RATING: ★★★★★ 5/5

HIGHS: Absolutely stunning • Meticulous artisanship • Sublime steel feel •

This is what the English magazine “The Cyclist” wrote in 2019 in their test of a Cicli Barco XCR build. Five stars out of five, mind you. And we can't hide the fact that we are a little proud to be able to call the Valsugana in the Chic Hat Edition our own frameset that certainly doesn't have to fear comparison in the steel sector.

It was important to us to show

how we interpret the topic of racing bikes: high-quality steel frames, light, beautiful and lively in handling. With all the love for the classics, which are also part of the origin of the hat: modern steel frames of the corresponding quality can hardly be compared to the old treasures in terms of handling and do not have to hide behind modern carbon racers in terms of comfort and agility. As far as the often-cited weight differences are concerned, the 500 or 800 g. in total in terms of system weight are in a negligible range and in our opinion are more than compensated for by the durability and sustainability of the material.

Since 2017, we have enthusiastically implemented a variety of custom projects with Cicli Barco, from classic frame sets with rim brakes to stainless steel gravel bikes and long-distance racers. But not every customer needs custom geometry, which is why we had the desire and idea to create a bike in cooperation with the Barco team that meets our expectations.

So we decided on an all-road frameset,

which can accommodate 40mm tires in the combination of frame and fork, but in which a 30mm wide modern road tire does not look lost or undersized. The frame is welded from the Columbus Spirit tube set, each with a cross-ovalized top and down tube. Variable inserts give the frame every possibility for construction, gear groups can therefore be implemented mechanically or electrically without having annoying mounts on the frame. We use T47 as the bottom bracket because the larger diameter allows for more rigidity, but the screw connection remains unbeatable in terms of durability, ease of maintenance and unwanted noise generation. The bottom bracket, head tube and dropouts are made of stainless steel, and the entire frame is unproblematic in terms of rust thanks to phosphating. The matching carbon fork comes from Columbus, the thru axle size is 12mm both front and rear. In addition to the traditional bottle holder mounts on the seat and down tube, we have hidden another mount on the underside of the down tube that allows you to mount a third holder. Also quite hidden are our mudguard mounts, which make the Barco a year-round companion for all weather conditions.

The frame set is currently available in two finishes, all white or RAW, a surface treatment that makes each bike unique. Here, the phosphating process is extended, giving the frames a light bronze shimmer that has a completely unique charm in its irregularity. After the bath, these frames are only sealed with clear varnish to keep the surface structure visible.

We build the frame sets on request,

Whether Shimano DI2, Campagnolo mechanical or electric or SRAM, everything is possible. There is also a lot to choose from when it comes to cockpits, our favorites come from Ritchey or Deda, whether classic with stem and handlebars separately or with a complete cockpit unit. Thanks to the collaboration with Nils from MotivAktiv, a bike fitting appointment can ensure which attachments fit. Or, in case of doubt, which frame size fits.

If you are interested in a Barco or another custom build, write to us. State your size and describe your ideas, this will help us in the beginning.

The bikes listed here are always just examples of how a build can be implemented. They are often built for customers or our exhibition. So if you are interested in such a bike, it makes sense to communicate your size and desired requirements.
We do not ship complete bikes because we believe that on-site delivery is part of the purchase process. And a visit to our shop in Düsseldorf is certainly not the worst option.