Get to know Ascari Bicycles

Well, hello Helio Ascari! Helio, alongside his wife Maria Thereza, is responsible for a brilliant brand of bicycles called Ascari, a collection of handmade, classically designed bicycles, founded right here in NYC in 2011. They are absolutely amazing.  Helio’s fascination began young with antiques, more specifically restoring antiques, including clocks, phonographs, and bicycles. He spent time working both in a steel factory as well as leather shoe factory where he began to fine-tune his attentiveness for details. That said, it was his time spent working in fashion where he developed his personal style, which can be seen now in Ascari’s bicycles details. It was after an experience in the fashion industry, where he was able to introduce a bicycle project to a fashion house, that he was able to successfully launch a much larger project. I am so thankful he did as I do not think I have seen a more beautiful bicycle in my life. The craftsmanship, the details, the design. It is utterly impeccable!

Ascari is inspired by the elegance of the 1930’s and manages to combine that with their innovative take on a bicycle that is both stylish, innovative, artistic, and environmentally conscious. All the frames, forks, and stems are personally made by them in the US. They aim to fuse a sense of fashion with a timeless bicycle, with an appreciation for being hand-built and expertly made. By incorporating details like serial number badges, head badges, and their logo in copper and brass, they not only use the best materials and time-proven techniques, but they turn the bicycles themselves into works of art.

With the carefulness and complexity of a jeweler, they hope to implement the luxury and passion into each bicycle stating, “As the Ascari name is synonymous with Formula One auto racing, Ascari Bicycles hopes to be as synonymous with the enduring legacies of cycling and art.” In addition to the gorgeous bicycles they have created, they have also had some collaborations with Bergdorfs and Lockwood Umbrellas. More on that another time. For now, let’s enjoy imagining ourselves riding around town on one of the beauties because folks, I think we have a winner.