OH-MY-GOD-Bikes

   Because my current projects are winding down and there wasn’t a whole lot of news to report on them, I was trying to come up with an interesting subject for this blog entry. During my search online to find one or two small parts to finish off the builds, I came across some interesting bicycles. About a year ago I featured some amazing concept bicycles, but this time around I won’t discuss demo-type bikes you’d only find at a trade shows. These bicycles could/can be found for purchase in manufacturer catalogs or on websites – although most were built in limited quantities and are also VERY pricey!

   I’ll start with a classic! In 2010 Wilier Triestina re-introduced one of the most recognizable frame colors in cycling, a copper finish as easily identified with Wilier as celeste is identified with Bianchi. The Gioiello Ramato (copper jewel) is a lugged steel frame with a chrome fork and chainstay in the classic style.

   Wilier indicated that the paint process used was "faithful to the techniques that made the original ramato Wilier famous". That beautiful copper finish was obtained through a process called cromovelato in which copper lacquer was applied over the chrome finish - very early Wiliers were actually copper plated according to some sources.

   By the way, if you haven’t previously used this blog to brush up on your Italian, I’ll remind you to pronounce the company name “VEEL-ee-air”, which is an acronym for Viva l'Italia Libera e Redenta (long live Italy, liberated and redeemed).

   Steven Bock of Detroit Bicycle Company included a 93 tooth laser-cut chainring on his Land Speed Bike, which features a perforated frame and stem, accented in gloss black and copper. Steve has a background in automotive show car building, but inspiration for this machine came from a six day rider named Alfred “The Red Devil” Letourneur, who hit 108.92 mph on a Schwinn Paramount in 1941.

   The next two entries come from Faggin, a respected builder that has been around since 1945. Perhaps if you pronounce the word “fah-GEEN”, and use a little Italian flair, the name won’t bother your ears quite as much.

   At first glance, their Fiorentino (Florentine style), with its orange cromovelato finish, will seem like a Wilier copycat. However, a closer look will reveal distinctive chrome lugwork that recalls the lily, or giglio (“JEE-lee-oh”) of Florence, that is a revered symbol of the Italian city.

   You might see a cyclist riding by on the Faggin Primavera Black Edition and think that the bike looks much like the other sleek black machines so prevalent in the market these days. When he stops to ask where he can get a good cappuccino, you will discover that the tubes are completely covered in stitched Italian leather! Personally, I think the “standard” Primavera is more attractive with tan leather and cream-colored lugs and gold-painted cut-outs, but both have a very cool look, no matter which you prefer.

   To borrow a phrase from the Retrogrouch, “If Spiderman had a bike, he would have a Razik Vortex.” The frame combines a latticework of carbon fiber and Kevlar that the company claims disperses vibration like no other design. The tubing manufacturing process is not unique to Razik - known as Isotruss, it was originally designed for NASA.

   The first entry from legendary Italian builder Colnago, the Master d’Oro, isn’t available to just anyone - unless you have a gold-plating craftsman “on staff” - but the basic Master frameset certainly is! I just couldn’t help including this wonderful bicycle...

   However, the next Colnago beauty can be purchased by anyone with a big enough wallet! The flamboyant Arabesque was first produced between 1984 and 1985 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the company, but a 2016 interpretation of the original is now available. It has a similar tubeshape as their mainstay Master frameset, but includes the distinctive hand-cut lugs. Although the bike comes with modern ergo shifters, I would want to “trick-out” the bike with some vintage downtube versions (as pictured in second photo).

   Finally, what I would consider my modern dream bike, the Look 795 Aerolight. This is the Premium Pro-team color - or should I say couleur - that recalls the company logo with the Piet Mondrian artwork, also known to us Yanks as “Partridge Family Bus Paintings”. The Bretagne-Séché Environnement pro continental team didn’t exactly light the Tour de France on fire last year, but they sure were visually fantastic riding the 795!

   This bicycle is full of unique and innovative design features too numerous to mention, so I encourage you to take a glance at this bike show video ...

(Click the image to play - and be sure to click the full screen symbol, too!)

   The (non-pro version) 795 costs nearly $15,000 – but never fear, I saw the “street model”, which lacks the electronic shifting and has traditional mechanical braking, listed on eBay for only $5600. Why not buy two?