CLASSIC
CUSTOM STEEL ROAD FRAME
The Italian steel Classic inherits more than half a century of racing history. Mr. Formigli, who apprenticed to Cino Cinelli as a young man, says steel can never be replaced. The Classic continues a pure Italian tradition — custom steel, built one at a time. No shortcuts. No production lines. Just precision, balance, and the feel of steel made to fit you alone.
Experience the timeless Italian racing heritage with our custom steel road frame.
Renzo has been making the Classic for over 40 years. This handcrafted frame carries the legacy of over half a century of Italian craftsmanship. Its a testament to the passion and artistry of Mr. Formigli, who apprenticed under the legendary Cino Cinelli.
The unmatched comfort and spring of steel, your frame is hand made exclusively for you, ensuring a ride that maintains tradition and individuality.
Own the frame no one else will ever ride.
Specifications
| Frame Material | Italian SL steel made by Columbus |
| Steel Specs | Niobium is a special steel with manganese,chrome, nickel, molybdenum and niobium. Columbus’s special chemical composition, the combined effect of strengthening for precipitation and reducing the alloy grain size are incredibly enhanced compared to standard steels. |
| Niobium proves more effective than Vanadium as an alloy-strengthening agent. After specific processes of progressive drawing and forming, NIOBIUM undergoes a special heat treatment that gives to the steel its final characteristics. It is a steel designed to provide superior mechanical characteristics and higher resistance to environmental effects than conventional carbon steels.The only serious choice for a competition or top-of-the-line frame, where lightweight and reliability are essential. | |
| Mechanical Characteristics | Rm: 1050÷1250 MPa, Rp0.2 ≥ 750 MPa, Ap5 >14%. |
| Fork | CrMo4 Steel custom size and rake |
| Seat post | Frame compatible with seat post diameter 27.2 tapered seat tube |
| Front Derailleur | Braze on |
| Dropouts material | Steel Drops |
| Bottom bracket | Italian or English BSA |
| Headset | 1 inch on request with thread |
| Cables | Externally routed |
| Top tube | Traditional |
| Size | Made to order custom for each customer, we have no stock frames |
| Paint | Black, Red |
| Finish | Glossy or matte |
| Paint options | Glossy or matte |
| Lugs | Painted lugs is standard option. 24 k gold dipped lugs or chrome lugs optional upgrade. |
Reviews
Robert Hess
Classic
Reviewed May 2025
I’d been riding off-the-shelf bikes for years when I met the Formigli team at a Sea Otter Classic event. That’s when I fell in love – with a bike! I’d tried aluminum and titanium, but there’s something about the ride feel of a classic, lugged steel frame. Since I wasn’t planning to race this bike (I use a carbon frame on the velodrome), I went with steel.
The result?
A beautiful, handcrafted Italian frame paired with modern components: Shimano Ultegra Di2 shifting, Zipp wheels, and a SRAM drivetrain. I call the bike Fast Freddy. Since 2010, Freddy and I have logged 23,873.52 miles and climbed 912,824.3 vertical feet, “stress-busting” every pedal stroke.
This is a personal shoutout from me, Robert Hess, founder of Rally4Vets and a combat-disabled veteran, to a wonderful bicycle maker. “Ma Andiamo!”
P.P.S. I chose a Formigli steel frame but Renzo crafts beautiful carbon frames as well.
