Italy made Sarto Raso builds on manufacturing investment

When Sarto launched the new Raso, it was about more than the fact this was a new aero bike. The brand, proud of its ‘Made in Italy’ heritage, has invested heavily in new manufacturing capability as it plots course for a strong future.

An Italian company of master framebuilders since 1959, Sarto specialises in handmade, custom road and gravel bicycles fuelled by decades of in-house carbon fibre research, development, and manufacturing.

The all new Raso is built upon this long history, coupling extensive knowledge of composites research and development with in-house manufacturing, at Sarto’s HQ in Veneto, Italy.

Thanks to a specific frame layup, and design concepts like vibration-dampening seat stays, Raso is made to offer stiffness, strength, comfort, and with room for up to 35mm tires, the versatility to master any road, at any speed.

Keeping with the modern aero theme, at the cockpit the Raso offers a flared handlebar – narrower on the tops, flared at the drops – providing better alignment of the shoulders and arms, offering aero, comfort and stability benefits.

The bars feature 25 mm/10.75° of flare, with a 125 mm drop and 75 mm reach. In partnership with Raso’s integrated stem, the new cockpit is designed to deliver all-day comfort.

Where Sarto really shines is with custom options, rare on aero bikes which are usually only available in stock sizes. Raso, like all of Sarto’s models, can be made to measure because Sarto fabricates everything in-house. Add to that its own paint shop, and custom paint ranges from ombre fades to geometric patterns via simple single colours to completely custom designs.

In-house expertise means Sarto’s finishing specialists can take personalisation to new heights.

For those who prefer off-the-shelf accessibility, Raso also comes in stock sizes and a select suite of colour schemes inspired by the design artworks of the past decades.

Speaking about the new bike, founder and namesake Enrico Sarto said, “Raso represents an exciting new page for Sarto as it’s the first frame entirely produced with our new machines. A core belief at Sarto is in the power of innovation and investment in new technologies. These new technologies, like our carbon fibre cutter and autoclave, allow us to accelerate our materials research and technical solutions, bolstering our in-house capabilities and continuing our proud tradition of making everything by hand in Italy”.

In the UK customers looking for a made to measure custom bike will want a bike fit, pre purchase, to ensure the bike rides, and fits, as is desired. Here Sarto has partnered with a number of UK retailers, including leading UK bike fitter, James Thomas, of Bicycle Richmond.