Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Zullo Pista

Zullo by Frag Woodall

In November last year, I was invited to judge the Single Speed Show ‘n’ Shine that was held as part of Sydney’s Bicycle Film Festival. It was an amazing afternoon at Bondi’s Beach Road Hotel, with numerous contenders for the title. However, the judge’s decision was unanimous: an astounding Zullo with custom modifications by industrial designer, Frag Woodall.

Here’s the low-down from Frag: “This bicycle has been designed and built in Verona, northern Italy for Tiziano Zullo using the finest Columbus SL tube set. I have added a few details to the frame by hand shaping the brake bridge and hand cutting the “Z” shaped stainless steel dropout facer plates. The Campagnolo Vento rims are laced with gold titanium nitrite bladed spokes to 1940’s Airlite hubs, that I have filled and re-drilled to be 20 hole and then the spindles have been 24 carrot gold plated. The original 1956 Cinelli bar and stem are wrapped with traditional cloth tape and a French twine finish. The vintage track bars and hubs have been sourced from Australian frame building legend Jim Bundy’s personal collection.

The concept of this build at its heart is a merging of two worlds; it’s the synergy of classic Italian cycling with the famous Japanese Kierin racing. The idea was to pay homage to these two great forms of cycling while bringing them together in one cohesive design. Without being slavish to a particular period, the frame and components celebrate some of the greatest elements of Italian cycling design history. The overall finish however and particularly the paint with its glitter fade is a tribute to the famous Japanese frame painters in Osaka. Who says you can’t mix pasta and rice?”

An incredible build, one which we were all astounded by. Thanks to Chappelli Cycles for the opportunity and Frag Woodall for the photography.

Zullo by Frag Woodall
Zullo by Frag Woodall
Zullo by Frag Woodall
Zullo by Frag Woodall
Zullo by Frag Woodall
Zullo by Frag Woodall
Zullo by Frag Woodall