Alex’s Cicli Bonanno Stay Loco 650b

We first met Alex years ago in Berlin at the end of a trade show. He had just decided to have a bicycle built by a frame builder, a significant choice for many reasons: time, money, and above all, passion, which is by far the most demanding investment.

The connection between the rider and the builder is never something to take lightly. Especially when, like Alex, you have a clear vision of what your relationship with the bike should be.

Choosing a custom frame reveals a cyclist’s passion and intent. Some people leave everything in the expert hands of the builder, while others come with precise ideas they can’t wait to see come to life. Like many creative and technical endeavours, this process requires patience and trust; the trust to hand over a creation we’ve long dreamed of, forming a creative agreement; a partnership of intent, both technical and emotional.

In a recent email exchange with Alex, he shared:

"I have been a tinkerer with bikes all my life, and my interest spans from high-tech plastic machines to quirky ALT – All Terrain bikes built by interesting characters. Over the years, I’ve cycled through the latest gravel tech, year after year, only to end up selling gear before it’s outdated. It’s become exhausting. I’ve been fortunate in my jobs to have access to all those beautiful machines out there, but I was still searching for a counterpart, something to pull me away from my daily work while keeping me on a bike."

"My motivation was to create a bicycle that breaks this cycle, something so special it doesn’t conflict with the brands I represent professionally. Following Nico’s journey and meeting him as both a creative craftsman and strong rider has been truly inspiring.

The blend of traditional craftsmanship, Italian frame building legacy, and a touch of Berlin design, it all really intrigued me."

"I kept the build clean, simple, and functional. I’m always after a bike that integrates seamlessly with my riding style. Playing with wheel sizes and different tires is the fun part for me. Right now, I’m hooked on 650b, an underrated wheel size. I love taking the bike into places it wasn’t designed for and pushing the limits of what’s possible.

For me, 650b wheels are ‘Party Wheels’. I can still punish myself, but it takes the edge off the seriousness and makes it all feel more playful.”