SCAPIN Bikes Coming to USA

Riding around Italy in 2002 we came to Fermignano, near Urbino, where we stopped into the MondoBici bike shop to look around. They had some beautifully made Scapin bikes and my friend Kevin decided on the spot he had to have one. The store manager took all his measurements, sent them via computer to Scapin and 3 months later his custom all Campagnolo Record equipped Scapin arrived in the USA. Beautiful bike.

In the scheme of things you see relatively few Scapin bikes although everyone thinks highly of them. An oldtimer I met that climbs Monte Grappa every day that he can, which is in the order of approximately 250+ days per year, swears by his. So, it was good news to read an announcement that Scapin bikes would be coming to the USA:

"One of the most prestigious Italian brands, renown for its niche production of top of the range steel and carbon/steel frames, is now approaching the US Market through the distribution of Global Trail Cycling Imports.

Scapin (www.scapin.com) is one of the most prestigious Italian brands ever, together with DeRosa, Pinarello and Colnago. In fact: the Scapin bikes are the sole mountain bikes ever to win the COMPASSO D’ORO, the most prestigious Italian Design Award.

Founded in 1957 by Umberto Scapin, a former pro rider, the brand has become renown through time, for the peculiar craftsmanship, high quality and technological excellence of its creations.The Fontana family, owners of the Olympia brand, bought Scapin in 2005 and started investing in R&D, guided by the experience of the firm’s historical designer: Stefano Scapin.Today, the Scapin brand offers a full range of high quality mountain bikes and road racing frames and complete bikes, specifying full carbon fiber or full steel frames as well as creative but highly performing mixed solutions.

Rigorously Made in Italy, as far as the manufacturing of the Steel frames is concerned (ed. note: nice to see an honest statement as to where the carbon frames are not made), every Scapin bike is a jewel, made of precious details that include patented systems as well as small but clever cycling solutions.

From January 2009, the brand will be distributed in the USA through Global Trail Cycling Imports. This reputed distributor, that’s already offering the US market, a range of fine crafted cycling products from all over the world, will take care to set up the sales network and selling strategies of the Scapin brand. "

Photos: the "Style" model made of Sprint steel and carbon tubes, the all carbon "Blake"

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