A Flat Tire Investigative Report: Pelizzoli

Okay, not really.
This is not an investigative report I mean.
Well sort of, cause I did do some looking and a peeping and I did make an indiscreet inquiry of someone who actually went through the process of ordering a frame.
If you've been following along at home you, the reader, know that I've been looking at all sorts of bicycle frames.
Yes Steve A, I also spent some time on the Mercian site too.
To misquote a famous song, I still hadn't found what I was looking for.
I had only one set of criteria: lugged or fillet brazed steel.
The dream frames I looked at were all beyond present reach.
At that price, everything is pretty much custom geometry and to tell you the truth, I don't quite know exactly what I'm doing yet as far as geometry goes.
What I mean is, when the time comes to make the jump to the next tier, that Holy Grail of Frameness, I'd like to be able to have some input as far as the numbers go, and not just supply my height, inseam, etc.
For right now, I figured I'd save some money and go with something off the rack.
Why Italian?
Well I'm part Italian don't you know.
In fact I'm eating a pizza right now!
So anyways, as far as the other off the rack folks go, like say Torelli or Basso or the folks at the nuovo Ciocc, I wasn't sure exactly who was making the frames.
It seems that there's all these villages with small shops who are contracted to supply frames then logos are slapped on them.
Not saying that it's a bad thing, just saying that it isn't what I wanted.
The only place I found that I sort liked, besides Pelizzoli, was Mondonico as there is actually a person with that name involved in the frame production.
I also looked at Tommasini.
The thing about those companies, and companies like them, is that they are distributed in the US by other folks.
One word came to mind: middleman.
Not that it's a bad thing, them middlemen, I mean we're not just dealing overseas, it's more like two seas for me and I think it's good to have someone on your side that speaks your language and knows your laws.
Then again we're talking bicycle here, so as long as they got Paypal, I feel okay.
Besides, I exchanged emails with the gentleman whose bike I posted up yesterday, and he reported an excellent experience.
Now I knew of Pelizzoli from about the time I got my Ciocc.
Giovanni Pelizzoli started the Ciocc marque, then sold it to the folks that I assume run the company now.
I have to admit, having a Ciocc that had nothing to do with the original Ciocc sort of bothered me.
Like having something vintage only to discover that it was made last year.
Now being able to go direct was one of the main factors in my decision.
I save a some cash, maybe enough to get an extra gear.
If you know what I mean.
A lot less expensive if I were to say order a Tommasini Tecno.
I gotta say, when it comes down to frames in this range, I figure they are all about the same as far as craftsmanship and quality.
So what did it come down to?
Rarity.
I'm the type that digs being different.
Chances are I'll be the only one or at least one of a few who have a Pelizzoli here and that makes me happy.
Which is what counts the most.
Okay, okole happiness counts a lot too, but seats are inexpensive compared to frames.
Sort of.
I also decided that I wanted a bicycle with classic lines, meaning not over sized tubes:



I admit, this may change now that they are building with Columbus Spirit, I'll have to see what it looks like.
I gotta say, choosing a frame is pretty stressful.
I mean it's not like I get a new frame every year.
Okay, I sort of do, but this is a lot of cash and I got to live with it as well as ride it.
Well this is not a lot of cash, it's less than the other frames I was looking at and those frames were getting close to the next tier and forking over three grand for a frame is like well, forking over three grand for a frame.
It's something I'm just not ready to do.
The forking over part I mean.
Lastly, how could I resist getting a frame built by a cute old Italian dude?


eroicacicli

A little more about Pelizzoli can found here.
Okay, now that I figured out the who, I just have to figure out the what.
More on that, later.