Three generations of passion

C.B.T. Italia, short for Costruzione Biciclette Tardivo, was founded in the mid-1950s from the vision and determination of Giovanni Tardivo and his wife Mondon Teresa, a passionate entrepreneur and deep connoisseur of the two-wheeled world.

From the first supplies of bicycle and motorcycle parts in the Cuneo area, the company quickly established itself thanks to values that still form its foundation today: integrity, quality, and a strong work ethic.

Three generations of passion,
expertise and innovation

In the 1970s, with the entry of his son Guido into the company, C.B.T. Italia expanded its activities and began producing racing bicycles and frames, combining distribution with craftsmanship and production expertise.

A few years later, with the arrival of the second son, Bruno — now leading the company alongside his brother — the firm chose to embark on a new path, focusing decisively on an increasingly advanced specialization in competition frames.

Even then, the company stood out for its attention to detail and pursuit of innovative solutions, such as black-chromed dropouts and the embossed seat tube, which gave the frames unique performance and character.

Discover the frames

At the end of the 1980s, the passing of the founder marked a moment of deep transformation. The second generation led C.B.T. Italia toward an industrial evolution, introducing heat treatments on stainless steel and aluminum and investing in advanced technologies.

This technical experience proved crucial in the following years, when aluminum began to replace steel in the world of bicycles.

Thanks to its deep knowledge of materials and accumulated expertise, the company is able to offer custom-made frames, highly personalized and combining traditional craftsmanship with technological innovation.

Carbon bicycles and frames

With the arrival of the new millennium, C.B.T. Italia refocused on the cycling sector, anticipating the carbon revolution as the material of choice for racing bicycles.

The decision to produce every component in-house and to use only high-quality materials proved to be a winning strategy.

In 2002, the Karbon Fiber frame, entirely manufactured at the Cuneo facility, won the yellow jersey at the Women’s Tour de France, establishing C.B.T. Italia as a symbol of expertise, passion, and reliability.

C.B.T. Italia today,
the third generation

Now in its third generation, the philosophy of C.B.T. Italia remains unchanged: quality over quantity, ensuring products built with precision, selected materials, and high-level manufacturing processes.

Today, all models developed and produced in the design and production departments are made of monocoque carbon, using TORAY carbon fiber — a material that guarantees maximum stiffness, lightness, and strength.

Each new frame is born from the meeting of technology, design, and technical expertise, a tangible expression of the continuous evolution that defines the company.

Carbon frames

The main headquarters remains the Cuneo facility, the productive and creative heart of the company, where for over seventy-five years the flame of every new project has been ignited.

The “Giovanni Tardivo” signature continues to stand as a mark of guarantee, heritage, and family pride, even if not always present on every model today, in keeping with the evolution toward minimal and contemporary designs.

Inside the facility there is an exhibition area that tells the story and evolution of C.B.T. Italia: a journey that connects models of the past with the creations of the latest generation, offering visitors the chance to admire the full range of products and discover the passion that has always driven every creation.

A space designed to delight both the eye and the heart of those who share a love for cycling and for quality technical craftsmanship.

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The brand’s international reach

The strategic location in southwestern Piedmont, just a few kilometers from the French border and the Principality of Monaco, has fostered the company’s international vocation since its beginnings.

Over the years, the international presence of C.B.T. Italia has steadily expanded: every year new markets and new customers discover our products, recognizing their build quality, reliability, and constant drive for innovation.

A growth journey that continues over time, driven by the same passion and pioneering spirit that have always inspired our story.