Our friend and OE customer Richard Sachs contacted us earlier this week, raving about the workmanship on frames coming out of Craig Gaulzetti’s eponymous Gaulzetti Cicli workshop in Boston and distributed through Justin Spinelli at Svelte Cycles.
Well, we figured Richard knows a thing or two about workmanship, ATMO, so we checked ‘em out.
Holy Moley, these are some gorgeous bikes. Not because they’ve got fancy cut-outs or clever decorative touches (not that there’s anything wrong with that, mind you). And no, smartypants, not even because this one’s got Cole wheels on it.
The Gaulzetti Cicli Corsa shown here is beautiful in the same way as a perfectly designed machine tool or a premiere bench-made knife: its utter lack of pretension is precisely what makes it so awe-inspiring.
Plus, in the world of Handbuilt Bike Show display pieces (not, as we said, that there’s anything wrong with that kind of work either), it’s just plain refreshing to get an occasional glimpse deep into the heart of our sport’s working-class roots. And it feels good to see this level of craftsmanship brought to the world of straight-ahead racing frames meant to collect dings and dents and get all scratched-up and filthy; frames meant to be ridden at redline day after day, season after season.
Turns out Craig Gaulzetti cut his racing teeth on the Belgian pro kermesse circuit. Why are we not surprised? His frames are every bit as tough and hard and intense as a one-hour-plus-one-lap worship service at the Cathedral of Pain. And, at $2,500 for the Deda AL frameset, just as uncompromising.
Want to impress your buddies at the legal firm on the Saturday morning ride? Forget it. They won’t even understand what they’re looking at. On the other hand, if you merely want to beat them to whimpering jelly in as efficient, professional, and thoroughly workmanlike manner as possible, well, Gaulzetti Cicli may have just the hammer you’ve been looking for.
Or as Justin says, Vi presento la Gaulzetti Ciclci Corsa per ATMO-issimo. Divertirti!
Were you able to ride the bike or just looking at it via a web page. I’m interested in them but it seems that nobody that ride ones ever bothers doing a ride report.
We’re just responding to the geometry & workmanship, but I’m sure the Folks at Svelete could help you: http://www.sveltecycles.com/
PS: The phone number is at the bottom of the homepage. Hope this helps.
PPS: Be sure to tell ‘em you want yours with Cole Wheels!