Bello Ciao, makers of handcrafted Italian frames that are assembled in Germany, have added one more bike to their classic cycle lineup with the introduction of the REPORTER. This lugged steel frame bike comes in either a single speed or Shimano Alfine 8 speed version, and is being billed as a lightweight urban ride.
There are increasingly more single speed urban rides hitting the market these days. All the major brands are on board, and a host of “direct to consumer” bikes have popped up. Head on past the jump to find out how the REPORTER stacks up.
In Bella Ciao’s Words:
BELLA CIAO REPORTER
The sporty lightweight urban bike.
The REPORTER is the classic Italian handmade enthusiast’s single speed machine. Extremely lightweight with excellent handling characteristics at high speed or through city rush hour traffic. Built with the very finest components and available in Single Speed or with the Shimano Alfine 8 speed gear option.
SPECIFICATION
Lugged Frame: Italian handmade double butted Columbus Cromo tubing.
Frame sizes: 54*, 57, 60, 63* cm (*upon request)
6-mm-thick horizontal dropouts
Anti-corrosion layer plus 2-layer powder coating paint.
BELLA CIAO Componenti Speciali, hand polished aluminium straight bar.
Headset Tange Seiki, polished aluminium
Racing Stem, polished aluminium
Polished aluminum wheels, 28 inch, double wall, eyelets, stainless 36/36 spokes
Miche Primato hubs
Tyres Continental Sport Contact, Semi-Slicks, 32mm
Stronglight crankset, aluminum, polished (SS 50 x 18)
Pedals MKS Sylvan Stream, polished aluminium
Seat post Miche Primato Skeleton, polished aluminium
Selle San Marco Regal – brown suede saddle
Total weight of bike: ca. 11kg
Prices are £949 (single speed) and £1199 for the Alfine 8 speed version.
For those playing the home game in the US, that translates to $1529.29 for the single speed, and $1932.16 for the Alfine version. Also, that 11kg converts to about 24lbs.
Available from www.bikesales4u.com
At 11kg (24.2lbs), I am not sure I would describe the bike as “extremely lightweight.” Maybe my definition of “lightweight” is a bit skewed after visiting the HetFairWheel Podium Gallery. Otherwise, the parts build seems decent, and a lugged steel frame rolling on 32c tires sounds like a good plush ride to me.
Information on the REPORTER over at Bella Ciao’s website is lacking at the moment. But, if you do head that way, they have a few other rides worth looking at.
