For enthusiasts of classic racing bicycles, the unmistakable sight is familiar: the deep "Gios Blue," slender steel tubes, chrome forks, elegant lines—a bicycle that resembles a work of art. The Italian brand Gios has not only made history with its color but has also significantly influenced cycling up to the turn of the millennium.
The Origin: Turin, Passion and Craftsmanship
The roots of Gios trace back to the immediate post-war period. In 1948, Tolmino Gios, a former Italian professional cyclist, founded his own bicycle company in Turin. At that time, Turin was not only an industrial hub of Italy but also a city with a deeply rooted cycling culture—shaped by workshop traditions, sporting ambition, and a love for perfection in detail.
Tolmino brought not only his sporting experience but also a deep understanding of what makes a good racing bicycle: perfect geometry, high-quality materials, and absolute reliability. In the early years, Gios built bicycles for everyday use, but the potential in the sports sector was quickly recognized. Particularly in amateur and club cycling, the quality of the handcrafted frames soon gained a reputation.
The workshop in Turin was not an anonymous production site—frames were created here through genuine craftsmanship. Each tube set was carefully selected, welded, filed, and painted. It wasn't about mass production but about class. The love for craftsmanship, attention to detail, and pride in the finished product shaped the company's philosophy from the very beginning.
Who was Tolmino Gios?
Tolmino Gios was born in 1916 in Italy and was an active professional cyclist—he participated in the 1936 Tour de France. His experience as a professional shaped his perspective on bicycle construction: he knew from personal practice what mattered. After World War II, he decided to transfer his passion for cycling into frame building. The founding of the company Gios in 1948 was not just an entrepreneurial step but an expression of his deep connection to the sport. He remained active in the company into old age and passed on his values to the next generation.
Turin – City of Bicycles and Technology
In the 20th century, Turin was one of Italy's industrial strongholds—not least due to companies like FIAT or Pirelli. But alongside the automotive industry, bicycle craftsmanship also flourished here. Proximity to the Alps made Turin an ideal training ground for cyclists, and the city was known for its many small workshops where work was done with passion and precision. In this environment, Gios developed—a company that managed to combine the industrial know-how of the region with genuine craftsmanship.
Brooklyn and the International Breakthrough
In 1972, Gios became the official supplier of the Belgian professional team Brooklyn, with Roger De Vlaeminck as the star rider. The team achieved legendary victories such as Paris–Roubaix on Gios bicycles. The massive media response and sporting successes made Gios known worldwide.
During this time, the famous "Compact" model was also created, setting standards with its new frame geometry.
The Classics: Gios Models up to 2000
Over the decades, Gios introduced a series of legendary models—each with its own signature:
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Gios Torino Super Record – The flagship racing bike of the '70s, with Columbus SL frame and Campagnolo components.
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Gios Professional – Sporty, elegant, ideal for ambitious amateurs.
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Gios Compact – Revolutionary geometry, excellent stiffness, legendary in the Brooklyn era.
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Gios Evolution – Aerodynamic and technically advanced, primarily for time trials.
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Gios Aerodynamic – '80s design focusing on aerodynamics.
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Gios Compact Pro – '90s update of the classic with a modernized tube set.
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Gios Easy – Aluminum frame from the late '90s, the modern path of the traditional brand.
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Gios New Turbo – Sporty entry-level model, solidly built, classic in look.
Gios Blue – More than just a Color
The deep blue hue, now globally known as "Gios Blue", was specially developed in the 1970s for the Team Brooklyn bicycles. To this day, it remains the brand's trademark and a symbol of Italian cycling culture.
Conclusion: Style, Substance and Soul
By the year 2000, Gios had created an impressive legacy—with models that were not only beautiful but also technically advanced for their time. Gios was never the loudest brand but one with character. Whether in the peloton or as a stylish collector's item on the living room wall: A Gios is always a statement.