Sarto Bikes in Australia : Philosophy and a Legacy Refined

“We don’t adapt. We create the bike around the customer.”
– Enrico Sarto

Sarto frames, as we know them today, began not with carbon—but with a conviction: that a bike should be built not only for a rider, but around them.

Based in Veneto, Italy—a region steeped in cycling heritage—Sarto represents the evolution from industrial supplier to artisan innovator. Recently I had the chance to sit with Enrico Sarto to discuss how the current state of Sarto came about, and what sets his bikes apart.

Once producing thousands of OEM frames for global brands, Enrico Sarto began as a child, working alongside his father Antonio, building bikes. Many years later, as the premises changed and the philosophy of what truly mattered in a Sarto bike evolved, Enrico made a bold decision. It was time to step away from mass production and instead build a future under his own name.

Explore the introduction of Sarto at the SPOKEN show in Sydney:

• The Raso TC Road – Campagnolo Super Record 13-speed

• The Raso TC Gravel – SRAM E1 XPLR Force

As Enrico told me, he chose a specific date to stop producing for other brands. From that moment, Sarto became a premium marque dedicated to individual riders because he understood that to be different was to change the manufacturing mindset around what constituted a productive environment. It wasnt simply the product, but the workers mentality that needed shifting.

"Before was different because numbers delivered. They deliver because you know the customer (bike brands) want the frames for tomorrow, and we have to finish them (in time). However, quality had a different meaning, with respect to now."
– Enrico Sarto

It wasn’t easy. It meant risk. It meant saying no. But it also meant total control over quality, geometry, and the ride feel that only true custom can deliver.

“Every extra hour is an investment. Every frame is a responsibility.”
– Enrico Sarto

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Inside the Workshop: Time Made Visible

Enrico spoke about the tumultuous period during Covid—when sourcing materials became unpredictable, and certain production processes were nearly impossible to complete. It was then he made a second defining decision: to invest in the people and equipment needed to bring every stage of frame production entirely in-house.

These choices were, in many ways, why I found myself standing in that very workshop—surrounded by both advanced machinery and pieces of Sarto history. Hand-worn tools. Stacked tubing and custom moulds. Carbon-cutting beds aged with time and use.

You notice the details: the worn gloves, the burnished wooden handles, the bright warren of rooms where carbon is not simply cut, but stored and then carefully handled. Machines may hum, but it’s the hands that lead. From raw sheets to finished form, every stage—from cutting and lay-up to curing, finishing, and paint—takes place under one roof.

And it’s here that Sarto frames are not only built—but perfected through the respect of time.

This approach is more than artisanal—it’s integral. Each team member is skilled, responsible, and proud. And Enrico? He’s right there on the floor, shaping ideas into frames, working alongside his crew.

What Makes a Sarto Different?

While plenty of bike brands cater to trends or fads, Sarto redefines performance. The Raso TC Road and Gravel models, for instance, showcase Tri-Composite carbon—a material adapted from high-performance automobile purposes and introduced to cycling by Sarto.

This isn't just for looks. The woven carbon architecture flexes on micro-impact, absorbing vibration without sacrificing stiffness. It adds just 50 grams—but saves on paint weight, making it both beautiful and brutally efficient.

Every Sarto is:

• Built entirely in-house — from carbon cutting to paint finish.

• Fit-optimised through integration — fork, seatpost, and bar/stem are aligned to your personal geometry.

• Crafted by humans, not machines — in a workshop that values time over turnover.

Importantly reiterating the idea that form follows function, head marketer Tommaso at Sarto states, "It’s not just integration for aesthetics—it’s performance through precision"

Built for the Rider, Not the Market

Enrico speaks candidly about walking away from building frames for big-name brands. Why? For one, it gave independant ownership to his own designs, philosophy, and ethics. But also, at points, the products he produced for other brands used his extensive experience, and therefore looked similar—but were priced differently. “It was difficult to explain to the customer,” he says. “The only solution was to create something entirely our own.”

And that’s exactly what he did. Today, Sarto riders are not just customers. They’re partners in the build. They’ve studied, researched, and waited. They know what they want—and they trust Sarto to bring it to life.

Performance, Refined Through Experience

“After 2,000 frames and rider feedback, I know how a bike should perform.”
– Enrico Sarto

Performance at Sarto isn’t a marketing buzzword—it’s an obligation. It’s woven into the carbon, etched into the geometry, and tested on roads by riders who live and breathe every watt.

Enrico’s insight doesn’t come from simulation software alone—it’s shaped by decades of building frames for professional teams, where the margin for error is microscopic and every millimetre matters.

“The best moment for my frames was when I built for professional teams. I solved problems not just in geometry, but in road results. Handling, stiffness, stability—those are real, not just claimed.”

This focus on performance leads to choices that matter—like adjusting chainstay length on small bikes to preserve handling, or advising against oversized tyres that would compromise ride feel.

Even in a workshop steeped in heritage, modern performance is non-negotiable. As Tommaso puts it:

“We believe the future of high-performance bikes lies in tailored engineering—where comfort and personalisation meets pro-level performance.”

Whether you're racing, climbing, or just pushing boundaries, a Sarto responds like it knows what you're about to do—because it was built that way, for you.

The Chainsmith Connection: Geometry Meets Experience

When it comes to delivering true custom, Chainsmith is more than a retailer—we’re part of the build.

With decades of bike fitting, rider profiling, and performance tuning, Chainsmith ensures the position, geometry, and component selection aligns perfectly with the Sarto process. Enrico explains it simply:

“Chainsmith acts as the rider’s translator. Without that, custom is compromised.”

Having visited the workshop, seen the team in motion, and shared stories (and a plate of pasta) with Enrico and Tommaso, we know what makes a Sarto special. And we know how to deliver that performative magic to Australian riders.

Why Sarto? Because No Rider Should Settle

When you decide on a Sarto, you’re defining your future riding with the opportunity to fine-tune how your bike feels beneath you on every climb, descent, and corner.

Unlike off-the-shelf frames, Sarto doesn’t adapt an existing mould to suit you. It creates a new frame around you. That’s a critical difference. This process is about more than aesthetics or custom paint—it's about elevating your performance, building confidence in your handling, and unlocking your athletic potential.

Handling is often where a ride is made—or broken. A poorly fit bike can keep you from pushing your limits. The wrong geometry can make you second-guess your lines or cause unnecessary fatigue.

That’s why every Sarto frame starts with data gathered through our professional idmatch bike fit. Chainsmith works closely with Sarto to ensure your position, handling, and comfort are dialled in from the very first turn of the pedals. And unlike mass production, where speed matters most, at Sarto, time is taken—so your bike works for you, not the market.

Because performance isn’t about trends. It’s about feeling fast, stable, and in control—every time you ride.

“The confidence is the most important part.”
– Enrico Sarto

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Ready to Start Your Sarto Journey?

Explore the introduction of Sarto at the SPOKEN show in Sydney:

• The Raso TC Road – with Campagnolo Super Record 13-speed

• The Raso TC Gravel – featuring Classified Powershift and bold capability

Then talk to us. Let’s shape your future frame.

🔗 Request a Sarto Custom Quote
🔗 Explore the Raso TC Bikes

As co-founder of Chainsmith and a specialist in custom bike design and fitting, Alison brings over 15 years’ experience working alongside Italy's most prestigious frame builders. With a deep understanding of biomechanics, geometry,and cycling culture, she helps riders not only dream big—but ride better.