When Italian architect Luigi Caccia claimed, in reference to the world of design, that Italians are, quite simply the best, he was fairly spot on and the Cinelli Laser is evidence of that claim.
Antonio Colombo, the creator of the Laser, shares the same rarefied air as Pininfarina, Sottsass, Citterrio and other inhabitants of the Italian industrial design pantheon.
The Laser concept was sufficient to win the 1991 Compasso d’Oro, an Italian industrial design award and a fitting accolade for the Cinelli business, which has provided a major contribution to bicycle design since 1948.
Appearing in road, track and TT guises, the strada example seen here is part of Stefan Schaefter’s Speedbicycles extensive collection.
Brunello Fanini was a team manager and race organizer from Lucca, in Italy’s northwest. Brunello probably contracted the Laser frame and applied his own decals, as there’s also evidence of a self-branded ALAN frame.
Which leaves me wondering about the significance of a Fanini women’s team, also based in Lucca, whose champion was the hugely talented and, tragically, short-lived Michela…
Perhaps one of our Italian readers could shed some more light on the Cinelli/Fanini branded Laser. Special thanks to Stefan Schaefter for the photos; head over to Speedbicycles for much, much more.
