Officine Mattio are keeping a stronghold on the 'Made In Italy' label and insist on producing their range of fine carbon and steel bikes in their home country, where passion meets design meets experience meets pleasure.
Their founder, Giovanni Mattio, explains what drives him.
CDC: Italy has a strong reputation for passion and hand-made quality when it comes to frame-building – what is it about your country that breeds such talent?
GM: My theory is that Italians have “estro” (inspiration) and fantasy, more than other country and that comes from our great climate and the beautiful landscape. These gifts allow you time to focus on other things.
For example: if you live in Greenland you have to live within the limits of the weather to survive. I believe this adds an extra complication and difficulty which reduces your ability to live our your wildest dreams.
So I think the climate can determine the development and wisdom of the populations
I consider myself very lucky to be born in Italy!
CDC: What motivated you to make the leap from rider to manufacturer?
GM: I’ve been selling premium bikes for twenty years
.Now it’s very hard to find a truly Italian bike brand that produces bikes in Italy. But through my experience and research, I knew that it is still possible to produce top-level bikes on home soil. I saw a gap in the market and I decided to start this wonderful adventure!
CDC: What is the key to successfully making your hobby and passion your profession?
GM: I think you cannot choose your past but you can build your future. I’m a passionate about the bike, bikes are my pleasure. Why would I spend my life doing anything else?
CDC: What is more important – materials or tube dimensions and geometry?
GM: To have a top-level bike everything is important: materials, tube dimension, geometry (customized when necessary) and design. Bikes need to be pretty too - don’t forget we are Italian!!!
CDC: Carbon fibre choice and layup is often quoted as the secret to a good frame but only in vague terms. Is there a black magic to working with carbon fiber?
GM: I think the most important thing is to have a bank of experience and not be stopped by old technology. Carbon is a material used in many areas and we can learn from methods outside of cycling. Every single day we research new sources and compositions of carbon fiber to maintain and to raise quality of our framesets.
CDC: Frame building is a competitive business across the world now – what are customers looking for?
GM: I think in bicycle world there are 3 kind of customers:
Customers that want a good bike that simply allows them to enjoy ride. They want good quality at a certain price point. For them it’s the ride is more important than the bike they are riding;
Customers that want to ride, train and compete in races on top-level bikes the deliver a high level of performance. They need something more than an entry or medium level bike;
Passionate customers, people who look at their bicycle as if it was a jewel …… Not necessarily the sculpted race-machine but nonetheless its fitness for purpose is very important for them. Also this bike needs to have a good heritage, fine details and quality components.
Our range of bikes are built with both the second and third groups of customers in mind.
CDC: What lays ahead in the future of frame building?
GM: I think disk brakes are the future for road bikes and e-Bikes will continue to grow in popularity with more performance and less weight.
CdC: What are you most proud of about Officine Mattio?
GM: We are very proud of the feedback we receive from our customers: all our customers seem very happy about their OM experience, from initial contact to riding the bikes.
CDC: As a bike manufacturer you must have clear ideas about what makes a beautiful bicycle – can you tell us 5 absolute rules to make a good-looking bike?
GM: I think it’s impossible to give you 5 things to make a beautiful bicycle. I think you need to understand where you want to go, imagine in your head your ideal bike and design it from there. It is a personal thing.
Aesthetics is not a mathematical calculation. At OM bikes I focus on producing my favorites but I can't say if everyone shares my taste.CDC: Would you ride the Tourmalet on a 1975 Colnago or would you ride the Colle della Fauniera on a 1977 Peugeot?
GM: I would have to take the 1977 Peugeot, because I’m born in 1977.
CDC: Espresso or grappa? Espresso and Barolo, we are from Piedmont
CDC: Dolomites or Alps? For me the Alps offer more diversity and possibilities to explore. But I would also say it is mandatory to spend at least one week in your life in the Dolomites.
CDC: Pizza or Pasta? It doesn’t matter, as long as they are PRODOTTE IN ITALIA!
CDC: Rome or Milan? Rome and Milan are two amazing cities but honestly, I prefer not to choose either. I love mountains, the sea and little villages where we can do our favorite sport.
CDC: Baggio or Totti? Pantanti and Fabio Aru.
CDC: Ferrari or Alfa Romeo? Lamborghini!