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Pasculli Altissimo Ltd

For a long time I was able to resist the urge to purchase another road bike for the sake of my wallet. How many bicycles does one need? Especially if it's your job doing long term tests for a magazine, which means you're getting all the hot new stuff on a regular basis?

Excerpt from my Pasculli Altissimo test report:
"After three weeks of training on Gran Canaria - including steep uphills, speedy downhills, as well as all out experiences in the Valley of Tears - I couldn't get this super lightweight made to measure frame out of my head. I tried to fight this unreasonable need, but in vain - I ended up stealing my daughter's piggy bank to afford it."

The dream becomes reality: Pasculli Altissimo Limited

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Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1. A made to measure frame including custom setup is a playground for pros (or customers of a trustworthy bike store). Planning, shopping and assembling without compromises - only limited by one's imagination or financial capacities.

Rule #26 // Make your bike photogenic. Against the current trend towards lightweight design, I wanted to go for a super stiff roadbike, one that runs like a train on tracks, and one that is perfectly capable to handle daily life. At the same time it should meet my optical expectations. On the subject of painting I also decided to neglect the lightweight trend, having my frame coated with extensive layers of paint. The result - matte-black-glossy - is stunning and makes it easy to get over the extra 100 grams.

  • Pasculli Altissimo Ltd
  • Pasculli Altissimo Ltd

Rahmen und Gabel

Rule #45 // Slam your stem. While I can still tolerate a 5 mm spacer above the stem, anything else is practical but butt-ugly. Made to measure frames give you the opportunity to choose your stem's height, making further spacers unnecessary. Since I feel most comfortable with a stem height of 160 mm, I ordered the head tube with a length of 145 mm (145 mm head tube + 15 mm FSA dust cover = 160 mm stem stack).

Regarding geometry I pragmatically decided to let myself be guided by the recent Scott Addict but went for a flatter head tube angle of 72 degrees. The result: sporty, stoic, sufficient agility, and I'm not pounding my toes due to toe overlap.

  • Desired geometry: Scott Addict in 54 with a flat 72° head angle.Desired geometry: Scott Addict in 54 with a flat 72° head angle.
    Desired geometry: Scott Addict in 54 with a flat 72° head angle.
    Desired geometry: Scott Addict in 54 with a flat 72° head angle.
  • Desired paintwork: Glossy on matte-black with inverse letters.Desired paintwork: Glossy on matte-black with inverse letters.
    Desired paintwork: Glossy on matte-black with inverse letters.
    Desired paintwork: Glossy on matte-black with inverse letters.
  • Pasculli Altissimo Ltd

Wheels, group and parts

Rule #666 // Stiffness before weight. Since I knew that I would solely use the super stiff BB386Evo cranks (FSA K-Force Light or Rotor 3D+) I favored modern, 86,5 mm wide Pressfit bottom brackets to optimize the 30 mm spindle. Stiff components by Fizik (stem, bar, and seatpost) as well as the Mavic Cosmic Carbone 40 Tubulars rounded off the set.

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TRP R970 EQ Vorder- und Hinterbremse
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Power2Max FSA K-Force Light BB386Evo
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Praxis Works 53/39 130BCD Clover Black
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Fizik Komponenten
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Fabric ALM Shallow LTD
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Mavic CC 40 T
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Photo gallery of the assambled bike

Rule #8 // Saddles, bars, and tires shall be carefully matched. All components were tuned to match in color as much as possible: matte-black, black, glossy, small accents in Mavic-yellow as well as some "bronze" on the saddle, seatpost and crankset. The exclusive Fabric ALM Shallow Limited saddle and what is possibly the most decadent handlebar tape of all times helped pushing the setup to the limit in terms of color and style.

Altissimo Limited

FrameAltissimo Tube-to-Tube, UD-Carbon, matte-glossy-blackBottom bracketFSA BB386Evo PF30 BB-PF6000/CZ
SizeMade to measure (frame size 55 cm, reach 386 mm)CranksetFSA K-Force Light BB386Evo 130 BCD
HeadsetFSA No.42 1 1/8 - 1 1/2", UD, drop inChain ringsPraxis Works 53/39
ForkColumbus Grammy, 1 1/8 - 1 1/2", taperedPowermeterPower2Max Type S
StemFizik Cyrano R1, 120 mm, 7°, 31.8Cog SetShimano CS-6800 Cassette 11-25
HandlebarFizik Cyrano 00 Chamaeleon Carbon, 42 cmChainShimano XTR CN-HG900-11
Bar tapeFabric ALM, schwarzShiftersShimano Ultegra Di2 ST-6870 STI 2x11
SeatpostFizik Cyrano R1 Carbon, 31.6, 330 mmRear derailleurShimano Ultegra Di2 RD-6870-GS 2x11 
SaddleFabric ALM Shallow LTD EditionFront derailleurShimano Ultegra Di2 FD-6870 2x11
WheelsMavic Cosmic Carbone CC 40 TTiresMavic Yksion Pro GripLink & PowerLink T 23 mm
Weight6,74 kg (w/o pedals)BrakesTRP R970 EQ

On the road

  • Pasculli Altissimo Ltd

At full speed, the Altissimo follows the unwritten principle of silence: no creaking, no squeaking, no chain sounds are being heard, nothing but the reassuring hum of tires on asphalt, steady pedaling and the even rhythm of your breath.

My Pasculli - a deep black racer with ideal geometry including perfect handling with strong acceleration, quiet during high velocity, all while staying precise and agile in tight turns.

Bonus: Pimp my ride (with Fizik parts)

  • Pasculli Altissimo Ltd
  • Pasculli Altissimo LtdPasculli Altissimo Ltd
  • Pasculli Altissimo LtdPasculli Altissimo Ltd
  • Pasculli Altissimo LtdPasculli Altissimo Ltd
  • Pasculli Altissimo LtdPasculli Altissimo Ltd
  • Pasculli Altissimo LtdPasculli Altissimo Ltd
  • Pasculli Altissimo Ltd
  • Pasculli Altissimo LtdPasculli Altissimo Ltd
  • Pasculli Altissimo LtdPasculli Altissimo Ltd
  • Pasculli Altissimo LtdPasculli Altissimo Ltd
  • Pasculli Altissimo LtdPasculli Altissimo Ltd
  • Pasculli Altissimo LtdPasculli Altissimo Ltd
  • Pasculli Altissimo LtdPasculli Altissimo Ltd
  • Pasculli Altissimo LtdPasculli Altissimo Ltd

 Rule #65 // Maintain and respect your machine 

Velominati - Keepers of the cog
  • Pasculli Altissimo Ltd