Raffaele asked me for a made-to-measure MTB frame suited to his position on the bike. After his first rides he sent me this comment.
I contacted Vincenzo Forgione after seeing his website, asking whether he could build a custom MTB frame suited to my riding posture. A bike with standard sizes would have required compromises that were far from ideal, and we discussed whether a 29" made sense. Vincenzo confirmed that, given my height and the posture I need, a 29er was a good option. I also wanted a comfortable bike that climbs well.
From what I read, Vincenzo has been a mountain biker all his life and knows this world well. Talking with him, I had the impression of someone who is neither a slave to the latest trends nor a fanatical traditionalist. Every technical aspect was discussed according to my needs, without taking sides for the sake of it. Two months after the order the bike was finished and shipped. Judging by the parcels that arrived, you would have thought a china dinner set had been sent rather than a bike. The frame is impressive at first sight: it is really beautiful.
Raffaele's MTB with its Forgione frame.
After several rides I can say that my posture pains have not come back. The measurements of the frame Vincenzo designed made the bike feel like mine straight away.
Despite the big wheels, I still feel good handling and control. Perhaps the less stretched-out position, which matches my body measurements, helps me feel more in control. The agility and handling of a 26" are still in another league, but that has nothing to do with the custom handmade frame itself. On long, fast, mixed and technically easy routes the bike goes really well and runs a bit like a train. On the climbs I get good feedback.
In conclusion, Vincenzo understood and put into practice who I am as a biker and what I expected to receive. My impressions of the handling and performance of the MTB, for the way I use it, are very good overall. Given that Vincenzo does not use industrial methods and the outside support he relies on, he gives me the impression of working at an almost entirely artisanal level.
Raffaele
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Raffaele's comment on his custom 29er MTB
· 2 min read
Raffaele asked me for a made-to-measure MTB frame suited to his position on the bike. After his first rides he sent me this comment.
I contacted Vincenzo Forgione after seeing his website, asking whether he could build a custom MTB frame suited to my riding posture. A bike with standard sizes would have required compromises that were far from ideal, and we discussed whether a 29" made sense. Vincenzo confirmed that, given my height and the posture I need, a 29er was a good option. I also wanted a comfortable bike that climbs well.
From what I read, Vincenzo has been a mountain biker all his life and knows this world well. Talking with him, I had the impression of someone who is neither a slave to the latest trends nor a fanatical traditionalist. Every technical aspect was discussed according to my needs, without taking sides for the sake of it. Two months after the order the bike was finished and shipped. Judging by the parcels that arrived, you would have thought a china dinner set had been sent rather than a bike. The frame is impressive at first sight: it is really beautiful.
After several rides I can say that my posture pains have not come back. The measurements of the frame Vincenzo designed made the bike feel like mine straight away.
Despite the big wheels, I still feel good handling and control. Perhaps the less stretched-out position, which matches my body measurements, helps me feel more in control. The agility and handling of a 26" are still in another league, but that has nothing to do with the custom handmade frame itself. On long, fast, mixed and technically easy routes the bike goes really well and runs a bit like a train. On the climbs I get good feedback.
In conclusion, Vincenzo understood and put into practice who I am as a biker and what I expected to receive. My impressions of the handling and performance of the MTB, for the way I use it, are very good overall. Given that Vincenzo does not use industrial methods and the outside support he relies on, he gives me the impression of working at an almost entirely artisanal level.
Raffaele