Dario Pegoretti, one of cycling’s most fabled framebuilders, has died at the age of 62. According to the Italian website Cyclinside, he was taken ill with a heart problem this evening.
Working only with steel and aluminium, Pegoretti’s frames – built under contract to firms such as Pinarello and Bianchi – were ridden to victory in some of cycling’s biggest races by riders including Miguel Indurain, Marco Pantani, Stephen Roche and Mario Cipollini.
He also built and sold frames under his own name, with his custom colour schemes – including one he hand-painted himself that was inspired by the artist Jean-Miichel Basquiat – becoming his hallmark.
He learnt his trade under another Italian master frame builder, Luigino Milani, who would become his father-in-law.
I n 2012, Andrew Denham of the Bicycle Academy travelled to Italy to meet Pegoretti at his workshop in Verona and learn some of the secrets of his craft, resulting in this video.
9 thoughts on “Dario Pegoretti, famed Italian framebuilder, dies aged 62”
RIP.
RIP.
Rip. Clearly a legend whether
Rip. Clearly a legend whether you’re into metal frames or not.
Road.cc I’ve never seen you use a picture of someone smoking before – do you mean to link his demise to cigarettes?
nadsta wrote:
We didn’t. And we’ve used this picture before.
I didn’t expect to see
I didn’t expect to see knitting in that. But it’s all arts, I guess.
I remember seeing his frames at Bespoked a few years ago. And they were certainly art.
‘Legend’ is a term too often
‘Legend’ is a term too often overused, or too early adopted. In Dario’s case though, it was justifiably earned during his lifetime. RIP fella.
And the chancers are out the
And the chancers are out the woodwork already … £9k for a ‘NOS’ 2017 Marcello with a part downgraded group and lower spec wheels.
One more of the Great
One more of the Great Artisans has gone to braze in the Ether. RIP
I find myself a lucky man not
I find myself a lucky man not only for owning 2 of his bikes but mostly because I had the pleasure of meeting Dario and spending some time with him in 2 ocassions. Dario was a very kind man with an amazing intellect but with a humility to match.
Today my world feels different knowing he is no longer with us. But when I ride one of his bikes, he will be remembered.
Riposa in pace Dario!
I’ve only just discovered
I’ve only just discovered this, gosh RIP what an innovator and true artist, damn shame.