1950x Torpado toddler bicycle 'Celeste blue'
Cute vintage Italian toddler bike in beautiful ‘Celeste blue’. Best for 3-4 years old riders, 3’1″-3’7″ tall, with 16″-20″ inseam.
Torpado is one of the world’s oldest bicycle companies, founded in 1895 in Padua, Italy. The company has a long history and is still in business today – you can see their modern bikes at torpado.com
The bike is in excellent condition, with nicely preserved Torpado’s ‘Celeste Blue’ paint. Torpado used the same paint on their famous road racers, including Torpado Corsa. Both NISI Moncalieri wheels have company markings, rim stickers, and a series of notches on the rim’s sidewalls, just like their well-known racing bikes. Unusual features for a child’s bike: leather saddle, air pump, and headlight. Schwinn handlebar grips, frame-matching light blue.
this bike was purchased in 1950x at Castelcucco, province of Treviso, Italy. I restored this bike for Lisa. If you have any information about Torpado toddler bikes, please email me directly at bikesheaven1@gmail.com.
This bike’s original solid rubber tires were cracked beyond repair. The original NISI Moncalieri wheels would not work with any modern days tires: 12″ tires are too small, and 14″ are too large. To make this bike rideable again I installed a 12.5″ wheeslet from a donor Huffy bike. This bike’s original rear wheel had no brakes, so that pedaling backwards would move the bike back. Replacement Huffy rear wheel has a coaster brake in addition to the front rim brake. Now pedaling backwards will engage brakes. Since wheel’s geometry has changed, I installed a brake extender for the front rim brake pads to reach the front rim.
Restoration pics
New & Upgraded components
- Chain: TYC, single speed.
- Wheels: 12.5″ Huffy
- Tires: 12.5×1.95″ Huffy
- Brake extender: Muqzi AL-7075 alloy
- Cable & housings: Shimano
Original components
- Frame: steel painted in ‘Celeste blue’
- Wheels: 14″ NISI Moncalieri, made in Torino, Italy
- Tires: solid rubber with steel core (damaged and have to be replaced).
- Saddle: ‘Prestigio’ riveted blue leather with springs.
- Handlebar grips: Schwinn approved light blue composite.
Before & After pics
Markings
Text on the main frame’s logo: Cicli, Torpado, Modello Lusso = Bicycle, Torpedo, Luxury model
Text on Seatpost tube: O**MECCANICA + D.ZANONI + CASTELCUCCO + TREVISO = Mechanic D.Zanoni from Castelcucco, Province of Treviso, Region Veneto, Italy.
Text on the handlebar grips: Schwinn approved
Text on both rims: NISI Moncalieri, Torino, Italia