Journal
Colnago Y1Rs, Campagnolo Super Record 13, and a Great Deal of Titanium
A Y1Rs in DARK, built by Jesse with Super Record 13, Tune wheels and a full complement of titanium. We weighed all of it.
October 19, 2026
Sarto Cima Review: 1,000 Miles on the New Cima
After 1,000 miles on a Cima built to his own shorter, lower, quicker geometry, Chad on why this is one Sarto he isn’t taking apart.
October 7, 2026
Anchors Aweigh: A Baum Built to Remember
Inspired by his grandfather’s service aboard the USS Iowa, Zach worked with Above Category to create a one-of-a-kind Baum that brings together family history, naval heritage, and a love of riding.
September 30, 2026
Meet Our Elite Tester: An Interview with Ted Schwartz
Ted Schwartz, our new Service Director and Lead Mechanic, on Fort Collins, nine years at Métier, racing at Cat 1, and why a good build begins well before anyone picks up a wrench.
September 19, 2026
A Second Life for a Richard Sachs Team Bike
A Richard Sachs team cyclocross bike, rebuilt as a commuter.
August 28, 2026
Mosaic in Lemon Lime Fade
Custom Mosaic GT-1 iAR
August 16, 2026
Mosaic GT-2 i55 in Factory Finish Raw Ti
Mosaic GT-2i 55 in Factory Finish Raw Ti
July 31, 2026
BOTW: Prova Cycles Speciale Integrale
This Prova Speciale Integrale is the result of a rider-first design philosophy, where every decision serves their experience on the bike.
July 18, 2026
BOTW: Mosaic RT-1 iTR Artist Series
This custom Mosaic RT-1 iTR combines rider-specific geometry, an Artist Series finish, and a thoughtfully curated component spec centered around SRAM RED AXS E1 and Duke wheels.
July 6, 2026
SARTO RASO GRAVEL & CHERRY BLOSSOMS
A custom Sarto Raso Gravel finished in a stunning Cherry Blossom paint scheme by Velocolour. Built with a SRAM Red mullet drivetrain, Chris King wheels, and race-ready components, this gravel bike is destined for the start line, not the display stand.
June 26, 2026
BOTW: Pegoretti Marcelo — Rim Brakes Are Dead. Long Live the Rim Brake.
Opening a Pegoretti box is always an event and this Ciavete painted Marcelo didn’t disappoint. Built with Campagnolo Super Record components throughout, it’s a beautiful reminder that nothing quite matches the ride of a great rim brake bike. Heading to its new home in Seattle, this 17.8-pound build is ready to brighten even the grayest days.
June 19, 2026
BOTW: Mosaic RT-Zero — Q&A With Chad
What makes a dream bike truly special? We explore the Mosaic RT-Zero, Lightweight wheels, and why the best custom builds start with understanding the rider, not choosing the parts.
June 12, 2026
BOTW: Built for Carlos - Baum Celaris
Built for a long-time Above Category client, this custom Baum Celaris combines timeless custom titanium craftsmanship with a meticulously curated build informed by more than a decade of refining each successive bike around the rider’s preferences.
April 12, 2026
Introducing Tune's Yokto Road and Brand-New Nano Gravel Wheelsets
I’ve worked with Tune components since the early ’90s, mostly on mountain bike builds, and over the years I’ve always had an appreciation for what they were trying to do. The parts were light, a little different, and clearly coming from a place that cared about the details. But they also required attention. The hubs in particular could be a bit finicky, a...
March 12, 2026
Sarto Raso Gravel Update
This journal is about my Sarto Raso Gravel bike. I’ll keep it simple for those with short attention spans. I really love this f’ing bike. Read more to get an idea why. It’s been just over a year since we introduced our prototype Sarto Raso Gravel. While I don’t have a ton of miles on it, around 600, we’ve already seen a good number of successes and pr...
February 18, 2026
Racing DNA: The Öhlins Project
From my Ducati 848 track bike, previously living in the shop, to the signed MotoGP photos on the wall, it’s no secret we’re racing fans. Power. Speed. Adrenaline. Craftsmanship. Those themes live as comfortably in a pit garage as they do here at AC, and ultimately reveal why we love riding on two wheels. The crossover between the two disciplines has alway...
February 11, 2026
Still Stacking Miles
Whether it’s a new route, a PR, or the latest carbon aero weapon, humans are wired to chase what’s next. As a performance oriented cycling company, we keep a pulse on all of it: new standards, new tech, new marginal gains. That’s part of the job. The industry moves fast. But this week, we’re stepping off the treadmill. Instead of the latest exotic frame t...
February 4, 2026
BOTW: Pegoretti Elio
- Modern Steel, Intact Soul
Queue up some smooth jazz, or your favorite Zappa tune, and dive into this week’s BOTW: the Pegoretti Elio. AC has carried Pegoretti, the Verona-based artisan framebuilder, since the beginning, and their maxim has long remained unchanged: steel efficiency, timeless lines and a personality as unique as the late Dario Pegoretti himself. That unwavering focu...
January 29, 2026
Worth Repeating: The Bubblegum 911
Sarto Raso
The most compelling builds aren’t always new ideas. When our client asked for a “sister” Bubblegum 911 X Sarto Raso build, it was worth repeating. Our previous Bubblegum 911 X Sarto Raso has come to define a proper AC build—automotive inspiration, high-precision custom frame-building, and no-compromise components. This sister build, commissioned for the c...
January 21, 2026
BOTW: Mosaic GT-1 iAR Double-take
This week’s BOTW may justify a double take. At first glance, this Mosaic GT-1 iAR dressed with ENVE SES 4.5 wheels reads as a pure road machine. A familiar silhouette, aero intent, restrained finish. Look closer, however, and the story begins to shift. This client wanted a bike that lives in the margins—between fast and functional, road and gravel, minima...
January 20, 2026
Passing the Wrench:
Goodbye Robert, Hello Ted
Passing the Wrench: Goodbye, Robert Goodbyes are bittersweet—an inevitable part of any long journey. Today, we say farewell to Robert Gee, our Service Manager of eight years, and welcome Ted Schwartz as our new Service Director. Meticulous, careful with his words and a true creative, Robert forged a unique path in the cycling industry. From his early da...
January 9, 2026
BOTW: Sarto Raso - Classy and Brilliant
This week we get to show off a classy and brilliant Sarto Raso. A while back, this client purchased a Sarto Seta Plus from us and loved it. When it came time for something new, this was the easy transition. With a wonderfully simple aesthetic and top of the line kit, it’ll be hard to come up for a reason for any sort of upgrade for a long time. The ...
December 29, 2025
BOTW: Baum Corretto - Timeless Style
There are certain things that never go out of style. From the unmistakable riffs of the 60s and 70s, to the striking lines of American muscle cars, to the Baum Corretto featured here, they all share a common thread: a seemingly effortless balance of restraint, confidence, and authentic expression.That balance is increasingly rare in a world defined by con...
December 17, 2025
BOTW: PROVA MOSTRO - GRAVEL REFINED
This week we’re looking at another edition of the Prova Mostro Gravel bike. Titanium fork, big wheels, fast tires, and great lines. Intended for fast, efficient riding on smoother gravel roads, the Mostro backs up its striking aesthetics with a ride feel to match. For wheels and rubber we chose Duke’s Baccara WRX Aero 42 built around a set of Chris King ...