The Tommasini Lounge
#851
Senior Member
What's the deal with the Tommasini Air Fork??? I picked up an '86 Tommasini Racing last summer that is equipped with the Air Fork.....see pic below. I've done some searching for information about this fork and have come up with zero, nada, nothing that differentiates it from any other fork supplied by Tommasini. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?
Tommasini introduced the AiR crown circa 1985. I have see three distinct versions but what defines the AiR crown is the taper from front to back, similar to an airfoil profile. Earlier Tommasini crowns were also flatter. The AiR sloped more, hiding more behind the caliper and resulting in shorter blades for a stiffer fork. The fork blades did not fit into sockets like on a conventional crown but fit over internal sleeves, giving a sleek, integrated appearance. It also eliminated the need to braze reinforcing tangs onto the inside of the fork blades. Later versions would become more conventional, sporting reinforcing tangs and then outboard spear points, but the taper and slope remained.
The shape was reported to have been inspired by the roofs of Asian pagodas but it also clearly owes much to Cinelli's fully sloping, integral fork crown. It follows the Tommasini philosophy of products that are not not only functionally superior but also aesthetically appealing. The original AiR crown nicely balances the sleek, integrated, aero styling that was popular in the mid-1980s with elegant but restrained embossing.
#852
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA
Posts: 657
Bikes: '8? Ciocc Mockba 80, '82 Ron Cooper, '84 Allez, '86 Tommasini Racing, '86? Klein Quantum, '87 Ciocc Designer 84, '95 Trek 5500, '98 Litespeed Classic, '98 S-Works Mtb
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Thank you for responding [MENTION=20650]T-Mar[/MENTION].....I had hoped you would! I had read about the "aero" profile of the Columbus AIR tube sets and I examined the fork blades on my bike for any evidence of the same. They appear symmetrical to my eye. I've got the wood stove in my workshop fired up to "warp ten". As soon as it warms up a bit I'll get the Tommi up on the repair stand and examine the fork crown for the front to back taper you noted. Thanks again!
Dean
Dean
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#853
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA
Posts: 657
Bikes: '8? Ciocc Mockba 80, '82 Ron Cooper, '84 Allez, '86 Tommasini Racing, '86? Klein Quantum, '87 Ciocc Designer 84, '95 Trek 5500, '98 Litespeed Classic, '98 S-Works Mtb
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Well.....my Tommasini Air fork crown does taper from front to back. No wonder I feel a tiny bit faster on this bike.....mystery solved!!
Dean
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#855
Early 70's (i believe, judging by other frames i've seen online) Refinished by Ben Falcon. Decals by Cyclomondo.
This is the 'before'. There was some surface rust here and there plus someone had drilled a hole for a brake in the bridge.
#856
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 1,662
Bikes: 1980 Koga-Miyata Gentsluxe-S, 1998 Eddy Merckx Corsa 01, 1983 Tommasini Racing, 2012 Gulf Western CAAD10, 1980 Univega Gran Premio
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Sweet pista Tommasini! I think that early Tommasini DT decal style didn't start until 1975 at the earliest, and probably 1976. More interesting to me the seat stay caps, with the 3 lines but no 'T' embossing. I've seen one like this before, on a 1980-81 strada. That's an unusual fork crown, though I haven't tracked that many track bikes, and they didn't get the same crowns as the road bikes. It does seem like an earlier one, since track bikes from the early 80s usually have a sloping crown fork. Overall I suspect it's more from the later 1970s. I'd love to see a shot of the underside of the bottom bracket shell.
#857
Sweet pista Tommasini! I think that early Tommasini DT decal style didn't start until 1975 at the earliest, and probably 1976. More interesting to me the seat stay caps, with the 3 lines but no 'T' embossing. I've seen one like this before, on a 1980-81 strada. That's an unusual fork crown, though I haven't tracked that many track bikes, and they didn't get the same crowns as the road bikes. It does seem like an earlier one, since track bikes from the early 80s usually have a sloping crown fork. Overall I suspect it's more from the later 1970s. I'd love to see a shot of the underside of the bottom bracket shell.
#858
Junior Member
Speaking of Tommasini history, anyone know when/why the signature on the top tube went from "Tommasini Irio" to Irio Tommasini"? It seems many of the older frames had the last name first.
#860
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 1,662
Bikes: 1980 Koga-Miyata Gentsluxe-S, 1998 Eddy Merckx Corsa 01, 1983 Tommasini Racing, 2012 Gulf Western CAAD10, 1980 Univega Gran Premio
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Finished up the build on this 85th anniversary frame. It of course carries on the Tommasini tradition of not only looking amazing, it rides amazing as well. The photo does not do the cromovelato/retinato paint justice. It is black cromovelato paint (had quite a time deciding between red or black), which in some light has a blue cast to it, I love it.
Speaking of Tommasini history, anyone know when/why the signature on the top tube went from "Tommasini Irio" to Irio Tommasini"? It seems many of the older frames had the last name first.
Speaking of Tommasini history, anyone know when/why the signature on the top tube went from "Tommasini Irio" to Irio Tommasini"? It seems many of the older frames had the last name first.
In all my obsessive comparing various Tommasini graphics styles, I never noticed that the signature was changed! Good catch. People rarely take a closeup of that decal, and I just assumed it didn't change and never paid too much attention. Now I'll have to go back and see if I can find enough hi-res photos in my data base to see when that change too place. I'm going to guess it was in the early 1990s, when the ST graphics changed.
#862
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 1,662
Bikes: 1980 Koga-Miyata Gentsluxe-S, 1998 Eddy Merckx Corsa 01, 1983 Tommasini Racing, 2012 Gulf Western CAAD10, 1980 Univega Gran Premio
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Thanks, [MENTION=490019]flx100[/MENTION].
[MENTION=313321]rlorenz2[/MENTION], I just checked a few dozen photos in my database. The signature decal first went into use around 1981-1982. There are a few bikes I can fairly confidently date to 1980, and they lack that decal. All the bikes with FD tabs have it. Moreover, virtually every bike in my database with the signature decal has the "Tommasini Irio" style decal, which is why I didn't notice the change. I have only gathered photos on a handful of bikes that are from about 1994 or later, and only one of these bikes has the "Irio Tommasini" style. So my guess is sometime in the mid-late 1990s is when the change happened. If we get more people with more modern Tommasinis putting their info here or in the Tommasini Timeline thread, we can pin it down more accurately.
[MENTION=313321]rlorenz2[/MENTION], I just checked a few dozen photos in my database. The signature decal first went into use around 1981-1982. There are a few bikes I can fairly confidently date to 1980, and they lack that decal. All the bikes with FD tabs have it. Moreover, virtually every bike in my database with the signature decal has the "Tommasini Irio" style decal, which is why I didn't notice the change. I have only gathered photos on a handful of bikes that are from about 1994 or later, and only one of these bikes has the "Irio Tommasini" style. So my guess is sometime in the mid-late 1990s is when the change happened. If we get more people with more modern Tommasinis putting their info here or in the Tommasini Timeline thread, we can pin it down more accurately.
#863
Junior Member
Stunning! Great job! I'm curious, did they bring back the 'T' drain hole cutout in the BB shell? And can you decipher the SN?
In all my obsessive comparing various Tommasini graphics styles, I never noticed that the signature was changed! Good catch. People rarely take a closeup of that decal, and I just assumed it didn't change and never paid too much attention. Now I'll have to go back and see if I can find enough hi-res photos in my data base to see when that change too place. I'm going to guess it was in the early 1990s, when the ST graphics changed.
In all my obsessive comparing various Tommasini graphics styles, I never noticed that the signature was changed! Good catch. People rarely take a closeup of that decal, and I just assumed it didn't change and never paid too much attention. Now I'll have to go back and see if I can find enough hi-res photos in my data base to see when that change too place. I'm going to guess it was in the early 1990s, when the ST graphics changed.
@rlorenz2 , I just checked a few dozen photos in my database. The signature decal first went into use around 1981-1982. There are a few bikes I can fairly confidently date to 1980, and they lack that decal. All the bikes with FD tabs have it. Moreover, virtually every bike in my database with the signature decal has the "Tommasini Irio" style decal, which is why I didn't notice the change. I have only gathered photos on a handful of bikes that are from about 1994 or later, and only one of these bikes has the "Irio Tommasini" style. So my guess is sometime in the mid-late 1990s is when the change happened. If we get more people with more modern Tommasinis putting their info here or in the Tommasini Timeline thread, we can pin it down more accurately.
The 'T' cut drain hole is not back unfortunately. It has the 3 diagonal lines in the BB with channel cable guides and the small bridge integrated with the BB.
The serial number at least for this limited run of frames is quite easy and clear as appose to my earlier frame. S/N: 007H018; '007' is the frame production number, 'H' is the month (August), and '18' for the year.
Last but not least, received feedback from Barbara regarding the top tube signature. She stated "In regards to the signature, it started to change in mid 90's in favor of a more "friendly" way of signing."
#864
Bianchi Goddess
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This information has been in the bag with my Bianchi catalogs for years. I don't where it came from and I don't see any dates other then the Bicycling magazine date of '92. Maybe a got it from a Rep or something.
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#865
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
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Thanks for posting the article. Thought I saw my frame in the catalog pic, but not.
Can anyone say when the Super Prestige went to a chrome head tube lug?
My late 80s/early 90s "Marbo Nero' example has painted head tube lugs, not chrome.
I'd post some pics but the site won't let me until I have 10 posts.......
Can anyone say when the Super Prestige went to a chrome head tube lug?
My late 80s/early 90s "Marbo Nero' example has painted head tube lugs, not chrome.
I'd post some pics but the site won't let me until I have 10 posts.......
#866
Senior Member
Adding my new addition to this awesome lounge.
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2019 Salsa Warbird
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2019 Salsa Warbird
#867
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
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"Adding my new addition to this awesome lounge"
Nice...I have its 'Nero' twin. Looks like same size too.
Curious if you know the year of the your Super Prestige?
Mine does not have chrome HT lugs either. Also, my rear triangle is chrome, looks like your is painted.
(Someday I will be able to post pics....i know I have more than 3 posts now.....)
Nice...I have its 'Nero' twin. Looks like same size too.
Curious if you know the year of the your Super Prestige?
Mine does not have chrome HT lugs either. Also, my rear triangle is chrome, looks like your is painted.
(Someday I will be able to post pics....i know I have more than 3 posts now.....)
#868
Senior Member
"Adding my new addition to this awesome lounge"
Nice...I have its 'Nero' twin. Looks like same size too.
Curious if you know the year of the your Super Prestige?
Mine does not have chrome HT lugs either. Also, my rear triangle is chrome, looks like your is painted.
(Someday I will be able to post pics....i know I have more than 3 posts now.....)
Nice...I have its 'Nero' twin. Looks like same size too.
Curious if you know the year of the your Super Prestige?
Mine does not have chrome HT lugs either. Also, my rear triangle is chrome, looks like your is painted.
(Someday I will be able to post pics....i know I have more than 3 posts now.....)
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2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
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2019 Salsa Warbird
#869
Senior Member
Thanks for posting the article. Thought I saw my frame in the catalog pic, but not.
Can anyone say when the Super Prestige went to a chrome head tube lug?
My late 80s/early 90s "Marbo Nero' example has painted head tube lugs, not chrome.
I'd post some pics but the site won't let me until I have 10 posts.......
Can anyone say when the Super Prestige went to a chrome head tube lug?
My late 80s/early 90s "Marbo Nero' example has painted head tube lugs, not chrome.
I'd post some pics but the site won't let me until I have 10 posts.......
#870
Junior Member
Have chance to buy a used but very nice 80's Tommasini Super Prestige SLX, no Campy record but instead sports Chorus and C record Cobalto brakes and Campy Vento wheels..red with chrome legs and chrome front lugs ....asking $600. Should I? Always wanted in this club and now is my chance but need to be resonable as well.
#871
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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Have chance to buy a used but very nice 80's Tommasini Super Prestige SLX, no Campy record but instead sports Chorus and C record Cobalto brakes and Campy Vento wheels..red with chrome legs and chrome front lugs ....asking $600. Should I? Always wanted in this club and now is my chance but need to be resonable as well.
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#872
Senior Member
Have chance to buy a used but very nice 80's Tommasini Super Prestige SLX, no Campy record but instead sports Chorus and C record Cobalto brakes and Campy Vento wheels..red with chrome legs and chrome front lugs ....asking $600. Should I? Always wanted in this club and now is my chance but need to be resonable as well.
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2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
#873
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA
Posts: 657
Bikes: '8? Ciocc Mockba 80, '82 Ron Cooper, '84 Allez, '86 Tommasini Racing, '86? Klein Quantum, '87 Ciocc Designer 84, '95 Trek 5500, '98 Litespeed Classic, '98 S-Works Mtb
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From your text description, I'd be VERY interested at that price. Pics please if you proceed with purchase!!
Dean
Dean
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