As if Pandora’s Box were, Monsieur Vélo‘s shop, away from the more commercial areas of Barcelona, ​​it becomes the place where the bikes of the past come alive again. A very beautiful and elegant shop where Fernando, the owner, takes care of all and each details.

He refuses to call them “second hand bikes”, they are much more than that, each bike has its history and waits for someone who discovers it.

From the first moment we got into the store we moved to the past, on every wall you can find real gems of cycling, bicycles maintained and restored with the same affection that can be restorers of a Goya or Van Gogh.

Such beauties are in Monsieur’s store that none other than @Father_Tu, on their way through Barcelona for the Red Hook Crit No. 2, do not want to miss the opportunity to immortalize this magnificent place through his camera lens.

I hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did during our visit to that bit of Ronda del Guinardó, Barcelona.

Who is Monsieur Veló, how did emerged this idea and why have you chosen this name?

Monsieur Vélo is an Argentine lover of Barcelona.

The idea emerged in France where I lived for about a year, there I started to restore old bikes just because I love retro and I always liked playing with bikes since childhood, I started once and without realizing I was creating a collection, then the idea was to return to Barcelona and seeing that the use of the bike was increasing I decided to try bringing bikes from there and create a Facebook page to show what I was doing. The name seemed to me it had to be in French, because the project begins there, I wanted a personal name to identify me, I did not like the idea of ​​sounding like a company, I prefer to let people know that Monsieur Vélo now is a single person.

Why did you start in the bike world and more specifically with vintage bikes?

A little bit of everything, I do not like the subway, passion for antiques, also try to be kinder to the environment, for sport, because I always wanted to have my own shop, I worked in fashion and I like the esthetics of bikes, especially the vintage, I find them more elegant, they have more details, they were manufactured in Europe, today they are not manufactured like that… only by some craftsmen. At the same time why to make them when there are so many and you may renew them and give them a new life right? The bicycle is the most intelligent transport.

How do you think it has affected the boom of fixed gear in the cycling outlook?

I think the effect is good because there are more people who cycle, there is increasing competition, it is a motivation, you make friends because it becomes a passion, they have also become fashionable perhaps by the minimalist esthetic, but cyclists have to choose the bike that they are doing better at the functional level, for me they are great but I also use other. Over time we’ll see who’s still using them, hopefully many.

Tell us as how is the world of classic bike: find out the story behind each brand, meet collectors, and discover treasures that people leave in their garages.

It is laborious but very exciting once you walk no longer salts. Not everyone would go into places where I’ve gone hehe. I love, before visiting a place I get nervous, I get anxiety. And meet people who are passionate about the same is an interesting and nice thing. Each bike has its history; it would be great if they could talk to tell them.

As a good restorer we know that you have a personal collection.., which would be your favorite?

My big problem!, I can hardly let go of bicycles, many people tell me that I should sell all and keep only one, for me it’s impossible, I like all of them, I have road, hybrid and track bikes. The bikes collected by me are not big brands, I prefer different things, for example a Juaneda’s track bike, who was a French manufacturer that made bicycles for professionals in the 70’s.

Tell us about your future projects.

Well, I think that follow the same line, was the idea from the start. I do not want to be only another bicycle shop. I do not want to make a mega company but increase work capacity, someone who can help me because it is a lot for myself (still ongoing) doing things with the name of Monsieur Vélo and other things that I have in mind but they are surprise.

Your name is achieving strength in many countries and your delicatessen bikes and parts are all the rage in social networks, all thanks to the great work you do with each of your bike and how well you take care of the image of Monsieur … How are you living this experience?

Very satisfied to be honest, thanks to the networks they start knowing me in different parts of the world, it is crazy. You make friends around the globe. And my idea was always to show bikes from another point of view, you see it and immediately fall in love. I really like the communication part, take photos or collaborate with photographers, organize events, etc.

Taking advantage of this interview, do you want to call to find that bike or piece that you spend time to get?

Of course! I’m looking for a crankset Stronglight Delta Aero of track.

How was the meeting with @Father_Tu?

Definitely “the visit” of the last year, he came with his girlfriend Vera and Dingo which I appreciate that he has accompanied them. Very nice people with great talent. Beyond all the pictures that he is publishing of my store are spectacular and they have helped me a lot, I keep with such a long time we’ve spend. It is clear that for me has been a before and after following his visit, he has got me to another people in networks and he also has opened the eyes of many people here that I think even knew about Monsieur Vélo but perhaps they didn’t value it in the same way than now. But as I’ve said, I keep that a guy from Taiwan who came to Barcelona for five days, has spent a whole afternoon in my store. I value it a lot and the nice thing is that we kept in touch and hopefully one day I will visit him.

A phrase that represents your passion for bikes and cycling

Monsieur Vélo.

Thanks to…

Marie (my ex-girlfriend) for helping me so much to begin with this madness, her family and mine, my friends-customers and to you for your interest in knowing me, it was very nice for me, I hope to see you soon and go riding together.