it was considered one of the best bicycles made in Italy, known for its gleaming satin nickel finish and distinctive three leaf flower lugs. The pride of the company was the model "Garibaldina Extra."
My Gloria dates to approximately 1949, a special year for me, and bears the "AMF" head badge, signifying "Alfredo Forcesi Milan." Period-correct components include a steel Stronglight crankset with alloy Simplex chainrings, Simplex derailleurs, Universal brakes, FB hubs, and a lovely Ambrosio girder stem. Note the internally routed cables.
Charlie soon focused on images of pre and post war Gloria bicycles and, as I might have predicted, quickly established himself as my go-to expert on all things Gloria. (He even beat me to the punch in acquiring a Gloria for himself!). Glorias do not turn up very often, and Charlie searched for quite a while until the bike you see here came my way. The bare frame arrived from Italy. Slowly but surely we acquired the necessary period correct components that Charlie needed to complete the build. We wanted to get this one right.
Alfredo Forcesi began manufacturing Gloria bicycles in 1922 in Milan, soon attracting to his ranks some of the most famous future frame builders in the world, including Faliero Masi and Ernesto Colnago. Beginning in 1923, pro riders soon to earn legendary status were riding Gloria bicycles: names like Ferrario, Camusso, Giradengo and Guerra. Gloria's reputation grew until by the end of World War II it was considered one of the best bicycles made in Italy, known for its gleaming satin nickel finish and distinctive three leaf flower lugs. The pride of the company was the model "Garibaldina Extra."
My Gloria dates to approximately 1949, a special year for me, and bears the "AMF" head badge, signifying "Alfredo Forcesi Milan." Period-correct components include a steel Stronglight crankset with alloy Simplex chainrings, Simplex derailleurs, Universal brakes, FB hubs, and a lovely Ambrosio girder stem. Note the internally routed cables.
1949 Gloria Garibaldina Extra ©Daniel Dahlquist