TWH Chronicles: Battaglin Portofino R — The Monte Grappa Edition
Officina Battaglin | Custom Steel | Bespoke Build
There are bicycles, and then there is rolling art. The Battaglin Portofino R — Monte Grappa Edition represents the absolute pinnacle of Italian frame building. This 1-of-1 custom build is a celebration of the Giro d'Italia, crafted from oversized Columbus steel with proprietary cast lugs and finished in an unforgettable cromovelato fuchsia pink.
Officina Battaglin's Portofino R takes the classic lugged steel aesthetic and completely modernizes it with a T47 bottom bracket, fully internal cable routing, and dropped seatstays for increased stiffness and power transfer. But the true magic lies in the finish: the mirror-like cromovelato requires hours of hand-polishing before the tinted clear coat is applied, resulting in a depth of color that carbon simply cannot replicate.
Cromovelato: The Ultimate Italian Flare
The Monte Grappa Edition pays homage to the legendary Giro d'Italia climb. To capture that spirit, the frame is bathed in a stunning fuchsia pink cromovelato. This isn't just paint; it's a translucent finish applied over a fully chrome-plated steel frame, creating a luminous, liquid-metal effect that shifts with the light.
Taking the customization even further, this 1-of-1 build features a perfectly color-matched cromovelato stem and seatpost. It's a level of integration and aesthetic cohesion that demands an obsessive attention to detail.
Campagnolo 12-Speed Wireless
An Italian masterpiece demands an Italian groupset. The build is equipped with Campagnolo's 12-speed wireless electronic shifting, offering lightning-fast, precise gear changes without a single exposed cable. The carbon fiber crankset and beautifully machined derailleurs perfectly complement the classic steel tubes.
The Wheel System: ENVE SES Giro Edition
To match the Giro d'Italia theme, the bike rolls on ENVE SES Giro Edition carbon wheels. These highly sought-after hoops offer world-class aerodynamics and stability. Wrapping the ENVE rims are Pirelli P Zero Race tires featuring custom fuchsia pink sidewall labels, tying the entire wheel system back to the frame's breathtaking cromovelato finish.
Our Relationship with Officina Battaglin
A Direct Link to Italian Heritage
The Wheelhouse is honored to work closely with Officina Battaglin, the legendary workshop founded by Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España winner Giovanni Battaglin. This is not simply a commercial designation — it is the result of genuine partnership and a shared belief that a bicycle should be built around the person who rides it.
Every Battaglin frame is custom-made to measure in Marostica, Italy. When you commission a build through The Wheelhouse, we work directly with Giovanni and Alex Battaglin to ensure the geometry, ride characteristics, and finishing details are perfectly tailored to you. The Portofino R represents the evolution of steel — combining the soul of a classic lugged frame with the performance metrics of a modern superbike.
The Finishing Details
A Wheelhouse build is considered at every millimetre. The frame and groupset define the machine's character, but it is the finishing kit that reveals the builder's intent. Each component below was chosen deliberately to complement the Monte Grappa Edition.
Saddle
Selle Italia Novus Giro Edition
A special Giro d'Italia edition saddle that perfectly aligns with the Monte Grappa theme. It provides exceptional comfort while tying into the pink accents of the build.
Bottle Cages
Supacaz Matching Cages
Color-matched Supacaz cages secure your hydration while flawlessly blending into the cromovelato fuchsia pink finish. A detail that proves nothing is overlooked.
Tires
Pirelli Fuchsia Pink Labels
Pirelli P Zero Race tires featuring custom fuchsia pink logos. It's this level of color coordination that elevates the build from simply beautiful to truly 1-of-1.
These are the components that transform a high-performance bicycle into a one-of-a-kind commission. Every Wheelhouse build ships with this level of intentionality as standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Battaglin Portofino R unique?
The Portofino R is the first steel frame in the world with proprietary oversized lugs designed to fit Columbus HSS tubing and a tapered steerer. It features modern integrations like a T47 bottom bracket, dropped seatstays, and fully internal cable routing, offering the stiffness of a modern race bike with the legendary ride quality of Italian steel.
What is a Cromovelato finish?
Cromovelato is a traditional Italian finishing technique where the steel frame is first fully polished and chrome-plated. A translucent colored lacquer — in this case, fuchsia pink — is then applied over the chrome. The result is a deep, mirror-like finish that reflects light brilliantly, creating an effect impossible to achieve with standard paint.
Can I commission a custom Battaglin through The Wheelhouse?
Yes. The Wheelhouse works directly with Officina Battaglin to commission bespoke, made-to-measure frames. We begin with a comprehensive ID Match fitting to ensure the geometry is perfectly suited to your biomechanics before the frame is brazed in Italy.
Why choose steel over carbon fiber?
Modern oversized steel tubing, like the custom Columbus set used on the Portofino R, provides a unique "spring" and road feel that many riders prefer over carbon. It absorbs high-frequency vibrations exceptionally well while remaining stiff enough for aggressive sprinting and climbing. Plus, a custom steel frame is a timeless heirloom.
Commission Your Build
Ready to experience Italian Steel?
Every Battaglin we build is a bespoke commission, including custom geometry and personalized cromovelato finish. Contact us to discuss your dream build.
Start Your Build