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3 April 2006

The Style and Beauty of Cinelli

Cinelli makes great functioning frames, bars and stems, but it is their style and beauty that puts them at the testa della corsa (or head of the peloton).

On approaching the grey, block-ish building you may not think that anything exciting happens on the inside, but open the door and you immediately know you are onto something special. The gnomes that greet you might be freakish, but then you look further to see a collection of art thoughtfully placed around the office. Antonio Colombo, President of Cinelli, is also an art-connoisseur and his passion for objects of beauty obviously trickles down to the bars, stems and frames.

The Milano firm takes pride in producing its goods with every aspect of the design taken into consideration, including the aesthetics.

The Cinelli Estrada frame, their third-tier carbon model is available in two colors: Lemon and Tomato. The names are just as unique and important as the mixing of dyes to form the actual colors. It works. The carbon Estrada stands like a work of art: white lines crossing the carbon and color that makes for a bold look.

Or take a look at the top-tier carbon model: the XLR8R 4. It comes in White Sheep or, its negative image, Black Sheep. Look closely at the frame and notice the details in the design: the little touches of orange-red on the dropouts to coordinate perfectly with the "C" in Cinelli. This may seem like a small detail, but when you look at so many of the other companies producing carbon frames and you oft-times find a field of black carbon weave. They are all stunning, but you need that additional kick to push your cycling passion along. And with Cinelli it is easy.

You know the Cinelli name, mainly from their bars, stems and cork tape, but where are the frames in the professional peloton? Well, they are there. Francesco Sergio and Daniele Rossi explained to BiciRace.com how Cinelli is part of Gruppo Spa, which also includes 3T and Columbus. So, if you start to count the teams that are sponsored by all three companies, then the numbers grow. Columbus, which produces tubes and forks for Cinelli, also supplies to Colnago and Orbea. Colnago-supplied Milram, Panaria-Navigare and Rabobank are all using Columbus forks to steer their carbon frames.

Cinelli supplies their frames directly to the large Granfondo market in Italy. Many of the top Granfondo teams and riders use Cinelli frames, and the Milanese boys make sure to have a strong presence at most of these events throughout the year. This transmits the Cinelli name directly to their target market, but they also want to have their "Cinelli" frame under the pro riders. Rossi says that in the next couple of years we will see a top-level squadra racing on their frames.

The Cinelli handlebars and stems are not to be missed. Cinelli has some top-level components available for 2006, including the Neo Carbo handlebar. The carbon of the Neo Carbo incorporates an innovative cable routing system and ergo design. All the carbon bars are cool, but it is reassuring to see the true craftsmen working old-style with the aluminum bars. Walking through the factory and seeing the handlebars being formed "a mano" is something really special. Every handlebar is bent by hand and machine, with the craftsmen adding the final touch to each bend.

Imagine the classical-styled SuperCorsa frame mounted with a Campagnolo gruppo, Cinelli X/A stem and bars wrapped in Cinelli cork tape. Mamma mia!

The same retro theme is continued in Cinelli's SuperCorsa. BiciRace.com spotted the steel frame in "Rosso Ferrari" colors on the rack waiting to be shipped to its new owner. The all-steel rig is beautifully styled with chrome touches on the lugs, stays and fork crown. The colors for the classic steed are just as impressive as the Italian company's carbon frames: Azzurro Laser, Titanium Grey, Verde Jaguar, Nero, Blu China... Imagine the classically-styled SuperCorsa frame mounted with a Campagnolo gruppo, Cinelli X/A stem and bars wrapped in Cinelli cork tape. Mamma mia!

Coupling their past knowledge and stylistic approach, Cinelli has big surprises for the coming year. When BiciRace.com visited the Milano headquarters we were not allowed to go into the R&D area. The news is that the CIA (Cinelli Intelligence Agency, as Sergio calls it.) is working on a monocoque frame and revolutionary new handlebars. These were the only hints we were given, but if the past is anything to go by, you can expect innovation combined with style and beauty in the coming products.

Art is here and there, photo: BiciRace.com

Thanks to Cinelli for showing us the style and beauty behind their products. Visit the Cinelli website to learn more.