Object of lust: The retro bike

Designed by a graphic designer and professional photographer and a lifelong cyclist - this bike from Bertelli Bici - the Italian slang for bicycle is a unique design object that we want to ride. Now.

Forgot hitting the gym in the new year - invest in a Bertelli Bici, which even when the fitness fad fades will still look a lot more attractive than a sad old gym membership card.

Each part is assembled by hand, finished and fine-tuned by Francesco - the company's founder. He combines brand new parts with "new old stock" and vintage parts found at flea markets, old bikeshops, collectors and his my trustworthy suppliers. The final result is unique, refined and chic alternative to road rage.

The 'Domenica' bike (meaning Sunday) featured above has vintage alloys and coaster brakes.

Described as the kind of bike you would ride 'during a bright sunny sunday in the middle of spring, with a newspaper under your arm, heading to you favorite breakfast bar', the bike has a viking frame, rare brooks b15 black, a chrome vintage fork drilled for a front brake, coaster brake wheelset — so you can brake by backpedaling — vintage white michelin tires, and a rare gipiemme crankset with a golden finish chainring.

A rare titan stem (similar to a Cinelli design) is a 1960's vintage piece from Belgium. To complete the model a brand new wooden handlebar special has been designed by adam brackney.

All Bertelli Bici bikes are created from lugged steel, skinny tubes, quill stems, vintage cranksets, track geometry, and leather & wood - they have unusual handlebars and chrome forks and are finished without any logos or stickers.

The artisanal unique touch? Each bike is tested and ridden for one day (around Francesco's NY neighborhood) before a bike is delivered to ensure customers don't receive a bike with loose bolts or wrong settings.