In a gravel world characterised by carbon frames and industrial series production, Officina Battaglin Matera deliberately sets a counter-accent. With the steel gravel bike, the traditional Italian manufacturer presents an alternative design that not only stands out for its handcrafted production, but also for one of the most iconic surface finishes in the bicycle industry: Cromovelato.
The Officina Battaglin Matera is not aimed at riders who are solely focussed on weight, aerodynamics or racing genes. Instead, it appeals to gravel bikers who value craftsmanship, individuality and the unmistakable ride feel of a high-quality steel frame. With modern gravel technology, generous tyre clearance and the legendary Cromovelato paintwork, the Matera combines tradition and the present in a way that has become rare today. It is a gravel bike for connoisseurs - and for all those who want their bike to have as much personality as the paths they are travelling on.
The Officina Battaglin Matera in detail
- Application: Gravel bike
- Maximum tyre clearance: 50 mm
- Frame material: steel
- Price frameset: from 2100 Euro
- Complete bike price: from 3189 euros
- Weight: n.a.
- Special features: customised paint finish, made in Italy
Matera: old Italian traditions
The gravel bike from Officina Battaglin is named after the southern Italian city of Matera, whose millennia-old cave settlements are considered to be one of the oldest permanently inhabited settlements in the world. For the Italian manufacturer, the city symbolises permanence, authenticity and the close connection between man and landscape - characteristics that are also reflected in the character of the new gravel bike. At the heart of the Matera is a frame made from Columbus Spirit HSS tubes, which are manufactured to Officina Battaglin's specifications. The construction is carried out in northern Italy using the traditional fillet-brazed method, in which the transitions between the tubes are ground by hand. The result is flowing shapes that are more reminiscent of classic frame construction than modern mass production.
Modern standards
Technically, however, the Officina Battaglin Matera is by no means nostalgic. The frame is consistently designed to meet current gravel requirements. This includes complete internal cable routing, a T47 bottom bracket, disc brake mounts and compatibility with modern 1x drivetrains. The maximum tyre clearance is 50 millimetres with 700C wheels. The details also show that the Matera is not only designed to look good, but also to impress in everyday use. The specially developed carbon fork has mounts for anything cages and is fitted with 100 x 12 millimetre thru axles.
A Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) facilitates the supply of spare parts on the road and makes the bike compatible with current derailleur standards. The Matera is also prepared for Vario seat posts and relies on a practical rear triangle with 440 millimetre chainstays. The geometry is based on modern gravel concepts: a comparatively slack steering angle, long wheelbase and high stack values promise smooth running and comfort on long tours as well as safety on loose surfaces.
The real star: Cromovelato
As interesting as the technical data is, the real eye-catcher is the paintwork. Officina Battaglin is one of the few manufacturers that continues to use the elaborate Cromovelato process. In this process, the surface is chrome-plated and then coated with transparent layers of colour. The result is an extraordinary depth effect in which the metal shimmers differently depending on the incidence of light. A total of 20 colour variants are available for the Matera. Five of these are classic plain colours from the "Minimal" series, while 15 variants are available in Cromovelato finishes. Each paint finish is produced in the company's own factory in Italy and is customised for the customer.
The concept behind the "Cromovelato For You" collection is interesting. While customised steel frames are often associated with months-long delivery times, Officina Battaglin promises to manufacture and paint the Matera within four weeks of ordering. This should make the customisation of a handmade frame much more accessible. The frameset including carbon fork, headset and thru axles is available from 2100 euros. Complete bikes from 3189 euros are also available. Buyers also receive personalised size advice to determine the right frame geometry.
Conclusion
It is well known that the Italians know a thing or two about design. Officina Battaglin has given its gravel bike the finishing touch with its elaborate special paintwork. The Matera is definitely an eye-catcher and has more technical features than it needs for the next ride to the ice-cream parlour. The prices for the locally manufactured steel frame are pleasingly fair. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Jan Timmermann
Editor
