[CR]Report: Pegoretti Luigino

(Example: History:Norris Lockley)

Date: Tue, 24 May 2005 11:10:02 -0400 (GMT-04:00)
From: "Louis Schulman" <louiss@gate.net>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Report: Pegoretti Luigino

Since KOF frames are on topic, I thought I would report on my new lugged steel Pegoretti Luigino. It is the '04 model, in grey and burgundy, made of Columbus EL-OS.

The bicycle is nicely made and finished. However, if perfection is your goal, stick with the American builders. It isn't up to their standard, although it is certainly fine by any other standard.

While the chrome is restricted to the fork crown, right chain stay and drop-out faces, I found chrome when I cleaned the paint from the shift lever bosses. It appears the entire frame may be chromed underneath the paint.

The most interesting feature is the dual plate fork crown, with round section fork blades. Also, the head tube is extended a significant amount above the top tube.

I bought the frame to be a traditional fit, ie, one fistfull of seat post showing. Sized this way, you can easily bring the handlebars level with the seat. Also, this works well, because it effectively shortens the top tube.

The geometry is very traditional: 73/73, 57/57 c-c.

The handling is very light and responsive. The bicycle is very easy to ride no hands.

The bike has the most silky smooth ride I have experienced. I took the wheels from a Stowe I have that is made from Tange Prestige and with a much tighter geometry. There is no comparison. The Peg is much smoother.

The Peg is also much smoother than the '65 Holdsworth I have been riding around, which has similar geometry. I attribute this to the extra 2 or more lbs. of steel in the Holdsworth's frame.

This bike would be a great long distance rider. It could certainly be raced, although there would be a 2 lb weight penalty on hills. You can't put fenders on this bike. Not only no eyelets, but even the short reach brakes have their blocks near the top.

I built it up with mostly modern components: Shimano 9-speed, but with downtube shifters. For appearances, it has Super Record brakes (with Tektro Campy knock-off levers).

If you are looking for a comfortable modern ride from lugged steel with Italian panache, this would be hard to beat, IMHO. If you can find one as a showroom leftover (like mine was), and have some parts lying around, the price can be brought into the realm of reason. I would not have bought this bike at retail price (for that price, I would want perfect brazing myself).

I really like it.

Louis Schulman
Tampa, FL