1898
Oscar De Vleeschauwer, son of a smith, build his first bicycle and Shrapnell is born. The family enterprise is located in Ophasselt, near Geraardsbergen.
Shrapnell is soon well known in the region as quality bike.
Meanwhile racing bikes are in. Events like The Tour de France are very succesfull at that time.

1936
Albert Ritserveldt, son in law of Oscar De Vleeschauwer and member of the Shrapnell-stable, becomes Champion of Belgium.

1949
Modest De Vleeschauwer takes over the firm from his father and moves Shrapnell near the center of Geraardsbergen. In the sixties, Shrapnell moves to the premises in the Groendreef, where it still is located today.

1976
Marc Van Yperzeele and his wife take over from his father in law, Modest De Vleeschauwer. Meanwhile Shrapnell has conquered the Belgian bicycle market. But the handmade quality remains on a high standard in the family business.

1983
The Giacomelli racing bike is born. From this moment, the racing bikes from Shrapnell, although there a 100% Belgian home made, are accompanied of this italian-like brand name. Giacomelli incorporates quality and class and becomes a statement for young professional racers and amateurs who take interest in a nice looking bike combined with reliability.

1993
For the anniversary of 10 years Giacomelli, Marc Van Yperzeele designs the Giacomelli Jubilé. The Giacomelli Jubilé is elected Racing Bike of the Year ’93.

1994
The successor of the Jubilé, The Giacomelli Viper, is elected Belgian Racing Bike of the Year ’94.

1995
After these two awards, The Shrapnell Montana City, a trendy  hbrid bike for ladies, wins the award Belgian Bike of the Year in ’95. There could be  no better reward for nearly a 100 years family tradition…