Testimonials
Here's what our fellow cyclists said about riding the Officina Battaglin custom steel bikes
“I’ve been riding since I was about three years of age. Until about 17 or 18, I used to race strictly on an amateur level. I went to University and did other things… I didn’t ride a bike seriously for about 20 years. And then, in my mid to late 30s, I rediscovered the passion…
“Still my fave bike. Comfortable, compliant and fast when she needs to be.” “Just can’t get enough of her steel lugs and how comfortable she is on climbs and descents. Looking forward to more races with her in 2024.”
In the 1970s, my Father took me to Harry Quinn’s shop in Liverpool. Harry was a renowned frame builder, but what captured me was Campagnolo, and that was the start of my Italian cycling passion. After all these years, I’ve completed the project with my Officina Battaglin Marosticana—the most exquisite, traditional, handbuilt Italian steel frame. I…
“Wow, what a stunning bike! I ordered the Portofino for my Haute Route and Gran Fondo adventures, and I had the pleasure of riding it in the 2023 Haute Route Pyrenees. The Haute Route Pyrenees, one of the world’s most prestigious 5-day bike races for amateurs, took us from Andorra to Pau, with 15,000 meters of elevation…
“Coming from 10+ years and 100,000 KM on a very nice carbon bike, my expectation was a slightly more comfortable ride but minor sacrifice of speed. I discovered that the Portofino R rides better in every possible way. Definitely more comfortable, but also gets up to speed on flats surprisingly quickly, and when the slope…
“Cannot believe how well my Portofino G rides. So smooth, responsive, surprisingly light, and quick. Fantastic all-road/fast gravel bike. My carbon bike is going to collect a lot of dust. I get a lot of positive comments on the build. Thanks again!”
“I want to thank you for a wonderful bike. My Portofino G just rides awesome. It is fast-rolling and agile for road riding and comfortable and stable for gravel riding. A real do-it-all bike and a perfect match for the terrain around my hometown with tarmac and gravel mountain roads. I did some 2 to…
Photoshoot day for Red Lantern – My new Battaglin Portofino, which I bought for my 44th birthday. I built this completely Italian: frame, groupset, components, wheelset, tyres, even the inner tubes (Pirellis)! The only thing not from Italy? The saddle 😀 My Portofino is the smoothest and the most beautiful bike I have ever ridden!…
“I have ridden my Battaglin Portofino for 7 rides ranging from 20 miles to 72 miles. First, let me confirm the build. I purchased the complete package from you, which included: Campagnolo Record groupset (172.5 crankset); Deda handlebars/stem; Deda setback seat post; Look Keo carbon pedals; Fizik Antares R3 saddle (regular size); Bora WTO 45mm…
“I started my wonderful journey with Alex and the other people from Officina Battaglin last year. After submitting my email, Alex arranged an interview and outlined the models and the options. I signed up and submitted my measurements, and agreed on the custom-sized frame measurements. A few weeks later, we had another interview with Alex…
Gran Turismo… That is the term I use to describe the most incredible bike I have ever owned, my Officina Battaglin Portofino Disc. I fondly remember first seeing the Officina Battaglin Portofino when it was introduced, in rim-brake version, with cromovelato lacquer in Italian colours. It immediately struck me as a piece of cycling art, a gorgeous…
“I have put over 400 kilometers on my Power+ EVO over the past 10 days and could not be more pleased with the performance of the bike. It is a comfortable climber and very stable descender, accelerates with ease and feels smooth on even the roughest sections of the road. The second ride on it…
“WOW, what a bike! That was my first thought when I saw the Power+ EVO on the GCN Tech Show. Officina Battaglin had just launched this new bike. I just couldn’t get the picture out of my head and wanted to know more. I reached out to the company and got introduced to the Battaglin…
“I was always keen on a bespoke steel bike. Then on the Internet, I saw the Power+ EVO. The cromovelato finish, a very modern look with the concealed cables and the dropped seat stays… I thought it was a modern take on a classic steel bike. So, I started the project in June 2020, but…
“My first encounter with Officina Battaglin was a post by BabaVelo. Battaglin gave me an experience of a lifetime where I could tailor-make the bike in terms of size and colour. I made the experience more memorable by actually visiting their facility in Marostica, where I was welcomed by the entire Battaglin Family. I have…
My name is Andrew Binks. I live in Harrogate, in the UK. My cycling background was originally mountain biking… I didn’t ride a bike for 20 years, and when we had the Grand Depart in Harrogate, I started riding road bikes again. I ride 150-200 miles a week regularly with two or three clubs. I…
I’m visiting the Battaglin workshop after racing the Haute Route. The Haute Route is a 7-day event famous for being the toughest and the highest amateur race. This time we were 450 riders, and it was just amazing. One of the toughest that we’ve ever done. It was 800 kilometers and almost 22000 meters of climbing..…
Dear Alex, First, I would like to thank the whole Battaglin team & family for building this dream bike for me. I’d like to thank your father Giovanni for designing the bike. It’s such an honor to own it. And of course, I’d like to thank you. You were very patient with my impatience. Even amid…
Dear Alex, Ciao. Grazie mille. Please, on my behalf, thank your dad for designing such a tremendous frame for me. And thank the team for building such a unique color scheme for me. It is so beautiful. Bellissimo! I was originally skeptical about switching to a steel bike that is 1kg heavier than my Colnago…
Hello Alex, When cycling in Salzburg Salzkammergut, I ride my dream bike from Officina Battaglin. Whether I climb the mountains or descend the hills, I feel that this Portofino was made for me. Long trips over 150 km are the best with my Battaglin. It makes me happy and satisfied… And it definitely draws attention! Thank you…
Hi Dario, I’m really pleased with how stunning my Marosticana looks and how smooth it rides while still being very responsive with the Lightweight wheels and the Campa Super Record. It feels even more responsive than my last carbon bikes, and I can ride it 2km/h faster than my Faggin. It’s like my Maserati Levante…
“6 months later! Here it is. A sneak peek into an absolute work of art from Officina Battaglin. Never seen such a stunning finish. Made to order. Fully custom geometry. Limited to only 40 bikes. The Power+ Evo!” … “Over 20 years on a bike and hundreds of thousands of kilometers… But today, I felt…
“I am really enjoying the Marosticana that Officina Battaglin built for me: beauty, grace, responsiveness, and speed in one package. I get a lot of compliments on it when riding here in Raleigh, North Carolina. While stopped at a light here in town recently, one rider crossed the intersection just to have a closer look…
“Good morning Alex, I wanted to take a few pictures of my new bike before writing to you… But as soon as I came home from my first ride with the Power+, I couldn’t help but sit down at my desk to tell you about my sensations. FANTASTICA!!! It goes beyond my expectations. The first…
“The Portofino is amazing, very comfortable and responsive. I ride it for hours, almost everyday. Owning it makes me really proud. My kids’ names engraved on the bike make it really personal for me… And the pink cromovelato color with-all black Italian components is a great combination. I love to start my day with an…
“Dear Alex & Dario, I have received the Power+ EVO safe and sound, and I’ve just finished assembling it. I put on the Ultra WTO 45 with GP5000 continental 25-mm tires, bike computer mount, carbon bottle cage, and Xpedo pedals. Surprisingly it weighs 8.13kg… Which is not bad at all for a steel bike. Wow……
[Testimonial after the assembly, Ed.] “With no pedals, the Portofino’s final weight is 6.85 kg with Lightweight wheels and 6.90 kg with Mavic wheels. We could have made it even lighter by using KCNC brakes (almost 100 gr) and other specific components. But I must say that what we have achieved is absolutely comparable to…
Hello Alex, Giovanni and all the good folks at Battaglin Bikes, My pursuit for a new bike began 4 years ago when an unfortunate collision left my beloved Look 585 in pieces. Once I’d healed, I picked up my 20-year-old steel Serotta and began to think of my next ride. I knew I wanted steel…
Hello Alex! As you can see, the Netherlands is quite flat. It’s all flat. This is typically Dutch. And in this world, there’s now a new kind of bike. A bike that is astonishing… That you can’t compare to anything else. You know it! But do other people do? It’s the Officina Battaglin Portofino. I…
“I love the bike. It’s way different, in that it is steel, but it’s super comfy and loves to roll!!!” Photo credits: Morgan Segal Photography www.morgansegal.com Build credits: Zealot Cycleworks https://www.zealotcycleworks.com/
“I first heard of Giovanni Battaglin in the early ’80s when I got into bicycle racing. Being from Italian descent, I have always been a fan of the Italian cycling greats. Having owned Bianchi and Pinarello bikes, I always longed for a Battaglin, especially knowing the company’s pedigree and the success they achieved during the…
Hello Alex!! Come stai? I want to once again thank you for sending the bike to home in Italy. I had an accident and injured my lower back while I was in the Netherlands. I hope to recover soon. I got the bike shipped to my home in the Netherlands and had it built there.…
“It all begin with an article on the “Bike Rumour” website. The Cromovelato finish really attracted my attention, so I checked out the Officina Battaglin website to get more information. I filled out their enquiry form, expecting to receive a brochure with photos and a price list. Instead, I received a phone call from Alex…
“To My Friend Alex: In December of 2018, I went on a group ride and saw my friend, Allen McKay, on this stunning bike. I rode up to him and told him that’s the third different bike I’ve seen you on in the last 3 rides together and that is the most beautiful of the…
“Hello Alessandro from chilly New York! As beautiful as your online pictures are, they really do injustice to your frames. Finally seeing my Portofino in person was a surreal experience. I was simply dumbfounded. The depth of the chromovelato color, the perfect chrome and clear coat, the lettering that did some typographer proud, even the…
“Dear Alex: Thank you so much for my Portofino. You and the team at Officina Battaglin did an amazing job. I am so impressed with the Portofino and the experience I have had with you and your father, Giovanni. From the moment you called me, 24 hours after I filled out my email inquiry, until…
After about 1500 kms of riding my new Battaglin, here are my impressions. This is the finest steel bike I have ridden and considering I have owned dozens of steel bikes, this is a remarkable achievement. However, when I compare it to carbon fibre, it only lacks by being a few hundred grammes more in…
“My idea to have a custom bike build began with a planned biking trip to Italy. I wanted a traditional lugged steel frame, with all new Campy components. I researched many builders focusing on quality, cost, and flexibility to have the bike finished when I arrived in Italy. Considering that specific criteria, there was no…
Hi Alex, First of all I am happy to share my experiences with my Power Plus Disc bicycle. It has been a few months since I received it and I wanted to have some “saddle time” with the bike to give my impressions. I have now ridden ~ 750 miles on it. Impressions: I love…
“Hi Alex, Hope you’re doing well. Herewith my first impression (testimonial) on the Power+. This is not yet a video testimonial. Working on that one as well. After several rides in my neighbourhood, yesterday I had (what I call) the maiden ride on the Power+ in a hilly part of the Netherlands (only 100 meters…
My dream bike is finally here, everything I wanted: steel frame, electronic shifters and hydraulic disk brakes my Officina Battaglin Power+ Disc has it all. Sleek lines, classic look with all the newest technology under 8 kilos may seem hard to accomplish. Buying a bicycle online, without seeing it or trying it may not seem…
“Alex, Just a quick note to let you know about how my Power+ is coming along. For background, I’m a recent convert to cycling having played rugby and raced motorcycles for the last 20 years. Almost all my riding is between 30-70 miles with 3,000-4,000’ of climbing. I’m not fast, can’t climb or TT, don’t…
“After the first rides on my Power+ Disc, here are my first impressions. The bike is super silent and super smooth. It doesn’t feel as fast as my carbon racer, but when I look at the averages, it comes pretty close. The biggest difference is the stability though. I think part of it comes from…
“Alex, First wanted to say thanks for all your help and helping me select the Power Plus Frame. It has been a long journey but finally got the frame I wanted. I have been riding steel frame bikes for over 25 years and have been looking for a new/replacement frame for the last four years.…
“Just a quick note to thank you (and your team) for all your help with the bike. A great frame is not a ‘product’ it’s a ‘process’ and that’s something the big name brands seem to have forgotten. Well this process has been easy, fun and very rewarding indeed. Thanks for putting up with all…
“Hi Alex, I just want to say thank you for taking care of me during the order process. I received the frameset and was finally able to build it up. I’ve been riding it for a few weeks now. Here are my impressions. The bike looks amazing. Thank you for working with me on the…
“Alex- My Officina Battaglin Power+ is my fourth steel frame, and first in over 30 years! The first thing that I noticed about the bike when I rode it on the farm roads around the workshop in Marostica was how smooth and quiet it was. I was expecting a jarring and rattling ride when hitting…
“Dear Alex, I just want to thank you from my heart for the Power Plus frameset you recently built for me. It has exceeded my highest expectations! When I opened the extremely meticulously packed box last Fall, I simply could not believe my eyes. I have had many top brand carbon bikes over the last…
“I’ve ridden a lot of bikes; some top of the line carbon fiber, some custom aluminum or steel. I’ve spent almost a year on my Battaglin Power Plus and what I liked at the very beginning about it holds true over 3,000 miles later: it has that wonderful, classic ride feel you expect out of…
“I want to thank you for such a wonderful bike. I have ridden aluminum, titanium and carbon over the past 30 years and the Power+ stands out for its balanced ride quality, handling and comfort.”
“I have tried to choose modern components that function well so that the bike has a classic look but modern performance (Campagnolo Athena 11s., Cinelli stem, Chris King headset with sealed bearings). At last I have had some time to take the Marosticana out for her maiden ride. And a very enjoyable ride it was…
“The performance of vibration absorption worked well, and it was very comfortable to ride on the Marosticana. I felt very good steering performance when cornering. I could easily draw a beautiful round-shape on the corner with this bike.”
“Like the classic road bike made from Columbus SL, it was really smooth and comfortable to ride the Marosticana at the middle-speed range.”
“Giovanni, Alessandro, Francesca and all the technical team, thank you for this magnificent work of art! Very pleased to have number 2 of this prestigious collection. Extremely high-quality finish! Even more beautiful in reality! Thank you for your professionalism. Looking forward to the next collection..”
“I picked up my frame on Wednesday 11th. I’m absolutely delighted with the same – the standard of build & finish is simply superb – as indeed was the way it was packed for shipment – Many many thanks. I’m now still chasing New Old Stock Campag equipment – my fall back is to take…
“The frame arrived yesterday and it is just beautiful. Can’t wait to build and ride.”
I have had an appreciation for Italian made bikes, ever since I bought my first one in 1989. So when I saw the release of the Collezione Speciale I immediately expressed my interest. My experience dealing with Alex and the rest of the team at Officina Battaglin has been fantastic. Waiting for the frame to…
“Received my Officina Battaglin No.37 of 65 today, words can’t describe just how good this bike looks. The craftsmanship in the frame is perfect and the finish of the polished metal through the red is like looking at a Ferrari Dino in the Italian sunshine. Never seen a bike like it before, simply beautiful.”
“I received the frame yesterday afternoon. There are no words to describe how wonderful the frame looks. It is a work of art. I am so very pleased with it. Thank you so much. I cannot wait to get it built and ride it. I have started the assembly process late last night. Again thank…
“I have followed the career of Giovanni Battaglin for many years when I was a teenager – the climax was the fabulous `Double victories` in 1981 it was so special, one of the nicest memories. The races, bikes, and riders of this time, I feel were the `Golden Age of Cycling` I remember with the…
In seeking out a new road bike frame, my principal requirements were that it be new, Italian-made, of lugged steel Columbus SL tubing and with painted forks but a chromed fork crown. It was a great pleasure to discover—within minutes of starting my internet search—the Marosticana, a frame which not only precisely fit my needs…
I’ve owned the Officina Battaglin Bassanese for over a year, it’s become my main bike for weekend group rides with friends. I didn’t originally purchase the Bassanese as a replacement for my custom titanium bike, but I just loved riding the Battaglin so much my other bike has been relegated to the status of second…
“Hi Alex, as agreed, I will write some reviews on the Power+ frame or better said the complete bike. Today, I want to give you my first impressions… First of all some information on the review and the conclusions I am drawing: I got the bike 10 days ago and rode it for about 260…
“I have been on the look for a while to find the right frame that would match my Campagnolo 50th anniversary group. When Officina Battaglin released the first pictures of the amazing Arena 1981, I instantly realized that this was the perfect match. I quickly ordered mine and with the guidance of Giovanni have build…
“WOW !!!!!!!!! Even better than I was expecting Alex. Totally stunning. I’ve owned a lot of bicycle frames since 1981 and this is, without doubt, the most beautiful. Inside the bottom bracket shell you can feel that the tube mitres are just spot on. The attention to detail and quality of craftsmanship are just sublime.…