During a recent visit to Cicli Barco’s headquarters in Veneto, Italy, we had the opportunity to preview the newly released Marconi. As part of the BAM! Festival, we joined a Barco-hosted gravel ride through the local terrain—arriving at the workshop dusty, but prepared to experience some of the most refined craftsmanship in cycling. We weren’t disappointed.
Positioned at the entrance of the workshop, the Marconi instantly drew attention. A polished stainless steel frame that exemplifies clean integration and advanced geometry. The Marconi stands as a testament to Barco’s dedication to precision and modern performance. For Chainsmith, it was the obvious choice to represent both the builder and our values at SPOKEN in Sydney.
Hand-built in Veneto by the Barco family, the Marconi represents the pinnacle of their stainless steel road range — a frameset that speaks of history, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to perfection. This isn’t a nod to retro styling. It’s the future of steel, forged by hands that have been refining the process for three generations.
“Marconi represents our road framesets—the essence of next-generation craftsmanship dedicated to lightness and performance.”
— Andrea Barco
Named after the street where Nonno Mario began building frames in his garage — and where his sons Alberto and Maurizio first learned the craft — the Marconi blends heritage with cutting-edge design. From raw XCr Columbus tubes to final polish, it is a reflection of Barco’s highest standards and a benchmark in stainless steel frame construction.
A Stainless Standard of Performance
The Marconi is made using a Columbus XCr stainless tubeset — oversized, lightweight, and engineered for high-stress road performance. But as any experienced rider will tell you, it’s not the tubes alone that determine the ride quality. It’s what the builders do with them.
Barco’s unique blend of TIG welding and silver brazing is used strategically depending on the stress demands across the frame. This is custom at its most extreme. The integration of their proprietary Barco Zero headtube, formed from three custom-machined parts, allows full internal cable routing and compatibility with modern 1.5” cockpits — while keeping a seamless, minimalist aesthetic.
“With this bike, we combine top-level performance with cutting-edge technology, all while maintaining the elegant and refined style that defines us.”
— Andrea Barco
Each weld is precise. Each joint hand-finished. And the final polish? It’s what makes the Marconi instantly recognisable — and undeniably Barco.
Built to Show. Designed to Ride.
Our SPOKEN showcase bike features a sandblasted finish — a choice that in its rawness reveals every decision, every tolerance, and every junction. The Marconi can also be bought to a high polish finish, which is a testiment to Barco perfectionism.
“A polished finish reveals every imperfection, so even the smallest flaw becomes visible. This means we have to be extremely precise and meticulous at every step.”
— Andrea Barco
For our Barco presented at SPOKEN, there’s no paint to hide behind. No decals to distract. Just pure craftsmanship. This is not only a showpiece — it’s a performance machine. As Andrea puts it, “Lightness and performance” are what define the Marconi. And for the Australian rider, where long distances, varied terrain, and harsh conditions are standard, the durability and resilience of stainless steel offer distinct advantages.
The Geometry is Yours
As with all Barco frames, the Marconi geometry is fully custom. With Chainsmith’s in-house bike fitting process — led by Alison and David — we align the rider’s physique, position, and aspirations with every aspect of the frame’s handling and posture.
“It’s crucial for us to work with partners like Chainsmith in Australia… Their deep knowledge of bikes, materials, bike fitting, components, and most importantly, the rider, ensures that the geometry is perfectly aligned to each individual’s needs.”
— Andrea Barco
No compromises. No guesswork. This is not a stock geometry with your name on it — it’s a performance tool honed for your riding life.
Hours, Not Haste
If there’s one moment that defines the Barco approach, Andrea says it’s this: the finishing stage. After welding is complete, the Marconi enters an extended sculptural phase — filing, sanding, and refining until the lines are clean, the proportions perfect, and the aesthetic whole.
“It’s impressive to see how much time we invest in this step and how dramatically it transforms the final result.”
— Andrea Barco
This extra time — invisible to many riders — is precisely what defines the Barco difference. And it’s why Chainsmith is proud to show the Marconi as a standard of what custom can and should be.
Not Just Custom — Personal
A rider doesn’t just receive a frameset when they order a Marconi. They receive a frame made by people, not machines. A project that begins with conversation, evolves through precision, and results in something that reflects who they are — both aesthetically and athletically.
“Each frame carries a name and a surname… For us, it’s not just about building frames—it’s, first and foremost, a human matter.”
— Andrea Barco
A Chainsmith x Barco Partnership
For over half a decade, Chainsmith has worked closely with the Barco family. We’ve visited the workshop. We’ve seen the jigs, the handwritten fit notes, the raw tubes becoming sculpted bicycles. We know the people behind each frame, and we translate that human connection into real performance value for Australian riders.
When you ride a Barco Marconi, you’re not just riding a handmade Italian bike. You’re riding a multi-generational legacy, refined by the tools of tomorrow, and tuned for how you ride — today, and for years ahead.
A Build Worthy of Barco's Finest
The Marconi is not only a testament to what’s possible in framebuilding—it’s also a canvas for showcasing the best of modern Italian engineering. Each component was hand-picked to amplify the Marconi’s potential, aligning with the same values of precision, longevity, and elegant performance that define Cicli Barco.
Campagnolo Super Record 13-Speed Groupset
At the heart of the drivetrain lies Campagnolo’s most refined mechanical offering: the Super Record 13-speed. Offering razor-sharp shifts and uncompromising reliability, it’s the perfect complement to a stainless steel frame built for seamless power delivery. It also upholds Barco’s commitment to Italian craftsmanship—componentry made with the same dedication to detail.
Campagnolo Shamal Carbon Wheels
Light, reactive, and now tubeless-ready, the latest Shamal wheelset adds a modern edge to the Marconi’s classic lines. With optimized internal width and asymmetrical profiles, the wheels offer superior stability across all road conditions while enhancing responsiveness on climbs and sprints.
Pirelli P-Zero Race Tyres
Grip, durability, and low rolling resistance—Pirelli’s top-tier road tyres complete the Italian trinity of performance. Designed for both racing and long-distance riding, the 26mm width balances speed with comfort, essential for Australia’s varying surfaces.
Deda Elementi Alanera RS Integrated Cockpit & Seatpost
Sleek and minimal in design, the Deda Alanera RS cockpit delivers aerodynamic efficiency without aesthetic compromise. Internally routed and perfectly matched to the Marconi’s clean geometry, it supports a smooth visual line while keeping stiffness where it counts. The matching seatpost reinforces balance and harmony across the build.
Selle Italia SLR Boost Superflow 3D Carbonio Saddle
A blend of comfort and innovation, the 3D-printed lattice structure ensures anatomical support on long rides, while the Superflow cut-out aids in pressure relief. The carbon rails and minimal form make it an ideal pairing for performance without sacrificing ride feel.
Alpitude Components Limited Edition Titanium Bottle Cages (No. 00 of 99)
Exclusive and featherlight, these cages are made from 3K carbon and titanium bolts. Numbered 00 of just 99 produced, they’re not just rare—they represent the pinnacle of functional artistry, perfectly in line with the Marconi’s elevated standards.
Selle Italia Bar Tape
The same tape used on our Sarto builds ensures tactile feedback, simple refined finish, and offering a unified finishing touch with endurance comfort in mind.
🔗 [Learn more about the Cicli Barco]
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🔗 [Explore Chainsmith's Custom Bike Fit]
👤 About the Author – Alison McGregor
Alison is co-founder of Chainsmith and one of Australia’s foremost experts in custom Italian bikes. With direct ties to Italy’s most elite builders, and over a decade crafting exceptional builds for discerning riders, her expertise is woven into every consultation. She’s visited the Barco workshop and brings that experience directly to Chainsmith clients — where performance begins with connection.
