Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Detto Pietro Polare

Detto Pietro Polare

Shaun’s Detto Pietro is my favorite type of classic Italian racer: used, loved and showing signs of a long life on the road. After a predominantly fat-tire cycling career, Shaun was encouraged by his mates, who had recently invested in modern carbon fiber roadies, to get hold of one himself. As luck would have it, the result of his search found him in possession of this Polare.

The Detto Pietro brand may be familiar for another of their products: those gorgeous vented leather cycling shoes usually seen on the feet of riders in black and white photographs, straining up vast French Alps and Dolomites. The firm was founded in 1895 by Detto Sante, producing accessories and clothing for cyclists. A surge of interest from overseas in Italian bikes saw Detto Pietro expand into frames themselves, among the models offered was the Polare. Shaun found this one on eBay, much to the chagrin of his mates, with a full Dura-Ace group set and Campagnolo Omega Hardox rims. A spit and polish later saw the Detto beginning the chapter in its life, taking Shaun on a journey through the hills and valleys of Newcastle, on the east coast of Australia.

Shaun’s trade is a spray painter and has been threatening to restore his Polare. However, while showroom quality Italian classics are all very well, they’re only original once. Hopefully these photos by his mate Boony will convince him to keep it as it is – complete with marks of its life on the road.

PS: I’m heading over to the UK for a couple of weeks so posts may be sporadic, but they won’t be non-existent. Some guests will be dropping by to share their favorite bikes, and keep an eye out for an interview with Mick Peel of Busyman Bicycles.

Detto Pietro Polare
Detto Pietro Polare
Detto Pietro Polare
Detto Pietro Polare
Detto Pietro Polare
Detto Pietro Polare
Detto Pietro Polare
Detto Pietro Polare
Detto Pietro Polare
Detto Pietro Polare
Detto Pietro Polare