Abici Review

Abici began in the Lombard province of Italy, with three men and avid cyclists who intended to recapture an older style of biking. The result was Abici, a company that produces handmade steel and iron-framed bikes designed for city commuting. Avoiding the trend of producing bikes for import in a foreign country, Abici hired local steel manufacturers to produce their frames, and relied on Italian hand craftsmanship to produce a simple bike which relied on traditional, retro styling for elegance and function. Abici draws heavily on the artisan traditions of Italy and the passion for city-biking that exists in Italy and parts of Europe. In keeping with this tradition, Abici bikes are intentionally simplistic – the founders of the company drew their inspiration from a bicycle catalog from the 1950s – and rely on aspects not typically seen in modern bikes. These include back-sweeping handlebars, single-speed gearing, and even pedal brakes, along with hand-crafted leather seats and grips. Rather than detract from the quality of the bikes, however, these features have helped to distinguish Abici as a rarity in the industry. Even the color schemes, with pastel blues and matte blacks, hearken back to a previous era. Today, Abici enjoys a growing reputation for a quality bicycle, one designed specifically for touring the streets and sidewalks of a busy city. Abici is a European bike and is one of the first Italian makers to export their city bikes to the United States. However, Abici bikes are generally well-received. They are especially praised for their looks and styling and are also considered to be reliable and to hold up well to the rigors of city use. Some performance riders have also begun to use Abici frames with more modern components for racing, road riding, and other events.

Models

• Bikes: Camporella, Granturismo, Fuga.
• Attire: G.I.T.A. Jacket.

Pricing

Abici bikes are more expensive then mass-produced bikes intended for urban use, but are not the most expensive in their class. Among European-styled city bikes, Abici is considered mid to upper range. Prices range from $950 to $1,998 new.