When you think of tailoring, it is easy to picture fine fabrics, needles and thread making clothes cut to fit the body of the person who wears them. But what if you replaced the fabrics with steel tubes and the needles with a torch? That, more or less, is my work: I am a bicycle "tailor", and I build made-to-measure frames for cyclists all over the world.
I was born and grew up in Gesualdo, a small village in the province of Avellino. My story is that of someone who brought together his family roots in tailoring and a boundless passion for two wheels. I only build made to measure for my customers: every frame has to be unique, just as the cyclist who will ride it is unique.
A childhood between fabrics and frames
My family has always had a deep bond with tailoring. My father and my grandfather ran a clothes shop in Gesualdo, where they made made-to-measure clothes for people from the village and the surrounding area. That is where I learned the importance of personalisation, attention to detail and craftsmanship. But instead of following the family into fabrics, I was drawn to another kind of frame: the bicycle frame.
As a boy I spent hours with my father setting up the shop with fine tailored clothes. But I dreamed of two wheels, speed and the feeling of freedom that only a bicycle can give.
Meeting steel: my true love
After years of amateur racing and riding, I decided to bring together what I had learned from tailoring and my passion for cycling. I studied the traditional techniques of frame building, above all Silver Fillet Brazed, a joining method that gives clean, strong joints.
A tailored suit for every cyclist
For me, building a made-to-measure frame means making a "suit" that will travel on two wheels. Every Forgione bicycle is designed to fit the rider's body perfectly, their needs and their riding style. Every frame is a one-off: there are no standard sizes like S, M or L. I start from the customer's measurements, listen to what they need and create something completely personal.
The weight myth and the steel challenge
In modern cycling, the weight of a bicycle is often seen as the main measure of a frame's quality. I like to challenge that myth: I built a complete bike weighing under 6.8 kg, the minimum set by the UCI for professional racing, showing that steel can hold its own against carbon.
Come and ride with me in Irpinia
Every now and then I organise rides through the beautiful countryside of Irpinia: a chance to try my bikes, discover breathtaking landscapes and share a passion for steel with other cyclists. If you would like to join one, write to me and I'll tell you the next date.
My philosophy: passion, quality and authenticity
For me, building frames is not just a job, it is a mission. I want my frames to speak of me, of my roots and my passion. In an increasingly standardised world, I believe there is still room for something authentic, made by hand, with love and dedication.
My workshop is a place where tradition meets innovation, and where every frame is made with the greatest attention to detail.
Are you ready for a unique experience on two wheels? Write to me and together we can build the bicycle of your dreams, made to measure for you.
Warm regards and happy riding,
Vincenzo
