The history of Moser bicycles

Francesco Moser is the Italian rider with the most victories on the road, namely 273 which puts him in 3rd place after Eddy Merckx and Rik Van Looy.

In 1979 Moser decided to market his own racing bikes. This marketing strategy for starting your own brand during the peak of your career was not new. Just think of Eddy Merckx, Jan Janssen, Bernard Hinault, etc.

Moser wanted to emphasize innovation that would improve performance and with the Leader model he succeeded. Also his improvement of the world hour record in 1986 on an aerodynamic bicycle was the start for the development of time trial bicycles that completely differed in shape and model from traditional racing bicycles.

The first Moser bicycles from 1977

In 1977, bicycles from another brand could already be found with decals from Moser. Just think of De rosa, Fréjus. The frame tubes were Columbus (usually SL) with Campagnolo toads and no engravings were present yet. A photo of Francesco Moser himself was shown as a decal on the head tube.

From 1979 to 1984, Moser frames were made by others on behalf of Francesco Moser. Now engravings were applied everywhere on the frame and the tubes were still Columbus (SL and AIR). The front fork usually had a flat fork crown.

The best-known models were then

• Modello Oro
• Modello Superleggera Elaborata
• Modello Professional
• Modello Record
• Modello Dura Ace
• Modello Profil
• Modello Gran Sport
• Modello Sprint
• Modello Super Sprint
• Modello Amatori
• Modello Shimano 600 ax

 

It should be noted that the models were largely determined by the group that was mounted on them, the frame was usually the same, built with Columbus SL, Aelle and AIR

The real production started from 1984 and in addition to Columbus (SL, SLX, Aelle and AIR) Oria tubes were now also used for mounting the frames. Campagnolo, Shimano and Gipiemme were used for the toads. In the beginning, the fork crown was still flat and the engravings also remained in abundance.

The main models in addition to the above were:

• Moser Va Por La Hora: after his world record in 1984
• Moser Sanremo: after his victory in Sanremo of 1984
• Moser Superleggera Elaborata
• Moser Professional
• Moser Record
• Moser Dura Ace
• Moser Profil

It is important that after the improvement in 1984 of the world hour record that then still belonged to Eddy Merckx, a U-turn arrow and the numbers 51.151 (mainly on the fork crown) could now be seen on the frames, which referred to the new distance covered in 1 hour.

 

The Moser Sanremo bikes were used by the pro cycling team Gis Gelati – Tuc Lu.

Lancering Moser Leader

From 1986 begins a period of economic boom for Moser bicycles. Collaborations are being entered into with Columbus, Oria, Gipiemme, Campagnolo, Cinelli, Shimano and Modolo. The fork crown is usually no longer flat and aerodynamic. The decals get a different shape and the engravings remain everywhere.

New models are also being released, of which the Leader is the best known. The frame tubes are welded together without the traditional external lugs. In the first models, the tubes were still welded to the external bottom bracket, but later all versions were without lugs.

 

The other models in addition to the above were:

• Modello Va Por La Hora
• Modello Leader AX, SC, CC en NP
• Modello Team SLX
• Modello Pro SL
• Modello Classe
• Modello Equipe AX
• Modello Professional
• Modello Forma
• Modello Volata
• Modello Debutto

The name depended mainly on the group that was on it. The frames were usually the same: Moser Corsa, Moser Leader. In addition to racing bicycles, mountain bikes, BMXs and city bicycles were also produced.

 

 

In the 1990s, the decals change again, the head tube now features a double U-turn that resembles a trident.

Sponsoring by Moser

From 1979, even during his career, cycling teams have been riding Moser bicycles. The first team was Sanson – Luxor and the last was Aquashow – CA – CC Loule in 2009.

The most famous were

• Sanson
• Gis Gelati
• TeVe Blad – Perlav
• Chateau d’Ax
• Saeco
• Aqua & Sapone

An extensive list of all cycling teams that rode with Moser bicycles can be found at the following link Pro teams sponsored by Moser

Vanaf 2009 rijden er dus geen Moser racefietsen meer in het wielerpeloton. Over Moser fietsen is zeer weinig info te vinden, enkel dat in 2000 Cicli Moser verkocht werd en er sinds 2022 opnieuw Moser fietsen worden geproduceerd door Moserbikes.

Een zeer interessante website over Francesco Moser fietsen is mosercollection.jimdofree.com/

Finally, some nice pictures of Moser bicycles and advertising below

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Een bericht gedeeld door Impresa e Sport (@impresaesport)