Bike Of The Week: Responsorium by Dario Pegoretti

For those who aren’t familiar with this true Italian master frame builder, Dario Pegoretti‘s works are coveted the world over, by collectors, enthusiasts and all who appreciate the highest available level of quality and workmanship. Tucked away at the base of the Dolomite mountains, outside the town of Trento, one finds Caldonazzo and the studio of Dario Pegoretti. A pioneer of TIG welded steel (often hand painted – with a brush), Dario’s frames are a true dialogue between design, art and craftsmanship (form, function and aesthetics). Combining the truly artigiano tradition of hand building road bike frames one at a time, with the most sought after, state of the art steel tubing, Pegoretti remains both progressive and influential in the evolution of contemporary custom frame building.

Recently, Pegoretti’s work (and influence on his peers) was honored at The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in New York City. He is an award winning builder who’s bikes have been ride proven by world champion riders.
But, how does this bike ride? Pegoretti maximizes the influence he has over the ride quality (compliance), comfort and performance of each frame by utilizing custom designed triple butted steel tubing. This means the frame will flex where it is needed – for comfort – and be stiff and responsive where those attributes are desired. Long comfortable rides with easy climbing and a fast (if you like) finish!

This brings us to the reason for this post … this week’s BOTW (Bike of the Week) – the Reponsorium by Dario Pegoretti. This specific frame, 55cm stainless steel (triple butted) was selected by Dario exclusively as part of his booth at NAHBS (National Hand-Built Bike Show) 2011 this past February in Austin, TX. The 2012 Responsorium is built with an oversized headtube, allowing for a better surface for Dario to weld the oversized stainless steel downtube. Consequently, the frame requires an oversized headset, luckily, Chris King makes an appropriate headset to fit the new headtube.

With its unique paint job, and though it is not strictly a custom frame (based on a potential buyer/collectors physical geometry) it is a one of a kind. Looked at, coveted and lusted over by the thousands who attended NAHBS 2011, this frame now resides here at NYC VELO, where it retails for $4500.00 (including the fork and custom Chris King headset).

Imagine all of the build possibilities as you gaze into it’s yellow eyes!