"Ardeo" was established in the early 80's by Hans Bauschmid, a local bike-dealer in Erding (Germany). The name "Ardeo" was lent from the "Earl of Ardeo", after whom the city of "Erding" was named in middle ages. [Btw: the Latin meaning of the word "ardeo" is "set(ting) on fire"]

The Ardeo (Columbus Aelle) frames, hand built by a frame builder located in Padova, were imported by an man-in-the-middle from Alto Adige - the German speaking part of North-Italy - to Erding (approx. 40 km north of Munich). This business relation didn’t last very long and only some handful of frames were imported and assembled at Erding with Campagnolo and Shimano components.

Mr. Bauschmid closed his business some years ago, but he still offers bike-services to his customers. (www.bauschmid.de)