Another Moment For The Classics: Bottecchia Beautiful Bicycle

An old classic-style lugged bike? Wrong! This Bottecchia Leggendaria is actually a current and new frame handmade in Italy. While most bikes we showcase are carbon fiber and packed with cutting edge technology, we love to see a unique classic-style build roll through the shop. This particular bike, built for a customer, is based on a Bottecchia Leggendaria frame in the velodrome gold color. In an age of modern bikes, it’s easy to forget about more classic styling and steel-framed beauties. But newer bikes made with space-age materials and thermoplastics aren’t for everyone, and some of our customers have a deep appreciation for steel tubing and cycling history.

This Bottecchia is one of those builds, featuring a core of Columbus Spirit steel tubing, triple-butted and handmade in Italy. The frame is clearly designed for the retro-classic market, and it hits the bullseye. A build like this also needs classic parts to complement it. The full groupset is Campagnolo Centaur, an 11-speed silver groupset made in Italy. It seems like a given: an Italian groupset on an Italian frame. Although Campagnolo Centaur is a mid-range groupset, this customer opted for the polished silver version, which enhances the bike's extremely classic look. Silver bling and retro styling, but with modern hood ergonomics. Win-win!

Italian parts seem to be a theme here, and it is very intentional. Cinelli provides other touches of Itallian flair to this bike, with a silver stem, and black bar tape. Rolling around on 28c modern width tires helps with the comfort on this bike, and are made by Vittoria, even more Italian! 

The seatpost is a Ritchey silver WC post, but the graceful lines and and polished look make up for it not being Italian. A Nitto silver bar, with some flare adds a touch of modern ergonomics to this vintage frame. Velocity Quill silver rims match, tying this build build together perfectly. 

Have any questions about building up your own Beautiful Bicycle? Contact us or visit in store if you have any questions.