Dino Signori turns 90: Sidi founder left his mark on cycling history

The visionary from Maser

Dino Signori reaches his 90th birthday today and embodies an era of cycling that was characterised by a pioneering spirit and perfect craftsmanship. The founder of Sidi turned a vision into a company that equipped generations of cyclists. His story begins with night-time rides on a Vespa between Maser and Vigevano, while his head was full of ideas. Signori thought a lot and slept little - sometimes he felt sleep was a waste of time. While his head rested on the pillow, his mind travelled on, driven by an unshakeable passion.

His thoughts always revolved around what he loved most: cycling, motorbike riding and, as a natural consequence, his work. Signori could never imagine a life that was not dedicated to building, producing and improving. This attitude is still reflected in his handshake today - strong, powerful and determined. The spirit of that young man who loved multiplication and addition still shines in his eyes. He always favoured adding, building and growing - a perfect metaphor for a man who worked sixteen hours a day with obsessive precision on every detail.

From stable to global company

Sidi's beginnings were modest: no telephones, no offices. Signori's workshop was located in a stable and customers called for him in the bar next door. This was the world of the young Dino Signori - a man with countless dreams, patterns and kilometres travelled to convince others to trust him as much as he trusted himself. The turning point came with the first order: eight hundred pairs of shoes. The champions soon followed, the big names in cycling and motorbike racing.

Signori was always present in the factory and tested everything himself on his bike. After knee pain prevented him from cycling, he developed the semi-flexible cleat connection. He never patented it and it was immediately copied by everyone. But that didn't matter - he is still proud of it. For Signori, a shoe was never a "modest" object, as many claim. It is the foundation. Everything starts with it - for those who pedal, for those who walk, for those who work. For him, it was much more than just a craft.

Innovation through personal experience

The development of the semi-flexible cleats arose from Signori's own cycling experience. When knee pain affected his cycling, he was looking for a solution that would make pedalling more ergonomic. This innovation allowed the foot to move more naturally when pedalling and reduced the strain on the joints. Although Signori never patented the invention and it was quickly copied, it revolutionised cycling for millions of athletes worldwide.

The philosophy behind this development reflects Signori's approach: solving problems through practical experience. He personally tested every product on his bike before it left the factory. This hands-on mentality characterised Sidi's entire corporate culture. Signori believed that real improvements could only be made through personal experience on the bike. His employees saw him every morning as the first person to cross the threshold of his company, switch on the lights and start the production line.

Life's work and legacy

Even after the whirlwind of success, Signori remained true to his work ethic. He worked until the age of 87 and still can't sit still today. His mind continues to run, sharpening and searching for new solutions. He occasionally meets up with old business friends and discusses ideas and projects over coffee as if time had never passed - as if the next challenge still lay ahead of him. This tireless energy and passion not only characterised his company, but also inspired an entire industry.

On this October morning, after ninety autumns past, the same hunger shines in his eyes that drove that young man on his Vespa on the motorway to Vigevano. He has never forgotten how he started: from nothing to everything with his own two hands. Every morning at the factory it was as if it was the first time. Every time anew. Signori's legacy lives on in every cycling shoe that helps athletes perform at their best. His vision that a shoe is the foundation for everything that follows remains as relevant as ever, even after 90 years.

The philosophy of the shoemaker

Signori not only revolutionised the technical aspects of cycling shoes, but also the philosophy behind them. For him, a shoe was never just a piece of equipment, but the basis for any sporting performance. This conviction led to Sidi shoes being worn by world-class cyclists and motorcyclists. The brand became synonymous with quality and innovation in cycling. Signori's approach of viewing every shoe as a foundation characterised the development of all cycling equipment.

Sidi's success story is based on Signori's uncompromising quality control and his understanding of athletes' needs. He recognised early on that the connection between foot and pedal is crucial for power transmission. His innovations enabled cyclists to optimise their performance and avoid injuries at the same time. Today, on his 90th birthday, Signori can look back on a life's work that has had a lasting impact on cycling. His inventions and philosophy live on in every pedal stroke made by cyclists around the world.