A gravel bike adorned with real gold: The Pegoretti Orlando from Bella Italia

The Dario Pegoretti Orlando is not a nostalgic steel gravel bike that looks solely to the past for inspiration. Pegoretti has designed the frame specifically for fast riding off-road – with generous tyre clearance, compatibility with modern groupsets, internal cable routing and the option to fit a suspension fork. Anyone with a passion for handmade steel bikes from Italy should definitely take a closer look at the colourful Dario Pegoretti Orlando. On request, the master craftsman will even finish his steel frames with real gold.

Conclusion

Hand-painted finishes on a hand-built steel frame: Dario Pegoretti is both a master of his craft and an artist. With the Orlando, gravel cyclists can give tangible form to their passion for cycling, whilst still enjoying modern standards despite the steel frame. No two Pegoretti bikes are alike – a top tip for lovers of Italian design with a penchant for individuality. - Jan Timmermann, TOUR editor

Information on Dario Pegoretti Orlando

• Intended use: Gravel bike
• Ground clearance: up to 50 mm
• Frame material: steel
• Fork material: carbon
• Weight: from approx. 7.9 kg
• Price of frame set: from 4,000 euros (excluding VAT)
• Price of complete bike: from 8,500 euros (excluding VAT)
• Special features: made in Italy, custom geometry and paint finish available, compatible with suspension forks

Poetry and art as inspiration

​For the Orlando, its artisanal origins are not an end in themselves. Pegoretti describes the gravel bike as a cycle for quick jaunts into the woods as well as for long tours lasting days or weeks. The name Orlando refers to Shakespeare’s character from *As You Like It*, who also retreats into the woods. This image fits well with the bike’s intended character: the Orlando is not meant to dictate what a gravel tour should be. Rather, it is designed to offer the freedom to ride quickly over gravel, tackle technical trails or turn a day trip into a longer journey.

A matter close to the heart from Verona

​At the heart of the Orlando is a stainless steel frame. Pegoretti always opts for steel – both chromoly and stainless steel – and justifies this decision on the basis of the combination of ride quality, durability and character. The tubes used are manufactured to the manufacturer’s own specifications, drawing on decades of frame-building expertise. On the Orlando model, the design of the rear triangle is particularly striking. Pegoretti combines comparatively large tube cross-sections with slender seat stays. This design is intended to combine the frame’s high stiffness and speed with a certain degree of flexibility.

Added to this is a seat tube that is unusually slender for a Pegoretti, with a diameter of 27.2 millimetres. The result is said to be a smooth, solid ride: according to Pegoretti, the Orlando remains stable on the road even when the terrain becomes more technically demanding. At the same time, the slender stays and the thin seatpost diameter are designed to absorb vibrations and thus enhance comfort.

Tradition meets modernity

​However traditional a material steel may be, the Dario Pegoretti Orlando is technically state-of-the-art. A key feature of modern gravel bikes is tyre clearance. Here, it is clear that the Orlando is very much tailored to current requirements. With a 1x configuration, the frame accommodates tyres up to 50 millimetres wide. If mudguards are fitted, the specified tyre clearance is reduced to 40 millimetres. This means the Orlando goes well beyond classic all-road concepts and opens up possibilities for off-road use. The combination of large tyre volume and a steel frame fits with the model’s philosophy: the focus is not on maximum lightweight performance, but on control, comfort and speed on varied terrain.

​The shift cables are routed entirely internally on the Orlando. The frame is designed for electronic groupset systems and supports 1x drivetrains only. Furthermore, the dropout is compatible with the modern UDH standard. Braking is provided by disc brakes with flat-mount mounts. Pegoretti also offers flexibility when it comes to the bottom bracket: a BSA threaded bottom bracket is fitted as standard, but the Orlando can be ordered with a T47 bottom bracket on request. According to the manufacturer, the maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms.

​The Orlando comes with a matching carbon fork as standard. It features a single fork offset and is also designed to accommodate tyres up to 50 millimetres wide. It also has mounts for mudguards. However, another option is particularly interesting: Pegoretti offers the Orlando in combination with the DT Swiss F132 ONE Gravel suspension fork. According to the manufacturer, the frame’s geometry is specifically tailored to this fork. This further expands the Orlando’s range of use. Those who mainly ride on fast gravel roads can stick with the classic carbon fork. Those who, on the other hand, regularly ride on more technical terrain have the option of utilising additional suspension travel at the front.

Like an Italian made-to-measure suit

Another feature that sets the Orlando apart from many mass-produced gravel bikes is the option for customised geometry – at no extra cost. This means the bike isn’t simply selected based on a standard size chart. Instead, the geometry can be tailored to the individual rider. Pegoretti describes this approach as a central part of his work: every frame is built for a specific rider, even if a standard geometry is chosen.

​At Pegoretti, the craftsmanship does not end with the welding of the frame. The paintwork is also part of the brand’s identity. Every Orlando begins with a base colour. Customers can then choose between various finish options. As well as a single-colour paint finish, there are Pegoretti Graphics and Panels, as well as the famous Ciavete finish. At Pegoretti, this stands for freely designed, abstract and hand-painted surfaces. This means the customer does not receive a completely predictable, standard design. It is precisely this individuality that forms part of the concept. In this way, the Orlando is customised on two levels, so to speak: through its geometry and through its design.

​In terms of price, the Orlando is clearly in the premium segment. According to Pegoretti, the frame starts at 4,000 euros. Standard and custom sizing cost the same. For the paint finish, there is an additional charge of at least 380 euros for a Pegoretti Graphic or Panel, or 790 euros for a Ciavete finish. Taxes are not included in these figures. Anyone wishing to purchase a complete bike rather than a frameset can also order it through Pegoretti. The Bottega will assist with the selection of individual components and configurations.

What do you think: would you like to have a personalised gravel bike like this in your garage? Which colour scheme appeals to you the most? Let us know in the comments!