Premium in a sea of premium
In this job it is often easy to become numb to the marvels of high-end road bikes – being as I am, immersed in it daily.
This ‘bike blindness’ has been difficult to shake in recent years with much of what I have been exposed to and ridden being all a bit same same.
So you’re a snob Dave. Fussy.
Absolutely!
I’d have it no other way.
I have no desire to either ride or offer my customers ‘beige’ products, as I suspect they are as discerning as I am. This is often taken as snobbery when it is at odds with what paid-for mainstream avenues are touting, and while there may be some validity in these paid-for outpourings, it is rarely the whole truth – and most certainly not the whole picture.
True to form, I have zero of the proverbial to give about such noise.
When spending armfuls of cash on premium products, I demand something that will excite and delight clients as they take on their own challenges on two wheels – no matter what form that takes.
Officine Mattio, just finding their feet in the UK market, are one of the first brands in recent times to instantly ignite the cycling fire in me – that if I’m honest, has dwindled of late.
Officine Mattio is an Italian bicycle manufacturer that has gained recognition for its dedication to craftsmanship, innovation, and performance. Conceived by Giovanni Roffarello in 2013, Officine Mattio has quickly carved a niche for itself in the high-end bicycle market since it’s flagship bike, the Lemma, was first released in 2015. This rapid establishment is testament to the brand’s exquisite handcrafted frames that are meticulously designed to provide a balance of aesthetics and functionality and that are eminently rideable and entirely customisable.
Officine Mattio’s bicycles are renowned for a unique blend of traditional homage combined with cutting-edge technology and the company works in Aluminium, Steel and Carbon. As is so often the back-story of niche Italian builders, and a function of the country’s strong self-identity and heritage – each frame is meticulously constructed by hand in Italy, by skilled artisans who prioritise attention to detail. The result is a stable of bicycles in a range of materials that not only deliver exceptional performance, but that are also works of art in their own right.
The same, only different.
Talking about carbon materials and construction has become rather repetitive. While progress is undoubtedly being made all the time, the techniques and materials used in the upper echelons of bike frame manufacture are similar, if not the same as you move from brand to brand. It is refreshing that the likes of SWI (watch this space) and OFFICINE MATTIO then, approach things differently.
As you would expect from a premium frame builder, OM places a strong emphasis on the use of high-quality materials and processes – not only for their carbon frames, but across aluminium and steel too. The top tier RT models employ the finest lightweight 3K and UD carbon fibres and include Torayca’s top-notch T1100, to deliver light, durable and elegant frames: but it is their approach to construction that differentiates them.
OM use a proprietary carbon frame forming process called IWS or Internal Wrap System.
IWS is unlike traditional moulding where ‘bagged’ frames have pressure and temperature applied externally. Using autoclaves (very high pressure and temperature ovens) the IWS allows the carbon fibre to run uncut through the junctions on OM frames, reaching deep into each tube section – and as you will know from Enve, the strength of the fibre comes from its length.
Ultimately the ability to employ long runs of fibre is achieved through precisely controlled temperatures and high-forming internal pressures that press the carbon out towards the mould . The result is an incredibly consistent structure with the strength and streamlining qualities of monocoque moulding but that which also allows full custom frame geometry – a key point of difference for Officine Mattio and a genuinely bespoke approach.
With high structural integrity comes strength and with carefully considered carbon lay-ups, OM are able to dial their frames to deliver a truly exciting ride. While the RT series is the epitome of this philosophy, it continues throughout their carbon models – and the proof is most definitely in the pudding.
Officine Mattio are progressive bikes. They are built with the modern rider in mind and to that end feature massive tyre clearances across the range. The likes of the Lemma and OM1 having front and rear clearance for 35mm tyres, the SL with 32 at the rear and up to 35 at the front. The impressive thing is that they guarantee this, a bold move given the variance across brands and when partnered with today’s internal rim widths. What might make you question this is observing the frame from the rear. Like many modern bikes, OM build asymmetrically to balance drive and non-drive forces, but they build this asymmetry INTERNAL to the frame. As such, it may appear that your wheels are sitting off centre – but rest assured, the lateral line is correct and the bikes are beautifully balanced to deliver all your power effortlessly to the road.
Fit for everything
Undeniably the enjoyment of your ride comes in large part from the geometry – and more crucially, your ability to sustain your position. We are not all racers and for the most part we ride a variety of terrain at varying paces and for varying time frames. An out-and-out race position is likely not the whip on which to do the bulk of our riding. Neither is it one that is upright.
To this end, Officine Mattio – like all progressive brands – offer their frames in an all-round stock geometry (think Dogma F10/12 and X, Supersix Evo), the raciness or otherwise of those frames being derived from carbon layup, materials choices, fork geometry and stay mount positioning. This geometry is shared by Lemma models and the new SL (the stack and reach measures of both are the same) but they are engineered to behave differently based on their intended usage. The only exception is the OM1 (in either S or RT form) which while still ‘all-round’, is marginally taller and shorter.
As stated, the soul of any carbon machine comes from the layup and OM employ two constructions; a standard model and an RT (save for the SL which as a climbing bike, is only manufactured in the stiffer, lighter weight T1100 lay-up). If you seek a beast of raw performance, then the Torayca T1100 build of an RT will be your foil, with the un-suffixed models being the same in form but more compliant in construction; thanks largely to the use of the likes of Torayca T800 fibre. No less engaging but more considerate if you don’t intend to tear the legs off your friends or feel the desire to perpetually chase KOMs.
Likened to Lions (I’m feeling zoological) the RT may savage you for looking at it, while the ‘tamed’ standard variants might take your arm off if you antagonise them.
The more feral RT has additional Grrr!
As a quick reference, here’s a brief breakdown of the carbon road models:
Engineered with a race focus, the combination of the lay-up and geometry of the Lemma is designed for acceleration, reactivity and positive handling that allows riders to respond to swiftly changing situations.
All-Round Geometry
Race forward positioning through:
Fork: Low crown-axle distance
Standard headtube length
Seat-tube, low-mounted seatstays
Lay-up Engineered for Racing:
Acceleration
Responsiveness
Direct Handling
The SL is a super light racy feeling bike built for the specific demands of climbing and descending. Swift to accelerate like the Lemma, but featuring a taller crown-axle height and shorter headtube for predictable handling control. A flattened top tube, top-tube mounted seat stays and a more aggressive slope reduce vibration and lend great stability to the ride when descending for incredible confidence.
All-Round Geometry
Climbing / descending focused positioning through:
Fork: Taller (+8mm over Lemma) crown-axle distance
Shorter headtube length
Top-tube mounted seatstays
Aggressive top-tube slope
Lower centre of gravity
Engineered for mountains:
Super Light
High Stability
Confident, predictable handling ideal for descents
The OM1 is a racy feeling bike but that suits longer rides through the taller stack and shorter reach. Slower to accelerate than the Lemma, it retains speed well and balances the more upright geometry with racy characteristics derived from the Lemma, delivering a sustainable position for all-day riding.
All-round Geometry
Endurance- forward positioning through:
Taller Stack
Shorter Reach
Race characteristics
Fork: Low crown-axle distance
Standard headtube length
Seat-tube, low-mounted seatstays
Lay-up Engineered for endurance riding:
Sustainability of speed (Slower to accelerate than the Lemma but more easily retains speed once around ~30kph / 18mph)
Responsiveness
Confident Handling
Lemma and OM1 have optional lay-ups to serve different audiences and budgets. In both instances the geometry is identical and ONLY the layup changes between models.
Lemma / OM1 RT:
Best-of-the-best T1100 Carbon : Maximum performance
High Stiffness
Low weight
Higher cost
Lemma 3.0 / OM1 S:
Identical geometry to the RT.
T800 Carbon
Slightly lower stiffness / greater compliance
Marginally heavier
Lower Cost
SL:
T1100 Carbon only to minimise weight and maximise stiffness and performance befitting the remit of the frame.
Make it yours
For most riders, the stock geometry will likely serve, it being a modern approach to performance cycling. That is, it’s racy but not too racy.
But if it doesn’t you have the option – as with all their bikes – for a full custom geometry.
But it’s more than just custom geometry. Almost every aspect of your frame can be determined by you. You can customise your layup to fully refine your ride for the purpose for which you intend to use it: weight, stiffness, comfort and robustness are all definable by you. Along with Groupset specific routing, headtube size, Bottom Bracket standard, ISP Seat-tube…. there are a plethora of options for you to get your teeth into, all of which we will happily explore with you.
Beyond the materials, construction, geometry and layup customisation; when you build your Officine Mattio you have multiple options on paint. From standard paint and design, to metallics and premium finishes, to completely custom. Each aspect having an additional and – aside from complex designs or chrome paints (don’t do it) – reasonable up-charges. We will be happy to go through the design process with you in store or you can lose hours of your day playing with their configurator!
It’s difficult to talk about the ride feel since this can be dialled in to suit an individual’s preference – but my immediate impression of the RT frames I have ridden is one of spirit.
My initial experience was both brief but exceptional. When they were first introduced to 700, I spun one quickly around the streets of Windsor in flat shoes perched on Speedplay pedals. It was impressive. Rarely these days does a bike bring things into focus so clearly and so quickly. Extended rides are often required to tell the difference between x and y and often those differences are slight, making decisions tougher. Not so with the Ofiicine Mattio: the acceleration, agility and overall verve were immediately apparent. Yes it was an RT, but as a stock geometry and lay-up, it is comparable to any of the premium frames that I have had the privilege to ride. It was something else. Enough for me to commit to the brand in short order and invest in one myself.
Indeed, those looking for an exciting ride that handles with exceptional manners and who is considering an extraordinary steed – should absolutely be exposed to these, that is more than my job, it’s a duty as a purveyor of premium product. Otherwise, we all end up riding the same stuff, patting each other on the back for our brilliant bike purchasing decision without any real context.
All Officine Mattio carbon models are supplied as a frame kit with the company’s custom integrated one-piece carbon cockpit: the OM Sharp Handlebar, plus headset & spacers, front mech band-on adapter and Deda carbon seatpost.
Finish is one of the finest I have witnessed on a carbon bike and shames some of those industry veterans who lean on their paint as a standout feature. Not only that, the team are fastidious about ensuring that your frame is perfect when it gets to you
Taking great care from construction through to packaging is a statement of the company’s dedication to attention to detail and one that is manifest in the ride.
Officine Mattio
Explore the range
As of now we have slowly begun listing the Officine Mattio frames so if you don’t see the specific model you are after – please contact us for details. They’ll be listed as soon as possible!
A breakdown of the key range is on the BRAND PAGE – but additional models are available. As with everything we do – we have cherry picked the key products to save you the additional leg work, but we are happy to assist with anything that the artisans at OM offer.
