Passoni’s new AT-01 Animus Titanium reflects the Italian brand’s “pursuit of balance between efficiency and emotion” with a hybrid architecture that has been two years in the making. A titanium lower triangle is designed to supply the famous ride quality that Passoni is renowned for, while a monocoque carbon fibre upper triangle enables aerodynamic shaping – a first for Passoni – and weight reduction. New 3D-printed elements create elegant shaping and seamless transitions between the materials, and the bike is 100 per cent Italian made.
Although the technology is all new – requiring a reworking of much of Passoni’s frame-building equipment including six new custom jigs, Animus Titanium is a name with history and resonance for the brand. “It means titanium soul," explains brand manager Matteo Visentini, who drew the first sketches of the AT-01. “It’s a name from Passoni’s past, originally chosen by Luciano Passoni himself. There were two previous models with this name. The first, in the early 1990s, was a full titanium bike that used a very thin internal titanium 3D structure to increase stiffness. The second – and for me the most significant – was Passoni’s first carbon frame in the early 2000s. Even though it was carbon, Luciano wanted it to feel like a titanium bike. To achieve that, the head tube, bottom bracket, and dropouts were made from titanium and placed inside the carbon fibre. The idea was to give the bike a titanium soul – a unique feel and ride quality even though the frame was outwardly carbon.”
He continues: “That philosophy inspired our new project. The titanium soul isn’t just about the material or the bike; it represents the essence of Passoni.” Further, for the AT-01, Passoni aimed to express that soul not just in the structure but also in the design. “We even created a new logo — a reinterpreted ‘A’ from ‘Animus – as a symbol of a new chapter. We prefer not to overexplain it – we want these small details to feel like Easter eggs for our customers.”
From a technical standpoint, the AT-01 is an evolution of the Vinci, the bike originally conceived to celebrate Passoni’s 30th anniversary in 2019: the lower part of the frame is made from grade-nine titanium (3Al/2.5V) to preserve the classic Passoni ride quality, while the upper part uses carbon fibre to reduce weight and increase stability. However, says Visentini, two years ago, new goals were defined. This had to be Passoni’s first truly aero frame, but also had to achieve a perfect balance between heritage and innovation without overemphasising either. The titanium section – lower head tube, down tube, bottom bracket shell and chainstays – focuses on damping, precision, and durability, while the upper carbon part – consisting of the top tube, seat tube and seatstays – adds lightness and performance. To achieve the desired shapes, Passoni completely reworked its CNC parts and designed new 3D-printed components.
Visentini explains that, despite this, the new 3D printing is not intended to be the focal point. “We’re not big fans of 3D printing for its own sake – we only use it where the shape demands it. On the AT-01 the head tube, the bottom bracket, the lower seat tube section and the dropouts are 3D printed but the real challenge was to integrate those parts seamlessly. We didn’t want to draw attention to the technology; we see it as a means to an end, not a design feature. Our goal was to make everything look like a single, continuous piece – very clean and in the Passoni classic style.
“We work with what we believe is the best supplier in the world for 3D-printed bike components. Their finish is outstanding – not grainy like many others, but smooth, almost like CNC machining, even though it’s unpolished.”
As for the tube shapes, they’re completely new for Passoni with their aerodynamic profiles but, says Visentini, he was careful to preserve elegance as the bike progressed from initial sketch to first prototype. “The down tube is the narrowest we’ve ever made. The head tube is the deepest ever for us, and quite narrow from the front. We wanted a modern design but with a timeless feel – and it’s UCI-approved, so it wasn't possible to go crazy with aero shaping.”
The titanium sections are rounded, while the carbon parts are more boxy in profile. “We spent a lot of time perfecting the transitions between them so the frame looks in harmony. All the carbon parts are handmade in Italy by the same supplier we’ve worked with for 15 years and even the carbon seatpost is made in Italy.”
The frame uses a T47 threaded bottom bracket and the head tube is 1.5in, making it compatible with any modern handlebar system. The carbon integrated cockpit made by Passoni comes in six sizes but, says Visentini, custom measurements are possible if a customer has specific needs. Like the cockpit, the fork is also Passoni’s own design. Clearance is for 32mm tyres.
At launch, the AT-01 will be available in six sizes and won’t be made to measure (UCI approval requires specific sizing) but in the future, as with the non-UCI approved Vinci, custom will be possible. Even though it’s a race bike, the geometry is, according to Visentini, “slightly more endurance orientated with a taller head tube and stack than a Specialized Tarmac SL8 or Colnago V5Rs. “Our customers aren’t all racers so they want comfort as well as performance.” The AT-01 will also be offered exclusively in the raw titanium/nude carbon finish with no custom paint options – this is to preserve the soul of titanium in the bike’s name, says Visentini.
Every first-edition frame will come with a plaque inscribed with Passoni’s Latin motto Ex nihilo nihil fit (nothing comes from nothing). “When we decided to develop an aero bike we didn’t want to betray the heritage of the company. So we took all the elements of bikes from the past. We used a shape from the XXTi model, made for the 20th anniversary of the company, and the plaque has the same design as the 30th anniversary model. Even the down tube, a little part of it, has a shape that derives from the 10th anniversary bike. It was really important for us, for me. Every time we create a new model we do it with respect for the past and our motto encapsulates that.”
Although metal bikes, or even half-metal bikes, will never compete weight wise with carbon, the AT-01 is the lightest Passoni has ever made with a frame just under 1.2kg. Built with Campagnolo Super Record 13, the complete bike is around 7.6kg. “Weight isn’t our main focus,” says Visentini. “You can make a carbon bike lighter without changing the ride feel, but with metal, if you remove too much material, it deteriorates quickly. We wanted to preserve the titanium feel.”
What were the biggest challenges in developing the AT1?
“The biggest challenge was actually building the new design from the original sketches. Although it derives from our previous bikes, we had to create custom jigs for each size – six in total – which was very time-consuming. And of course, creating the perfect balance between tradition and modernity.”
How is the AT-01 manufactured? “We don’t glue and bond the titanium and carbon in-house – that’s done by a specialist nearby. But all the titanium welding is done here. We use dummy carbon parts to align everything, then ship the titanium sections for bonding using aerospace-grade adhesive. We’ve been combining carbon and titanium since 2001, so we have a lot of experience and confidence in our methods.”
And finally, what is Visentini most proud of?
“The joint between titanium and carbon. It’s the most iconic element and tells the whole story of the AT-01. It looks simple, like a gentle wave, but that shape took me a long time to perfect.”
“He concludes: “This is not the typical Passoni owner’s bike. It’s lighter, faster, more modern – but it’s still who we are. The AT-01 speaks to a younger, more performance-oriented audience while staying true to our heritage.”
Pre-orders for the AT-01 Animus Titanium open on 13 November 2025, with deliveries scheduled from summer 2026. The frameset will sell at €8,114 + VAT while complete builds with Campagnolo Super Record 13 go from €15,525 + VAT, depending on configuration.
The model will be available through selected retailers and directly via Passoni Titanio.
