The frameset shall be constructed in carbon fiber. The head and seat tubes shall not be elongated, and the top tube may be with or without slope. The fork blades shall be without rake, and the seat stays shall join the seat tube at the top tube, not lower. All tubes shall be linear, and the down, head and seat tubes should be round. While the chain stays, fork blades, seat stays and top tube may be shaped, they shall not be profiled at the wheels. All cable routings shall be internal. Like disruptor, marginal gains is not in the Pronati vocabularly, and The Path towards transension cannot be ridden on an aero or time trial bike.

A single bag shall be affixed at the saddle (“Saddlebag”), and the attachment shall be made using a Velcro® strap through the seat rails only. The capacity of the Saddlebag shall not exceed 250cc, and the contents shall include: one (1) co2 cartridge 16g; one (1) co2 inflator; one (1) inner tube; and, one (1) tire lever. The Pronati may forgo a Saddlebag, however, and strap a tubular or the above contents wrapped in a freezer bag with an Alfreda Binda, Campagnolo® or Velcro® strap to the seat rails. For Cases, please see Rule #4//Bottles and Cages.

As indicated in the preface The Rules of the Road Bike lie at the beginning of The Path to Proness, not at the end. And along this Path towards transcension the Pronati shall remove the Bell, if so attached. For obvious reasons this Rule #3//Bells is under review for exclusion, [ed. but the author can envision use of a Bell where travel by bicycle between two points is prohibited by any other means, other than a recreational path (e.g., Vail Pass)].

Up to two (2) Water Bottles Cages from the same manufacturer shall be affixed to the frame at the down and seat tubes, and no other hydrating delivery system or mount shall be employed. Water Bottles shall have a maximum capacity of 550ml, and should complement the bicycle livery (see Rule #22//Livery); the Bottles should match. Unless a member no professional cycling team Water Bottle shall be used, nor should any organized ride Water Bottle in or outside the event. During Winter training rides under two-hours, the Pronati may carry a jacket or vest in a cut-off Water Bottle or Water Bottle Case attached to the seat tube.

The Bottom Bracket of the Pronati frameset (see Rule #1//Framesets) shall be of a traditional threaded style, and Italian threads (70x 36x24TPI) are considered standard. Though British Standard Cycle (BSC or English) threads (68x 1,37″x24TPI) are excepted, press fit cups BB30 (68×42), BB30A (73×42), BB386 (86,5×46), BB86 (86,5×41), BBright (79×46) and PF30 (68×46), and T47 (68 or 86) Cups are not.

Also known as Ergopower™ Control Levers, Brake and Shift Levers shall be mounted on the handlebar with the bottom of the Lever intersecting a parallel line to the bottom of the handlebar. In addition, Control Levers shall be positioned parellel to the handlebar end, and not pointing inward or outward. Brake Hood color shall complement the livery of the bicycle (see Rule #22//Livery).

Valentino Campagnolo circa April 2015, well said Signore. The braking force applied by friction pads to the rim shall be the Brake type of the Pronati. Rim Brakes shall be attached to the bicycle frame as center or direct mount at the fork crown and seat stay brake bridge, but never at the bottom bracket. Proclamations about how the market will develop or what the Pronati will ride shall be ignored, and companies making them shall be considered with admonishment; after all, we are The Keepers of Proness.

Cables and Housing shall be the same manufacturer as the groupset, and black Housing is considered standard. In the case of Campagnolo® Ergopower™ Ultra-Shift™ Ultra-Low Friction™ (ULF™) or The Maximum Smoothness™ Cables and Casing, optional Housing colors are red and white. Cables and Housing shall be installed with ergonomics and efficiency in mind, and the mechanic of the Pronati will know the Proness placement and orientation of the Casing. Since The Path towards transension cannot be ridden on an aero bike, the routing of the Cables and Casing shall not be entirely internal (i.e., routed through the stem).

The mounting and use of a Camera by the Pronati shall be temporary, and for professional production only. Examples of such use shall include, but not be limted to, capturing the route of a club or team ride or training camp, filming a new bicycle accessory, clothing, component or frameset, or making a film about this sport we call cycling. Like Rule #3//Bells this Rule #9//Cameras is under review for exclusion.

The Cassette of the Pronati shall not take on the look of a serving platter. While we applaud Campagnolo® for making the range Super Record™ (see Rule #18//Gruppo), the verdict is out on the 11-29T Cassette [ed. while we test 39/53T chain rings]. Of course, Proness cannot be achieved riding a 11-34T cluster, and under no circumstances shall a spoke protector be used. The Pronati may prepare to rise for Super Record™ 11-25T, but not more than 11-27T.

While the Pronati use the term with disinclination, a Cockpit is rightly comprised of the bicycle handlebars, saddle, seatpost and stem. As such, the Cockpit shall match across a single manufacturer (e.g., 3T, Deda Elementi, fi’zi:k), and preferably within the same component range. An exception to this Rule #11//Cockpit is use of an Astute, Prologo, Repente, Selle Italia, Selle Royal or Selle SMP saddle, for example, with a fi’zi:k handlebar, seatpost and stem.

A GPS Computer may be used by the Pronati whilst riding in a foreign land, and where no club, ride or team support vehicle is present. Otherwise, the Computer shall be removed along The Path to Proness in order to achieve two-wheeled enlightenment. In this late state of Proness such metrics as altitude, cadence, distance, heart rate, speed, temperature and time are quite simply, known.

Along The Path to Proness the Pronati becomes enamored with heritage. If genealogy is not tied to a cycling-rich nation, then the Pronati aligns her or himself with one that is. Because of the strong cultural heritage of cycling in Italy, the Pronati align themselves most with race machines from this beloved peninsula. Unfortunately, off-shoring has deteriorated heritage, so road bikes made in China have none.

The Crankset shall be from the manufacturer of the groupset (see Rule #18//Gruppo), and should be within the same product range (i.e., Centaur™, Chorus™, Potenza™, Record™ or Super Record™), including the Chain Rings. The Crankset shall not be modified in any way, and under no circumstances shall oval Chain Rings be used. The 39/53T is standard issue of the Pronati, but Proness may be actualized using 32/48T (Chorus™), 34/50T or 36/52T Chain Ring combinations.

There at two camps among the Pronati regarding Fenders, ¹no and ²si. Si campers need only point to images of Fausto Coppi Winter training with Fenders; all-aboard! And No campers, agreeing to the use of parafanghi in Winter months, stipulate that they shall be installed on training bikes only, and must be removed along The Path to Proness, like bells, cameras, computers, lights and power meters, in order to achieve two-wheeled enlightenment. This is the Rule.

Under no circumstances shall the Pronati pay for or have a “professional fit” done in order to determine her or his frame size or position. Rather, the Pronati shall defer to Greg Lemond’s Complete Book of Cycling for the definitive frame size chart and saddle height calculation, or 88,3% of the inseam measurement from bottom bracket to saddle, C/T. There are equally simple Rules for handlear width, and stem height and length. The only apparatus that shall be employed in fitting is the fmr New England Cycling Academy Rotational Adjustment Device (R.A.D.) for aligning cleats.

The Pronati are manic about caring for her or his Road Bike, and the use of Frame Protectors are acceptable along The Path to Proness. Not silicone line or swirl protectors attached to cable casings, however. Rather, Frame Protectors of the Pronati shall be adhesive-applied to the component or frameset, and the color shall be transparent with no embellishment (i.e., brushed aluminum, carbon, etc.).

All components of the Gruppo, comprised of bottom bracket cups, brake/shift levers, brakes, cassette, chain, crankset, and front and rear derailleurs, shall be from a single manufacturer (i.e., Campagnolo®). Fans of Campagnolo’s top-line range applaud the company’s move to Super Record™ for the cassette and chain in 12-Speed™, as the Gruppo should also be within the product range (i.e., Centaur™, Chorus™, Potenza™, Record™ and Super Record™). Under no circumstances shall the Pronati mix ‘n match kit from more than one manufacturer (also Rule #11//Cockpit and Rule #31//Wheels).

The Path to Proness is steered by drop Handlebars, and no extensions of any kind shall be attached. Construction of the Handlebar shall be in aluminum or carbon with a matte finish, and drop and shape shall be round, not anatomic. Reach shall range 70-80mm C/C, and cableset routing may be in/external. Handlebar Tape shall complement the frameset livery, though black or white are standard issue; coordinating, finishing tape shall be electrical, if used. The Handlebar end shall intersect with an imaginary line to the brake bridge, or be parallel to the ground.

Headsets shall be integrated, have 1″1/8″ to 1″1/2 taper, and feature ceramic bearings. Constructed of carbon the top cap stack height shall not be more than 10-15mm. Also carbon, the top cap and expander shall be from a single manufacturer, whenever possible. With their heart in the right place we do cringe at the builds coming out of a “pro shop” in Parker, CO. So, upper and lower headseat spacers shall not be more than 3mm and 10-15mm, respectively, and standard issue is UD carbon with matte finish.

In the state of Proness Lights shall not be attached. Along The Path to Proness, however, front and rear Lights may be installed on the training bike, but preferably not on the Road race machine. If used, Lights shall blind the fanculo out of drivers, so merrily more lumens. The appropriate light mode is eco flash, not rapid flash or steady. Of course, the Pronati shall begin to assemble in order to eliminate the distracted elephant on the road, the talking and/or texting driver. #TALKANDTEXTFREE

For the Pronati who is not a member of a cycle club or team, the Livery of the Road Bike shall be black on black, in order to match the kit del giorno. The Livery of the club or team rider, however, shall match head to toe, stem to stern. In either case, Livery shall be coordinated, and complementing accouterments may include brake hoods, cable casing and end caps, handlebar and finishing tape, saddle, saddlebag, seatpost ring, top cap fixing bolt, water bottle and cage, and valve caps; si, valve caps.

As stated in Rule #17//Frame Protectors, the Pronati are manic about the care of her or his Road Bike, including maintenance. On The Path to Proness the Road Bike shall be properly maintained at or before prescribed service intervals, and remain meticulously clean at all times. Maintenance shall be preformed by the Pronati her or himself, or by a professional mechanic specializing in Road Bikes only.

As a non-user or owner, the author of this Rule #24//Mobile Phones shall recuse himself for the lack of impartiality regarding said device. Off the Road Bike, the Pronati shall remain talk and text free whilst driving or operaating a motor vehicle, and support #CyclistsAgainstDistractedDrivers, #RidersAgainstDistractedDrivers and #TalkAndTextFree campaigns where they exist.

The display of Numbers by the Pronati shall be during competitive cycling and special events only, not outside them. The Number shall be attached at the brake bridge or undersaddle with an aluminum or carbon fiber mount, but never adhered to the helmet or frame, or attached to the handlebar. A bit of Proness, the Number plate mount may remain installed at the brake bridge or undersaddle, but only during the Pronati flower of her or his competition years.

If used, Power Meters shall be installed at the pedal only as a simple bolt-on application, and no modification to the crankset of any kind shall be made. As with Rule #12//Computers, Power Meters shall be removed along The Path to Proness in order to achieve two-wheeled enlightenment. In this State of Proness such metrics as cadence, iva power phase, iva rider position, left/right balance, pedal smoothness, torque effectiveness, ecc. are quite simply, known, mastered or obsolete.

Designed to perform on the smoothest tarmac or most demanding pave, the Saddle of the Road Bike is a “Road Saddle”, and shall be classifed as such by the manufacturer. The Saddle shall not be less than 250mm or more than 300mm, and the rails may be made of carbon or metal. White is considered standard issue, though the Saddle color should complement the bicycle livery (see Rule #22//Livery). When installed the Saddle shall be positioned in the middle of the seatpost (see Rule #28//Seatposts), without any inclination. Use of a comfort, mountain or triathlon Saddle on a Road Bike by the Pronati is prohibited.

Made by the same manufacturer as the handlebars, saddle and stem (see Rule #11//Cockpit), the Seatpost shall be constructed in aluminium or carbon, have a matte finish, and secure the saddle with a titanium fixing bolt. The standard issue diameter and length is 27,2mm and 330mm, respectively, and length shall never exceed 350mm. A 0º or 25º offset Seatpost shall be used for proper saddle position (see Rule #27//Saddles), and a Miche™ X-Carbon clamp shall be used to secure the Seatpost in the frame.

The Stem of the Pronati shall be aluminum, have a matte finish, and be secured to the steer tube with titanium bolts. The faceplate shall secure the handlebars with four fixing bolts, also titanium, and the handlebars, seatpost, Stem and saddle shall be of a single manufacturer, whenever possible (see Rule #11//Cockpit). Less is more so Stems shall be mounted in their negative rise position, never positive. Rise shall range 6-8º, though 20º may be excepted, as shall Stems constructed in carbon.

Standard issue Tires of the Road Bike are black, clincher. Width shall be 23C, but not exceed 28C along The Path to Proness; tubular Tires are also excepted. Tires shall be installed directionally correct, with the longest label (e.g., brand, model and/or size) centered upon the valve. Valve length shall be commensurate with the rim height, and the tube type may be butyl, latex or thermoplastic polyurethane; the latter is under review. In the state of Proness the Pronati may ride pink, yellow or red Tires, but only when leading a Grand Tour; tubeless Tires are prohibited.

The only Tool carried by the Pronati whilst riding shall be a tire lever, one. Other than the errant flat tire, properly assembled and maintained Road Bikes do not break down so schlepping a multi-tool is reserved for the proness-ish. The tire lever shall be stowed in the saddlebag (see Rule #2//Bags and Cases), along with the co2 cartridge, co2 inflator and inner tube. If latter are substitued by a Vittoria Pitstop Road Racing 75ml repair and inflation cartridge, then it shall be carried in a jersey pocket, but never attached to the Road Bike.

Wheels of the Road Bike are clincher, though 2-Way Fit™ (i.e., Campagnolo® Tubeless) or tubular are excepted. The hub shall be aluminum and/or carbon, and the bearings ceramic (i.e., Campagnolo® USB™, or Ultra Smooth Bearings). Rims are aluminum (preferred) or carbon, and profile shall not exceed 35mm. Rims shall be black, not machined, with a dark label, not bright. The number of spokes shall approximate 16-18 and 21 for the front and rear, respectively. Coming full circle the Wheels shall be made by the manufacturer of the groupset (see Rule #18//Gruppo).