Like most companies, Cinelli outsources their high-volume bikes and carbon bikes overseas to be made. The difference is that they still handmake many of their steel frames at their factory in Milan, Italy.
Cinelli Bike Buyer’s Guide
Written by: Nick Cowie | July 1, 2026 | Time to read: 5 min
Cinelli is known for the modern fixed gear bike, but they have much more to offer. From carbon road racing bikes to steel frames and adventure gravel bikes, the Italian brand has a lot to offer.
More about the Author: Nick Cowie
Nick is a writer with seven years of experience in the cycling industry. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, Jiu Jitsu, and spending time outdoors.
Fixed-gear criteriums are full of Cinelli’s thanks to their modern approach to fixed-gear and steel manufacturing. In addition to their steel frame and fixed-gear bikes, they have standard lightweight carbon climbing bikes, aero bikes, and even some gravel bikes. Learn about what makes Cinelli cool and some of their top bikes below.
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Table of Contents
Cinelli’s History
Former professional cyclist Cino Cinelli founded the company in Milan in 1948. He did not originally start Cinelli as a bicycle manufacturing company, but as one that made components. His first order of business was creating an aluminum stem which featured an industry-changing closure system, making bikes safer than ever. They also created the world’s first plastic saddle and the first hub that allowed for interchangeable wheels. Eventually, they made their first steel bike frame, and everything changed.
Years ago, Cinelli dominated the steel-frame world with the Supercorsa. They even took over the Olympics on the track with the iconic and strange Cinelli Laser. Today, they do it all. Their lineup includes gravel bikes, carbon climbing bikes, and aero bikes. Still, what they are most known for is their modernization of steel-frame technology and fixed-gear ability.
Steel Frames and Fixies
Urban racing is where Cinelli shines. If you can see yourself ripping around the city on a fixie, Cinelli is a great choice. Using steel as the frame material makes them incredibly durable, which is vital in criterium racing and city riding in general. The brand has evolved with modern cycling, but they still know what they are best at.
- Cinelli Speciale Corsa: The Speciale Corsa is a handcrafted stainless steel-framed bike that is designed for modern riding. It features 3D-printed lugs and offers a very smooth ride on top of its low weight and speed. Cinelli knows that steel is their hot spot, so they made an elite road bike with it.
- Cinelli Supercorsa Pista: The Supercorsa lives on in the form of the Supercorsa Pista. This iconic road bike is handmade in Milan using Columbus SL stainless steel tubing and traditional lugs. The Supercorsa Pista combines history with the speed and handling you want in a modern road bike.
- Cinelli Vigorelli Steel: If you are one of the aforementioned criterium athletes, you will probably be drawn to this one. It is made with a steel frame that pairs with a carbon fork. The bottom bracket is heightened, giving you the stability you need to corner at high speeds during a crit. The Vigorelli is essentially a track bike for the road, making it a popular choice in the fixed-gear racing community.
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Cinelli’s Other Bikes
Cinelli has its niche, but steel isn’t the only thing they can do. They make high-level carbon road bikes, gravel bikes, and even commuter bikes. Make sure you look through the whole Cinelli lineup to see what resonates with your riding style.
- Cinelli Aeroscoop: The Aeroscoop is Cinelli’s carbon fiber aero road bike. Carbon frames give the manufacturer more freedom to create wider aerodynamic tubes, so Cinelli went with that material for this one. It was tested in the wind tunnel for optimal performance, resulting in a pure racing geometry. The Aeroscoop is for when you want pure speed and power.
- Cinelli King Zydeco: The King Zydeco is the lightest gravel bike Cinelli makes. It features a lightweight carbon frame and was designed with the goal of winning UCI gravel bike races. This bike is made for mixed-terrain riding and is even fast enough to serve as an endurance bike on the road.
- Cinelli Hobootleg: The Hobootleg comes in three different versions. The Geo is for bikepacking adventures and varying terrain. The Easy Travel is also made for any terrain, but features a more speed-focused frame. The original Hobootleg is designed around reliability and the ability to ride anywhere with a comfortable riding position and durable components.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cinelli make their bikes in Italy?
Is Cinelli good for racing?
Cinelli makes some of the most popular urban racing bikes in the world. They are great for criteriums and other city races. Cinelli also makes road race-worthy carbon bikes with a climbing bike, aero bike, and more.
Why steel?
Steel is a perfect way to balance low weight with durability. When you are a fixed-gear racer taking corners at super-high speeds, you need a bike that can take a berating. Cinelli is made up of steel experts, so they create some of the best quality steel frames on the market.
Key Takeaways
- Cinelli carved out a unique spot in the cycling world: Just because the Cinelli name isn’t all over the Tour de France doesn’t mean they don’t make elite racing bikes. Go to any city during their crit, and it will be packed with Cinellis.
- Carbon has its place: Even a steel-based company like Cinelli knows that if you want to make an aero road bike or a lightweight climbing bike, you need to use carbon to be the best.
- Don’t sleep on adventure bikes: Cinelli offers three versions of the Hobootleg, a steel bikepacking and trekking bike. If you like riding to parts unknown, these can be great options for your next bike.
