Svelte Cycles - Svelte Since 2006

luxe2010 is the new Svelte Cycles

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Thu, 27 May 2010 22:39:00 +0000

luxe2010 on Tumblr: www.luxewheelworks.tumblr.com

Thank You and Please Stay Tuned,
Justin Spinelli
justinspinelli@gmail.com

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:54:00 +0000

My Vacation. Redux. XXX.

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Mon, 17 May 2010 22:18:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XgrDVjgoXU

become one with your copy and paste skills.

XXX,
Justin Spinelli

Americas Next Top Model?

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Wed, 05 May 2010 12:53:00 +0000

Buy yourself something nice.

XXX,
Justin Spinelli

PMP 31.6 Seatpost Purge.

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:54:00 +0000

PMP 31.6 350mm Seatposts for $110 each CONUS-shipping included. Both 27mm and 14mm setbacks are available. Limited stock. Yellow "PMP" decals are removable.

Contact me at "sveltecycles@gmail.com" to reserve.

XXX,
Justin Spinelli

The Svelte Cycles Work Shop.

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:22:00 +0000

All I need.

XXX,
Justin Spinelli
www.sveltecycles.com
sveltecycles@gmail.com
(+1) 603 943-4202

Time RXR Ulteam Module+ for MG.

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:03:00 +0000

-Svelte Cycles is the exclusive dealer of Time frames in Tax-Free New Hampshire.
-Delivery on an RXR Module is at 2 weeks. Delivery on an RXR Complete Bicycle is at 3 weeks.
-The RXR frameset costs $6000.
-The RXR as a complete machine starts at $9700 outfitted with Campagnolo Chorus.
-Call or e-mail me to purchase yours.

XXX,
Justin Spinelli
www.sveltecycles.com
sveltecycles@gmail.com
( +1) 603 943-4202

Svelte Does Spain!

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:14:00 +0000

Pal and Teammate Nick Mashburn set out for a weeks training in Spain with cohort Kyle Smith. While Nick is my teammate on Svelte Cycles, Kyle Smith is nothing short of a "secondary" teammate as he rides for Team Embrocation Cycling Journal who have close ties with Svelte Cycles.

Take a moment to check out their pics and video of the gorgeous terrain and weather they are immersed in across the pond. We are all very jealous!

Full Spread Is HERE

XXX,
Justin Spinelli
Athlete, Team Svelte Cycles

Time NXR Instinct for JG.

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:02:00 +0000

The Time NXR Instinct produces a nimble, smooth, balanced and solid ride when properly fitted and sorted. You just can't go wrong with Time when looking for a production carbon frameset. Times standards exceed mostly every one else's in their market and they have the pedigree to back up their claims.

NOT Made in China. Lifetime warranty.

Want one? I know you do!

-Svelte Cycles is the exclusive dealer of Time frames in Tax-Free New Hampshire.
-The NXR Instinct is in stock and ready to ship as a frameset within 1 week and as a complete bike within 2 weeks, colours and sizes pending.
-The NXR frameset costs $5300 plus shipping.
-The NXR as a complete machine starts at $8800 outfitted with Campagnolo Chorus.
-Call or e-mail me and we can specify your Finish Kit to suit.
-Download my Order Form HERE.

XXX,
Justin Spinelli
www.sveltecycles.com
sveltecycles@gmail.com
( +1) 603 943-4202

Time NXR Instinct for CC.

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:49:00 +0000

Taking a cue from my own NXR Instinct, CC was looking for a performance road machine that would serve him just as well on 6 hour training rides as it would during 60 minute criteriums.

HED impresses me with their alloy clincher wheelsets. Look for more of these on Svelte Issue machines in the future.

The shaped tubes from Time are not just for looks, they noticeably improve stiffness along the top tube over their previous generation modules.

The rear end of the NXR is fitted with lugs making frame repairs relatively easy as need be. Time USA has their own certified shop for said needs.

"Asymetrical Chainstays" means the drive side chain stay is designed to better withstand the strains of the drive train under load.

I love how Times Translink System makes for super clean lines. Very friendly to the eye.

These are the HED "Flame Rouge" series hubs... Slightly lighter and than their standard version.

You just can't go wrong with Shimano Dura Ace. Even their new Ultegra 6700 is worthy and you will see that on my Gaulzetti Corsa Titanio with pics to come very soon.

Schoooom!

Time uses an 1 1/8 - 1 1/2 steerer fork. Said fork also passes the new, stringent CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation) standards.

The Time NXR Instinct... I love mine!

-Svelte Cycles is the exclusive dealer of Time frames in Tax-Free New Hampshire.
-The NXR Instinct is in stock and ready to ship as a frameset within 1 week and as a complete bike within 2 weeks, colours and sizes pending.
-The NXR frameset costs $5300 plus shipping.
-The NXR as a complete machine starts at $8800 outfitted with Campagnolo Chorus.
-Call or e-mail me and we can specify your Finish Kit to suit.
-Download my Order Form HERE.

XXX,
Justin Spinelli
www.sveltecycles.com
( +1) 603 943-4202

Time World Star Ulteam For SM.

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:34:00 +0000

Yes ladies and gentlemen SM really is that tall.

I set the saddle to the right height "custom" just for him. Amazing how this stock machine from Time fits him perfectly! How do they do that?!

The pretty PMP post is just for the pix... Time requires using their proprietary fixture or else the warranty is null and void. Take note!

Hand made lugs with a classic look and proven design.

Those stays were tried and tested in countless European Classics, Grand Tours and World Championship. Only the out of this planet powerful Tom Boonen could get them to budge an ounce (gram?).

Time addressed that issue for Tom and he went on to win the World Championships.

"That was easy!"

The Time Ulteam World Star is one of the few remaining non-BB30 framesets from Time. Once these are gone, they are gone.

Times patented RTM process allows them to fabricate each individual tube to their own specifications.

Svelte Signature Dura Ace Finish Kit with a Power Tap Pro+ for good measure.

Yell down that seat tube and you get an echo.

Times own Ulteam Safe+ Fork is also made by hand in France and is known to be of the nicest riding carbon units produced to date.

Quality, Pedigree, Class, Precision. Time stands alone as the finest major production company of carbon fiber performance machines.

Svelte Cycles is the Exclusive Dealer of Time in the State of New Hampshire.
Svelte Cycles is located in Sales-Tax Free Nashua, 03064.
The Time Ulteam World Star Ulteam Module costs $5200.
Delivery on the Module is at 1 Week.
Delivery on a Complete Bicycle is at 2 Weeks.
Call or e-mail me to order and specify your Finish Kit. Once these are gone, they are gone.
Order Forms can be downloaded HERE.

XXX,
Justin Spinelli
sveltecycles@gmail.com
(+1) 603 943-4202
www.sveltecycles.com

Spy Shots and Those Damn Italians!

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:20:00 +0000

This just in from Austin, TX... Corsa Carbonio fresh from the oven!

Over on the East Coast... Ti is so pretty painted no?

Steel in the nude and in its infancy but just use your imagination. The "Issimo" is coming.....

I had written off ever seeing the 20 Nemesis Rims I ordered last NOVEMBER. Pretty sure these will go well with Dura Ace or Record hubs and some Challenge Paris-Roubaix tires no? You know who to call if you want a pair! Muahahahaha!!!!!!

XXX,
Justin Spinelli
(+1) 603 943-4202
sveltecycles@gmail.com

Why I love Cole Wheels:

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:02:00 +0000

Cue the Godfather 2 birthday cake scene.

XXX (means Thank You),
Justin Spinelli
www.sveltecycles.com
(+1) 603 943-4202

Time NXR Instinct - XXX

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:32:00 +0000

Time does not make the best production frame sets in the world, however Time does make the best production carbon fiber framesets in the world. Here at Svelte Cycles you will see a lot more of Time in the future but let's start >here< with the 2010 NXR Instinct.

Time has been fabricating carbon fiber frames longer than any other major frame producer in the world. From start to finish everything is done in house and is made by hand. As such Time has complete control over the quality and consistency of both the raw materials and production.

This particular example just so happens to be my own little present to me. I went ahead and hooked myself up proper with a full Super Record 11V gruppo, some nice 3T Carbon LTD bits, a Fizik Carbon Arione Saddle (more comfy than you might think) and some Edge 1.45s on DT Swiss 240s for good measure.

Why did I go mental with all the carbon bits and why did I select this model Time for myself? Comfort. This is the machine I will take on daily training rides up and down the hills of New Hampshire and over the rough, back country dirt roads that link one good climb to the next. Much akin to the VRS Vibraser, the NXR has extra shock absorbing Vibraser fibers (yes, they do work even though you can't see them) woven into the tubes. As with all Times, this frameset also has specially layed up braids of carbon thus controlling the ride characteristics of each and every different size frame.

The process by which Time produces its raw materials and then subsequently manufacturing its frames and forks is far too vast for one blog post alone. I will start by saying their proprietary "RTM" and "CMT" technology are enough to make the fabriaction process' used by those big box-brands *insert name here* look like childs play. Again, I will get into this more as the year goes on...

Time holds the patent on many technologies we see today. That's right folks they actually use their OWN designers. Imagine that! For every spring leaf pedal system, Translink ISP system, Vibraser Fibers (also used currently in F1 cars) and 1 1/8 - 1 1/2 Head Set System; Time gets royaltie$.

Each tube is formed from a sock of tube-specific woven carbon fiber thus there are no seams and the shaping is perfect. RTM technology ensures there are not voids. What the heck is a void and why is it important you ask? Basically put, voids make carbon fiber frames feel like crappy, lifeless objects underneath you. Ever ridden a nice aluminum, steel or titanium bicycle? It has life right? A certain feeling. Transfer that feeling over to a frame and fork that can weigh 3-4 pounds less than an alloy frame and fork. Brilliant!

"Yeah but what happens when I drive into my garage door with my bike on the roof and crack the carbon tubes?"

Time frames have a lifetime warranty on everything but the finish. Also everywhere you see a lug, you see an piece that allows the individual tube(s) it is connected to to be replaced. So as long as you don't leave your Time out in the sun all day, every day for the next 15 years, you are pretty much covered.

Time also produces its own forks. Little fact that is big time important: Time forks adhere to the new European Fork Safety Standards. If you do a little research you will find many forks currently available do not.

This particular Time module (and also the RXR and RX) are fabricated from start to finish exclusively in Europe. This particular frame is of 100% French origin.

Like it or not BB30 is becoming the new industry standard and Time has followed suit on all its new modules.

Time uses and extra layer of Vibraser threads in the drive side chain stay to offer increased protection against chain slap. Also, the chain stays each have their own shape designed to withstand the different torsional forces exerted on the rear end by the drive train.

I am a huge fan of the Translink system. Say what you will about whether or not it makes the frame stiffer whilst climbing in the saddle or making the frame as a whole lighter (it does)... the Translink just looks totally bad ass! We all know this is what's most important. The internal diameter of their carbon tubing is so precise that Time can use a small stub of a seat post instead of a "topper" (not that there is anything wrong with toppers!)

-Svelte Cycles is the exclusive dealer of Time frames in Tax-Free New Hampshire.
-The NXR Instinct is in stock and ready to ship as a frameset within one week and as a complete bike within two weeks.
-Look HERE for sizing and colour options. I will send you a fit-form to ensure proper sizing.
-The NXR frameset costs $5300 plus shipping.
-The NXR as a complete machine starts at $8800 outfitted with Campagnolo Chorus.
-To order contact me at "justin@sveltecycles.com" or call the number below.

XXX,
Justin Spinelli
www.sveltecycles.com
( +1) 603 943-4202

Brilliance from Brendan : "Silence Kit"

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:29:00 +0000

It's no secret I've been a long time admirer of Brendan Quirk as his "Competitive Cyclist" is the pinnacle of on-line bicycle retail (if you can even categorize Competitive Cyclist as such). His company has a pulse, it has feeling and in a world of bland online dealers competing on price alone, Competitive Cycles takes a different approach.

In his latest blog entry Brendan expresses why Competitive Cyclist chose to part ways with the iconic Pegoretti brand.

This paragraph struck such a huge chord with me and my own feelings on what I do here at Svelte Cycles, I just had to share it for the few who might not see it otherwise:

"Custom seems to mean something different now, where personal urges get veto power over the very thing you're paying for: The know-how of the gifted builder. It's a recipe for unhappiness for everyone involved. You don't give instruction to the master tailor, the pilot, or the Michelin-starred chef. From whence does the license come to do so with the framemaker?"
-Brendan Quirk

For the best 5 minutes of your day read HERE.

XXX,
Justin Spinelli
www.sveltecycles.com

Svelte Cycles: Heritage Part 5

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:51:00 +0000

Make no mistake Team Farm Frites was a powerhouse squad, ranked 2nd in the world when I signed for them in May of 2000. My heart however was in Italy. In the fall of 2000 one thing led to another and I found myself signing for one of the most iconic teams of its time; Team Saeco.

At this point I had really put myself in the spotlight and was receiving copious amounts of press.

I'll spare you the endless amount of race action pics as so many live HERE. What I will share with you now are some nice articles outlining my progression and ambitions as well as a few choice behind the scenes pics.

That first year on Team Saeco was a dream come true. The team was at its pinnacle in both spirit and stature. Just look at this loaded roster.

My favourite event that year was ironically in America at the USPRO Championships in Philladelphia. I was coming onto some very good form and some two weeks later i finished 6th Overall at the Uniqua Tour of Austria. The countless hours of training and sacrifices were paying significant dividends. That summer, I felt I could do no wrong on a bicycle.

Just to show you that Lance Armstrong is not the only pro who trains in inclimate weather, here are some snaps of me and my amico Nicola Gavazzi leaving for a 180k jaunt at our own little Pre-USPRO training camp in New Hampshire. Note: "Epic" is not training 180km in the rain. "Epic" is training 180km in the rain then waking up the next morning and doing it again, then again, then again....

Back in Italy, Nicola and I were two peas in a pod. We both had a very strong work ethic and a big capacity for workloads. Our training rides were really something special. Interesting little fact: Nicolas father won Milano - San Remo, stages in the Giro and countless other semi-classics. Mattia, Nicolas younger brother is now enjoying a very succsesful career in his own right.

After enjoying my best ever season as a cyclist my motivation going into the "off" season was high, very high, too high. I continued to train at full capacity and was racing cyclocross on the weekends.

What I should have been doing was relaxing, gaining about 10-15 pounds and going for walks. My inability to just "kick it" for a few months set me up for a disasterous 2001 season. I weighed 135-140 pounds and had no power... this is no way to start a full year of racing in the Pro Tour.

I struggled with not only my form but also with the new structure at Team Saeco. Long gone were the fun training camps in Tuscany, also missing were Mario and Paulo Savodelli as well as my then mentor Laurent Dufaux. At this point the spirit had gone out of it and I lost sight of why I was doing what I was doing... these were hard times.

In the sport of cycling you are only as good as your last race and my performances in 2002 did not warrant me a spot on the 2003 Team Saeco squadrone. It was back to the states for me as I signed on with Team Navigators. That winter into 2003 was long, hard and unhealthy. The passion was gone and I had lost my way.

After an un-inspiring 2002, it was time to take a step away for the world of Pro Cycling and purse my studies in Industrial Design. This break did me well and in the winter of 2004 I had created a plan on how I would come back to Pro Cycling, this time on my own terms.

XXX,
Justin Spinelli
www.sveltecycles.com

Eye Candy... My Holiday Gift To You!

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:51:00 +0000

I'll save the text for future posts and simply let the pixels do the talking. Enjoy!
ps: scroll over and *click* each image for the XXX.

Gaulzetti Cicli for ATMO.

Cheers,
Justin Spinelli
www.sveltecycles.com

Svelte Cycles: Heritage Part 4

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:07:00 +0000

At only 20 years of age I signed my first pro contract with the then ranked 2nd in the world Team Farm Frites. Riding for Team Mercury I had taken the domestic scene by storm not necessarily by being the best U-23 time trialist (who was by far Dave Zabriskie) nor by being the best U-23 one day racer (easily Danny Pate) but by being the best stage racer and notching consistent top 5 and 10 results in NRC multi-day events.

This is me with my sister Elise only days before hopping on a plane with a one way ticket Holland. I left everything behind to compete in the 1st Division (now "ProTour").

So when offered by then Team Farm Frites manager Jacques Hanegraaf before the ink was even dry on my first D1 Pro contract to compete in arguably the worlds most difficult stage race, I could do only the reasonable thing...

Of course that first race was a real eye opener. Competing against the fully "topped off" Italians was no easy feat for a 20 year old, 140lb neo pro with a hematocrit of 40. I digress, that was the business I had chosen and to be honest I couldn't have cared less... I was having the time of my life.

I had fame. (can you name the riders in the background 2nd pic down?)

.

I had fans.

... And in Italy, I had the best agent/aunt a kid could ever ask for. Only months after this photo was taken this innocent little lady in pink talked hard-ball to legendary Team Saeco manager Claudio Corti and negotiated my 2001 contract at the Saeco corporate offices in Gaggio Montagna, IT.

So did I finish the Giro D'Italia? Hell no I didn't! You try racing against guys who are riding up mountains in their 53s while only breathing through their noses!

But I had some great memories. Here I am waving to the camera (look close). I am flanked by my teamates Robbie Mcewen to my right and Miquel VanKessel to my left. That's Mario Cipollini on the front with Ludo Dierckxsens a couple riders to his left. Axel Merckx won this stage, a little 280km jaunt through the hills of Tuscany.

Up next: Look out Mario... Here I come! The Saeco years.

A Presto,
Justin Spinelli
www.sveltecycles.com

Svelte Cycles: Heritage Part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:16:00 +0000

This picture is a summary of my campaign as an U-23 Elite.

With a clear objective, the right support system and an unwavering commitment to competition, I was well on my way to exploiting my talents. Neither I nor my crew would expect for me to reach such a high level in such a short amount of time.

So after reading that Boston Globe article: Did I impress the folks at USA Cycling? I did.
What about The Killington Stage race? How did I fare there? Answer below:

After turning heads in the uphill time trial (photo above) I consistently climbed in the front group with the likes of Tyler Hamilton, Scott Moninger and George Hincapie (who went on to win the overall).

By virtue of my efforts at the Killington Stage race and my performance at the Hessen-Rundfart in Germany a few weeks later, I was named captain of the US National U-23 World Championship Team. With the help of Danny Pate, I delivered in Valkenburg, Holland being the first North American to the line finishing next to the likes of Thor Hushovd and Cadel Evans.

At this point I had my own mechanics and support staff at the road races but come cross season I took great pleasure in assembling and maintaining my personal race machines. Did I take my bikes too seriously? Some people might have thought so...

... but I knew just how important a propper fitting and functioning machine was. A prime example being the 1998 U-23 National Cyclocross Championships.

Though the course was very fast it also featured treacharously steep and off-camber drop-offs to be negotiated at high speeds. All that spelled disaster for anything less than perfectly tuned machines.

After a 50 minute slug fest the race was clearly between three riders; Jonathan Page, Tim Johnson and myself. Going into the last half of the final lap Page rolled his tire on one of those nasty drop-offs I forementioned. Gone was his race. Tim would sprint away from me in the final stretch for the gold and I would hold on for the silver medal.

Pundits claimed Jonathan was robbed of the win but I was always quick to point out the race was not just "the race". Those evenings upon evenings of meticulously maintaining my equipment fleet were not just for fun.

At that time I began to form key alliances within the bicycle industry. This is me chilling in the Pedros wagon with Tim, my trainer Adam Nisson and the original co-founder of Pedros, Bruce Fina.

This was a time where though my prime focus of day in day out race preparation was intense, I was begining to understand that a strong backing flush with mentors I could trust was very important.

The following year saw my graduation to Team Cannondale. Though the spring campaign was spent racing in Europe with the first euro-based U-23 US National Cycling Team under Noel Dejonckere, I always rode my trade team machines supplied by Cannondale. Why? The same reason I refused to ride on the US National Team bikes (then GTs) the year prior (I competed solely on my Richard Sachs). Loyalty. In cyclings world of "what have you done for me lately" riders, I had a different value set. This value set would reap great rewards for me in the future.

The Cannondale USA team was spear headed by chief CAAD designer Chris Peck. Chris consistenly gave me the latest machines to test both on and off the race course to relay valuable feedback. My years with Cannondale would see the development of the CAAD 4,5,6 and 7. This is Chris and I hanging out pre-race with his lovely wife Heather. Curt Davis who also was employed by Cannodale was a great mentor and supporter as well ( believe he is to my left).

Forecast of things to come...

At this point I was a hot commodity and after some reluctance and a nudge by Greg Lemond and Judge Jones (pictured below)...

... I took the leap to the most powerful (and also the most short lived) Domestic Pro Team of its time; Team Mercury.

Did I impress at L'Avenir?

Yes.Did I earn a spot on Team Mercury for the following year? Of course I did.

But later that fall back in the comforts of home, after a year of traveling the globe, it was business as usual.

Much More To Come,
Justin Spinelli
www.sveltecycles.com

Svelte Cycles: Heritage Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:56:00 +0000

As a late teen my attention began to focus on speed-sports and also initiated my fascination with bicycle mechanics. After working in a wood shop the summer of my 16th birthday, I hit the big time in my own mind by landing a job at Goodales Bike and Ski in Nashua, NH. My position at Goodales developed from sweeping floors and emptying trash, to prepping bikes for repair, to assembling "boxed" bikes and ultimately evaluating incoming repairs and quoting to customers on the spot repair estimates and details. This was a learning process of over three years. Also by my third year I was building all my own race wheels and would not let any one go near my race bikes. Some things never change!

The results board. "Oh gee that's neat. I won."

That time saw me morph from a high school punk on academic and behavioral probation to the captain of the varsity ski team. An accomplishment to this day I am very proud of as I did not even make the selection for Ski Team as a freshman.

The end of my high school junior year also saw me racing mountain bikes. I found sucess immediately.

That's my dog Abby greeting me after winning at Sunapee, NH.

With High School behind me...

... my trainer Adam Nisson and I developed a plan to peak for the Mt. Snow Junior World Cup scheduled for June '97. I would then hang up the mountain bike and focus my attention to the Killington Stage Race coming some three months later. At this point I had a set training program, a strict diet and a one track mind: -Make It Big-.

As you can see the first part of the plan was a sucess. I came from relatively out of nowhere to show up all but one of the top juniors in North America at Mount Snow.

So close...

... yet so far away.
2nd place.

At the then prestigious Killington Stage Race I time trialed into 2nd Overall going into the last stage but tactics shuffled the GC and I ulitmately reliquished my spot on the podium. Regardless that ride put me on the radar of the folks at USA Cycling. Watts are watts. As you will see later, that was not the last Killington saw of me.

PS: that's me on the far left next with Will Friskhorn (on my right in the orange sprint jersey).

Part 3 will feature me coming out of High School and going straight to the league. This was perhaps the most magical time in my racing career as I staked claim as being one of the best U-23s in the world all within the span of one year.

Stay Tuned,
Justin Spinelli
www.sveltecycles.com

Svelte Cycles: Heritage Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:19:00 +0000

What makes Svelte Cycles special? Why would anyone purchase a multi-thousand dollar bicycle from a "kid" operating out of a workshop with no staff, no set store hours and no big shiny advertisement campaign? Heritage.

I am Justin Spinelli. For the last 15 years I have dedicated my life to racing bicycles, bicycle mechanics, industrial design, modern art and the practice of good business.

They say without pictures it never happened. The series that follows is a visual catalog of events portraying just how deep my pedigree, passion and commitment to the sport and industry of cycling runs.

Enjoy,
Justin Spinelli
Owner of Svelte Cycles

Ma...
and Pa...

I was born in the now hot-bed of cycling culture; Portland, Oregon. Here I am chilling with my mother (Cynthia) on the steps of 2222 NW Irving Street well before the days of Stumptown Coffee, Rapha and gentrification in the 97205.

I came from a very modest home but we always had a good time. This picture of me at speed in my "sled" pretty much sums it up.

Excercise was fun. In fact most things were. Both my parents were amazing athletes in their own right. My father the Co-Captain of his college football team and my mother a competitive swimmer come fitness buff. I always had the choice whether to participate or not. Most of the time I did.

Our move to New Hampshire didn't change too much for me aside from leaving the French-American school and enrolling in a traditional education system. Skateboarding and its culture took a very strong hold on me and I dreamed of becoming a professional athlete . Little did I know what was to come.

It begins....

To be continued...

XXX,
Justin
www.sveltecycles.com

Svelte Cycles In Studio

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:12:00 +0000

In an effort to both professionally document each new bicycle that rolls out of Svelte Cycles World Headquarters and keep my leaching-on of IFs Tyler Evans mad talents and work days to a minimum, I've gone ahead and installed a photo studio in-house.

What follows is a sequel to the documentation of my very own IF Corvid. Bear with me as it will take some time to get the angles, vantage points and lighting dialed into my own signature style. Enjoy.

Fin,
Justin Spinelli
www.sveltecycles.com
justin@sveltecycles.com
(+1) 603 943-4202

Fun With Clothing.

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:50:00 +0000

Here I am in the latest Craft catalog. Changing kits in the freezing cold was not very fun but hey, sacrifices must be made. Chris Milliman took some great shots.

I must say their winter apparel for this year is really something special. Get ready for the snow.

Look here: XXX

Cheers,
Justin Spinelli

This Week In Wheels by Justin Spinelli.

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:20:00 +0000

Though most of my wheel builds are completely spec'd with parts from Svelte Cycles, I do take special orders from customers who want to use my skills but prefer a rim or hub type I may not currently source. As a bonus this gives me the opportunity to experiment with new materials I may have never used and either further secures my stocking choices, or piques my interest into making a phone call or two to various suppliers.

What follows are some (but not all) wheelsets from last weeks queue. To enjoy the pics to their full, high-res beauty, be sure to scroll over and *CLICK*.

Ambrosio Nemesis 32H/32H. 0x/3x-3x. FMB Roubaix Tubular Tires 25mm. Wheelsmith Alloy Nipples. Wheelsmith DB14 Spokes. DT Swiss 240 Hubset. Very strong, light enough, sexy.

DT Swiss R1.1s. 28H/28H. 2x/2x-2x. Wheelsmith Alloy Nipples. Wheelsmith DB14 Spokes. Shimano Dura Ace Hubset. Strong, light enough, classic.

Mavic Reflex Couche Dure (aka "CD"). 32H/32H. 0x/3x-3x. Continental Competition 25mm Tubulars. Wheelsmith Alloy Nipples. Wheelsmith DB14 Spokes/Black. DT Swiss 240 Hubset. Strong, very light, stealth.

DT Swiss R1.1 Clincher Rims. 28H/28H. 0x/2x-2x. Wheelsmith Alloy Nipples/Black. Sapim CX-Ray Spokes/Black. DT Swiss 240 Hubset. DT Swiss Steel Skewers. Very strong, very light, classy and smart.

Edge 1.38 Tubular Rims. 28H/28H. 0x/2x-2x. Pillar Hidden Nipples. Sapim CX-Ray Spokes/Black. DT Swiss 240 Hubset. Very light, very strong, no longer in production (see pic of 1 and 2.45s below for your consolation prize).

DT Swiss R1.1 Clincher Rims. 28H/28H. 0x/2x-2x. Wheelsmith Alloy Nipples. Wheelsmith DB14 Spokes. Chris King Pretty and Strong Hubset. Portland, pink, blingy.

Edge 1.68 "Blem" Tubular Rims. 20H/24H. 0x/2x-2x. Pillar Hidden Nipples. Sapim CX-Ray Spokes/Black. White Industries H2 Hubset. For Team Embrocation. Rock solid, feather light, XXX.

PS: Future Projects...... Edge 1.45/2.45/1.68/2.68. All 20/24 drillings. Call to reserve.

Keith Haring moment.

Fin.

If you would like a pair of Svelte Cycles Tailored Wheels for yourself feel free to drop me a line or give me a ring.

Cheers,
Justin Spinelli
(+1) 603 943-4202
justin@sveltecycles.com
www.sveltecycles.com

The Svelte Cycles Studio.

noreply@blogger.com (Svelte Cycles - Product Reviews) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:07:00 +0000

Nestled in Nashua, NH just 45 minutes north of Boston you can find the Svelte Cycles Studio.

Aside from my desk,

and workbench,

there remains an open room where some rotating display bikes are kept.

Opposite the bicycles rest two chairs.

To the left of the chairs, some windows.

To the right, some New Yorkers.

In between, a table.

So come over. Take a seat..

...enjoy an espresso...

... and get fitted for the bicycle you always wanted but never knew where to find.

Cheers,
Justin Spinelli
justin@svetlecycles.com
(+1) 603 943-4202

to learn more about Svelte Cycles read the following snipped from the Washingmachine Post:

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

justin spinelli - svelte cycles

it's a dangerous thing to do, in my mind, to set up a bicycle company that involves selling someone else's bicycles. my initial introduction to justin spinelli's svelte cycles was that there would be just such a machine with the name writ large in script on the downtube. but there are a heck of a lot of bicycles on the market nowadays and it's difficult enough to figure out the differences and to make the best choice for you. so a bit of lateral thinking on the part of justin spinelli has been not to go the route of having bicycles made with his name exclusively stamped, but to choose what he regards as the best of the best, in his experience, and make sure that the customer leaves the room a happy chappy.

can you give a brief overview of who justin spinelli is?
i am the owner/operator of svelte cycles. i have 15 years experience as a mechanic and raced as a professional for ten years. i also studied industrial design and caad for over two years at the art institute of fort lauderdale and the boston architectural center.

thinking of a name for a rock band is life on the edge, because if you get it wrong you may have to live with it for a long time. what brought you to name your company 'svelte cycles'?
"svelte" embodies my approach as to what I feel a bicycle should look and feel like. sleek, refined, high class.

and are you happy to live with this for a few years to come?
no other name would work. svelte is perfect.

svelte bicycles seems a bit of an odd concept to me. why should someone buy an independent fabrication bike build from svelte?
when a customer purchases an IF from me what they are really investing in is my knowledge and years of racing experience.

lousy question, but do you feel there's a real need for the service you're offering?
not everyone needs a custom bicycle tailored to their proportions and riding style but it is of my opinion that everyone who rides deserves said machine.

couldn't i just phone up indyfab and get the same deal?
no. the people at IF are fantastic, committed individuals but their main focus is to fabricate the bicycle frames and service their dealers. by calling me you have my undivided attention and also the option of purchasing a complete bicycle, not simply a frame and fork.

you've a particularly high profile career behind you as a bike racer. what made you decide on this as a post-race career?
i wanted to put myself in a position to do the work i love. riding and racing a bicycle will always be a passion but it is only part of the equation. after spending many off seasons working in bicycle retail, i grew to learn its flaws and realized that i could provide better service and a superior finished product to the high end bicycle consumer.

what made you choose indyfab?
with the advent of the Corvid, IF offers a full range of materials at my disposal for which to offer my customers the best bicycle for them. every tube is tunable. every geometry is custom.

i'm on a small island off the west coast of scotland, and i fancy a svelte bicycle. can you deal with me even though you're in nashua, new hampshire?
of course. just last week a good customer flew in from london to purchase two bicycles from me at my fit studio here in nashua, New Hampshire. he arrived, we had espressos, we talked. i fitted him. that next day production began on his framesets at the IF factory. my location is fantastic as i am only 45 minutes from Logan International Airport in Boston, MA and 20 minutes from the Manchester, New Hampshire Regional Airport.

and presumably the bikes can be shipped worldwide?
yes. far be it from me to deny my customers anything.

does the end product bear any mark that svelte is where it's from, like the 'r' head tube badge on the rapha indyfabs?
upon request, yes. i offer a "svelte issue" finish with a choice of toyko pearl white or metallic black paint, tastefully placed signature green stripes and a custom svelte headbadge as the coup de grace.

do you build the wheelsets yourself, or is there an army of technicians hiding in the closet?
only on one occasion have i ever outsourced labor and i will not make that same mistake again. i take great pride in my work and my handbuilt wheels are guaranteed to last for the life of the rim. in my opinion you will be hard-pressed to find a more meticulous and prudent wheelbuilder.

what brought you to those particular wheel components?
i owe no allegiance to brands and offer only the best. at this time i feel these are the best products for my customers.

i see a link to luxe wheelworks coming in 2010. care to say more?
luxe wheelworks is a special ops project that may or may not come to fruition. as i sell an increasing amount of complete bicycles i fear that my wheelbuilding may get lost in the storm, if you will. that would be a real shame and i thought it might be a good idea to house a wheel works division under svelte cycles for those who desire complete wheels and wheel goods alike.

is this all written in stone, or is there a likelihood of bicycle/ component change as time rolls by?
as i said before i offer only the best. should the quality of any of my brands decline or should something that i feel is of higher quality come along, that is the direction i will go in. to reiterate, my customers are not buying IFs or Edge wheelsets, they are buying Justin Spinelli. my allegiance is to my customers and my own brand.

are you trading on your racing career, or is that an irrelevance to you and to your customers?
only to a certain point. if so i would have called what you now see "spinelli cycles". my racing experience has gifted me an immense depth of knowledge in the cycling and culture forum alike but i feel "svelte cycles" as we know it embodies more than one person and set of ideals.

has your past career presented you with the necessary experience to deal with whatever comes your way at svelte?
though i am very capable at handling most every situation to date, i by no means pretend to know it all. when i don't know something, i consult a reliable source. the resources and connections in the "industry" i have are precious and i value them greatly.

how do you deal with a customer who plainly wants what you think they don't need?
i consider myself and artist and a designer not a salesperson. my clients come to me to paint them a picture. the end result is always mutually agreeable.

any plans to move into the framebuilding arena in the future?
not really no. my true value and strengths lay in the bicycle as a whole. the closest comparison one could make between myself and a framebuilder would be richard sachs. richard has been a role-model, consiglieri, and friend for many years and much of what you see now is the fruition of many heart to hearts with richard. he truly believes in my work and that alone is priceless. To surpass the master is to repay the debt.

who's idea was the coca-cola pastiche on the t-shirts?
yours truly. i do all my own designs, logos and font selections for every item with "svelte cycles" attached to it.

do you drink san pellegrino?
relentlessly.

i see you were brought in as a 'ringer' in the recent new york edition of the rapha gentlemen's race. any plans to continue this association with rapha?
i see no reason not to. rapha and svelte share much of the same customer base and with luck our relationship will be more exploited in due time.

would you care to leave us with something that will embed svelte cycles in our collective psyche?
if you would like a bicycle that fits you the way it should fit, rides the way it should ride and looks the way it should look; enjoy svelte cycles.

svelte cycles

posted on saturday 4 july 2009