Ganolo Super Prestige Rare Road Bike 1978

Ganolo was a brand name which was introduced by the family of former cyclist Maurice Archambaud. Their company Europe Cycles was based near Versailles, close to Paris and had its own bicycle shop by the name Cycles Laurent in the city center of the French capital.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, The advanced Italian cycling manufactures put the French road bike market under pressure. Suddenly Colnago, Pinarello and Guerciotti bikes were the dernier cri.
French brands tried to meet this development with different approaches, from offering cheaper entry-level bikes, to being more innovative to installing new brands which sounded Italian.
Europe Cycles decided to raise a premium brand with a unique design combined with an Italian name and parts. So in the late 1970s Ganolo was born.

Soon Ganolo became successful with frames, the designs of which were stunningly close to the Rigideol model of famous artisan constructeur Edmond Polchlopek.
The frames were made stiff and very short by redesigning the rear triangle:
By lowering the top end of the seat stays and making the seat stay a two piece design with the lower part gently bowing forward into the main triangle, the rear wheel could be brought further under the the riders position, effectively shortening the wheelbase by a good 4cm.
The rear triangle was now far smaller and less prone to torsion. Also its shape of a slice of tarte tatin made it look daring and very appealing at the same time.

Our Ganolo Super Prestige from about 1978 should be one of the earliest bikes which were offered in this remarkable style.
What is very surprising is not only its shape but also its condition. Frame as well as parts seem to have not been used for more than what appears to have been a longer test ride. Afterwards, the bike was stored away under lush conditions and survived unharmed to this day.

Taking a closer look you will find that not only the name of our Ganolo sounds Italian, but also its tubing is Italian Columbus, the parts a superb Campagnolo Nuovo Record groupset.
To prevent toe overlap a slightly shorter crank had been installed and the shifters can be found at the bar ends. Slight changes which tell a lot about how well the setup was thought through.

Being completely checked by our mechanics, this Ganolo Super Prestige is ready to ride and hit the roads of your hometown, its surroundings or the Strade Bianche of L'Eroica.

A fine piece of road bike design and certainly fit for a collection.