Thanks Alex and GCN for featuring Officina Battaglin on this prestigious list!🇮🇹

@silviofontana5144

2 жыл бұрын

Alex, you may not remember me, but I came to visit you and you where so friendly and caring with your time, a treasured memory in 2014 while visiting my family in Zane, Ciao from Silvio fontana

@OfficinaBattaglin

2 жыл бұрын

@@silviofontana5144 Of course I remember you, glad to know you have good memories!

@thedronescene7474

2 жыл бұрын

I wish you replied to your emails the same way you post in here! I contacted you a few months back inquiring about a frame and till today I heard nothing back.

@OfficinaBattaglin

2 жыл бұрын

@@thedronescene7474 We can't find any unanswered inquiries, can you please contact us again or let us know what your email was about? Thanks!

@thedronescene7474

2 жыл бұрын

@@OfficinaBattaglin I was inquiring to buy a frame. Unfortunately that was months ago and I already ordered a Moots frame instead.

Battaglin, Nothing finer, visited their factory, spent ages with Alex, such a memorable experience, and Champion cyclists as well.

@OfficinaBattaglin

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Silvio!🇮🇹

I ride a 1987 Eddy Merckx Corsa. It still has the original Columbus SLX steel decal on the seat tube. I’ve had several other bikes over the years but this steel Merckx is hands-down the best feeling and best handling bike I have ever owned. Great video GCN. Thank you!

@gcntech

2 жыл бұрын

Steel is real!

The 'list' of great frame builders today can go on almost endlessly. When you go this far up the pipeline of craftsmanship, there really is no 'best'. At this level they are all good, in their own way. It just depends on what you like, and what you want to ride...

@lauriavincenzo3040

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly

@euhm

2 жыл бұрын

My personal favourites are: Crisp, Independent Fabrication, Vanilla/Speedvagen, Pegoretti, Gios(the Italian handmade bikes, not the carbon ones) Jaegher, Festka, Martelly, ... So many more

@SuperSpable

Жыл бұрын

@@euhm how do you try so many different frames? Just buy bikes, ride them for a while and then sell them?

@euhm

Жыл бұрын

@@SuperSpable There are test events where you can test bikes like Happy Bike Days and I do lots of tests, but these hand built frames won't be there. I haven't tried any of them since they are all made to measure and very expensive. But if money where no option, than I would get each and any of them to make me a frame. The ones I tested are Crisp and Seven. Both ride very nice. The rest I have yet to test.

I knew Battaglin would make it, it's one of my favourite builder

@pretzelhunt

2 жыл бұрын

god and they look so slick. no bad angles.

@OfficinaBattaglin

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!🇮🇹

Have a steel gravel bike made by Joe Breeze and I love it! I will never go back to aluminium (have some retro GT MTB's and they are obviously made from aluminium) - next bike will definitely by a steel gravel bike!

In days past I always lusted after a Merlin titanium bike. The older ones were stunningly beautiful with a ride to match.

@johnhickman2033

2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree, but I could never afford one!

Bamboo isn’t a type of wood. It’s a grass. Just sayin.......

The framebuilder’s framebuilder - Rob English.

Mad list of makers, thank you.

Chas Roberts of Roberts Cycles when they were still building in Croydon. His brother Geoff Roberts is still building in East Sussex under Geoff Roberts Cycles. Custom Steel tubing with Brass Filet Brazing and they were using ovalised Columbus Max OR tubing back in the 90s

@matthewlewis2072

2 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear Roberts are still sort of going. Remember seeing a truly beautiful Roberts at the Ride London one year.

@luckythirteengaming6605

2 жыл бұрын

@@matthewlewis2072 fantastic bikes. Geoff repaired my DB SE a couple of years ago using the original Columbus tube set he had from when they were in production. All restored to its former glory

just ordered a custom steel frame and it will be crazy!

As an older English cyclist, to me Chas Roberts was the pinnacle of frame building excellence

Great video! I'm a welder to trade(coded) and I am still in awe of the frame builders.

My favourite would probably be the Bastion Bikes, although as a cycle tourist I also like to add a manufacturer that builds titanium bikes with Santana Z type couplers. And, of course, quality 3D titanium lugs for all frame joints.

Ti- moots Steel- dario pegoretti Aluminium- cannondale Carbon- sarto

@boylekay789

2 жыл бұрын

Hotel-Travago

@matthewlewis2072

2 жыл бұрын

I think Pegoretti died recently

@mistagregory

2 жыл бұрын

@@matthewlewis2072 he died in 2018 but his workshop is still running full tilt.

My fiançé has a steel custom single speed mountain bike by Myth Cycles and I'm pretty sure he'd sell me off before that bike haha. It's so special and such a great representation of art and utility in one beautiful ride.

@tygrewesterfield841

2 жыл бұрын

He'd sell you off first😂sad but probably true of many passionate cyclists, men and women

i recently had a titainium frame custom ordered. it isnt made just yet. i gave them the geometry specs to a popular frame that i like and they are making it out of titainium with rim and disc brake mounts and a few other features i wanted. best part of custom frames is getting the specifications you want in the material you want. its no comprimise sort of thing; no need to bother with a market flooded with disc brakes.

Parlee Bikes is the best in my opinion (own 3) then I'd look at Festka Scalatore looks amazing! 👌

Waterford Precision Cycles in Waterford, Wisconsin, USA builds some of the most beautiful steel road frames anywhere. My Waterford R-33 totally destroys my 2020 Tarmac Pro on handling, ride quality, sprinting and climbing. Yes, I said sprinting and climbing. There’s more to performance than hidden cables that are difficult to work on and counting grams. The carbon “wonder bike” has been relegated to back-up bike/trainer status.

I own a Cherubim Sticky frame made by Shin-Ichi Konno in Japan. It is the one and the same frame featured in RCUK review back in April 2014. To say it is sublime and beautiful doesn't begin to do it justice. Simply heavenly to ride and quite unlike anything else I've experienced. Cherubim has to be up there with the best there is.

@selcukcilek555

Жыл бұрын

Fully agree.

I'm really fascinated with the bamboo bikes myself

@GCN you should do a Frame Builder series, go in depth on different frame builders and their background along with the bikes and materials they produce. Go in depth on one builder per video, talk to them, kinda like you did with that video you did comparing different bike materials, steel, aluminum, carbon and titanium. Im blanking on the maker, but it was a relatively big name.

Bowmen I heard, those frames, are to die for

My steel frame was made by Chris Chance and is a true dream ride. I would like to see more videos like this Maybe goinging a little more in depth on a specific material and also the relationship between the builders themselves. Most of the Master Builder learned from other Master builders and that heritage lives on.

@johnhickman2033

2 жыл бұрын

I have a Yo from 1997 - I've never wanted anything else since I've had this beauty. A truly fantastic bike!

Following Hambini's video on the Bertoletti Legend frame, you can't help but wonder how some of the more popular 'cycling media' come up with these lists. What are they based on exactly?

@charlesmansplaining

Жыл бұрын

I saw the Hambini video and Bertoletti may have produced some nice steel frames but certainly don't know their way around carbon manufacturing. To let a POS like that go out the door let alone charge $7000 for it is an unforgiveable crime. That said, I know there are some real professional craftsmen here in the US and I would choose one of those before going abroad to buy a bike frame.

When he was around (now retired) CHAS ROBERTS from Croyden in London was as good a frame builder as anyone out there.... I bought one of his ROUGH STUFF frames about 18 years ago, it's a masterpiece and it makes me laugh when people talk about Gravel Bikes these days as if it's a new concept because CHAS ROBERTS was building this style of bike eons ago.....

Bastion Cycles for Me. As for technologies, I like the Santana Z couplers (utilised in Santana tandems and 22Bicycle), which make for an excellent combination when matched to fully internally-guided hydraulic liners and leak-free instant hydraulic hose splitters (i.e., "Brake Breaks").

Richard Sachs, Marco Bertoletti, Ben Farver, Gianni Pegoretti, Aaron Barcheck, Brad Bingham…daylight second.

@MajorJamesGastovski

2 жыл бұрын

Without Richard, Pegoretti, and Bingham, I really can't agree with the list in this show.

Ti for me, already have a Serotta Legend. Thanks for the video, Chreers.

The wood bikes look so cool

1 - Magna. 2 - Huffy. 3 - Pacific. 4 - Schwinn (The Varsity years). 5 - Battaglin.

Great video! I wonder what frame companies that are not still around that were notable (I'm thinking Medici, Tomasini??) It might be worth a video

This topic is made for a crossover with GMBN Tech. There are similar legends in frame building and also similar ideas to make carbon frames with less labour so that they can be produced in Europe or the US for a reasonable price.

I'd love to see GCN highlight Weis bikes some time. They might be known for their track bikes, but they make road and gravel bikes too, and their asymmetrical rear triangle looks hella tyte.

Well done. I am interested in a custom frame build. I am an older age grouper. I have a carbon TREK Madone that is separating from the bottom bracket. It is the second TREK bottom bracket that has failed. The options you covered are compelling. I am looking for a good all round option for hills, flats and downhills for training. I occasionally compete in triathlons and have a suitable tri-bike-aluminum or light weight steel (not sure). I do appreciate the solid bottom bracket area. Thank you

I missed magnesium bike frames... Good video. A little shocked about the wood ones OvO

Alex sporting the cyclist windburnt face. Chapeau mate!

Steel and aluminum is the only frames I can afford, but those bamboo and ash wood bikes are beautiful.

@uhis1686

2 жыл бұрын

always good to keep an eye out for second hand carbon bikes!

That officinabattaglin is an awesome looking bike

Who makes the best frames? ask Hambini instead of getting info from a marketing channel 😉

@SamuelBlackMetalRider

2 жыл бұрын

He loves LOOK for sure. But anyway he hasn’t dissected enough frames to have a definite opinion !! Hundreds of brands!

I've enjoyed this video.

@gcntech

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!!

Thanks for getting the pronunciation right!

I am planning to travel by plane. Will i have a problem with the liquid of my hydraulic brakes ? Do I have to remove the di2 battery ?

As soon as I finish a current project, I think I'm reaching out to OfficinaBattaglin and having one of their Power+ frames made and get off of this carbon bike. I have wanted one for the last four years or so but have other priorities at the moment. I love the ride of the steel bikes I raced from the late 70's through to the the 90's but would like one of these that can also take the modern components. Having raced on those same frames, albeit a bit earlier, I'm sure Giovanni Battaglin has recreated that supple yet responsive ride in his current steel sleds.

Miclo Bikes form IG has a Ti bike from Wittson that was made crooked. the rear tire is not aligned in the center when mounted. He is selling the frame now.

The video doesn't answer it's own question. No analysis presented that these are the best frame builders.

I've never looked at a steel bike as a "work if art". I tend to look at them as "Top Quality" hammers that last for years and years.

I have to include Giant, just because they make more frames than anyone else. Maybe 80% of all bicycle frames on earth. And they warranty them for life. I have one, and can't complain about them. But I do prefer steel.

I built a bike frame on a course. I loved the process and it's a great fit and rides really well. Bicycles by Design, Coalport.

Titanium frames are the dogs bollocks just look class

A custom tailored bike is cool, because it has personality. And it's cool to know the person who built it and to get a frame exactly fitted for you. But for technical perfection I'd prefer a factory built bike, because they (for example Merida) have the experience of millions of bikes, optimized materials and the better factory made bikes are handmade as well. Just with more professional tools.

The Carbon technology shown isnt with resin injection, as you said. The resin is already pre impregnated into the carbon fibers (Prepreg-Technology) and then pressurized from inside and heated to cure.

Officina Battaglin, wonderful. I'd happily have one.

@OfficinaBattaglin

2 жыл бұрын

Looking forward to building yours!🇮🇹

@chrissinclair6086

2 жыл бұрын

@@OfficinaBattaglin a dream at this moment in time. But dreams can come true. Love Italian bikes, currently ride a 3T Strada on the road. Infact, everything is Italian with me, Favero Assioma pedals, Kask helmets, Sidi shoes and more. Something just so special about the passion Italian's place in their products. Even drive an Abarth!

@OfficinaBattaglin

2 жыл бұрын

@@chrissinclair6086 Thanks for your kind words, Chris! Dreams do come true 🇮🇹

Officina Battaglin remains on my wish list, there Craft and Painting is simply breathtaking, well some day...

@OfficinaBattaglin

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ingo!🇮🇹

Alchemy Bikes from Denver Colorado makes amazing titanium bikes.

@monty2078

2 жыл бұрын

so do T-Labs in Montreal

I like that Alex threw in random facts about welding, good video though.

no mention of Blake from GMBN then and his home made bike frame... 😂

Richard Sachs, Parlee, Kent Eriksen, English Cycles, and so on

You forgot to mention AveMaldea.. 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

Where is STAINLESS STEEL?

Ny next bike is going to be a custom titanium gravel bike fra Benben (based in Copenhagen Denmark) Had a chat with them this weekend… so cool guys 😎

Amazing. I would have thought by now the top companies would have moved onto robotic and jig processes. I guess the additional cost doesn't justify the leap in tech.

@thatguy6054

Жыл бұрын

Robotics buys you volume and speed but may or may not buy quality/precision. Whether automation buys you those is highly dependent on the particulars of the product and process and especially on the the expertise of the people setting up the automation (or choosing not to because if it's a bad idea). Where robotics really suffer is in flexibility, a characteristic that is essential in custom made products. They require a great deal of trial and error for initial setup but then are repeatable for making the same thing over and over. That's very inefficient and ineffective for one-off custom products. Custom builders do use jigs. They just weren't shown in the very short snippets of video here.

You guys should travel out to Oregon to visit Argonaut and all of the other awesome frame builders around here in Portland.

@gcntech

2 жыл бұрын

We'd love to!

@kneawah

2 жыл бұрын

@@gcntech have your folks reach out to Travel Portland (visitor bureau). Not sure but could be an opportunity to partner on a trip given the GCN reach.

Titanium: Sturdy Cycles Aluminium: TºRed Steel: Officina Battaglin

You slept on Time who is arguably the most technologically advanced carbon frame builder in the world with RTM being the gold standard that is far superior to the other technologies and methods of building carbon frames

I'm thinking of a Curtis Cycles fat tyred road frame, hmm nice.

I want a wood bike, just because that's cool

“This video is sponsored by the 5 best frame builders in the world”

@rizzlerforthergyatt

2 жыл бұрын

???

@iMadrid11

2 жыл бұрын

These frame builders don’t need to pay for advertising. Their reputation through word of mouth speaks for itself.

@geekpharm2108

2 жыл бұрын

😭

@Sklouchechi

2 жыл бұрын

@@iMadrid11 doesn't change the fact that it could happen. Who knows who's sponsoring who these days

@rachmatt5082

2 жыл бұрын

@@Sklouchechi they will have to tell the viewers if they were sponsored by them, take a lot at others GCN videos. There will be a small box on the screen that said „sponsored“ or something like that.

For me it would have been Rob English for steel and Firefly for titanium, but to each his own...

Thanks for showing me where to spend money next...

Good to know

Holland Cycles in San Diego. Full stop.

@scottbaker5851

2 жыл бұрын

I was wondering if someone was going to mention Bill.

People seem to forget Columbine Cycle Works. And Kirk Frameworks.

I was hoping to see Mercian highlighted, but there are just too many offerings out there to include every great builder.

@Draknareth

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed, especially as I live in Derby

1 Pelizzoli 2 derosa (colnago ) 3cinelli 4merckx 5 rychtarski.

Speaking of new tech stuff check out MVPs New Shimano shoes definitely a new model..I have the 902s so spotted them

I’m a huge fan of Rodeo-Labs.

Take a look at Ave Maldea from the Philippines.

"Although, when TIG-welding a titanium frame, you need to have an oxygen free environment." That also goes for welding any other type of material. Sounds like misleading information unless I'm mistaken.

People are putting in companies that are too big. Even Parlee is too big. However, there are two custom builders in Tucson. Andy Gilmour and Protá bicycles. Andy traditionally works in steel and Protá is a titanium builder. Both build, on average, less than 100 frames per year.

Hongfu, Dengfu, Winspace, Yeoleo, Workswell, Carbonda, …

@benjamintherabbit3538

2 жыл бұрын

🤣

Next list : Who builds the best that mortals can bye.

Left out Waterford/Gunnar lmao 😜

If I had the money I would have another Waterford custom lugged frame made. I had one made in 89 and really miss it. Nothing beats a custom steel frame.

@splashpit

2 жыл бұрын

Why did you let it go in the first place ?

@markowsley4954

2 жыл бұрын

@@splashpit it was stolen. Believe me it still pisses me off. The first dura ace sti group set,mavic tubular wheels, Scott clip on aero bars and times pedals. It was a comfortable road racing bike.

@splashpit

2 жыл бұрын

@@markowsley4954 there’s a special part of hell for assholes that steal bikes !

Just received a custom built Formigli from Italy.

How hard to get parts for this bike

Small shout out to steelworks by thyssen krupp who form their steel bikes with the same techniques as car manufacturer therefore creating frames that don't look like steel at all.

What are the criteria for judging the best builder? Is it how long they have been in the business, or the scarcity of their product, how customisable it is? Does the mystery of craftsmanship prevail over precision and longevity?

Where is the frame builder from Columbia who Si featured in a past video? The video ended with Si being in tears, literally!

I’m guessing this isn’t a list of the best frames but just a list of skilled hand builders. The actual best frames will be on Dogmas, S Works, Colnago, etc

@gcntech

2 жыл бұрын

Perhaps, but it is all subjective! Either way, these bike frames are GORGEOUS!

@chrismccannIRL

2 жыл бұрын

@@gcntech absolutely they all look class. Would want the wood one just for the craftsmanship alone

Carbon. Sarto. Without question.

Doesn't Time make the best carbon frames?

@savagepro9060

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, but eventually TIME destroys everything 🤣🤣🤣

For Titanium, Seven Cycles, Passoni, Moots, Firefly and Independent Fabrications are some of the best with the welders from Seven and IF having started with Merlin. For Carbon Calfee and Filament cycles are up there for the best custom carbon frames. Aluminium? who cares :-)

No such list will EVER be unanimously agreed on… What’s the point of everyone complaining that their favorite one isn’t there? We should enjoy that in frames there’s SO many choices who are such high level and high quality, unlike certain other components, who shall remain unnamed…

D A R I O P E G O R E T T I

Not Bingham built for TI?

A list of best is so subjective to the person doing the list !

Yoeleo best carbon frames ..

Why can't I see a video where you guys explain witch company is making their own frames and with bike brands are supplied by giant or other big facyories?