Battaglin back to Steel

[m_sasso]

Well that plastic fantastic seems to be on its way out with many?

http://www.handbuiltbicyclenews.com/c26-frame-builders/227-battaglin-to-focus-on-steel-and-phase-out-carbon-fiber-frames

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55acb9d1e4b0ab3015ee20c9/t/57bb17f9ff7c5098c625a6d7/1471879184680/?format=1500w

http://www.handbuiltbicyclenews.com/assets/source/500-Frameopedia-Bicycles/Framebuilders/battaglin/2016-catalog/x20161022_battaglin-marosticana02.jpg.pagespeed.ic.4XlKP393kV.jpg

[onomic]

I'd welcome this move. It's nice to see the chrome stays and lugs, reminds me of my first road bike. Now we need to see a shift back to silver components to go along with it. Beautiful looking frames, thanks for posting!

[pmac]

There's something about those frames that calls to me in a way no monocoque carbon frame ever has or probably will. I guess I'm just old fashioned.

[El Chaba]

There used to be stories around that Battaglin functioned like a contract builder for a fair part of their production...Gios was a name that was mentioned as a customer...

[soulspinner]

There's something about those frames that calls to me in a way no monocoque carbon frame ever has or probably will. I guess I'm just old fashioned.

You aint the only one.

[54ny77]

yup.

that's a very classic italian finish. had a colnago like that way back when. timeless, gorgeous.

of course a stiff wind would blow off the paint, but whatever. looked damned good while it happened. ;)

There's something about those frames that calls to me in a way no monocoque carbon frame ever has or probably will. I guess I'm just old fashioned.

[jghall]

Kind of partial to the red one, but both are stunning. Nice return to the glory days.

[2wheelwill]

Beautiful. Now if someone would only bring back a shiny but modern grouppo!!!


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[CSBArizona]

I'm totally with you guys. Those frames look beautiful, and move me in a way that no carbon bike ever could.

And I applaud Battaglin for bringing work back to its own factories and family of employees. I can imagine the enthusiasm of the team in their renewed roles preserving the local framebuilding tradition.

I find myself reaching for my custom lugged Columbus SL Niobium bike nine times out of ten over my carbon bike . . .

[54ny77]

you and me both.

imagine if someone could engineer modern shifters to work with old super record?

i'd be all over that in a second.

Beautiful. Now if someone would only bring back a shiny but modern grouppo!!!


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[mktng]

of course a stiff wind would blow off the paint, but whatever. looked damned good while it happened. ;)

It wouldn't be true Italian if the paint lasted.

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[xander1027]

Its a damn shame that Campagnolo has discontinued Athena because that the only modern group that will look good on these frames

[ultraman6970]

Those frames deserve threaded headsets and quill stems, just like how somec is doing it in some of their custom series.

[Cicli]

Those frames deserve threaded headsets and quill stems, just like how somec is doing it in some of their custom series.

I actually prefer a classic looking frame with modern carbon bits and 1 1/8" threadless steer tubes.
Either way, those are great looking framesets.

[eBAUMANN]

"We are very confident in the quality of modern steel, but also in our production processes. We have been in business for about 30 years, and we see almost none of our steel frames breaking. So we offer a one million miles guarantee. Our guarantee follows the frame, not the customer. This is how confident we are in our construction processes."

Bravo. Bra. vo.

More companies need a perspective like this, stand behind what you sell, 100%.

And just when I thought it couldnt get better...

"For me, I see two problems with custom frame builders: The first is warranty. In general, they don’t like to give a long warranty. The second is delivery time. From my point of view this is crazy! You shouldn’t have to wait six months or nine months for a frame. Our guarantee is 30 days, or the frame is free."

I like this dude. A lot.

[Cicli]

"We are very confident in the quality of modern steel, but also in our production processes. We have been in business for about 30 years, and we see almost none of our steel frames breaking. So we offer a one million miles guarantee. Our guarantee follows the frame, not the customer. This is how confident we are in our construction processes."

Bravo. Bra. vo.

More companies need a perspective like this, stand behind what you sell, 100%.

And just when I thought it couldnt get better...

"For me, I see two problems with custom frame builders: The first is warranty. In general, they don’t like to give a long warranty. The second is delivery time. From my point of view this is crazy! You shouldn’t have to wait six months or nine months for a frame. Our guarantee is 30 days, or the frame is free."

I like this dude. A lot.

Yeah, I read that too. Awesome.

[wallymann]

i like this dude. A lot.

+1

[OLB]

I hope they find a large enough market to stick with it for a while. And that other small builders are paying attention.

[buddybikes]

Anyone know how much these cost - or are they destined for the 1%ers?

[Cicli]

Anyone know how much these cost - or are they destined for the 1%ers?

2300 for the one I like.

[merckx]

The STAs are very 80's-esque.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

Love 'em.

[ultraman6970]

2300 for a triple or double chrome plated frame is not that bad, I think a custom somec that is in the same quality is a lot less. And it takes them like 6 to 8 weeks to send you the frame back.

IMO they can do this things fairly quickly because they aren't using custom lugs that other builders use for their clients, that obviously takes time to build. So basically they are using the same manufacturing process that has been there since forever. Takes longer to finish a frame after has been brazed than what it takes to braze the whole thing.

What i do like is that in the power plus model they are actually brazing the tubes, that gives a totally different finish to the bikes, great IMO.

I insist, a nice campy 1 inch headset and a quill stem would look sick in those bikes.

ps: looks like this things takes threaded headsets hhmmmm

2300 for the one I like.

[merckx]

Love 'em.

Me too.

[8aaron8]

I'm really happy to see some of these older companies bringing back frames from their hay days. These look like great examples of a bike that can pass from one generation to the next and provide other an opportunity to appreciate the simple beauty of a bicycle frame, assuming the paint lasts;)

[earlfoss]

They are making some really beautiful bikes. I hope they are successful. I, for one, would consider racing on their steel race bike if the weight, stiffness, and price was right.

[belopsky]

I have not seen any pricing yet - "Marco" told me it will be revealed next week?

[sandyrs]

The power plus is such a cool bike. Given that they do custom sizing I might think about getting one down the line (previously the power plus was listed but only in stock sizes). That and the Marinoni Piuma Supreme (http://www.marinoni.qc.ca/html/PiumaSupreme.html) both look like fantastic "artisan" steel options without having to resort to a huge wait time.

[El Chaba]

There is the old saw that "Italian paint is chip prone and not durable..."...In my experience, the quality of the Italian paint jobs spans the board. They can be stellar and durable or a train wreck (as in quite a few Atalas and Bottechias). As a data point one of my de Rosas has one of the best paint/chrome jobs that I have ever seen on any bike from anywhere. The bike is 24 years old and has been cared for, but it also has seen a ton of use. Save for a couple of TINY, pin sized stone chips on the underside of the downtube the bike would easily be mistaken for NOS. With so many of the paints being reformulated, I have seen quite a few modern paint jobs-from everywhere- to be lacking in the durability department....

[icepick_trotsky]

The Power Plus looks so nice. Fillet brazed FTW.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55acb9d1e4b0ab3015ee20c9/571f747907eaa0de4fd968c3/571f747907eaa0de4fd968c2/1461740909174/Power+Plus+Blk-Red.jpg?format=1000w

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55acb9d1e4b0ab3015ee20c9/t/5720ba6e1bbee05e96bfa235/1461762949073/?format=1000w

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55acb9d1e4b0ab3015ee20c9/571f7bfaf8508288e8e6b9d1/571f7bfbb09f959babc27674/1461681156057/_MG_5738+Web.jpg?format=500w

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55acb9d1e4b0ab3015ee20c9/t/5720807ea3360c14b86f28d8/1472048236978/?format=750w

[velomateo]

^^^
That is one awesome looking bike. I would love to see a pro team use them.

Wouldn't it be cool if during the tour they had one "throw back" stage? Everyone would be required to ride a 6 speed, down tube shifters, steel bike.

[thwart]

^^^
That is one awesome looking bike. I would love to see a pro team use them.

Wouldn't it be cool if during the tour they had one "throw back" stage? Everyone would be required to ride a 6 speed, down tube shifters, steel bike.
I'd like to see that as well. Would probably be a draw for the MAMIL's that are a target audience for the bike manufacturers.

But then those companies would need to have a steel bike offering as well... :D

[ntb1001]

I emailed them. Alex Battaglin is the name on the reply with this part I copied regarding pricing...


"The price for the standard Power+ frameset (steel frame + carbon fork + head parts) is € 2.390,00 (VAT included). The price for a standard size is the base price for a custom-made frameset."




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[Web1111a]

so wonder what they will import for

The price works out to $2604 with the vat

[El Chaba]

so wonder what they will import for

The price works out to $2604 with the vat

Hurry up and buy one before there is an importer or they will be $4000+ and you won't be able to get one direct...

[Fivethumbs]

I would love to have one in Carrera livery with the original font.

[bfd]

Is there a trend moving back to steel framesets? I notice two other Italian mfrs who started selling steel again after having gone to the "dark side" of carbon for a number of years:

1. Chesini - these were sold by Loose Screws but didn't pan out. Interesting note - Loose Screw is now selling gun parts?!

http://www.chesini.it/eng/bikes/steel

http://www.chesini.it/imagecache/uploads/images/lirica-hp-copia_afb349.jpg

2. Somec - they now have 3 steel framesets available:

http://www.somec.com/en/collection/steel_frames/top_class/

http://www.somec.com/2017/img/new-collection/topclass-big.jpg

3. Bianchi - Ok, I believe they've always had at least one steel frame bike in their lineup, the Volpe, but now they're going after the vintage market with the Eroica:

http://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/road/vintage/eroica-frameset/

http://www.bianchiusa.com/fileadmin/_processed_/csm_XLBJ8IAA_01_edit_561244721b.jpg

Of course, the bigger names - Cinelli, Colnago, DeRosa and Pinarello - to name a few have always offered at least one steel frameset.

Throw in Battaglin and what's going on here?! Good Luck!

[ravdg316]

Are there any other companies in any industry that offer an official transferable warranty? I've never heard of that

[FlashUNC]

And yet they're still selling a full carbon line on their site.

[sandyrs]

And yet they're still selling a full carbon line on their site.

Battaglin to focus on steel and phase out carbon fiber frames

was the headline. Not "Battaglin to cease carbon frame sales immediately." Probably selling off current stock or something.

[FlashUNC]

Battaglin to focus on steel and phase out carbon fiber frames

was the headline. Not "Battaglin to cease carbon frame sales immediately." Probably selling off current stock or something.

Then maybe don't make carbon frames the first item to click on their site?

Maybe highlight the new thing? Rather than, you know, the thing you say sucks?

Maybe don't classify your carbon bikes as "road" and the road steel bikes as "steel."

More power to them, I think this kind of differentiation is a good thing. But if you're going to go do an interview crapping all over carbon, I dunno, that might be the time to take all the carbon stuff off the website first. This is Marketing 101 kinda stuff.

[sandyrs]

Then maybe don't make carbon frames the first item to click on their site?

Maybe highlight the new thing? Rather than, you know, the thing you say sucks?

Maybe don't classify your carbon bikes as "road" and the road steel bikes as "steel."

More power to them, I think this kind of differentiation is a good thing. But if you're going to go do an interview crapping all over carbon, I dunno, that might be the time to take all the carbon stuff off the website first. This is Marketing 101 kinda stuff.

Yes, totally. This is how you end up with a bunch of Battaglin carbon frames selling on the Planet X site for huge discounts off msrp...

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRBAHYP/battaglin-hyper-frameset

[bfd]

Yes, totally. This is how you end up with a bunch of Battaglin carbon frames selling on the Planet X site for huge discounts off msrp...

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRBAHYP/battaglin-hyper-frameset

Yes, Planet X, they also sell the Chinese-made Holdsworth and Viner steel framesets:

http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/frames/road-bike-frames/steel-bike-frames

This includes the Professional with Reynolds 531 tubing:

http://d2plslj6xljffa.cloudfront.net/imgs/products/px/950x600_constWH/FRHOPRFIT_P1.jpg?v=s

and the Viner steel frameset:

http://d2plslj6xljffa.cloudfront.net/imgs/products/px/950x600_constWH/FRVIRESTR_P1.jpg?v=s

Man, it's like being back in the late 80s/early 90s, only these frames are now made in Taiwan! Good Luck!

[mtechnica]

They look beautiful but are people really buying and riding frames like this? I don't know a single person that rides a steel bike anymore except for one and she prefers her other aluminum bike as far as I know.

[tv_vt]

For near $3k, I'll take a steel Hampsten Gran Paradiso La Dolce Vita any day. Custom-made just for me in Seattle, Washington.
http://www.hampsten.com/bike/gran-paradiso/

[FlashUNC]

They look beautiful but are people really buying and riding frames like this?

Yes. This is a 2013 vintage and as Italian as anything can be coming out of Reno.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1468/25964446362_79aebb2877_b.jpg

[thwart]

I don't know a single person that rides a steel bike anymore...As your parents would say... 'you're hanging out with the wrong people'.

:D

[Big Dan]

Bought some steel this year.
Couple two, three.

:p

[bthornt]

I was surprised to see that Battaglin is still in business.

[El Chaba]

They look beautiful but are people really buying and riding frames like this? I don't know a single person that rides a steel bike anymore except for one and she prefers her other aluminum bike as far as I know.

Apparently there is a growing market....Dario Pegoretti is busy.....Doriano deRosa is busy after having branched out from the family company to focus on steel and ti.....meanwhile back at deRosa they have ADDED steel models to the lineup over the past several years. I can think of about a dozen Italian marques that have returned to their roots of custom framebuilding-usually in multiple materials- even if they still offer off the peg models that are mass produced.

[oldpotatoe]

Beautiful. Now if someone would only bring back a shiny but modern grouppo!!!


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here Potenza.

[mktng]

What's Potenza replacing ?

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[oldpotatoe]

What's Potenza replacing ?

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Potenza is Campag's 2by, Powershift/PowerTorque 11s offering and Athena will be Campag's 11s triple offering...

[dancinkozmo]

here Potenza.


...that chainset....YIKES!!!!

[El Chaba]

...that chainset....YIKES!!!!

I see why prices are up on all of the older silver components...and they are getting harder to source as well.....

[oldpotatoe]

...that chainset....YIKES!!!!

Do you like the silver version of this better? Oh, that's right, no silver version..:D

[54ny77]

Patchdog's 9spd Record Ti group for sale in the classifieds is when the fat lady last sang all alu. group Italian arias.

She's been singing the blues since...

[mktng]

I'd sell the 25th DA off my Nago for this . Daaamn (regarding 9spd record :P)

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[jemoryl]

There has usually been a steel bike in the Basso linup:
http://www.bassobikes.com/collection/viper/viper.html

I have a circa 2000 Viper, but it was filet brazed then. They have a tendency to use the same name for years but on very different bikes, e.g. old Astras were steel, curreny Astras monocoque carbon.

[Tickdoc]

are people really buying and riding frames like this?

:eek:

[jet sanchez]

Colnago never stopped producing Master framesets

[belopsky]

Wow..those Holdsworth frames look mighty purdy, and the price ain't bad, however the roads here are terrible and any sane person needs to be riding 30mm+, 32mm being the start of ideal..

[belopsky]

Hm, can anyone comment? The price is right, I seem to fit their off-the-peg sizing, and the colors/paint/lugs are beauty..

Anyone own one of those? Looking at the Cyclone.

[dancinkozmo]

Do you like the silver version of this better? Oh, that's right, no silver version..:D

whether its black or silver, ugly is ugly. i like these:

http://www.englishcycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/7700crank.jpg

http://velobase.com/CompImages/Crankset/40AC2E33-F922-4E3D-A943-884FBE86DE3B.jpeg


sorry for the thread drift...sweet looking frames ...but they should have threaded steerers imho :)

[mtechnica]

As your parents would say... 'you're hanging out with the wrong people'.

:D

Obviously people on paceline seem to have steel road bikes, it's just that in real life I basically never see them. I saw a steel gaulzetti in a race once but I'm pretty sure the dude is on carbon now. I guess I'm just surprised there's such a strong market for high end off the shelf steel racing frames.

[mcteague]

Obviously people on paceline seem to have steel road bikes, it's just that in real life I basically never see them. I saw a steel gaulzetti in a race once but I'm pretty sure the dude is on carbon now. I guess I'm just surprised there's such a strong market for high end off the shelf steel racing frames.

I still love the look of a fine steel frame, maybe it's age thing! I ride Ti and Carbon/Ti mix though. As much as I like nice paint jobs, I always die a little as they get chipped and scratched.

Same with motorbikes, love the look of the new Triumph Thruxton R but bought a BMW S1000R.

Tim

[sandyrs]

Obviously people on paceline seem to have steel road bikes, it's just that in real life I basically never see them. I saw a steel gaulzetti in a race once but I'm pretty sure the dude is on carbon now. I guess I'm just surprised there's such a strong market for high end off the shelf steel racing frames.

You probably won't be surprised to hear this but not many people buying these lugged/classic bikes race them.

The market is strong only relative to what it was maybe 15 years ago. It's a tiny segment of a tiny segment, which is why Battaglin is the name we're talking about here, and not Trek or Giant.

[cnighbor1]

OLMO also has a retro frame for sale anyone have a link to it
thanks
Charles

[alexstar]

I love these new bikes. Glad to see the shift back to steel. I'd buy one.

[bfd]

You probably won't be surprised to hear this but not many people buying these lugged/classic bikes race them.

The market is strong only relative to what it was maybe 15 years ago. It's a tiny segment of a tiny segment, which is why Battaglin is the name we're talking about here, and not Trek or Giant.

That's me. I don't race, never have, never will. I have an old carbon bike that I love and a ti as my commuter. For long rides, it's the carbon.

However, I'm in the process of having a new bike build and guess what, it's going to be steel! I haven't had steel in a while and want to try out the newer heat-treated tubing. I previously had a bike with 531, SLX and Columbus Zona. My new frame will be Dedacciai Zero.

Note, I'm not expecting this bike to be light. If I wanted light, my LBS has some very nice Giants for a lot less like a Giant TCR with DA or for bargain hunters the Defy with ultegra/disc brakes for $1900?! But that's not what I want! Steel is real!

Of course, YMMV! Good Luck!

[bfd]

OLMO also has a retro frame for sale anyone have a link to it
thanks
Charles

oooh, OLMO, my friend use to have one of those! It was very nice. The new one is the Gara:

http://www.olmo.it/en/bikes/veloci/gara/

http://www.bikegarageshop.it/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/k/i/kit-telaio-olmo-gara-rosso.jpg

Good Luck!

[fignon's barber]

Obviously people on paceline seem to have steel road bikes, it's just that in real life I basically never see them. I saw a steel gaulzetti in a race once but I'm pretty sure the dude is on carbon now. I guess I'm just surprised there's such a strong market for high end off the shelf steel racing frames.



The correct answer, of course, is that you must have one of each. :beer:

[thwart]

... it's just that in real life I basically never see them.

As your friends would say 'you really need to get out more'.

:D

[SoCal Al]

Re-starting this thread.

I recently (2 years ago) moved from a Specialized Tarmac Pro (super responsive but hand numbing ride) to a 1999 NOS steel frame Fondriest that I built up with Campy Record 11, Campy Daytona hubs laced to Mavic OpenPro ceramic rims. I ride pretty much every weekend 100-150 miles and can honestly say that when I put the bike away I always think "I could go another 30 miles easy".

I never raced but I'm not slow and I suppose f I really wanted to crank the watts out it might flex but really there's no need. The darn thing just rides soooo sweet.

And (I'm not exagerating here) not one ride goes by that someone doesn't comment on the bike or want to talk about it. Something to be said for chromed chainstays, fork, hubs, spokes, silver stem & bars and a gorgeous blue/multi-colored Italian paint job.

But I've been speaking with Alex Battaglin and have to say he's a great guy. I'll be buying a Power+ (mainly because I don't have the funds for the Portofino) hopefully later this year and transfer my groupset to it plus add my new Campy Bora 35s.

[rccardr]

I've also been chatting with Alex.

Did you get the e-mail today about the number of Power+ disc frames remaining? Apparently they WILL paint it pink on request.

[shinomaster]

Beautiful frames but the logo/font size placement needs help. I liked their old simple white logo.

[shinomaster]

also:

http://www.giostorino.it/creazioni/collezione-2018/gios-torino-magica-70

http://tommasinibicycle.com/tommasini-tecno/

[bfd]

also:

http://www.giostorino.it/creazioni/collezione-2018/gios-torino-magica-70

http://tommasinibicycle.com/tommasini-tecno/

Well if we’re going to list Italian steel framesets, can’t forget Somec:

http://www.somec.com/en/collection/steel_frames/rex/

Good Luck!

[paredown]

Well if we’re going to list Italian steel framesets, can’t forget Somec:

http://www.somec.com/en/collection/steel_frames/rex/

Good Luck!
Awesome

[DrSpoke]

Re-starting this thread.

I recently (2 years ago) moved from a Specialized Tarmac Pro (super responsive but hand numbing ride) to a 1999 NOS steel frame Fondriest that I built up with Campy Record 11, Campy Daytona hubs laced to Mavic OpenPro ceramic rims. I ride pretty much every weekend 100-150 miles and can honestly say that when I put the bike away I always think "I could go another 30 miles easy".

I never raced but I'm not slow and I suppose f I really wanted to crank the watts out it might flex but really there's no need. The darn thing just rides soooo sweet.

And (I'm not exagerating here) not one ride goes by that someone doesn't comment on the bike or want to talk about it. Something to be said for chromed chainstays, fork, hubs, spokes, silver stem & bars and a gorgeous blue/multi-colored Italian paint job.

But I've been speaking with Alex Battaglin and have to say he's a great guy. I'll be buying a Power+ (mainly because I don't have the funds for the Portofino) hopefully later this year and transfer my groupset to it plus add my new Campy Bora 35s.

I'm in SoCal too and have a similar story. I sold a Serotta Concours a few years ago but the buyer didn't want the groupset - Daytona10. Later I picked up a late 90s Cinelli in blue and put on the group. It's very heavy but a very nice ride. And I get more compliments than any bike I've ever had. I'm riding it tomorrow in fact. That said, I sure like to try a modern steel bike w/a newer groupset and lightweight wheels. Let's say a Cherubim with SR.

[cnighbor1]

Battaglin also builds for others under there name
which is great has it gets more steel frames on the road
Love mine

[Rudy]

Is there a trend moving back to steel framesets? I notice two other Italian mfrs who started selling steel again after having gone to the "dark side" of carbon for a number of years:

1. Chesini - these were sold by Loose Screws but didn't pan out. Interesting note - Loose Screw is now selling gun parts?!

http://www.chesini.it/eng/bikes/steel

http://www.chesini.it/imagecache/uploads/images/lirica-hp-copia_afb349.jpg

2. Somec - they now have 3 steel framesets available:

http://www.somec.com/en/collection/steel_frames/top_class/

http://www.somec.com/2017/img/new-collection/topclass-big.jpg

3. Bianchi - Ok, I believe they've always had at least one steel frame bike in their lineup, the Volpe, but now they're going after the vintage market with the Eroica:

http://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/road/vintage/eroica-frameset/

http://www.bianchiusa.com/fileadmin/_processed_/csm_XLBJ8IAA_01_edit_561244721b.jpg

Of course, the bigger names - Cinelli, Colnago, DeRosa and Pinarello - to name a few have always offered at least one steel frameset.

Throw in Battaglin and what's going on here?! Good Luck!

The Somec is way up firm and high.

[SoCal Al]

What is it about chrome and paint? Looks so :banana:

[SoCal Al]

I've also been chatting with Alex.

Did you get the e-mail today about the number of Power+ disc frames remaining? Apparently they WILL paint it pink on request.

Yes I did but since I'm not in the market for disc I thought I'd ask him if he'd extend the same offer for a Power+. Here's his reply:

Hi Allen,
Thanks for your e-mail,
I can have a really great offer for you, but first I need to have your measurement form completed, for understand your size.

can you complete and send back to me ?

I can send you an offer really, really unrepeatable.

please resend back to me asap.

I'll let you know what he comes back with!

[SoCal Al]

Obviously people on paceline seem to have steel road bikes, it's just that in real life I basically never see them. I saw a steel gaulzetti in a race once but I'm pretty sure the dude is on carbon now. I guess I'm just surprised there's such a strong market for high end off the shelf steel racing frames.

Craig G. moved out to the San Diego area last year and opened a small shop in Del Mar (uber hi rent zip code) called Summer Cycles (http://summercycles.com/). I've stopped in a couple of times, always dragging a new friend in for the intro. Some exceptionally fine builds!

[shinomaster]

I'm surprised that Somec is using SL tubing?