The true art of frame building
A handmade custom Italian road bike is a wonderful thing. The other day I was fortunate to see and touch a Dario Pegoretti handmade Italian steel bike. This bike was so special it had it's own hand-painted finish. I was told these bikes can take more than 6 months (the website says up to 24 months) to receive after ordering. The frame geometry is built to spec according to the rider's measurements, and although a customer may request a color scheme, no other exact details may be requested. Dario Pegoretti is a true artist, and artists are not told how to create their next masterpieces. The Studio asks simply, "Please don’t ask for a reproduction of a Ciavete paint scheme you’ve previously seen, as the idea behind
Ciavete is for each frame to be a unique work displaying Dario’s aesthetic creativity.
Can you imagine placing your order and waiting to see the one-of-a-kind bike that arrives on your doorstep? I can tell you, this beauty was worth waiting for, I could see the iridescent gold paint sparkle and the individual paint strokes of the artist's hand. Photos do not do this masterpiece justice - it was spectacular!
A Dario Pegoretti work of art click any images to enlarge (please!).
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| ©Photo by PedalDancer |
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| ©Photo by PedalDancer |
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| ©Photo by PedalDancer |
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| ©Photo by PedalDancer |
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| ©Photo by PedalDancer |
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| ©Photo by PedalDancer |
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| ©Photo by PedalDancer |
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| ©Photo by PedalDancer |
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| ©Photo by PedalDancer |
About the bike builder
Dario Pegoretti is considered one of the best modern frame builders in the World. He is 55 years old and lives in the town of Caldonazzo, outside of Trento, in the Dolomites, Italy. He is considered both a master frame builder and an artist. In an interview with
Cycle Exif Pegoretti explained he takes inspiration for his paint designs from 60's street art. He added, "The paint sequence is primer, base coat, clear coat. But for many of my ‘WILD’ paint schemes I use piece of newspaper, powder, water color, coffee grain as i feel myself on that day."
Pegoretti was diagnosed with cancer in
2007, but still builds the bike frames (update: he announced in November 2012 he would stop selling the bike frames in Italy). The studio produces approximately 600 frames a year. Prices range from $2000-$5000. Pegoretti has created bikes for champion riders including Stephen Roche, Marco Cipollini and five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain. Watch a sample of the
Frame of Mind video featuring Dario Pegoretti.
Images below by © Nadav Kander.
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| Dario Pegoretti |
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| Inside the frame builder's shop |
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| The Pegoretti workshop in Italy |
Pegoretti uses only steel and aluminum to build his frames, you may choose from the Responsorium, Big Leg Emma (named after Frank Zappa), Marcelo (named after Thelonius Monk), Duende, Luigino, Love #3, and 8:30. See images of more
Pegoretti bikes. In November 2012, Dario Pegoretti decided to stop selling his amazing one of a kind artwork on bikes. You might be able to find a dealer with stock - search for a
dealer in the USA.
Rapha made this Pegoretti inspired pink club jersey.
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| Rapha's Pegoretti bike jersey |
