If you buy a Bertin racing bike or another French racing bike, there is a good chance that you will find the name Milremo on one or other component. This sounds quite Italian but it is indeed a French brand but it had to sound as Italian as possible because Italian racing bikes and components then had just that little bit more and sold better.
Milremo a line of bicycle components
The name Milremo comes from the classic Italian cycling classic MIlano SanREMO and was conceived by André Bertin and Ron Kitching. Bertin was successful with his own bicycle brand named after him and wanted to add another subsidiary. The meeting with Ron Kitching ensured that.
In 1957, both decided to bring a line of components on the market that would be cheaper than traditional brands such as Campagnolo, Mafac, Cinelli, ...
Components were purchased from various suppliers and sold as Milremo products by engraving or putting their name on them.
Hubs and freewheels were purchased from Maillard, pumps from Zefal, Silca and Reg, handlebars from Belleri and Atax/Philippe, shoe straps from Christophe, handlebar caps from Reg, saddles from Arius, ... Tubes came from Italy and toads and drinking bottles were also purchased on which the name Milremo appeared.
Milremo padden
For a short period Milremo also placed his own decals on bicycles that were of course made by Bertin. Almost everything was provided with Milremo decals, stickers, engravings, ... André Bertin focused on the French-Belgian market, while Ron Kitching made use of his good contacts with Great Britain. So you will also come across Bertin bicycles and Milremo components across the canal.
Bertin – Milremo catalog from 1975
To promote the line a professional cycling team was sponsored from 1959: Bertin – Milremo – The Dura. Other teams followed, always in collaboration with Bertin. The last team was Bertin – Porter 39 – Milremo in 1964.
The Milremo line lasted until the late 1980s when there was too much competition from outside Europe. The rise of the mountain bike and the fact that André Bertin and Ron Kitching became a day older also contributed to the quick end of both Milremo and Bertin. From what I was able to find, Milremo would have been taken over by Shimano.
