Where Fit, Form, and Function Align
Redondo at SPOKEN
When Chainsmith’s own Ben Blackshaw set out to build a new road bike, the choice was both considered and, in many ways, inevitable. He needed something capable of withstanding long endurance rides and intense lead-outs. It had to be light, fast, and beautifully made — but most importantly, it had to be a bike that would feel like an extension of his own riding style. The result is a custom-built DeAnima Redondo: a striking blend of heritage, technical precision, and aesthetic innovation.
This is not just another high-end bike. It’s a story of collaboration — between rider, builder, and fitter — where every detail is tuned to individual performance. A process perfected between DeAnima and Chainsmith.
DeAnima: Tradition Meets In-House Carbon Innovation
DeAnima is one of the few custom builders that not only design but also lay up their carbon in-house. Located in Trento, Italy, the workshop is overseen by Gianni Pegoretti and Antonio — craftsmen who bring decades of expertise in framebuilding, engineering, and paint.
“We offer exclusive carbon fibre frame designs, custom geometry, custom paint — and all done in our own facilities,” says Gianni. “There are very few people that do all of that themselves.”
Their Redondo frame isn’t a response to fads or trends. It’s a distillation of what DeAnima does best: hand-shaped carbon, informed by ride experience and engineering finesse.
The Redondo is built with larger diameter tubing than typical carbon frames, allowing for exceptional stiffness and responsiveness, while preserving ride comfort. The carbon layup is custom tuned in-house, optimised for the kind of long-distance, punchy performance Ben needed as a lead rider.
“We weren’t chasing aerodynamic gimmicks,” says Gianni. “It’s about a frame that’s light, rigid, and responsive — but still tuned for feel.”
Fitting the Frame to the Rider
Ben’s build began with an IdMatch Dynamic Bike Fit at Chainsmith. Using biometric data, flexibility assessment, and power analysis, the team was able to create a geometry that balanced endurance comfort with race responsiveness.
The process was further enhanced by the close relationship between Chainsmith and DeAnima. On one of Ben’s visits to Italy, he met Gianni and Antonio in person, and the team took additional measurements and ride history into account. The geometry was refined and signed off — the result being a fit that mirrors Ben’s needs now and into the future.
This personalised approach is fundamental to Chainsmith’s value as a DeAnima partner. As Gianni put it:
"Chainsmith is our eyes and ears to the Australian rider and if the frames we produce are appreciated by the Australian rider then we both have done a good job... Together we make the ultimate custom frames."-Gianni Pegoretti
Artistry in Paint: Where Signature Becomes Symbol
While DeAnima’s frames are known for their performance, their paintwork is just as revered. Ben’s frame is a visual masterpiece. At the front end, the fork and head tube transition from crisp white into an intricate geometric mosaic — a Celtic pattern inspired by the DeAnima logo.
“It was important to showcase not just the frame, but the people behind it,” Ben explains. “So we incorporated the signatures of Gianni and Antonio — the very hands that shaped and painted the frame.”
The exposed carbon sections reveal the finesse and cleanliness of DeAnima’s layup technique, proudly unmasked under clear coat. The overall aesthetic reflects Ben’s original brief: a bike that merges classic form with forward-thinking art.
Of course, this level of customisation requires patience. While the frame itself was built swiftly, the paintwork took the longest — not due to DeAnima, but because Ben, like many of our clients, had incredibly high expectations. And rightly so.
Understanding the Redondo: Where Feel Meets Form
The Redondo represents DeAnima’s most refined expression of road-focused carbon performance. Built entirely in-house, from carbon lay-up to paint, it’s a frame that rejects over-complication in favour of a purposeful simplicity — a bike engineered to deliver clarity on the road.
“It’s built from the ride experience perspective, not the aerodynamic-all-is perspective,” Gianni Pegoretti explains. “We wanted lightness, rigidity, and comfort—without the compromises of aero trends.”
Carbon Layup: Precision With Purpose
The Redondo’s frame is constructed from high-modulus carbon fibre using DeAnima’s own proprietary layup methods. Each layer is hand-placed by a technician in Trento, tuned to the rider’s weight, geometry, and performance goals. Unlike larger manufacturers who rely on pre-moulded monocoque construction, DeAnima has full control over how each fibre is oriented.
This allows for targeted stiffness zones — particularly in the bottom bracket and head tube — while maintaining subtle compliance through the thin seat stays and top tube. The result is a frame that transfers power with immediacy, yet doesn't punish the rider over long distances.
“We choose smaller, thinner seat stays to maximise comfort,” Gianni notes. “It’s a small thing, but over five hours it becomes a big thing.”
Ride Feel: Balanced, Intuitive, and Alive
On the road, the Redondo distinguishes itself through predictable, stable handling and a natural-feeling stiffness that responds when power is laid down. It’s a climber’s dream — not just because of its light weight, but because of its responsiveness under pressure.
Ben Blackshaw chose the Redondo specifically for its ability to stay comfortable on long rides and efficient during accelerations. As a ride leader, he needs a frame that feels confident in bunches, yet responsive enough to break away or hold pace uphill. The Redondo delivers both, with the clarity and directness that only custom carbon can provide.
Distinctive Features
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Tube Profiles: Traditional round-section tubing offers timeless aesthetics, but also reduces surface-area-induced flex, particularly under torsion.
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All-in-House Build: DeAnima cuts, lays up, moulds, cures, and finishes every frame internally—rare in the industry today.
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Minimalist Aesthetic: No unnecessary aerodynamic flaring or integrated gimmicks—just clean lines and focused geometry.
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Custom Paint and Signature Finish: Riders can opt to expose sections of raw carbon, showcasing the skill of the layup itself.
This is a frame designed for the discerning rider — one who values craftsmanship as much as performance, and who understands that what’s removed from a frame is just as important as what’s added.
The Redondo Build: Precision in Every Detail
Frame
DeAnima Custom Redondo Frameset
Hand-built carbon frame, fully custom geometry and layup, designed and painted in Trento, Italy.
Groupset
Campagnolo Super Record Wireless 13-Speed
Campagnolo’s most advanced wireless electronic groupset, delivering smooth and intuitive shifting with the widest range available in a 2× drivetrain.
Why Chosen: Matches the frame’s lightweight nature and offers consistent, precise control — perfect for demanding rides and steep climbs.
Handlebar & Cockpit
Deda Alanera RS Integrated Handlebar (custom painted)
A carbon one-piece cockpit that merges seamlessly with the Redondo’s aesthetic and geometry.
Why Chosen: Integrated for performance and clean lines — custom paint extends the bike’s visual identity.
Wheels
Campagnolo Hyperon Wheelset
Featherweight carbon wheels designed for climbing, with cult ceramic bearings for supreme efficiency.
Why Chosen: Their climbing pedigree suits Ben’s riding style. Lightweight without sacrificing durability.
Saddle & Seatpost
Alpitude Carbon Saddle (custom) & Seatpost
A sculpted, featherlight saddle and carbon seatpost tuned to support the custom frame dynamics.
Why Chosen: Maintains low weight while supporting comfort and fit-specific saddle height and setback.
Accessories & Detailing
Alpitude Components: Out-front Computer Mount, Bottle Cages, Pulleys
Handmade Italian carbon accessories including 3K carbon bottle cages and blue anodised pulleys.
Why Chosen: Bespoke finish and reduced weight, with splashes of blue and yellow colour to match Ben’s design brief.
Bolts:
Carbon Ti Thru-Axles (Red) and Bottle Cage Bolts (2x Blue, 2x Yellow)
Custom anodised details that tie into the frame’s artistic palette.
Why Chosen: Highlights how personalisation can reach every component of the bike, right down to the bolts.
Tyres & Tape
Pirelli PZero Race Tyres
Top-tier race tyres offering excellent grip and low rolling resistance.
Why Chosen: Performs consistently across a range of surfaces — ideal for Australian conditions.
Burgh Stealth Silk Bar Tape
Comfortable and stylish, with excellent vibration absorption.
Why Chosen: Enhances the cockpit feel while maintaining visual stealth and performance grip.
A Bike That Represents More Than Its Rider
For Ben, the Redondo is more than a performance tool. It’s a portrait of his preferences, passions, and the collaborative process that Chainsmith offers every rider. The frame geometry, the handling characteristics, the ride position, even the smallest design accents — all reflect what happens when fit, form, and function meet in the hands of builders like DeAnima.
“We’ve always trusted DeAnima’s ability to balance artistry with technical intelligence,” says Alison McGregor, co-founder of Chainsmith. “Ben’s bike shows what’s possible when builder and fitter work as one.”
And in showcasing this build at SPOKEN, Chainsmith offers a real-world demonstration of how custom carbon is not just a dream — it’s a reality made easier, clearer, and more rewarding through our curated builder partnerships.
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About the Author – Alison McGregor
Alison McGregor is co-founder of Chainsmith and one of Australia’s foremost authorities on Italian custom bicycles. With over a decade of hands-on experience consulting with Italy’s most revered builders — including direct workshop collaborations with Sarto — she bridges the gap between artisan craftsmanship and rider specificity. Her expertise in professional bike fitting, component selection, and long-form cycling journalism helps Australian cyclists access truly bespoke builds that perform far beyond mainstream expectations. Every detail in her writing reflects lived experience, deep technical understanding, and a dedication to elevating the culture of custom cycling.
