The bicycle, or individual elements of it, have been seen as objects of beauty by artists including Picasso, Duchamps, Mucha and even Canada’s own Greg Curnoe. That a machine that appears to be so light and fragile is capable of such speed and graceful movement is a source of wonder. In our modern era few people have made the link between art and the bicycle with such consequences as Antonio Colombo of Columbus tubing fame. Add the aesthetics to superb craftsmanship, impressive engineering and ground-breaking innovation and the result was the iconic Cinelli Laser bicycle. A wonderful new limited-edition book, “The Cinelli Laser Project,” celebrates what was a multifaceted undertaking–but you will have to act fast to add this one to your library.
Andrea Bonfanti is the moving force behind the publishing house Corsa Classic, which is dedicated to cycling history and whose books and maps we have reviewed here. In addition, Corsa Classic is a sponsor of l’Eroica Japan. With respect to the new book, Signore Bonfanti notes: “The Cinelli Laser is not just a bicycle, it’s a work of art, an engineering marvel, and a symbol of design innovation. This book is a tribute to the bicycle that changed the way we think about cycling, blending form and function in a way that had never been seen before.”
In 1978 Antonio Colombo, owner of the long-established Colombus steel tubing company, purchased bicycle maker Cinelli and set about an ambitious modernization program of that firm. During a visit to a trade show in Japan, Colombo took notice of the emerging interest in aerodynamics and returned to Italy to see how he could take advantage of this new opportunity. Having advanced steel tubing at his disposal and a skilled welder and innovater, Andrea Pesenti, keen on new projects, Colombo sketched out what was to become the prototype Laser which appeared at the Milan bicycle show in 1981.
The bicycle not only was focused on aerodynamics but presented new technologies. With experience in TIG welding through making BMX bicycles, Pesenti used lightweight Colombus Air tubing and was able to fine tune the frame’s rigidity through the inclusion of gussets at critical junctures. Looking at the bicycle over four decades later one would assume the frame was carbon rather than a masterpiece in steel. In keeping with its aerodynamic theme, this first Laser was fitted out with Shimanos AX groupset, another early effort at streamlining, along with Cinelli clipless pedals, yet another innovation. And the cables are internally routed, something that must have been startling forty three years ago.
Two years passed and the Italian federation was convinced that the Laser concept would be applicable to track racing and some degree of success was to follow with these Pista versions of the Laser. From that 1981 prototype until the final versions of the Laser in 1992 the range of bicycles was surprisingly diverse, even including a track tandem (!), but always characterized by forward thinking and craftsmanship, as well as miniscule production numbers.
The book is divided into 18 chapters, a timeline covering every one of the Laser models. This is an unprecedented look into the development of these advanced bicycles. Each chapter begins with a heading image showing the whole bicycle. There are details in Italian and English about how this model came about, such as in one case the bicycle was made less aero but more rigid or how the top tube was curved upwards to reduce flex.
There are design sketches for each bicycle and then very clear close-up photos showing design features of note, each image accompanied by these bilingual technical comments. Then each chapter concludes with a photo of the bike featured spread across two pages. All of the photos, which are taken by the author, are of the highest quality and give the reader real insight into how these frames were built but also an understanding as to why they are so highly valued today.
“The Cinelli Laser Project” is a unique book which tells the story, hitherto never told in such detail, about a fascinating range of bicycles, years ahead of their time. Antonio Colombo’s clever sketches and design ideas were made real by a talented group that do not seem to have worried about limits and the result was an aesthetic success as well as a performance one. Perhaps the most famous of the bicycles was the pursuit bicycle given to artist Keith Haring which was returned to Colombo with the disc wheels painted by Haring in his distinctive fashion but any of the models pictured in the book warrants a second look. And while Antonio Colombo and Andrea Pesenti may be responsible for the Laser line, these bicycles that looked to the future, respect must go to Andrea Bonfanti (who was 4 years old when that first Laser appeared) for this comprehensive and beautiful examination that looks to the past. Get it while you can.
Important note:
The book will be released on Wednesday, October 9 at 3 pm CET. Indications are that interest in the book is very high and with only 300 copies being produced it is bound to sell out quickly. We suggest that if you are interested that you go to www.corsaclassic.com and subscribe to the newsletter as soon as you can. In addition to giving a 10% discount for the book, you will be provided information on ordering the book when it comes out on the 9th.
“The Cinelli Laser Project” by Andrea Bonfanti, with preface by Antonio Colombo
Text in Italian and English
250 pp., profusely illustrated, hardback, 22×22 cm
Signed and numbered edition of 300
Price: 80 Euros (minus 10% for newsletter subscribers) plus shipping.
The post Pez Bookshelf: The Cinelli Laser Project appeared first on PezCycling News.
