In 1973, Stelio Belletti, a skilled welder and mechanic, initially driven by an unfortunate episode and later propelled by his incredible passion for cycling, founded the brand Stelbel.
A brand name that sounds far from Italian, encapsulating in a single word the first name and surname of its founder.
Stelio Belletti was the first frame builder to employ the TIG welding technique in the bicycle frame construction industry. Anticipating the mainstream industry by over 10 years, he became the foremost exponent of this technique in the cycling world. Today, TIG welding is the primary method used for building metal frames.
In the Stelbel frames of that era, which were lighter and more performance-oriented than those seen before, one could recognize the dedication and passion that the builder poured into creating objects distinct from all others, possessing unique characteristics and capable of superior performance.
In 2023, we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Stelbel brand.
To commemorate this significant milestone, Stelio Belletti has graciously appeared on camera for the first time, sharing anecdotes and stories that undoubtedly highlight the excellence and skill of a man who, with great humility, has left his mark on the history of road bike frame construction.
