1947 Frejus track bike
From about 1945 to 1965 Frejus bikes were very popular in the U.S.
During cycling’s dark ages (at least in this country) bike racing enthusiasts would come in from the hinterlands to the few bike shops that carried the prestigious Italian, French, and British brands.
There was a bike shop in Stony Point, New York owned by the late Thomas Avenia. Avenia’s was a popular neighborhood bike shop that became well known for importing Frejus and Legnano brand bicycles.
While many Frejus bikes feature rather mediocre workmanship, this one was built to perfection, and it shows through the sky blue paint. Common to many Frejus machines of the era, this one has nice color with great contrasting panels, and lots of Italian character.
The components that Jeff selected for this old track bike are simple and elegant. The Cinelli stem is adorned with the old coat-of-arms-style badge. The new Ghisallo rims look great, with a nice orange tint to them (they-re also a lot straighter than surviving vintage wood rims). The skip-link drivetrain (I think that’s a Magistroni crankset), bars and seatpost all gleam under fresh chrome plating.