Test 2017: Italian road bikes - Passione! Bellezza! Tecnologia! 3 Italian racers in the test

Globalisation is to blame. Back in the 1970s and 80s, Italian manufacturers dominated the road bike market in a way that is only familiar today from American software and IT companies. Back then, a racing bike that didn't come from Italy was second class by definition.

The decline of the once proud industry was triggered by the rise of the mountain bike in the 1980s. The bike boom fundamentally changed the bicycle market and made brands such as Trek, Specialized and Giant big, which today dominate the global bicycle market. Against their innovative strength and concentrated marketing power, the many small and medium-sized frame builders in Italy first fell behind and then unfortunately all too often fell by the wayside. Today, no more than a handful of Italian companies play a significant role in the road bike market.

However, those that survived the crisis are now in a better position than ever. Proof is provided by three examples from Basso, Pinarello and Wilier here in the picture gallery and in the detailed TOUR test in issue 4/2017, which you can find in full length in the download area below:

• Basso Diamante SV
• Pnarello Dogma F10
• Wilier Cento10Air

Downloads:
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