Original posted: cyclingon.com
HERSH, short for High Energy Race Sport History, is a company that manufactures its frames in Italy, tailoring them to the customer’s specific needs across road, gravel, time trial, and mountain bike ranges.
The company, based in Como, offers a complete experience, guiding the customer toward the optimal choice based on intended use and biomechanical characteristics. Hersh embodies what has made Made in Italy famous: attention to detail and a distinctive touch.
In 2025, the brand celebrates its 15th anniversary, marked by the launch of ORO, Hersh’s new luxury label.
The Oro frame is a pure road racing bike, with a classic yet refined aesthetic, featuring clean lines and a transparent finish that showcases the carbon fiber weave.
The frame is handcrafted near Como using the wrapping technique, weighs 990 grams in size M, and includes fully integrated cable routing. Upon completion, 24-carat gold is hand-applied, adding a luxurious and sophisticated flair to the bicycle.
As is standard with all Hersh products, the customer is the central focus from the very beginning. Through biomechanical fitting, the rider’s dimensions and needs are identified, making the frame fit like a tailored suit.
The paintwork allows for complete customization based on the buyer’s taste and style, resulting in a bicycle that is truly unique in both design and character.
Hersh strongly believes in the artisanal production of its frames in Italy, ensuring that the purchase of a new bike becomes a complete experience—one that enhances the passion, quality, and uniqueness of each two-wheeled creation.
All these features do not come at the expense of performance. On the contrary, the design focuses on lightness, responsiveness, and ride feel. By adhering to these principles, Hersh delivers a product that serves as a single frame suitable for all types of terrain.
The frame kit, which comes with a lifetime warranty, includes the frame, fork, thru-axles, seatpost, headset, and expander.
The carbon fork features flat blades to optimize aerodynamic penetration, ensuring excellent handling and allowing the rider to feel in full control—especially when entering corners at high speeds, where front-end confidence is essential.
Hersh uses Toray T800 and T1000 carbon fibers, finished in a 3K weave. As a result, the Oro not only belongs in the lightweight road bike category, but it also delivers outstanding performance in terms of stiffness and power transfer efficiency.
The seatpost is entirely designed and manufactured in Italy, the result of both aerodynamic and functional optimization. It features an integrated clamping system that allows for precise, millimetric adjustments in tilt, setback, and positioning. It weighs just 179 grams in size M.
HERSH Oro Test Ride
The Oro frame under test, in the gold/carbon glossy color scheme, is equipped in its top-of-the-line configuration with the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 2×12-speed groupset, featuring 50-34 chainrings and an 11-34 cassette. The Shimano Dura-Ace Disc brakes are fitted with 160 mm front and 140 mm rear rotors.
The cockpit consists of a one-piece monocoque carbon fiber integrated handlebar and stem (Hersh Carbon), with 400 mm width and 120 mm length. The droplet-shaped Hersh Carbon seatpost, designed specifically for the Oro, is paired with a San Marco Aspide Carbon FX saddle.
The Fulcrum Speed 42 wheels feature a 42 mm rim profile and a 23 mm internal width, and are fitted with Vittoria Rubino Pro Graphene 2.0 700x25c tires.
The recorded weight is 7.1 kg (size M, without pedals). The retail price is €9,890.
Aesthetics
The bike’s tubing features differentiated profiles depending on the frame area—compact and muscular at the front end, slimmer in the rear triangle. Overall, oversized sections do not define the elegant and lightweight lines of the Oro.
As previously mentioned, the fork has thin blades that taper down toward the wheel hub. The top tube is flattened, wider near the head tube and tapering near the seatpost. The sloping geometry is subtle, yet allows for a good amount of seatpost exposure, enabling slight flex to help absorb vibrations and enhance comfort.
The seatpost has a droplet cross-section, not only to optimize airflow but also to maintain aesthetic continuity with the seat tube.
The seat tube tapers toward the bottom bracket to accommodate the rear wheel, shortening the chainstay to 410 mm and the overall wheelbase to 975 mm, clearly emphasizing the bike’s responsiveness.
The dropped seat stays, a modern design choice, enhance the frame’s ability to dampen road vibrations before they reach the rider and improve rear-wheel traction.
The chainstays are squared and flattened, keeping a compact profile even near the Press Fit 86.5 mm bottom bracket, which is deliberately not oversized to maintain the visual balance of the frame’s tube sections.
The frame and fork provide enough clearance to mount tires up to 30 mm in width.
The monocoque carbon cockpit by Hersh keeps brake and shift cables completely hidden from view.
The glossy finish of this color scheme showcases the carbon weave beautifully, especially when lit by sunlight.
Oro is a handcrafted yet modern bicycle, incorporating design solutions and geometries that make it a true “do-it-all” bike—one that transcends the outdated divide between aero and climbing bikes. The frame reflects aerodynamic research without compromising ride feel, comfort, or weight.
Geometry
The geometry is race-oriented. In size M, the reach is 393 mm, while the stack is 547 mm, giving a stack-to-reach ratio of 1.39, which indicates a racing-focused, aerodynamic posture that shifts weight toward the front. This is further emphasized by the short head tube of just 147 mm.
The head angle is 72°, while the seat tube angle is 73.5°, allowing for a position that’s aggressive without being extreme, keeping the rider well-positioned above the bottom bracket for powerful pedaling.
The Hersh carbon handlebar has a width of 400 mm, and the virtual stem length—since it’s an integrated cockpit—is 120 mm.
While these values aren’t custom-made, they still allowed me to find an ideal position on the bike: aggressive, yet well-balanced.
This is a performance-oriented bike that didn’t cause me any discomfort during a full month of use—not even after rides exceeding five hours.
Climbing
When climbing, the Oro feels stiff, with no flex when putting power down—always ready to support a sudden acceleration. This trait is certainly enhanced by the sturdy integrated handlebar.
Power transfer is efficient, never harsh or leading to twitchy behavior. When climbing seated, the bike feels smooth and fluid.
At the rear, the stiff chainstay provides satisfying performance both on steep gradients and on rolling terrain where you’re pushing hard.
The Oro’s aggressiveness never becomes overwhelming or difficult to handle, and the bike even feels more comfortable than some competitors in the same category.
I really appreciated the Hersh carbon cockpit in terms of ergonomics—both in the top grip position on the flat, shallow bar (25 mm drop), and in the drops. Additionally, there is absolutely no flex felt when standing on the pedals or during hard braking on descents.
The measured weight of 7.1 kg may not be ultra-light, but it’s still very good for this type of bike.
Flat Terrain
On the flats, the Oro is fast and offers good comfort for a racing bike. The front end is that of a pure race machine—with zero spacers under the stem, it encourages an aggressive riding position.
Over the month of testing, I also enjoyed riding more relaxed, without focusing on speed or elevation gain, maintaining a more upright position for longer hours in the saddle. And indeed, I experienced no discomfort during or after rides—proof that with this bike, you can either chase performance or simply enjoy the pure pleasure of pedaling.
The short chainstays and the dropped seat stay junction stiffen the rear triangle to better support acceleration and sprinting, without compromising comfort. This is thanks to the frame’s ability to absorb vibrations from rough road surfaces.
Once again, the handlebar stands out for its rigidity, while still filtering out harsh feedback from damaged asphalt, avoiding strain on the arms.
The Fulcrum Speed 42 carbon wheels feature a 42 mm rim profile and a 23 mm internal width, which, according to the manufacturer, are ideally paired with 28 mm tires to fully benefit from the balance of aerodynamics, rolling resistance, and comfort.
The well-known 2-Way Fit profile from Fulcrum makes these wheels compatible with both tubeless and clincher tires, as in my case. They are hand-assembled, and the hubs use USB (Ultra Smooth Bearings) ceramic bearings for optimal smoothness.
The Speed 42s are a fitting match for the high-quality character of the Oro, particularly for their versatility.
Their retail price is just over €2,200, and the claimed weight is 1,410 grams per pair.
This mid-depth profile offers a great balance between aerodynamic performance and lightness.
I found them very stable under lateral torsion, smooth rolling, and easy to handle. They hold speeds over 35 km/h effortlessly, and even during descents or when being overtaken by large vehicles, there were no wobbles or unsettling reactions.
The matte black finish pairs perfectly with the Oro’s carbon-look frame.
I would have preferred 28 mm tires, to follow Fulcrum’s recommendation and fully appreciate the smoothness and comfort of the Speed 42s—especially since the 25 mm Vittoria Rubino Pro tires fitted here are not exactly top-of-the-line.
Descent
On descents, the stiff front end gives the Oro precise and predictable handling, both when entering and holding a line through a corner. The short chainstays make it responsive and direct, quick in direction changes, yet the bike still allows line corrections even after committing to a trajectory.
Despite the compact chainstay and relatively short wheelbase, the Oro feels stable and balanced—perhaps only slightly limited by the tires.
The bike remains composed at all times, conveying a strong sense of confidence, encouraging you to push harder through fast corners.
The Shimano braking system, with 160 mm rotors up front and 140 mm at the rear, is reliable and precise, even under demanding conditions.
Versions and Prices
There are currently three build options available for the Hersh Oro:
- Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 12-speed, Fulcrum Speed 42 wheels, Vittoria Rubino 28 mm tires – €9,890
- SRAM Force eTap AXS 12-speed, Vision SC40 wheels, Vittoria Zaffiro 28 mm tires – €8,190
- Shimano Ultegra Di2 12-speed, Vision SC40 wheels, Vittoria Zaffiro 28 mm tires – €7,890
Additionally, there is the option to purchase the frame kit for €4,490, which includes the frame, fork, seatpost, and thru-axles.
Conclusions
The Oro sets no limits on terrain or elevation, even for those chasing top performance. Its versatility as a lightweight aero bike made me feel comfortable from the very first ride—despite being a machine that clearly responds with efficiency when you decide to push hard.
Despite its performance-oriented character, it remains very balanced and never twitchy. That said, it’s important to note that it’s not an endurance bike.
The paint scheme of the test bike is striking and eye-catching, enhanced by meticulous finishing touches. The only thing missing is a power meter.
The build of the Oro I tested is truly top-tier. With a list price of €9,890, it’s an attractive choice for an advanced rider with no budget constraints.
That said, the three catalog options allow for a broader price range, appealing both to those who want the best components and to those looking to spend less without sacrificing exclusivity or style.
Delivery of the Oro takes approximately 60 to 90 days from the order date.
Credit photo in action – @gianlucamuratore_ph
Technical Specifications – HERSH Oro
- Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 2×12-speed, chainrings 50-34, cassette 11-34
- Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace Disc, rotor diameter 160 mm front, 140 mm rear
- Cockpit: Integrated monocoque carbon fiber handlebar and stem, Hersh carbon, width 400 mm, length 120 mm
- Seatpost: Dedicated Hersh carbon seatpost
- Saddle: San Marco Aspide Carbon FX
- Wheels: Fulcrum Speed 42, 42 mm rim profile, 23 mm internal width
- Tires: Vittoria Rubino Pro graphene 2.0 700x25c
- Color: Gold/carbon glossy
- Measured Weight: 7.1 kg without pedals
- Price: €9,890
Original posted: cyclingon.com