sarto
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.
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.
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...
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 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 12, 2024
The Sarto Raso Gravel and the Evolution of Drop-Bar Off-Road Bikes
When "Gravel" bikes became an official thing eight or nine years ago, I had a bit of a chuckle. Who would want to ride that? Anything one of these new balloon tire road bikes could do, a hardtail mountain bike could do better.Despite my misgivings, we were still among the first to have these new bikes on hand as we worked with OPEN Cycles, one of the firs...
November 28, 2024
BOTW: An Abstract Sarto Raso TC
The only problem when looking at a bike like this, painted this way, is, where to look first. The bike: a Sarto Raso in Tri-Composite flavor. The paint: a Velocolour Tour de Force. “It was my 70th birthday present from my incredibly thoughtful, lovely wife,” said Mark, our client. “I like contemporary art and we have owned a Joan Mitchell, so it’s a littl...
June 25, 2024
A Magnifica Sarto Raso
We might be based in Marin, where we proudly serve the local community, but AC bikes ride far and worldwide. Over the years, we've sent bikes to places we had to look up on the map and more familiar far-off spots, like this week's featured build for a coastal cousin on the eastern seaboard. This superb Sarto Raso came together after we exchanged a few ema...
September 8, 2023
A His and Hers Sarto Raso
This couple’s dream bike journey started with a bike fit. Once in the shop, we realized they came from near where my parents lived, and before long, what was a straight fit turned into a long and lovely chat. His and hers bikes are not as uncommon as you might think. Many couples ride together and want to experience the same performance, comfort and speed...
August 16, 2023
BOTW: A Chic Sarto Raso
Bryan has been a customer of the shop for quite a while and was looking to update/upgrade the Parlee Z5 he had been riding since 2013. He liked carbon fibre and was keen to benefit from the latest and greatest innovations in the world of composites. As it turned out, his timing could not have been better, as the Sarto Raso dropped earlier this year, an ex...
July 6, 2023
BOTW: 'An Italian Affair' Sarto Raso
This week we have the pleasure of presenting an impeccably clean example of Sarto's new Raso. Let's start with the build details: Frameset: Sarto RasoGroup: Campagnolo Super Record EPSPower Meter: NoneWheels: Lightweight Meilenstein EVO, Schwartz ed.Tires: Vittoria Corsa ControlSaddle: Fizik Antares 00Ceramic: Ceramicspeed coated bb, coated OSPW, coated h...
June 12, 2023
A Pistachio Green Dream: Sarah's Sarto Seta Plus
Full disclosure: this is the first custom bike frame I've ever had! What a treat to be able to dream up a color and visualize a style for something that I'd end up spending so much time with. Of course, when Sarto can paint your frame in any color under the sun (and perhaps a few more besides), making a decision is tricky. So I tried not to put too much p...
May 24, 2023
BOTW: A 50s Flyer Sarto Raso
This week we have the pleasure of presenting an impeccably clean example of Sarto's new Raso. Frameset: Sarto RasoGroup: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2Power Meter: SRM Origin with titanium spindle.Wheels: Lightweight Fernweg 63mm, Schwartz ed.Tires: Rene Herse Stampede Pass - ExtralightSaddle: Fizik Antares OO, AdaptiveCeramic: Ceramicspeed coated bb, coated standa...
April 12, 2023
BOTW: A Two-Tone Sarto Raso
Frameset: Sarto Raso frame, fork, bar/stem, seatpost and Ceramicspeed coated headset.Group: Shimano Dura-Ace 9270. 170mm cranks, 52X36 rings and 11-32 cassette, /w 160f and 140r rotors.Power Meter: Garmin Rally RS200 with SRM PC8 head unitWheels: Partington MKII Tires: Vittoria Corsa N.E.X.T 700X28Saddle: Fizik Arione 00Ceramic: Ceramicspeed coated bb, al...
April 11, 2023
Ride Review: The Sarto Raso
Getting straight to the point, this is the first modern (disc brakes, internal everything, electronic shifting, carbon) bike that I truly want to ride every ride. I've liked the other bikes I've been on but was always looking forward to returning to one of my other bikes. I had no real issues with any of the other bikes in this category, but something was...
February 10, 2023
Shop Talk: Coastless Chad
I've had a bunch of folks ask me if I ended up doing the Coast Ride after seeing our post about it back in early January. Since my guys (thanks, Jim) made a big deal about me getting off my ass and making it a big goal to start the year, there was a bit more interest in my riding the event than normal. Short answer: nope, it didn't happen. Longer answer: ...
February 8, 2023
BOTW: A Silver Arrow Sarto Seta Plus
This week we have one of my main workhorses. I've had this for over a year now, and as my only disc brake bike is the one that has been used to test numerous wheel sets and tire combinations and types. I'm not entirely sure how many miles are on it, but it must be close to four thousand miles. I've already gone through one Quarq power meter and a cassette...
January 31, 2023
Decoding the Sarto Bikes Range
Fully custom carbon bike frames are still relatively rare. Fully custom carbon frames that live up to our exacting standards here at Above Category number just one: Sarto Bikes of Italy. Since the 1950s, Antonio Sarto and his elite team of specialists in Veneto, Italy, have been elevating the art of first steel and, since 2003, carbon fibre bike frames. N...
January 2, 2023
Don’t Call It a New Year’s Resolution
Chad "the boss" Nordwall loves a solid 40-mile bike ride. He's not known for his monster miles. He prefers to dream about hitting it hard and getting it done, but mostly just going for a ride. "That's not completely true," said Nordwall. "I like 100-mile rides; I just don't feel I have the time for them." Which brings us to his annual year-end dilemma: Ch...
January 2, 2023
BOTW: Sarto on the Water in Sausalito
We initially had this bike built for the ENVE Grodeo, and while it looked great, we decided to freshen it up and take it to the next level. Enter our friends at VeloColour in Toronto with the brief to do something cool. No hand holding required with those guys - we trust them with our rides. They came up with a deep purple scheme that goes from plum to br...
November 2, 2022
Bucking the Trend: Introducing Sarto’s New Aero Endurance Road Bike
It’s been a long time since Italian bikes were made in Italy. For countless decades, the knowledge and skills required to build a high-performance road bike were passed down from one skilled artisan to another, hand to hand, from generation to generation. An apprentice’s training, as the savior of the Japanese car industry, W.G Edwards Deming would no dou...
April 21, 2022
Behind the Build: A Climber’s Sarto Asola
Our client Josh tasked us with creating an exceptionally light road bike that would fly up the hills, a fun and carefree machine for rides in the Bay Area and Marin. Naturally, new builds often require a little back and forth between frame options, but not this time. With one Sarto already in his quiver, the Italian brand’s handmade, featherweight road si...
February 2, 2022
Behind the Build: A Client's OG Green Sarto Seta Plus
If in doubt, go with what you know. Whether you’re purchasing a new bike for the first time in thirty years, as was the case for the owner of this effervescent Sarto, or choosing a pizza in an unfamiliar town (calzone, c’mon!), there’s something to be said for safe bets.Finding himself somewhat at sea with the latest tech and leading brands in the cycling...
April 8, 2021
Bike of the Week: A Metallic Blue Sarto Lampo Plus
When we think of handbuilt bikes, it's often metal that comes to mind. May we not forget that Sarto has long been mastering the art of custom carbon. This week we're excited to share our latest Sarto Lampo Plus, an Italian built aero road machine that pack some serious heat. Follow along as we break down the build. The Lampo Frame The Lampo Plus is Sar...