1906
This Art Nouveau ad reads, “Bianchi bicycles are always admired and preferred.”

1911
Riding for Bianchi, Carlo Galetti wins the Giro d’Italia.

1914
WWI begins. Bianchi, whose factories output 45,000 bicycles, 1,500 motorcycles and 1,000 cars per year, begins to design and produce military vehicles.

1915
Bianchi invents the first mountain bike. Developed for the “bersaglieri,” the elite Italian light infantry division, the vehicle featured a spring suspension frame and forks, 60 cm wheels with wide cross-section Pirelli tires, a collapsible frame with shoulder straps, and optional mounts for a rifle, machine gun, or mortar.

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