As The Dude might say, "Is this a weekday?" The studio has been so busy lately that we've slipped a little on our regular BOTW features. Granted, we're still keeping track of the days, but what with the AC Invitational and such, it's been a close-run thing. So, in an attempt to return to regular service, we're doing something unusual: featuring a handful of spectacular builds in one post. Sarto Raso builds, to be specific. Have at it.
A First-in-15 Sarto Raso
Our client for this sweet rig is a long-time Marin resident and a regular aboard his OPEN UPPER, which he picked up from AC in 2022. Earlier this year, he decided to upgrade his 15-year-old road bike and wanted to go custom and top shelf all the way - geometry, paint, wheels, groups, etc. While in the studio on gravel business, he clapped eyes on the Raso and was drawn to its design and function.
Once the frameset was completed (With Sarto Ti BB and Ti thru-axles), it was off to Canada for a Marin-inspired theme created by Velocolour. Back in the build, our client's timing was just right for the new and light SRAM Red group, a set of the Lightweight Meilenstein EVO Schwarz editions with Rene Herse Orondo Grade tyres, Ceramicspeed all the way around and, of course, Ti bolt upgrades in all the right places. The cockpit is completed with the Bjorn Setka saddle and Deda Presa, black over sky blue, to complete this beauty.
An Out-of-Towners Sarto Raso
We might be based in Marin, but AC bikes ride far and worldwide—a case in point: this chic Sarto Raso for a coastal cousin on the eastern seaboard.
While we're in Raso World, a word or two on the frameset. The Raso is primarily a disc brake affair. Like all Sarto bicycles, it comes with custom geometry, a custom carbon layup, and custom paint. A Sarto really is the last word in bespoke.
The frame comes with a fork, seat post, headset, and one-piece bar/stem combo, as well as the brand's carbon cages, which we sent to Velocolour to get painted, along with a Kask Elemento helmet that also received a few custom Italian touches.
Gorgeous in grey, the build boasts Campagnolo's newest Super Record wireless groupset, Fizik's Antares Versus Evo R1 Adaptive 3D-printed saddle, and Lightweight's Obermeyer EVO Schwartz wheelset. In typical AC fashion, we installed the usual suspects from Ceramicspeed and stripped the chain before waxing it.
An Everything-Italian Sarto Raso
This client has been a long-time AC customer. He decided he had to have a Sarto Raso after seeing the original Sarto Raso Tri Composite feature and the detailed pictures in our journal. He planned a trip to Italy and asked us to coordinate a visit to the Sarto factory, where he was greeted by the team and got a behind-the-scenes look at how his bike was being handmade.
When it came time to put together a build spec, his heart was set on a full Italian Job. We started with Campagnolo's Super Record Wireless Groupset, complemented by the brand's Bora Ultra WTO wheels wrapped in Italy's own Challenge tyres and finished off with a Selle Italia saddle.
A COLOR-ME-HAPPY RASO
This one was all-encompassing and insane fun. Our client already had a Sarto Lampo, but when the Raso launched, he couldn't resist adding another bike from Sarto to his quiver.
Our client and friend Olivier owns a business called Color Atelier, a U.S. manufacturer of mineral-based paints and plasters featuring timeless artisanal finishes made with traditional European techniques. It's hard to express how amazing the brand's paint is and how kind and generous Olivier is with his time. He's been an incredible friend to us and the shop, and we'd like to take this opportunity to thank him very publicly for everything he has done for us.
All this gratitude does have a bearing on the build, though. At Olivier's request, a large part of the project involved colour-matching the Raso, a set of apparel from Q36.5 and a Kask Protone helmet, all with Color Atelier colours and branding. So cool. We turned to our partners at Velocolour and worked with them to help make the project a reality, and the client was incredibly pleased with how it turned out - as were we!
The story of this build is mostly the color, but with the bike's SRM Power meter, Shimano Di2 group, Lightweight Meilenstein EVO wheels, Ceramicspeed fixings and more, the component list is the equal of the color story.
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