New Italian custom carbon frame builder Werking Cycles just sent over some new photos of their Model A road bike. The tube-to-tube frame is completely hand made in their shop in northern Italy not far from Lago di Garda. Werking was set up a few years ago to deliver customers unique bikes and components, fully tailored to each rider. While they produce some smaller items like a 165 two-bolt carbon seatpost and an out front style GPS mount with modular inserts to work with almost any device, it’s custom frame building where their passion lies. Roll past the break to take a closer look at this sub 900g frame, and for details like its surprisingly reasonable price…
Each bike from Werking is built to order and all the work is done in Trentino, so everything is custom from geometry to finishing details. The Model A uses tube-to-tube construction with over-wrapped joints which lends a lot of freedom in both sizing and angles. This frame uses predominantly round main frame tubing for a traditional aesthetic, and is combined with tall boxy chainstays for maximized drivetrain stiffness. For the seatstays, it uses a pre-made, one piece split wishbone that balances comfort and rear brake stiffness.
Each bike uses a 44mm headtube for tapered forks. Werking prefers to use a standard threaded bottom bracket with aluminum thread inserts, but can also build you one with various PressFit BBs. All cabling is routed internally, with modular cable ports, and of course can be configured for both mechanical or electronic drivetrains.
Frames tens to weigh in the 800-900g range, with total frame weight for a 54cm Model A is around 850g with a barebones exposed carbon paint job. More elaborate paint schemes or a different layup can also affect final weight. Paint finishes are custom as well. Werking includes four basic one color paint job options in the standard price.
Retail pricing is 2340€ for the custom frame alone, or 2800€ including a Deda fork and Chris King headset. Complete bike builds start from around 4400€
The Model A is the first frame to come to market from Werking after a couple of years of development, but their second one is close behind. The next Model S is also in the works, with prototypes being tested now. That forthcoming frame incorporates a shaped toptube, downtube and seatstays for a more aero and stiffer ride.
