Hot on the heels of Velo magazine’s feature on the Fondriest TFZero all-Italian bike, comes PezCyclingNews.com — one of the information superhighway’s most popular cycling off-ramps — and their interview with Maurizio Fondriest. Maurizio talks about his days in the pro peloton, winning the 1988 World Championship, and building bikes. Here’s a screen grab of part one of the interview.
The editors at Velo magazine (the pub previously known as VeloNews) asked Albabici to put together a 100 percent made-in-Italy bike for the March 2012 issue. To do so, Albabici provided a new top-of-the-line Fondriest TFZero frame and a complete “Albabici-build” — meaning Selle SMP saddle, Tiso components (including jockey wheels with ceramic bearings), and Ursus wheels. The resulting article and photo spread showcased the best from Fondriest and Albabici in a dramatic, stylish way. See below:
March 2012 issue...on newsstands now!
Hard to miss the two-page "double-truck" layout in Velo. Read the article below...
Bicycling magazine West Coast correspondent Ron Koch tested the versatile, modular Nalini Marmolada winter jacket in the wilds of Los Padres National Forest north of Los Angeles. Over a wide range temperatures — 30s to 60s — the Marmolada proved to be the perfect garment, regardless of conditions.
Here’s what Ron had to say:
The Italian School of Cycling, a unique cycling coaching service based in NYC and run by FOA (Friend of Albabici) and hot-shot (molto caldo!) masters racer Alessandro Matteucci — has launched a photo contest. Deadline is January 31st, and the winners will receive way-cool Italian cycling gear from Albabici.
Recently, reviewers for Women’s Adventure and Bicycling magazines warmed to the quality and function of 2012 winter wear from Nalini — each item completely crafted in Italy. Here’s how it looked on the World Wide Web:
For more information on all Nalini cycling apparel, imported exclusively by Albabici, click HERE.
Nalini Bacchiglione Bibknickers by Darren Dencklau of BicyclePaper
Knickers are nice to have for those shoulder seasons of spring and fall. They cover the knees and are usually a heavier weight blend of materials, designed to keep you warm on chillier rides.
Nalini-Bacchiglione bibknickers
Nalini’s Bacchiglione Bibknickers are from the Italian company’s Pro Collection and are made of a medium weight breathable Cordura rated for temperatures between 54-64 degrees. Other features include silicon leg grippers, anti-abrasive fabric near the crotch, and an anatomically tight fit. And tight they are, as even my skinny calves are constricted when I put them on.
For the model I have, Nalini used the PTN-HF Natural Pad, designed to disperse moisture and prevent irritation. It’s a unique material, and the company recommends using a relief cream after riding in this chamois to prevent excessive drying; I have not tried this, but neglecting to do so has not caused any problems either.
The knickers have held up nicely and I definitely like the aesthetics, especially the gray and white bands at the bottom of the legs. I also like the contrast stitching on them. The Bacchigliones also come in black with red highlights, and showcase the Ergonomic Comfort Print (ECP) padding instead of the PTN-HF.
If possible, I would suggest trying them on before buying, due to their tight fit, or at the very least check out the company’s sizing chart. I generally wear a size medium in everything, however, a size large is what I need according to Nalini’s website.
If you want a pair of knickers that get the job done and are made by a company that your buddies aren’t sporting on the group ride, give the Bacchiglione Bibknickers a look.
MSRP is around $185. Visit albabici.com for more details.
Alex Zanardi's hand-cycle rolls on Ursus carbon disk wheels. Here he waves to the after winning at the Venice Marathon.
Lance Armstrong said it’s not about the bike. But for ex-F1 and Indy Car racer Alex Zanardi, it might be about the wheels. Ursus carbon wheels, that is.
But first, Alex’s incredible story….
Fifteen years ago Zanardi was one of the most successful race drivers in the world. A veteran of five seasons in Formula One and a two-time American IndyCar (then CART) champion, the outgoing and personable Italian was at the top of his sport.
Unfortunately, in 2001 he was involved in a horrific accident in a CART race in Germany. He suffered serious injuries, including the amputation of both legs. Undeterred, Zanardi worked tirelessly on his rehab and returned to racing 2005 in the World Touring Car Championship, driving a BMW sedan with special hand controls.
At the same time, Zanardi – always a fitness enthusiast – took up hand-cycling and wheelchair racing. It was no surprise that he excelled at both, as well.
Zanardi made his hand-cycling debut at the 2007 New York City Marathon, finishing 4th on only four weeks of training. In 2009, he competed at the Para-Cycling Road World Championships, and rolled his wheelchair to victory in the Venice Marathon. The following year, he wheel-chaired to first place in Rome City Marathon, and in 2011 won the New York City Marathon hand-cycling class. He is now targeting a place on the Italian team for the 2012 Summer Paralympics.
Ursus disk carbon wheels, choice of TT racers and hand-cycle winners, like Alex Zanardi.
Zanardi’s racing experience instilled in him the advantages of lightweight components. Enter Ursus, an Italian component manufacturer that creates high-quality automotive and bike components, including carbon bicycle wheels. Ursus was eager to support such an Italian sporting hero and supplied Zanardi’s hand-cycle with carbon disk wheels and tubular bike tires – the same set-up cyclists use on time-trial bikes.
Ursus bicycle wheels – alloy and carbon, clincher and tubular – are now available to American cyclists through Albabici, which imports Ursus’ entire line-up, including the carbon disc wheels that have helped propel Alex Zanardi’s amazing and courageous story.
Of course, the Nalini Bacchiglione bibknicker is available through Albabici.
Albabici's Selle SMP sponsorship of Oregon's popular Cross Crusade cyclocross series continues. A ramp at the recent Bend, Ore., race was festooned with Selle SMP livery. Thanks to River City Bicycles's Rich Slingsby for this great image.
Recently presented at the Eurobike and the ExpoBici, along with all the other 2012 Fondriest bikes, the TFZero represents the perfect synergy between technology and athlete. This model has been forged in Italy with patient and meticulous focus that makes it a one-of-a-kind product. Extremely light (798gr its raw weight in size M) and with 1k finish, the TFZero was tested in our labs following the standard reference guidelines and on the road by Maurizio Fondriest himself.
The TFZero’s carbon tubes are entirely produced and banded in Italy allowing, besides mechanical advantages, the possibility to create custom frames, causing these bikes to become unique tailored pieces that adapt to any physical structure and characteristic.
The steering is differentiated at 1-1/8” at the top and at 1-1/2” at the bottom, guaranteeing an elevated rigidity and torsion angle.
The dropouts at the back and at the fork are in monolith with carbon fiber and are interchangeable both on the right and the left side, in a treated aluminum alloy, supporting both the wheel and the shift at the same time.
This choice prevents the rapid blockage of the wheel to ever touch the monolith carbon fiber portion of the dropouts. Thanks to a dedicated joint structure profile between the aluminum and carbon parts the interchangeable is secure even in the absence of screws that limit its assembly options.
The integrated cables, along with a sharper and cleaner profile of the frame, enhance its aerodynamics and compactness.
The absence of an outer shell for the press-fit joint movement increases the frame’s rigidity. Thanks to the possibility of customizing the frame it is also possible to request a different bracket thread such as the English one, the Italian on or the BB30.
The upper sheaths are ultra-flat, increasing the overall aerodynamics and reducing the frame’s weight, maintaining the same mechanical properties and rigidity.
