A Century of Italian Bicycle Heritage Since 1920
An Italian story born in the heart of cycling
The story of Cicli Galetti began in 1920, a truly Italian story born in an era when bicycles represented much more than a means of transportation: they were a symbol of freedom, passion, and innovation.
The small company of those early years produced five bicycle models and a number of small mopeds, inspired by the legendary Italian cyclist Carlo Galetti, one of the heroes of early cycling history and winner of three consecutive editions of the Giro d’Italia in 1910, 1911, and 1912.
From the first bicycles to sporting tradition
Cicli Galetti entered the market with mainly touring bicycles and one racing model.
The brand quickly became recognised for the quality of its products and its attention to construction details, gaining popularity throughout Italy until the Second World War, which forced the closure of the company, as happened to many Italian manufacturers during that period.
The rebirth of the Galetti brand
In 1952, the Galetti name was brought back to life thanks to the Alessi family from Rossano Veneto, near Vicenza, in the heart of Italy’s bicycle manufacturing region: Veneto.
The original five models were brought back into production, while new sport-oriented bicycles were added to the range.
Today, the Galetti brand, owned by the Zen family, carries more than one hundred years of history and continues to represent quality, elegant design choices, and exceptional craftsmanship.
This philosophy has also been appreciated internationally, with customers in countries such as the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Portugal, France, and the United States.
SAG – Solo Acciaio Galetti: a return to the nobility of steel
In 2013, the SAG – Solo Acciaio Galetti project was born, introducing a new chapter alongside the traditional catalogue production.
The project was created by Massimo Zen, eldest son of the Zen family and a passionate supporter of Italian craftsmanship. His goal was to celebrate the heritage of the Galetti brand through the material that best represents the history of the bicycle: steel.
For us, steel is a living material. It absorbs road imperfections, provides a unique riding comfort, and combines flexibility, strength, and durability over time.
Steel is not only a technical choice, but also a philosophy: a connection with the origins of cycling and with the timeless pleasure of riding a beautifully crafted bicycle.
From historic models to modern handmade steel frames
The SAG project initially brought back four iconic models from the 1960s:
- Strada
- Pista
- Men’s Touring
- Women’s Touring
Each bicycle was built entirely in Italy, following traditional construction methods, with carefully selected components and complete respect for the style and quality of that era.
In 2015, the SAG collection expanded with new modern racing-inspired steel frames:
- Road
- MTB
- Gravel
These models represent the evolution of our philosophy: combining the heritage of Italian steel framebuilding with the needs of today’s cyclists.
CICLI GALETTI continues a story that began over one hundred years ago, creating handmade Italian steel bicycles for riders looking for authenticity, craftsmanship, and a deep connection with cycling history.
