Archive for July 2011
Nevi say Nevi: Italian Mountain Bike manufacturer strikes Gold with Titanium
Descending on single track is such a great feeling. Tucking behind the seat and opening the brakes ignites the endorphins, sending adrenaline through the body. Certainly many mountain bikers have experienced this adventure in cerebral chemistry, thinking that their bike is – without a doubt – the best in the world.
Think again.
A small bike manufacturer out of Bergamo, Italy has an interesting way of making fram
es. Nevi carefully chooses the titanium tubes (Grade 9 3AL-2.5V TI) and refines them before welding them together. After raw cutting them to the necessary specifications, the tubes are washed and lubed in vats using ultrasound! They are then welded together in an hyperbaric chamber (to prevent dust from interfering with the weld), creating an inert gas chamber.
Yet the most interesting part of the process is “attaching” the bottom bracket. Other frame manufacturers weld the bottom brac
ket as the rest of frame is completed which – according to Nevi – is wrong. Nevi measures its tubes, assembles its frame and places the bottom bracket at the end of the process. This way they assure the pedal center is perfectly perpendicular to the movement plane of the frame.
At the very end of this process, the chainstays, as well as the entire posterior of the frame, are assembled before being finished. Again, using the hyperbolic chamber helps to remove every impurity as the assembly is finished. They also make custom frames, so if the dimensions and sizes of the standard bikes don’t suit your needs, you can send them your information and they’ll make a custom fit.
Pros: The construction makes for a superb ride. Light and maneuverable in the tightest corners and the steepest track, Nevi’s construction is without flaw, and the lifetime guarantee puts their word behind each frame. I highly recommend the 29” for a smooth and effortless ride. The custom possibilities are endless – from the size of the seat tube to the length of the down tube – this probably will be the last mountain bike you ever buy.
Cons: It’s unfortunate that these frames are hard to come by. There is no retailer in North America (at least that I know of) and they are hard to come by in Europe. Nevi has a few of them listed here, but making them difficult to acquire makes them more desirable right? Don’t despair, that doesn’t mean you’ll never find one. Nevi say Nevi.
The Granfondo Pinarello Marathon and the “Goat’s Leap.”
The French Alps, the Giro d’Italia and now the Granfondo Pinarello. The Granfondo is a cycling event primarily for non-professional bike racers, but professionals also participate for training purposes. In Italy, these cycling races have been popular for well over 20 years, of which La Fausto Coppi, La Granfondo Eddy Merckx, and the Pinarello Marathon are just a few of the most well-known.
On July 17th, Punto Tours is leading a group that will partake in one of the most ambitious events – the Pinarello Marathon. Forget most of what I’ve written about the Zoncolan and this video, in one week the Pinarello Marathon promises to be an even bigger challenge for the group of cyclists presently riding the Italian mountainside. As their website describes, there are two possible circuits: one of 130 km, and the other of 205 km. Thus, isn’t necessarily for the Sunday stroller.
Naturally there are two departure times for the two circuits, but what is stunning is the amount of elevation gained over the course of the race. The “short” route, claims approximately 1100 m, while the “regular” route of 205 km boasts about 700 m more. Add to that a grueling climb through the Salto della Capra (The Goat’s Leap) at a grade of approximately 20% and higher for a duration of about a kilometer or so. Of course, the ride doesn’t finish there: after 12 km more of climbing another 400 m, the group will arrive at the military base atop Monte Grappa. Oh, then there is the return all the way to Treviso in
the northeastern part of Italy.
However impressive this may all sound, keep in mind that the beauty of a Granfondo is that it is not only focused around cycling (if you can believe that after all you’ve read so far). Music, food, giveaways and a convivial atmosphere await those who wonder around the city of Treviso, in the Veneto, waiting for the race to end. However it’s a great way to spend the day in a beautiful Italian town. The Granfondo is a fantastic way to cycle some of Italy’s most impressive hills, while also enjoying all the culture and food this region has to offer.
Zoncolan: Video from the Giro 2011
A few weeks ago, I posted this blog about climbing the Zoncolan by bike. A few weeks later I posted this response to my initial post. I’ve finally gotten around to edit all the video I took on that magnificent day into a nice six-minute adventure.
I’m not here to promote cycling. I’m here for the pure adventure of what I experienced that day in the mountain, watching the Giro d’Italia. During the time we sat on the mountain, listening to the howling and screaming, I felt a sense of what it must have been like 60 years ago. The intensity of the crowd must’ve been similarly intense, and the foreboding clouds and rolling thunder only increased the drama. It was a scene unlike any I’ve ever lived. With the following video, I hope the reader can also partake in – what can only be described as – one of the most electric and dramatic days of my life.
Special thanks to Punto Tours for having placed me on assignment for this piece.
I’d greatly enjoy reading your comments if you feel so inspired by this video. I’ll be on assignment again soon, but I’ll make sure to get back to you as quickly as I can.