About a year ago, Battaglin stunned the gravel segment with the launch of its Matera, offering a bespoke steel gravel bike that was well within the reach of affordability for most gravelers. Now, the storied Italian brand is back at it with the introduction of its latest Milano, once again making steel both real and affordable.
“The Milano is a steel gravel bike designed for long endurance rides on both tarmac and dirt. Steel is not only the material that has defined Officina Battaglin since our founder Giovanni went back to crafting frames by hand in. It is also the natural choice for a bike built around comfort, reliability, and longevity. With its ability to absorb road vibrations and withstand the demands of loaded travel, a steel frame, maintained well, will outlast almost anything else on the road. With mounts for front and rear racks, a third bottle cage, a top tube bag and fork-mounted Anything Cages, the Milano brings the Battaglin craftsmanship to riders who want a dependable, essential companion for adventures that last more than a day,” says Alex Battaglin.
Relying on venerable Columbus steel, the Milano is handmade in Battaglin’s Marostica workshop, featuring meticulous TIG welding and the boutique brand’s signature paint, with pricing starting at a paltry $2800 and change for a Campagnolo EKAR GT-equipped bike.
Elsewhere, the Milano is treated to fully integrated, internal cable routing that’s compatible with both mechanical and wireless shifting, relying on DEDA’s semi-integrated Deda S-DCR headset with a separate bar and stem, as well as the same full carbon fork that’s found on the rest of Battaglin’s range of gravel bikes. Plus, a threaded T47 bottom bracket was chosen for its strength and reliability, along with a DEDA carbon seatpost, a Universal Derailleleur Hanger (UDH), flat mount disc brakes and 12mm thru-axles with enough clearance for 50mm tires.
Additionally, the Milano can be assigned to bikepacking duties as well, providing plenty of mounting points that can accommodate copious water bottles, along with provisions for a rack and fenders too.
“The Milano is the first Officina Battaglin bicycle available exclusively as a complete, ready-to-ride bike. The frame is built in steel, the material that has defined our brand since Giovanni Battaglin first dusted off the old machinery and went back to crafting frames by hand in Marostica. Every Milano is then assembled with carefully selected components and tuned before it leaves our workshop. Where our other models invite you to choose every component, every finish, every detail over weeks of consultation, the Milano gives you something different: a thoughtfully configured bike, made in Italy, delivered to your doorstep, ready for wherever your next gravel ride takes you,” adds Battaglin.
The Milano is available in five stock sizes, with additional build options that span a Shimano GRX Di2 1×12 or SRAM Rival AXS Xplr 1×12 groupset, which sell for 2999€ and 3499€, respectively.
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