Ulrich Schoberer
Uli Schoberer collects Italian retro racing bikes from the 1970s. His principle: classic bikes in pristine and original new condition.
Uli Schoberer is a dental technician, which somehow fits in well with his relationship to old Italian racing bikes. The 59-year-old was infected with the virus for this time-consuming and cost-intensive hobby late in life, when his growing daughter dragged in a broken classic bike to use as a city bike. "Although I had always ridden a racing bike, I had never been interested in classic cars before," he says. Ten years later, tens of perfectly restored gems with chrome-plated, engraved and perforated components gleam in a lab-clean room. Schoberer restricts himself to Italian high-end models from the 1970s "so that it doesn't get out of hand", as he says.
All of his retro racing bikes are in brand new condition, everything flashes and shines as if it had just been unpacked. Schoberer gets to grips with every scratch, every hint of rust and every sign of wear on the rims, sprockets or chainrings, preferably himself and with medical-technical meticulousness. To ride one of his classic bikes, he keeps a special "outdoor wheelset" so that the tyres don't get dirty. Schoberer only collects classics in mint condition; he rejects bikes that show signs of use. "There are exceptions, for example bikes from famous athletes. But for me, patina on normal bikes is always a sign of poor treatment," says the bike aesthete. He can't identify a real favourite piece in his collection, as he puts a lot of heart and soul into each one, he says. But the Pogliaghi on display has aroused the most emotion in him so far.
Pogliaghi Italcorse
Year of construction: ca. 1977
Special featuresRestored in 2020, not ridden since then. Stem, seatpost, shifters and chainring with pantographs
EquipmentCampagnolo Super Record, titanium bottom bracket, Everest aluminium sprocket, slotted chain, Fiamme-Ergal rims
For me, Pogliaghi is one of the greatest frame builders of his time. I had to persuade a collector friend of mine for more than a year before he let me have the bike, but it was worth it. Of all the bikes I have, this one rides the best. I can't even say why.
(Ulrich Schoberer)
Peter Hopf
Peter Hopf is particularly interested in the stories of bicycles and their owners. He collects bicycles in their contemporary condition.
For Peter Hopf, there isn't much that still excites him so much that he wouldn't give it up. The 62-year-old has spent his entire professional life in the bicycle industry, as a dealer, agent and consultant. In the autumn of his career, he decided to turn his passion into a business: He started dealing in old bikes, components and accessories, which quickly made him a renowned address in the collector's scene. In his premises in Murnau, Upper Bavaria, he has now amassed around 50 bikes that are at least worth seeing, as well as cupboards full of components and accessories.
He has had all sorts of rare, exclusive and expensive bikes, from Italian steel to titanium from the USA. "I've had really rare bikes, but I had to learn to part with something from time to time," he says, describing his current relationship with old bikes. His exhibits usually have patina, but are well maintained; when in doubt, Hopf looks more at suitability for everyday use than originality. For him, bikes are there to be ridden and sometimes get new tyres, saddles or handlebars. He also has an eye for particularly original or useful retro racing bikes, which keeps his investments within manageable limits.
He can only think of a handful of bikes that would require a great deal of persuasion for him to give them up: An Eddy Merckx, with which his passion for classics began, one of the first mountain bikes from around 1980, or the Ganolo racing bike shown with the curious frame shape. "I could tell a story about each of these bikes for half a day," he says. The Ganolo belonged to Wolfgang Pappel from Starnberg, a former sailing world champion. Pappel trained with the German national cycling team in his active days, which is why the frame is painted in the team colours of the time.
Ganolo Super Prestige
Year of constructionca. 1989, unrestored
Special features: Paintwork in the colours of the German national team, internally routed cables for speed and cadence sensor
EquipmentShimano Dura-Ace, Mavic hubs and rims, tuning bearings from grandmas
The Ganolo means a lot to me. It is rare and quirky. And I love bikes where I am close to the people behind them. I'm less interested in the value than the story behind it.
(Peter Hopf)
Jens Klötzer
Editor
